How to Install Bamboo Flooring Over a Wood Sub-Floor
Please note, because of the differences in installation methods, this article
covers installation over a wood sub-floor. For installation
over concrete sub-floors, please see our article “How
to Install Bamboo Flooring Over a Concrete Sub-Floor.”
This article also assumes you have selected your grain and
color of flooring.
Tools Required:
- Chalk Line
- Rubber Mallet
- Hand Saw
- Plastic or Wooden Spacers (1/4”)
- Pneumatic Flooring Package (air compressor and hose, gun,
mallet and staples)
Note: This package can be rented at most rental centers. Make sure you get the correct staples for the gun. The staples may look alike, but it is important to get the proper gauge that fits the gun.
Preparation
Remove shoe moldings and make sure the sub-floor is even, clean, dry and smooth. Sanding may be necessary in order to obtain smooth, even surface. If sanding is needed, make sure the floor is completely cleaned of dust and debris afterward. Also, if you notice any floor squeaks, correct them now by securing the sub-floor to the joists as needed. Door jambs may also need to be cut so planks will fit under them to create a finished look. Simply place a piece of flooring against the jamb, mark it and cut the jamb at the line.
Once you have received your bamboo flooring, it must
first be allowed to acclimate itself in the room in which
it will be installed. Bamboo flooring should be removed
from its boxes and stored in the room it will be installed
in for a minimum of two days, preferably three to five days
before installation. This will let the floor adjust to the
room’s humidity and temperature. Because of natural variations
in the bamboo flooring, it is recommended you layout the planks
to get an idea of how you want them arranged before making
any cuts or nailing any boards down.
Installation It is recommended that you install bamboo
flooring parallel with the longest wall of the room for the
best visual effect. Measure the width of a plank from this
wall and add 1/4” to the measurement. Next, at this spot,
snap a chalk line across the room to mark where you will begin
flooring. This 1/4” is important to provide expansion/contraction
room for the flooring.
Arrange the first row with the groove for the flooring facing
the wall. Also, begin placing spacers between the bamboo
flooring and the wall. Spacers should be inserted approximately
every 12 inches and at each joist. This gives you a firm base
to install against, but ensures you maintain your 1/4” gap.
This starter row should be nailed to the flooring joists underneath
the sub-floor. The edge of the flooring which faces the wall
(groove edge) may be face nailed since it will be covered
by shoe molding after installation. The other edge should
be secured by blind nailing with the pneumatic gun approximately
every ten inches, no closer than 6 inches. Also avoid nailing
to close to the end of a board to avoid splitting the board.
As you begin your next row, make sure your board joints are staggered. In other words, no two ends of adjacent rows should meet. You can achieve this by cutting off 6-8 inches of the first board in your next row. This varying board length is not only for visual effect, but is also essential so as not to weaken the floor.
Tip: Make sure you match tongue to groove as you
lay each row. Otherwise you will create very unsightly gaps
and an uneven floor. Also, use a scrap piece of bamboo
floor braced against the piece you are installing and
tap against the scrap piece with the rubber mallet to work
the flooring into place.
On the last row, blind nailing by hand will be necessary since the pneumatic gun will not fit. As a last resort, the last row can be face nailed in lieu of blind nailing.
Finishing Up:
Once all the bamboo flooring is has been laid, replace
the shoe moldings and give the floor a final sweep up. Now
it’s time to bring back in furniture, rugs, etc. and your
room remodel is complete.
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