Prior to Installation of Bamboo Floor

• Room temperature of 60-72 degrees and a humidity range of 40-60% is recommended.
• Humidity levels below 30% will most likely cause movement in the flooring, including gapping between pieces and possible cupping and checking in the face.
• Store Bamboo flooring at installation area, with boxes opened, for at least 72 hours before installation to allow flooring to adjust to room temperature and humidity.
• Since bamboo is a natural product visible color variations may occur. Mixing cartons will give a natural variation shade.
• Since wood expands with any increase in moisture content, leave at least a 3/8" expansion space between flooring and all walls and vertical objects (such as pipes and cabinets).
• Moisture difference between the floor and the sub-floor should not be more than 3 %

Installation Tools

• Tape measure
• Handsaw or power saw
• Tapping block (trimmed piece of flooring)
• Pencil
• Crow bar or pull bar
• Hammer
• Wood or plastic spacers (3/8")
• Chalk line
• Nailer appropriate for 5/8" thick flooring

For glue-down installation, you will also need:

• Flooring adhesive: Zero-VOC Adhesive or Bostik Best
• Adhesive trowel as recommended by adhesive manufacturer
• 3M Blue tape

Acceptable Sub-floor types:

• Plywood (at least 5/8" thick)
• OSB (at least 3/4" thick)
• Existing hardwood floor

Sub-floor must be:

• Structurally sound
• Clean
• Level
• Dry and will remain dry

Wood Sub-floors must be:

• Dry and well secured.
• Nail or screw every 6" along joists to avoid squeaking.
• Wood sub-floors should be sanded level prior to new installation.

Concrete:

• Must be fully cured, at least 60 days old, and should have minimum 6-mil polyfilm between concrete and ground.
• Do not install on concrete unless you are sure it stays dry year-round.
• All concrete should be tested for moisture.

Ceramic tile and sheet vinyl:

• Must be well-bonded to sub-floor.
• Clean and level.
• Do not sand existing vinyl floors, as they may contain asbestos.

Getting Started:

• Begin installation next to an outside wall. This is the best reference for establishing a straight working line.
• Always allow ½" to ¾" space for expansion around the perimeter of the room.

Nail-Down Installation:

• We recommend Bostiks MVP as moisture protection for all glue down installations
• Read and follow adhesive instructions carefully.
• Spread with trowel at a 45° angle.
• Use a damp cloth to immediately remove any adhesive on flooring surface.
• Take care to remove excess adhesive as you go, using adhesive manufacturer’s recommended adhesive remover if necessary

Installation Steps:

1. Lay the first row of flooring with groove facing the wall, and continue laying flooring until adhesive is covered.
2. Always check your working lines to be sure the floor is still aligned.
3. Use tapping block to fit planks together, but be careful not to let installed floor move on the wet adhesive while you are working.
4. Tighten side and end joints and prevent scooting by securing the flooring together with painters tape.
5. Walk each section of flooring foot-by-foot within the adhesive working time to ensure a solid bond with the adhesive.
6. Flooring planks on perimeter of room may require weight on them until adhesive cures enough to hold them down.

After Installation:

1. Flooring should be one of the last items installed in a project.
2. To protect the floors while other projects are being finished, use rosin paper and use 3M Blue Tape to hold the rosin paper to the floor.
3. Remove expansion spacers and reinstall base and/or quarter round moldings to cover the expansion space.
4. Dust mop or vacuum your floor to remove any dirt or debris.
5. Install any transition pieces that may be needed (reducers, T-moldings, nosing, etc.).
6. If using glue-down do not allow foot traffic or heavy furniture on floor for 24 hours.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Your Bamboo Floor:

1. Vacuum or sweep the floor regularly. Once a week is recommended.
2. Never wet-mop a hardwood floor, and always clean up spills as soon as possible.
3. Avoid rubber backing or non-ventilated rugs.
4. Use protective caps on the feet of the furniture.
5. Maintain humidity between 45% -55%.
6. To remove hard-to-clean substances such as chewing gum, use Goof-Off or Goo-Gone.
7. Floor wax and oil should not be used.

Top-Coating:

• In areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and spaces where food service occurs, top-coating the floor will help prevent against moisture damage.
• In heavy food service areas such as restaurants, two to three top-coats are recommended.

FLOATING INSTALLATION for CALI BAMBOO HYBRID FLOORING

Floating bamboo floors need expansion area as do other types of bamboo installations.

Small layouts or square rooms may only need 3/8" expansion.

If the installation flows into other rooms and runs in excess of 40 feet or thereabouts, more expansion area should be allowed.

Do not install any floating floors against a fixed object such as fireplace, columns and the like. Failure to follow this advice will result in tenting or buckled floors.

Acceptable sub-floor types

Concrete Slab:

• It must be flat, clean and dry.
• Moisture test is recommended.
• It is recommended to place a moisture barrier over the concrete, usually 6 mil polyurethane sheeting.

Sub-Flooring:

• Engineered flooring can be installed over virtually any other flooring material; however, carpeting and felt coverings should be removed.
• Like concrete slabs, sub-floors must be flat, clean and dry, and firmly secure to the joists.

Installation:

• It is recommended to install the planks parallel to the longest wall.
• Using spacers to maintain the expansion space, begin by laying the first plank in a corner with the long grooved side toward the long wall.
• Connect the short side of the second plank together with the mating side of the first plank.
• Cut the last plank and complete the row. Use the remaining plank to start the second row.
• Be sure to offset the end joins of consecutive rows by a minimum of six inches for best appearance.
• Continue the second row by connecting the short edges of the planks first with the long edges.
• The last row may require rip cutting the planks to size.
• Cut enough to create the expansion space.
• As with the other rows, connect the short edges first and use a pull bar to tap the long edges together.