Installing Bamboo Flooring
Preparing your subfloor The first thing that you should do before starting to install your bamboo floor is to make sure that your subfloor is of a sound quality, otherwise your bamboo floor may become damaged over time. Check that your subfloor is flat, level, dry and clean by following these simple steps:
[caption id=attachment_682 align=aligncenter width=254] Concrete moisture meter[/caption] Once you have followed these three steps you are ready to start installing your bamboo flooring. Leaving an expansion gap All types of bamboo flooring need an expansion gap of at least 10mm to allow the planks of flooring to naturally expand and contract with varying levels of humidity. If the correct size expansion gap is not left then the bamboo will have no room to move and could start to rise up and distort. The expansion gap should be left around the perimeter of the whole room including doorways and fireplaces. Flooring spacers can be used to ensure the correct size gap has been left. These are then removed once the floor has been fitted and the expansion gap is covered over by skirting or beading. Please see ‘Does bamboo flooring need an expansion gap?’ [caption id=attachment_601 align=aligncenter width=256] Carbonised Vertical Bamboo Flooring with an expansion gap[/caption] Installing bamboo over joists Bamboo flooring must be at least 18mm thick and have a tongue and groove profile if you want to install it over joists. You have the choice of either secret nailing or secret screwing it to the joists. Start by securing the first row of bamboo flooring by either nailing or screwing into the groove of the planks. You should use at least three nails or screws per plank and be careful not to go too close to the end of the plank as this may cause it to split. Once the first row is straight and in place, you can carry on building up the rows using the same method staggering the planks of flooring however you please. [caption id=attachment_229 align=aligncenter width=293] Secret Nailing onto Joists. Image: hss.com[/caption] Installing bamboo over wooden floorboards or plywood You have the choice of either gluing the bamboo directly to the floorboards /plywood, floating it over an underlay or secret nailing/secret screwing it down to the floorboards or plywood. If you decide to glue the bamboo down to the floorboards/plywood then you will need to use flexible flooring adhesive. Glue the first plank of flooring directly down to the floorboards/plywood and continue in straight lines, staggering the pattern as you please. For click fitting flooring you will just glue the planks to the floorboards/plywood as you click them into place. For tongue and groove flooring you simply fit the tongues and grooves together while gluing the planks to the subfloor. If you choose to float click fitting bamboo flooring over an underlay, then just click and lock the planks in place, laying them loosely over the underlay. If you have tongue and groove bamboo then you will need to glue along the tongue and groove joints to fix the planks together, but you should not glue the flooring to the underlay, it should be laid loosely on top. If you choose to secret nail or secret screw then start by securing the first row of bamboo flooring by either nailing or screwing into the groove of the planks. You should use at least three nails or screws per plank and be careful not to go too close to the end of the plank as this may cause it to split. Once the first row is straight and in place, you can carry on building up the rows using the same method staggering the planks of flooring however you please. [caption id=attachment_246 align=aligncenter width=318] Secret nailing bamboo flooring onto plywood[/caption] Installing bamboo over chipboard You have the choice of either gluing your bamboo down to the chipboard or floating it over an underlay. Chipboard is not stable enough for secret nailing or secret sewing. If you choose to glue your bamboo flooring down to the chipboard you should use flexible flooring adhesive and you can stagger the planks however you wish. Glue the first plank of flooring directly down to the chipboard and continue in straight lines. For click fitting flooring you will just glue the planks to the chipboard as you click them into place. For tongue and groove flooring you simply fit the tongues and grooves together while gluing the planks to the subfloor. If you choose to float your bamboo flooring over an underlay, then for click fitting flooring just click and lock the planks into place. For tongues and groove flooring then you should glue the tongues and grooves together, but do not glue the flooring to the underlay, it should be left to float loosely. [caption id=attachment_895 align=aligncenter width=285]
Gluing flooring to chipboard[/caption] Installing bamboo over concrete or screed You have the choice of either gluing the bamboo directly down to the concrete or floating it over an underlay. If you choose to glue the bamboo down to the concrete you should use flexible flooring adhesive. Glue the first plank of flooring directly down to the concrete and continue in straight lines, staggering the pattern as you please. For click fitting flooring you will just glue the planks to the concrete as you click them into place. For tongue and groove flooring you simply fit the tongues and grooves together while gluing the planks to the subfloor. If you choose to float click fitting bamboo over an underlay, then just click and lock the planks in place, laying them loosely over the underlay. If you have tongue and groove bamboo then you will need to glue along the tongue and groove joints to fix the planks together, but you should not glue the flooring to the underlay, it should be laid loosely on top. [caption id=attachment_685 align=aligncenter width=401] Floating bamboo flooring over an underlay[/caption] Installing bamboo over asphalt You have the choice of gluing your bamboo flooring directly down to the asphalt or floating it over an underlay. If you choose to glue the bamboo down to the asphalt, firstly you should use a primer over the whole subfloor. Then start by gluing the first plank of flooring directly down to the subfloor (using flexible flooring adhesive) and continue in straight lines, staggering the pattern as you please. For click fitting flooring you will just glue the planks to the subfloor as you click them into place. For tongue and groove flooring you simply fit the tongues and grooves together while gluing the planks to the subfloor. If you choose to float click fitting bamboo over an underlay, then just click and lock the planks in place, laying them loosely over the underlay. If you have tongue and groove bamboo then you will need to glue along the tongue and groove joints to fix the planks together, but you should not glue the flooring to the underlay, it should be laid loosely on top. Installing bamboo over bitumen You must float you bamboo flooring over an underlay. If you have click fitting bamboo flooring then just click and lock the planks in place, laying them loosely over the underlay. If you have tongue and groove bamboo flooring then you will need to glue along the tongue and groove joints to fix the planks together, but you should not glue the flooring to the underlay, it should be laid loosely on top.
Bamboo Floor Installation Tips And Tricks
This installation information is only for general advice and guidance, and we always recommend that you consult a professional floor fitter who has an in depth understanding of the type of bamboo flooring that you want to install.You can avoid a lot of flooring problems by simply learning what to do and what not to do when installing the floors. Follow this guide to find out the most common installation mistakes — and how to best avoid them!
Flooring is a big investment and can result in expensive repairs if not done properly, so set 30 minutes aside to ensure you and your installer read the complete installation guide from your manufacturer.
If you have a hardwood floor glued or nailed down and has started to shrink or change shape within a few months after installation, improper acclimation is one possible culprit.
Preparing Your Subfloor For Bamboo Flooring Installation
When installing hardwood flooring over a concrete subfloor, crawlspace, or other sub-floor that may emit moisture, steps must be taken to seal off the moisture to prevent damaging the floor. The failure to use a vapor barrier underlament, using the wrong type of adhesive, or failing to apply the adhesive at a uniform and consistent rate, at the wrong thickness, or with the wrong trowel, are a few of the leading causes of hardwood floor cupping and water damage.
If sub-floor moisture is left unsealed it will begin to accumulate over time in the flooring planks, resulting in dark water stains, bubbling, cracking and even buckling due to the swelling of the planks.
If floating a floor, use a 3 in 1
Posting Komentar untuk "Installing Bamboo Flooring"