BambooWorld - Bamboo Flooring

INSTALLATION

General Information

Panda Bamboo flooring can be installed in the same way that professionals install common wood flooring planks using standard flooring nails and recommended adhesives. The installers are advised to adhere to the preparation, installation, finishing and maintenance procedures outlined in the Hardwood Flooring Manual supplied by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). For more information call (800) 422-4556 in the U.S. (800) 848-8824 in Canada.

Before Installation

The installer must inspect bamboo board carefully before installation. Any materials installed with obvious defects will not be warranted. Also, the installer must be careful to protect the flooring plank from gaining moisture before, during and after the installation of the floors. Be sure to use your moisture meter to check moisture level in both the sub-floor and flooring material to be laid before installation. If there is greater than a 3% moisture difference between the sub-floor and the bamboo flooring, the flooring should be unpacked and left to acclimate until the moisture levels are within the 3% range. While bamboo flooring is much more stable than most wood flooring, it is still subject to damage when in direct contact with a constantly wet slab. The bamboo flooring must be isolated from this type of slab by use of a reverse vinyl or sleeper sub floor, or using a floating system over a non absorbent pad, such as PEVA foam. In extremely dry climates, the bamboo flooring should be allowed to acclimatize under actual use condition in order to avoid shrinkage.

The Installation

Sub-floor: the installer must first be working with a good surfaces, either concrete or wood sub-floor, that must be solid, flat, clean and dry. A 5/8" or 3/4" plywood is recommended for wood sub-floor. Wood sub-floors must be sanded level prior to new installation. Concrete sub-floors must have all cracks and holes filled with a cement patching material.

Nail Down: begin laying your floor with a pneumatic or hand operate flooring installation tool. Our recommended nail gun is the Primatech for 5/8" flooring with 1 1/2" to 2" cleat. Planks shall be started square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension, leaving 1/4" to 1/2" expansion space from base plate or wall. Ensure starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing. Once initial rows are secure, second and further courses shall be blind nailed directly above tongue at a 45-50 degree angle to the face. Fasteners shall be spaced at 10-12 inch intervals with a minimum of 2 fasteners per plank.

Glue Down: where possible moisture conditions may exist now or in the future, use a moisture barrier wood flooring adhesive like "Bostik's Best" or "Franklin 811 Plus". Where moisture conditions are of no concern, any high grade adhesive may be used. In any event, spread with 1/4" x 1/8" square notched trowel. Planks shall be started square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension, leaving 1/4" expansion space from base plate or wall. Ensure starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing. Once initial rows are secure, use adhesive in a Wet-Lay or Walk-on-work method of installation WET-LAY METHOD. Room, planks and adhesive should all be conditioned at room temperature for 24 hours before and after installation.

Refinishing: Panda Bamboo Flooring can be finished, refinished or repaired with any polyurethane or compatible coating. It is not necessary to re-stain the dark co1ored flooring because the carbon color is impregnated all the way through the wear surface. The wear surface is thick enough to withstand a professional refinishing operation using a belt sander.