Bamboo Floor Installation

Bamboo floor installation is not much different from standard hardwood floor installation. For homeowners, the primary motivation for doing bamboo wood floor installation is to save money. It can be installed in half the cost by doing it yourself.Installing a bamboo floor can be an easy weekend project.

Basic Instructions: Prior to installation of any flooring, you should ensure that the job site and subfloor meet the necessary requirements. The important steps in installation take place before putting in the bamboo floor. Here are a few guidelines:

The first step in bamboo floor installation is making sure the subfloor is:

√ Structurally sound
√ Clean: Swept and free of debris, wax, grease,paint, sealers, and old adhesives etc
√ Dry: Subfloor must remain dry year-round, and
√ Level
Adhesives do not bond well with dirty subfloors and will eventually cause decay, if moist. If not level, the bamboo flooring will squeak when walked on.
Remove any old nails or staples from previous flooring material.
Examine each floor plank for grade, color,finish, quality and defects.
Measure the floor and divide by the number of boards.
Lay out flooring for visual selection. The careful placement of color and grain will enhance the beauty of the finished floor.
The flooring material must be stored at the installation site at least 24�72 hours earlier. This allows the flooring to adjust to the room temperature and humidity.
Do not store directly on concrete or near outside walls.
When purchasing flooring, add 5% to actual square footage needed for cutting allowance.
If you're installing the bamboo floor on a second story, then before using the nailer/stapler, first remove light fixtures from the ceilings below. The stapler puts a pressure on the joists and can loosen ceiling-mounted fixtures below.
Any job involving water or moisture should be done before the bamboo floor installation. A room temperature of 60-70�F and humidity level of 40-60% is recommended.

Important Note:

A bamboo wood floor should be the last item installed for any new construction or remodel project. Also, install the floor per the manufacturers guidelines to protect your warranty.

An important consideration as you plan to install bamboo flooring will be of course whether you'll take on the project yourself or hire a professional flooring installer. Often their experience will help the job go smoothly and quickly, and can result in a better final product. A good way to get a feel for what the cost of installing bamboo flooring would be as compared to doing it yourself is to invite several competing contractors to bid the project, and then make your decision. QualitySmith is a free service that lets you do this easily with pre-screened local professionals who have stood the test of time and have strong customer referrals. Qualitysmith can also provide cost estimates for other home improvment tasks as well, such as roofing or HVAC.

For more information on installing bamboo flooring and other home improvement projects visit Home Improvement Online.