Installing Bamboo Floors


Many ask us how are bamboo floors installed? Or, can we handle a do it yourself installation? With a great flood of bamboo flooring on the market today there exists little information on how they can beGluedown Bamboo To Concrete installed. Often there are no installation instructions with some brands leading many to wonder how are these floors installed? Bamboo floors are installed by the same principle as ordinary hardwood floors, but there are quirks along the way some should be aware of.

With any type of bamboo installation, critical steps to success should be performed before the actual installation. These include acclimation, moisture testing, and proper floor preparation. Generally the lack of floor preparation is one of the leading reasons for failure. In a nutshell, all subfloors should be flat while allowing a tolerance of 3/16" over a span of 8-10 feet. For more on all these topics follow our floor preparation article.

Nailed or Stapled Bamboo Floors

If you have a wood subfloor the direct fastening method seems to be the preference. Originally many manufacturers did not provide installation specifications, rather they assumed most installers were safe in following standard methods which included stapling. In recent years more guidelines have surfaced that includes the use of 18 gauge cleat nails over staples that eliminate or cut down on tongue splitting; a result that can create squeaky floors.

Products now being recommended by larger bamboo manufacturers such as Teragren, include the Powernail 50P or Primatech Q550 specifically when it comes to the harder, more popular stand bamboo flooring varieties.

Guidelines for nail down installations should be similar to that of common hardwoods. Fasten every 6-8" on center (OC) and approximately 2" away from each end joint. Always keep a good eye on nail penetration. These tools are pneumatic and fasteners will not seat properly if the air pressure is too low or high. Failure to monitor can result in crushed board tongues (high pressure) that can result in squeaking, or adjacent board surface dimples or bumps (low pressure) once the floor is installed.

Floating Bamboo Floors

Too often we hear, "they said we could float this bamboo floor." Not all bamboos can be installed by the floating floor method, specifically solid products. Wider engineered or cross ply products should only be considered for floating. Floating bamboo floors are installed over various types of underlayment providing a cushioned feel. Some more popular basic underlayments include three in one (3-1) types that provide cushion and moisture protection for concrete subfloors.


Click or glue? Recently click or snap lock floors have become popular with the DIY crowd in laminate, hardwood, and bamboo. How long they hold up has always been on many installers minds. As of this update, November 14, 2011, we're glad to report click type floors are holding up well but should be avoided near areas of potential moisture. Glued type floaters require the application of Titebond adhesive into the groove of the boards when installing. The consensus favors glued type floating floors.

Floating bamboo floors need expansion area as do other types of bamboo installations. Often misinformed salespeople confuse laminate flooring expansion with hardwood or bamboo. Laminate manufacturers use 5/16" as a guide. Our suggestion with bamboo; play it safe and allow as much expansion as possible. Small layouts or square rooms may only need 3/8" expansion, but if the installation flows into other rooms and runs in excess of 40 feet or thereabouts, more expansion area should be allowed. Do not butt or install any floating floors against a fixed object such as fireplace hearths, columns and the like. Failure to heed this advice will result in tenting or buckled floors.

Glue Down Bamboo Floors

Across our website you'll find we don't consider gluedown installations for do it yourselfers. But we realize many are determined. If considering such, it is important to use the recommended adhesive! With many brands being sold without installation specifications what is one to do?

Manufacturers that do make the effort, specify urethane type adhesives such as Bostiks (example shown above). Water based adhesives should be avoided! Our suggestion; buy the more expensive urethane glue and sleep better at night. The others will cause severe cupping within a matter of days and your new floor could be permanently ruined.

Bamboo Flooring Installation Costs?

Labor rates for installation follow closely with that of common hardwood floors but will vary from one region to another, including your hometown. As with any prefinished floor, care should be given priority, especially during the installation process. Always keep work areas clean of debris and cover already completed areas with cardboard, masonite board, or other thicker protective materials and sweep frequently.

Other Thoughts

Over the years we've heard numerous complaints about bamboo floors and their performance. Often a salesperson not familiar with the product is to blame and not bamboo itself. Many claim bamboo floors are extremely durable. Almost indestructible, harder than oak or maple and more. The complaints remind us of the same when laminate floors became popular in the mid to late 'nineties.

There are differences in bamboo hardness, an often used selling point. As you'll notice on our other bamboo pages not all products are the same. Some will be more consistent in color from one board to the next while others can offer a wide variation (example right). With any type of bamboo or hardwood flooring, always utilize three or four cartons of flooring when installing to obtain a better distribution of color.


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Related Pages:

• Bamboo Hardness Differences - Do they scratch?
• Bamboo Manufacturing
• Installing Bamboo Floors
• Bamboo Moisture Content
• Origin Of Bamboo
• Bamboo Flooring Styles, Appearances
• Bamboo Maintenance Problems
• Bamboo Photo Gallery