How to install bamboo flooring using Floating Method

Bamboo flooring has become a popular choice for homeowners due to its durability, sustainability, and stylish appearance.

If you’re considering installing bamboo flooring in your home or office space, then you’ve come to the right place!

In this post, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of how to install bamboo flooring yourself.

With our expert tips and tricks, you can have beautiful new floors in no time!

So grab your tools and let’s get started!

Tools you will need

• Hammer & Tapping Block – To hold the planks in place without leaving gaps in the seams
• Measuring Tape & pen – To measure the flooring area
• Spacers – Generally 1/2 an inch spacers are enough
• Flat/Pull bar

Pre Installation Care

Before we look into the actual process of how to install bamboo floorings, let us first share with you the pre-installation care or steps that you should take for an accurate installation.

i) Order 8% more

Whenever you order planks for your flooring, order at least 8% of extra flooring that is the exact amount of square feet of flooring area you need to cover.

Why? Because not every time things will go as we planned.

Sometimes there can be a few mistakes that can happen during the installation and you might need an additional plank or planks can get damaged during the process of transportation or installation most commonly you might need those extras to cover the nook and crannies of your floor.

ii) Clean and Dry the subfloor

The subfloor or the underlayment on which you are planning to install your bamboo flooring must be DRY.

Bamboo is not very tolerant to wetness in general and installing your bamboo over a moist or wet underlayment can not only damage your flooring to a greater extent over a period of time but also can be a breeding ground for molds and fungi.

This will eventually cause a bad smell under your flooring which might lead to the process again.

So it is recommended to have a dry subfloor and the other important factor is that the subfloor should be leveled and clean enough.

Unleved or unclean subfloors can cause bumps on the floor and will lead the floor to buckle up. before you start your installation procedure, ensure the subfloor is well-cleaned and is smoothened and evenly leveled out.

iii) Use a moisture barrier

If you are planning to install bamboo floors in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens then install a moisture barrier before installing the bamboo.

Also, if your subfloor is a concrete subfloor, make sure it is left to cure for at least 60 days minimum and is tested for leaks and other issues.

iv) Acclimation

When you install bamboo planks, don’t just straight away jump into the installation process. Leave the bamboo planks in the room you are about to install for about 2 to 3 days.

This gives the bamboo enough time to get accustomed (expand or contract relatively) to the temperature and humidity conditions of the room it will get installed in.

This process will prevent the planks from expanding or contracting due to environmental changes right after installation.

How to install bamboo flooring

In this method, the bamboo flooring is installed in a floating manner similar to your floating LVPs without any glue or adhesive.

When installing your bamboo it is essential to maintain a half an inch gap between the walls, door frames, cabinets, pipes, or other objects.

This gives the bamboo plank the gap to expand at times of temperature change.

The primary advantage of floating bamboo floors is that it doesn’t require any screwing or nailing to the underlayment.

For click planks, no adhesive of any sort is needed, but on the other hand, if you are using the tongue and grooves edge it is necessary to apply some amount of flooring glue inside the grooves for better holding and adhesion.

If you are using glue, make sure to leave the floor undisturbed until the glue completely dries.

• Remove all the baseboards before starting the process.

• Place the 1/2an inch spaces at the walls and now place the first plank at the corner of the wall.

• Continue laying the other planks. If the length of the plank is much longer, use a saw to cut the plank to the desired length.

• Continue in a similar fashion for the second row as well.

• Use the tapping block and hammer to give a slight tap along the edges of the plank to create a tight and solid connection between the planks.

• Follow the above steps for all other rows as well.

• If you encounter doors, then you need to undercut your door jams and lay the planks. Keep a plank near the door jam and undercut the required portion out of the door jam.

• Once the process is complete, remove all the spacers and install back the baseboards. This will cover up the expansion gaps between the flooring and walls and also adds an additional layer of protection against moisture and dirt.

Maintenance

Here are a few maintenance tips for bamboo floor that you should take into account to keep your floor shining for years together:

• In DIY installation, the planks aren’t glued down to the underlayment, hence on these floors, it is not advised to place heavy-weight objects permanently over the floor.

• Don’t drag furniture over these floors as they can cause heavy damage.

• Consider adding area rugs or mats in high-traffic areas like doorways or hallways. This will help further protect your floors from scratches and dents while also enhancing their overall appearance.

• Use furniture protectors to avoid the dents and stain marks due to unmoved furniture and also prevent scratches from furniture drags and friction.

Remember to take your time during installation, following each step closely to ensure proper alignment and spacing.

You may also want to consult with a professional if you have any doubts or concerns about the process.

By following our guide on how to install bamboo flooring, you’ll not only add value but also enhance the comfort and aesthetic appeal of your living space with an eco-friendly and durable material that will last for many years to come.

So, how did your bamboo flooring installation process go? What setbacks or challenges did you face? Explain us more about the process you followed and feel free to share some tips and tricks that worked for you. Drop your experiences in the comments!