You’ve decided to replace your floor with bamboo. You buy the materials that you need and bring them home. Now what? How do you install your new floor properly so you can enjoy it for many years? One of the first steps you should take is to inspect your materials. Bamboo is a natural material and will have slight variations in color. Any material that has serious defects should be returned to the supplier if at all possible.

What about Floor Preparation?

One important step in bamboo flooring installation is being sure that the subfloor is sound. Because of the properties of bamboo, particleboard subfloors are unacceptable. The subfloor should be either ¾” OSB, 5/8” plywood, concrete or an existing solid wood subfloor. This will help keep the moisture content down so the adhesive used to lay the bamboo will not fail. The subfloor must be level to ensure the best possible installation. If the subfloor is subject to moisture, it shouldn’t exceed 2%; otherwise it should remain dry year round.

Now Can We Install?

Humidity and temperature should be consistent for ten days minimum before installation. If a room exceeds 80° or falls below 50°, or if the humidity is allowed to fluctuate higher than 65% or lower than 35%, most warranties will be voided. A dehumidifier or humidifier may be used to regulate the conditions of the room where the floor is installed. Always sweep the floor before installation begins. Dirt left behind will cause the floor to lie incorrectly.

To Nail, Glue, or Float?

Bamboo can be installed by nailing, gluing, or by using the floating method. If nailing, the planks should be started square with the room. Be sure that it is parallel to its longest length (achieved by using a chalk line). Make sure to leave a 3/8” expansion from any wall, base plate or other stationary vertical areas. Site made spacers are perfect for ensuring this. Once the starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing you can begin to add additional rows. Make sure you blind nail them directly above each tongue at a 45-50 degree angle. Also space your fasteners 10-12” apart with a minimum of two per plank.

Rather “Stick To It?”

Make sure that you use elastomeric moisture barrier wood flooring adhesive such as “Bostik’s Best,” or “Franklin’s 811 Plus.” Follow their directions on how to use, handle, and store the adhesive. Once you are ready to install, spread the adhesive with a notched trowel. Make sure to spread only as much adhesive as you will be covering in one hour so it does not have time to dry before the planks are in place. Once the glue has become tacky you are ready to lay the planks. The planks should be installed in the same manner as the nailing method, being sure to vary the tones in the planks as you go. Continue until the floor is totally covered. It is very important to remove any adhesive that gets on the surface. Once cured it is extremely difficult to remove.

How About Floating?

Using the floating method requires the installation of a suitable vapor barrier and/or underlayment between your flooring and the subfloor. This also includes taping the seams to ensure full coverage of the subfloor. One recommended adhesive is E-Z Bond (Medium Viscosity formula 1-866-239-2663). Remember! This material “sets” in approximately 15 seconds (it is kin to “super glue”). Before you glue the planks together, make sure they fit properly. Begin the installation using spacers to make sure that the recommended expansion perimeter is maintained (3/8”). Place the groove of the starter row against the wall and apply the adhesive along the bottom of the groove. Quickly tap the planks together using a tapping block. Also apply glue to the bottom side of the groove at the end joints for the first several rows.

You have installed your new bamboo flooring. Now you can sit back and enjoy the elegance and refinement that it brings to your room. Remember, keep the humidity and temperature under control and you will be able to enjoy your bamboo floor for years to come.

Why Is Bamboo For Me?

With a warm and inviting look, a bamboo floor makes a great addition to any house. The great durability and ruggedness of the material makes it a perfect choice for high traffic homes such as those with very active pets or even children.  Strand woven bamboo is one of the most stable woods suitable for wood floors Bamboo is also very eco-friendly. It can be planted, grown, and harvested with little to no impact on the environment around it. Due to its rapid growth process, bamboo is much more eco-friendly than the other slower growing hard woods.

Some of the other benefits of a Bamboo Floor include:

• Easy to clean
• Allergen Free
• Can be sanded and refinished just like other hardwood floors
• Coordinates easily with any room décor
• Excellent for commercial use or high traffic areas
• Environmentally safe & friendly
• Moisture resistant
• Minimal shrinkage / minimal expansion
• Aesthetically sound
• Less sanding and refinishing than most other hardwood floors

So Why Does Bamboo Hold Up So Well?

Bamboo is a naturally durable wood. This combined with the process of lamination that it goes through to produce the end result planks creates a product that is extremely resistant to damage.

TIP: One thing to consider when choosing your floor is whether to choose standard bamboo or strand woven bamboo. While both are quite beautiful, strand woven bamboo planks are actually made from strips of bamboo that have been compressed and bonded together. While this leads to a tougher product than even regular bamboo flooring, it can sometimes be limited on color choices depending on which supplier you decide to use.

But What If?

One thing that most people worry about with wood floors in general is “what if I spill something on it?” Never fear, unlike most hardwood floors, as long as it does not sit for a long period of time, spills will not affect a bamboo floor like it does a standard wood floor. Also, clean up is a snap! Just a simple dry mop and a little bit of vinegar water will have it looking good as new. If the unimaginable happens and you have *queue the dramatic music* a scratch… No worries! Bamboo is very easy to sand and lay down a little finish. Ta dah! Good as new and no expensive replacing or other such headache.

Tip: It is possible that over time the finish on your floor may fade. To be able to keep the color change as even as possible you should try changing your furniture around from time to time. This will allow the entire floor to get equal amounts of wear. Some manufacturers are selling bamboo floors that are said to resist fading. This would be a definite option to keep in mind!

No matter what the reason for choosing your new strand woven bamboo flooring, you will be able to enjoy it for years to come. With an unmatched durability you will be pleased with your beautiful new bamboo flooring.

Caring For Your Bamboo Floor

Once you have had your beautiful new bamboo floor installed you can insure that it looks great and sees many years of use and enjoyment by properly caring for it. Bamboo flooring is very tough and wears much better than most other types of hardwood floors. By protecting it from possible damage you will ensure its longevity. It will be a source of enjoyment for your family and guests for years to come. Below are a few tips to set you on the right path to provide the care that your bamboo floor requires for that long life that it deserves.

First and foremost, if you are using rugs on your bamboo floor make sure that they do not have a rubber backing. Rubber backed rugs can easily damage a wooden floor and bamboo is no exception. The rubber coating does not allow the floor to breathe properly and can lead to discoloration of your bamboo floor.

In this same vein, make sure that you place protective pads under any furniture legs that are in contact with your floor. Make sure to use pads that are backed with felt or thick fabric. This will prevent the pressure of the furniture from leading to an indentation in the bamboo flooring over time. Never allow heavy furniture to be dragged across your floor. This could lead to unsightly gouging and scrapes. Deep enough places would be much more expensive to repair than it would be worth so you really want to do what you can to prevent them.

Got The Prevention Down, Now How Do I Clean It?

One thing to do is to prevent any spills when possible. If a spill is allowed to sit for an extended period of time on your bamboo floor it could lead to discoloring. Make sure to get your spill up as quickly as possible when they happen. Usually you can easily remove simple spills by wiping up whatever was spilled and then lightly cleaning the area with a damp rag and a little vinegar water. Some manufacturers may recommend a certain type of cleaner better suited for their particular type of floor. If the manufacturer recommends a certain type of cleaner then you should try to use that brand if possible so that you do not potentially void your floor’s warranty.

This goes for general cleaning as well. Make sure that you use a soft bristle broom to sweep your floor free of dust and dirt often so that it does not have a chance to accumulate and cause damage to your beautiful floor. A dust mop can make a very good tool to use due to the fact that it does not have bristles that may possible leave minute scratches that can lead to damage over time. Prevention can be a very powerful tool in this case. By placing a doormat at each entry, you can ensure that family and friends don’t track dirt onto your beautiful floor that you will have to worry about cleaning up. A friend suggested that I keep an ancient Asian custom alive by having everyone remove their shoes as they enter. She said that it helped to encourage cultural awareness while saving her some cleaning time as well.

No matter how you look at it, your gorgeous new bamboo flooring can last you for decades to come if it is cared for properly. By making sure to keep it clean you will extend it’s life drastically. Enjoy!

Read more on cleaning bamboo flooring at A1 Bamboo Flooring.

Caring for Your Floor

Caring for you bamboo flooring is really important to keep it look new and shiny. Most manufacturers provide you with a simple set of guidelines to follow. These guidelines help you care for your flooring, but incase you do not get these tips with your floor it is important to call your manufacturer, and find out what to do in this situation.

Here are some tips you can follow when caring for bamboo flooring.

• Place rubber pads under the legs of your furniture to prevent scratches or scuff marks.
• Also, never drag furniture across the floor, instead carry it.
• You should avoid letting sharp objects come in contact with the floor. You can do this by keeping the floor clear of debris, and also by making sure that pets in the home have clipped nails to insure that it does not scratch the flooring.
• Because bamboo flooring is a hardwood, it can absorb moisture easily which is why you should always clean up spills immediately to prevent staining.
• You should never use any kind of harsh chemicals on bamboo flooring, and you should never use any kind of household cleaners or oils unless recommended by the manufacturer.
• Use blinds or curtains to protect the floor from powerful UV rays that can fade or damage the floor.
• Keeping the floor out of direct sunlight by using these methods will protect it from any harm done by sunlight. Place a pan underneath plants, so that no moisture will make contact with the floor. And again, use mats and area rugs whenever the floor could come in contact with water, or just in high traffic type areas of your home.
• Use only the recommended cleaner for you bamboo flooring.
• Use a soft cloth that will not scratch the floor, some bamboo floors are softer than others making them more susceptible to scratching, so be careful with your flooring and be sure to read all instructions for care and maintenance. 

What are the Downsides to Bamboo Flooring?

There are some health risks involved with certain bamboo flooring. Formaldehyde is something that occurs naturally both outdoors and indoors, and it can cause symptoms such as itchy watery eyes and even in some cases skin irritation. But most of the time formaldehyde is not much of a worry, because it takes a large amount to really affect someone. Bamboo floors can sometimes contain a small amount of formaldehyde, but it is nothing to worry about, so don’t sweat it!

Formaldehyde is found in all different kinds of things such as paints, tobacco smoke, cosmetics and even wood burning stoves. Obviously bamboo floors do not contain enough formaldehyde to actually cause damage. They have made many tests on bamboo flooring and discovered that it really does not have that many problems. Although some people complain about scratches and dents, but that is something which can happen with any hard wood flooring not just bamboo. Plus, some even enjoy the rustic look that it has over a long period of time. But most of all bamboo floors are durable which provides you will the secure flooring you need in your home or office.

History of Bamboo

Bamboo flooring originates from the bamboo plant itself, but what exactly is the history of this amazing and versatile plant? While most people have heard of bamboo, many of them don’t know the exact details about where this plant comes from. But, as you probably already imagined bamboo comes from Asian countries where it is grown in large numbers. The bamboo plant is a grass but some grow so large that they are called Bamboo trees. These are obviously much larger than the regular bamboo plant.

Bamboo has been around for centuries and is known for its many purposes, some of the most ancient artifacts found, came from as far back as the Song dynasty. They had made many objects out of bamboo. Bamboo has been used as flooring for approximately 5,000 years in some Asian countries; the Han dynasty used bamboo for flooring in many of their enormous palaces. They used bamboo for more than just floors they also used it for paper and medicines as well as many other helpful objects.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is considered to be a very hard wood, even though it is not a wood at all, but a grass. It loses a considerable amount of hardness during processing but the finished result is still a very hard wood. Bamboo flooring is something that has been popular for many thousands of years, so there must be something special about it. That something is the fact that bamboo can be grown in large numbers and very quickly, making it abundant for harvesting and making helpful objects. Bamboo flooring can be considered one of the oldest and first hard wood floors to come into existence.

Bamboo flooring comes in over 55 colors so there are many choices to choose from. If you are concerned about mold or mildew, do not worry about it, most bamboo floors are pre-treated to protect against insects and mold or mildews. But you should still exercise proper care and maintenance when purchasing new bamboo flooring. Most bamboo flooring is made with layers, each layer possessing a different job, each adding to the protection and insulation of the floor.

Today, bamboo is not just flooring, but it also makes great furniture, such as table and chairs. Some people even use bamboo knitting needles which are a very popular item. But the bamboo floors are really something special, made from such a magnificent wood, bamboo flooring could not be anything but the best. Most bamboo flooring is manufactured in China and then shipped all over the world.

Bamboo has been used for some pretty amazing things, some that most people have never heard of. One of these things was the fact that Alexander Graham Bell used bamboo in his earliest phonograph, or perhaps that bamboo is the fastest growing plant of any kind on the planet today. Bamboo is extremely strong and in some cases can even be stronger than steal, which is what makes it such a durable option for flooring. Just remember that when choosing wood floors bamboo could be the right choice for you, it has been around long enough, the ancients knew that it was amazing, and they where right, bamboo is magnificent. So when shopping online or at a flooring company, just remember that bamboo is not just a wood, it’s a lifestyle.

The Bamboo Plant

The bamboo plant is a rapidly growing plant that produces bamboo used in bamboo flooring, the bamboo plant, mostly found in Asian countries, reaches maturity in approximately five to six years. By then this hardy little plant is ready to harvest bamboo for flooring and other materials. The bamboo plant continuously regenerates so removing bamboo from the plant does not actually harm the plant in any way, making this an eco-friendly way to make many useful products. Bamboo is really durable and is the perfect plant to be used for making floorings. Unlike some other hard woods, bamboo is almost entirely bug-free, and can make a great addition to your home or office.

Installation

Installation involved in bamboo flooring is a mystery for some. Very few brands actually have instruction on the installation process. But, one of the most important parts of installation in the case of bamboo flooring is the preparation process. Be sure that your floor is dry and clean before all installations. This can prevent many problems in the future. Flood preparation is important and many neglect this ever so important step when preparing for installation. Most bamboo flooring is installed by means of staples or floor cleats, but you should always be gentle with the staples to insure that none of the flooring is damaged in the process.

Bamboo floors must be carefully measured and double measured before ever cutting, always make sure that everything is going to fit into place before cutting the wood, so you do not waste any bamboo. With most bamboo floors, you should not use the floating method, because they are not originally intended for that use and may cause uneven and a generally unpleasant look. Always remember to ask your local contractor when attempting a do-it-yourself project, to see what you should and should not do to produce the best floor possible.

Using the glue down method is extremely risky if you are a do-it-yourselfer and should not be attempted even by the experienced do-it-yourselfer, using the wrong adhesive could cause major problems. Bamboo flooring is extremely durable and in some cases it is even said that it is harder than normal wood floors. And because of this, it is a good solid floor and will not scratch or dent easily. If you are considering putting down bamboo flooring you should consult a professional on the right tips and tricks to use when laying the floor and what kind of preparations should be used to produce the best results.

When it comes to bamboo, the darker it is, the softer it will be. And you should pay close attention to this factor when purchasing new bamboo floors. However, most people do tend to choose the darker colors, because it adds a certain amount of warmth to the room giving it a cozy and relaxing feel. But the softer it is the more will be the chances of the floor getting scratched or damaged. But, it is really just a matter of choice; you should research and find the perfect floor for you. A lot of people choose the carbonized bamboo flooring which is soft and is susceptible to scratches, just like any other hard wood floor. Choose what you like, there are many options that you are sure to love.

Bamboo flooring is a great choice for your wood flooring requirements. Bamboo comes from a family of evergreen plants and despite its sometimes small size, it’s a strong wood. For this reason, it is used as flooring, because although it is flexible, it is strong as well. This strong wood is turned into flooring by first steaming it to make it even more flexible, then it is flattened and glued together. After this it is finished with a protecting UV coat in order to be put down in homes across the world. Most bamboo flooring comes from China, where bamboo flourishes.

But, bamboo is not just a common wood, or at least that is the belief of some Asian countries. Some believe that all humanity came from one single stem of bamboo. Though that may sound a little far-fetched, bamboo is certainly helpful in the world we live in today.  Bamboo flooring is stylish sleek, and certainly good for the environment. It is all natural and therefore makes it a popular choice in homes all over the world.

Colors and Styles

Bamboo flooring comes in many different styles and colors, virtually any kind of color you could want from a hardwood floor you can get with bamboo flooring. This wonderful wood has been used for many different purposes all over the world for centuries. It makes for a sleek and elegant wood floor that you would surely like.  From burnt mocha to natural medium the color range is wide. From extreme light colors to extreme dark colors, the possibilities are nearly endless particularly when you are buying bamboo flooring for your home. Some people, when they think of bamboo, imagine uneven thick round polls of a light cream color, but in reality, bamboo flooring is nothing like that at all.

Pricing and Where to Buy

The price for bamboo floors ranges from two dollars a S/F to eight dollars a S/F. It all depends on the color and what quality of wood you buy. Bamboo can come in a variety of styles and with each of these styles is a certain price, some cheaper while some are higher, because of the value of the wood, and how hard it is for the merchant to get the wood. Most bamboo floors can be purchased at most flooring companies, but some online stores can be cheaper depending on the kind of bamboo you are buying. You will have to pay shipping and handling when it comes to ordering online, but if you can get a better deal on the price of the actual flooring the shipping costs may not be such a hassle.

In fact, sometimes it is cheaper to buy the flooring online and pay shipping and handling rather than buy from some flooring stores. You should keep in mind that most of the cheaper flooring is that way, because it may have a different protective coating on the outside of the wood, which makes the bamboo more susceptible to wood boring worms that can seriously harm your flooring if the UV coating is not properly done or done with the right kind of UV coating. But no matter what type of bamboo flooring you choose, you will surely like the stylish and elegant edge it gives your home and your lifestyle.