Bamboo Glue Down Flooring Installation Guide

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INSTALLATION GUIDLINES

The following information provided by Cali Bamboo is intended to serve as a reference guide only. Please carefully read Cali Bamboo’s installation, maintenance, and warranty documentation prior to installation.

Follow the National Wood Flooring Association's Installation Guidelines and recommendations when installing your floor.

Inspect the bamboo product for the correct shipment, grade, and for any visible defects prior to installation. Our Warranty does not cover bamboo products with visible defects that are installed.

Please note: Cali Bamboo offers free in house technical support as a courtesy to our customers. Consult with one of our bamboo flooring experts before, during or after you start your project. Contact help@calibamboo.com or (888.788.2254) to find answers to your specific installation questions that may be unique to your application.

Prior to Installation of Bamboo Floor

  • After receiving your order, Cali Bamboo recommends storing the Bamboo flooring at installation area, with boxes opened, for 72 hours before installation to allow flooring to adjust to room temperature and humidity.
  • Since bamboo is a natural product visible color variations may occur. We recommend opening all cartons of flooring before beginning installation to check for shade and then mixing cartons to achieve a natural variation throughout the entire floor.
  • Since wood expands with any increase in moisture content, we recommend leaving at least 1/2" expansion space between flooring and all walls and vertical objects (such as pipes and cabinets).
  • Moisture difference between the floor and the sub-floor should not be more than 3 %
  • Determine the installation method that best suits your application: Cali Bamboo floors may be Floated (not secured to the subfloor), Glued, or Nailed.

Cali Bamboo Glue-down Method(Recommended):

This installation method is commonly used when installing over concrete that is at grade or above grade. Cali Bamboo does not recommend gluing below grade. Cali Bamboo highly recommends using Titebond moisture control system in combination with Titebond flooring adheasives in accordance with manufactures specifications to receive Titebonds Platinum installation warranty. Read and follow adhesive instructions carefully.*Titebond offers the only installation warranty specific to bamboo floors in the adhesive industry.

Recommended Tools:

  • Flooring adhesive: Zero-VOC Adhesive/ Titebond
  • Tape measure
  • miter saw (chop-saw)
  • Tapping block (trimmed piece of flooring)
  • Pencil
  • Flat bar or pull bar
  • Carpenter Square
  • Hammer
  • Wood or plastic spacers (1/2")
  • Chalk line
  • Adhesive trowel as recommended by adhesive manufacturer
  • 3M low-adhesive Blue tape

Glue down over concrete Slab:

  • Concrete must be fully cured and at least 60 days old.
  • Moisture Content - All concrete should be tested for moisture. A calcium Chloride Test is recommended. Vapor pressure should not exceed 3lbs per 1000 sq. ft.
  • Cali Bamboo recommends that Titebond® 531 Moisture Control System is used prior to glue application.
  • Preparation-Concrete must be clean, dry, structurally sound, properly cured and free of dirt, oil, paint, old adhesive, wax, sealers and curing agents. The concrete must be flat to a tolerance of 3/16" in a 10’ radius. Hollow spots, popping spots and squeaks are related to unevenness in the subfloor.

Glue Down over Wood Sub-floor:

  • Wood Must be Structurally sound and well secured
  • Clean and Dry
  • Sanded Level and Smooth before installation
  • Free of contaminates that may interfere with bonding
  • Nail or screw every 12" on center along joists to avoid squeaking.(Nail ¾” CDX Plywood to Joist, not the flooring).

Glue Down over other subfloors:

  • Ceramic tile
  • Sheet vinyl
  • Must be well-bonded to sub-floor.
  • Clean and level.
  • Do not sand existing vinyl floors, as they may contain asbestos.

Titebond can be installed using the "wet lay" or "flashed" methods, depending on your preference and the environment of your installation. The following definitions will help you decide which method is best for you.

Wet Lay Method In the "wet lay" method you do not flash the adhesive; you begin laying the wood flooring immediately after troweling the adhesive. While using the wet lay method, you cannot work on top of the flooring that was just installed. Working in small sections is helpful for this method as it will allow you to reach across the adhesive to install the wood flooring without putting any weight on it.

Flashed Method The "flashed"** method is when the adhesive is allowed to flash for the recommended amount of time prior to installing the wood flooring. While using this method, you are advised to trowel out larger sections of the room so that you spend most of your time laying wood rather than flashing adhesive.

Installation Steps:

  1. Dry lay (do not glue) a couple rows before starting installation to confirm your layout plan.
  2. Lay the first row of flooring with groove facing the wall, Starter rows should be secured by blind nailing and gluing. Begin installation next to an outside wall. This is the best reference for establishing a straight working line.
  3. Connect the short side of the second plank together with the mating side of the first plank.
  4. Cut the last plank and complete the row. Use the remaining plank to start the second row.
  5. Be sure to offset the end joins of consecutive rows by a minimum of six inches for best appearance.
  6. Continue the second row by connecting the short edges of the planks first with the long edges.
  7. The last row may require rip cutting the planks to size.
  8. As with the other rows, connect the short edges first and use a pull bar to tap the long edges together.
  9. Always check your working lines to be sure the floor is still aligned.
  10. Use tapping block to fit planks together, but be careful not to let installed floor move on the wet adhesive while you are working.
  11. Tighten side and end joints and prevent scooting by securing the flooring together with painters tape.
  12. Flooring planks on perimeter of room may require weight on them until adhesive cures enough to hold them down.
  13. Begin installation next to an outside wall. This is the best reference for establishing a straight working line.
  14. Always allow ½" to ¾" space for expansion around the perimeter of the room.
  15. Use mineral spirits and a damp cloth to immediately remove any wet adhesive on flooring surface as you go.

Please contact help@calibamboo.com or speak to one of our experts (888.788.2254) to receive step by step instructions

Maintenance

Cali bamboo recommends to Vacuum or sweep the floor on a regular basis or as needed to remove dirt, sand or grit. Soak up spills immediately using a dry towel or dry mop. Never wet-mop a hardwood floor. Protect floor from moving furniture by using “feet” or protective caps. Pick up heavy objects; do not slide furniture or appliances across the floor. Keep pets nails trimmed to avoid excess scratching. Avoid rubber backing, vinyl or non-ventilated rugs. Limit direct sunlight on floor by using curtains and blinds in areas that are exposed to high UV rays. Maintain humidity between 40% -60%. To remove hard-to-clean substances such as chewing gum, use Goof-Off or Goo-Gone. Floor wax and oil should not be used.

Top Coating

In areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and spaces where food service occurs, top-coating the floor will help prevent against moisture damage. In heavy food service areas such as restaurants, two to three top-coats are recommended. Cali Bamboo recommends using Bona flooring finish products (www.bonakemi.com) in these areas. Carefully read and follow all BonaKemi finish application instructions.