Bamboos are one of the sturdiest and enduring woods that you can use especially when building a house. It’s relatively cheap compared to other woods making it a go-to choice for builders on a budget. And most of all, it adds that rustic, cabin vibe in your home.

If you’re planning to install a bamboo flooring in your home, here’s an easy guide that you can follow from this article. Be sure to stick through the end and follow all the instructions well. Let’s begin!

Installing a Bamboo Flooring

Before you can install a bamboo flooring in your home, you have to assess the condition of your home first. It has to be compatible with the needs of having a bamboo floor. Check if your floor incurs excessive moisture or can possibly lack moisture on the other hand.

Although bamboos are sturdy and built to last, most commercial bamboo flooring was not designed as a solid wood flooring but it’s more of an assembled flooring which can’t take too much or lack moisture. You can pick an engineered bamboo wood so it can last you for a long time and you don’t have trouble installing it on your floor.

Two Different Methods on Installing a Bamboo Flooring

  1. Glueing it down
  • You should apply this method usually when installing it on plywood and concrete-sub floors. You will need to use a moisture-resistant floor adhesive to attach the flooring.
  • Wear your PPE to ensure safety before performing any task that involves sharp tools and other strong products.
  • Read the packet instructions of the adhesive product before you begin so you’ll have an idea on how much you need for the overall flooring.
  • Allow air to get inside the house so you have enough circulation to help the floor dry once you attach it to the floor.
  • Apply the adhesive to the subfloor using a trowel and immediately attach the bamboo planks before the adhesive dries up. Make sure the grove is facing upwards in attaching it.
  • It’s best to start from the walls then work your way towards the center. Spread the adhesive on the area where you can attach all the woods within 30 minutes. Do not do more than that since it can dry up.
  • Clean any smeared adhesive on top of the bamboo plank so it doesn’t ruin the physical features of the floor.
  • Blind nail the floor so it holds tight onto the adhesive. Once it’s strong enough, start applying a wet-lay, by putting an adhesive using a trowel and apply it onto the flooring and let it sit to cure.
  • You can step or walk around the floor to put more pressure on the bamboo planks to stick well onto the flooring adhesive.
  • Once it’s secured, you should leave it within 72 hours or more to ensure that the floors were installed properly.
  • Check if all the floors were aligned properly before it hardens so you can still make some adjustments.
  1. Letting it float
  • First, keep in mind that not all bamboo flooring can be installed by using this method. You have to ensure with the hardware store or your wood supplier if the bamboo flooring is ideal for floating.
  • Pick engineered or cross ply bamboo flooring products that are compatible for this method. You should observe this before you proceed with installing onto the floor or it won’t be a successful flooring if you used a different type of bamboo flooring.
  • To float the flooring, you will need to install it directly to the subfloor.
  • You will need to glue the bamboo flooring’s tongues and groove joints altogether using an overlay.
  • Begin from the first row of your flooring and then finish it off onto the walls.
  • Apply a high quality of floor adhesive (should be heat and water resistant) onto the end joints.
  • Then directly attach it onto the flooring. Make sure to apply glue on the planks’ sides as well.
  • Fit the planks onto the floor and tap it nicely so it will be secured on the flooring.
  • Repeat the same process for the rest of the bamboo planks. Always maintain proper alignment so you won’t have to redo your work and save time instead.

Important Things To Note

  • It’s best to call for help with family members and close friends to help you do this job as efficient and fast as possible. If you have a friend that knows about flooring, then that’s better.
  • If you’re not comfortable with installing the flooring on your own, you can always hire professionals to do so. This will save you from all the hassle and time that you need to spend on working the flooring. There will be lesser mistakes and adjustments especially if you get a good contractor. Just be ready to spend more than doing it yourself.
  • When handling construction, always practice strict safety. Do not handle sharp tools without wearing gloves or protective equipment. Prevention is still better than cure.
  • Free the workspace with any obstruction so you can move freely and finish the job faster. You can have your housemates or family to stay or rent nearby until you finish the project. This will also help you to install the flooring as sturdy as possible.
  • It’s okay to incur mistakes along the way as long as you learn from it. Take note of those and do adjustments.

Is it better to glue or nail bamboo flooring?

If you have a concrete subfloor, then you will need to glue your bamboo flooring down (or float over an underlay). However, if you are planning to install your bamboo flooring over joists, then you will need to secret nail the planks into place.

Do you need underlayment for bamboo flooring?

The long and short of it is that you need bamboo flooring underlayment if you are nailing down or floating a bamboo floor. Using underlayment under your bamboo floor can provide soundproofing, moisture protection, and stability and reduce wood on wood squeaking.

Is bamboo flooring difficult to install?

But be aware that installing non-click-lock (tongue-and-groove) bamboo flooring is difficult and can be messy. Because bamboo is so hard, nailing it can be challenging – in fact, it requires a special nail gun and special nails.

What are the disadvantages of bamboo flooring?

Which is better bamboo or laminate flooring?

Bamboo Flooring Cons:
  • Inexpensive bamboo flooring is susceptible to scratches and dings.
  • Bamboo grass readily absorbs water and is susceptible to damage from water and excessive humidity.
  • The contemporary look of bamboo doesn’t fit with all décor.
  • Bamboo flooring is limited to a few tonal shades.

Can I use Swiffer wet on bamboo floors?

Final Verdict. Both laminate and bamboo flooring offer the classic elegance of hardwood at a more affordable cost. However, for flooring that’s easy to maintain, budget-friendly, easy to install, durable, and available in a variety of colors, laminate is the right choice.

Does bamboo flooring add value to a house?

Experts recommend using a bamboo-specific cleaner such as Bam-Brite Bamboo Floor Cleaner Spray. Still, there are other widely available hardwood floor cleaners on the market (such as Bona Hardwood Floor Kit and Swiffer Wet-jet for Hardwood Floors) that will work just fine.

Can you put bamboo flooring in kitchen?

Does Bamboo Flooring Increase Your Home Value? While bamboo flooring will not add as much to the value of your home as hardwood floors or tile, it certainly adds significantly more value to your home than most other types of flooring, such as vinyl plank or laminate.

What happens if bamboo flooring gets wet?

You can use any type of bamboo flooring in your kitchen; solid, engineered and strand woven. Bamboo is a natural floor covering that is able to withstand slight fluctuations in temperature, moisture and humidity.

Can I put bamboo flooring in a bathroom?

Although bamboo flooring is fairly water resistant, it is still at risk of water damage if excessive water is allowed to soak into the planks of flooring. Water damage can cause the bamboo to warp, distort and become discoloured.

How long does bamboo floor last?

Bamboo floors are durable and more water resistant than hardwood floors, but they are not waterproof so it is not recommended that they are installed in bathrooms or other areas with excess moisture and water.

Can you mop bamboo floors?

Bamboo flooring has a number of practical benefits. Many bamboo options can last upwards of 50 years if properly maintained, although the average lifespan ranges from 20-25 years with normal family wear-and-tear. It is harder than most hardwoods, which makes it extremely durable.

What is the best bamboo flooring to buy?

Yes, you can clean your bamboo floor with a mop, but it must be either dry or wrung out completely leaving it only slightly damp. Using products that have been specifically designed for wooden or bamboo floors will eliminate any excess water from sitting on your flooring and prevent any unnecessary damage.

Is Vinegar safe for bamboo floors?

Best For Overall Product Quality

One of the best examples of Teragren’s higher quality is a special species of bamboo called Optimum 5.5 Moso (Phyllostachys pubescens). This is not your backyard bamboo; Moso has dense, hard fibers and is harvested only at its most mature point (about 5.5 to 6 years old).

Can you use Murphy’s Oil soap on bamboo floors?

General Cleaning

Avoid ammonia-, vinegar-, or other acidic-based cleaning agents, which can discolor bamboo floors or harm the finish, making them more susceptible to other damage. Thoroughly wring your mop to ensure that it’s just slightly damp and avoid any pooling liquids on the floor.

How do you make bamboo floors shiny?

How do you keep footprints off bamboo floors?

You can use Murphy oil soap to clean your bamboo floor. In case the oil soap has progressively dulled the finish on bamboo flooring, you‘ll want to restore the shine. Wash it off with a mixture of vinegar and warm water. In some cases, it may require sanding and refinishing your bamboo flooring.