|
||
Assuming you are laying laminate wood flooring that is pre glued. Whether they have a real wood veneer or everything about them is fabricated, you should allow the boards to sit inside your home for at least two days to fully acclimate to your home's conditions before installation. Failure to do this can cause rippling or gaps between the boards that can be impossible to fix without tearing the planks out and starting from the beginning.
If there is some type of existing floor it needs to be completely removed before laying the first piece of your new laminate. If you are replacing an old floor, cut it into manageable pieces and pry them up with a long handled scraper for best results. Make sure every piece is up and then vacuum. Make the floor as even you can you without sanding. The most important thing to check for and fix are low spots, if you let them go you will have a squeaky floor.
After that you put down the underlayment. Start from the walls and work out from there, use a utility knife to cut the underlayment to fit the room. It's not a bad idea to mark up the underlayment to use as a guide when laying your laminate boards. Use a wood spacer to leave an expansion gap between your laminate and the wall, then work your way out from there.
You should have to only moisten the glue on the edge of each board for it to activate. Then slide the next board into pace and press it firmly against the previous for a good, snug fit. You want to use a pry bar to protect your wall once you start laying the last of the boards. Simply ease the end boards into place and you're done.
This is only a broad overview to give consumers a general idea on what is or will be required of them. This information is not intended to be a substitution of your manufacturer's instructions. Bamboo flooring should always be installed EXACTLY as your manufacturer has requested, failure to do so will most definitely void your warranty.
Installation of bamboo flooring is similar in most aspects to installing hardwood floors. They can be floated, nailed, stapled or glued down. While installing bamboo flooring can definitely be a diy project, if you prefer an expert install your new bamboo flooring please find a reputable and licensed contractor to do the job.
If you choose to install your bamboo flooring yourself, before you begin installation, ensure that you inspect each and every bamboo flooring piece to determine if the product has defects and you will also want to read the manufacturer's instructions, warranty information and disclaimers very carefully. Like I said before, failure to follow this information will negate your warranty.
Bamboo flooring suppliers cover several things in their perspective warranties; however installation is not one of them. They will not respond to complaints about bamboo flooring that has been improperly installed resulting in damage. They will also not respond to complaints about bamboo flooring defects once the bamboo flooring has been installed. What warranties will always cover is the structure and finish for many, many years. Okay, so now you have that perfect bamboo flooring and hopefully you've checked it for defects. Ready to begin installation? Hold on!
Bamboo flooring, just like hardwood flooring, needs to acclimate for several days (usually around a week) in the room in which it will be installed. Also any prep work on the sub-floor needs to be done and a proper moisture reading needs to be achieved. Failure to do the above prep work is the number one cause of flooring failure. Do not let yourself be a statistic, at least a bad one anyway. So you have around a week from the time the flooring arrives until installation day...perfect time to read those instructions.
Next Step: Installation of your bamboo flooring.
Nailed Down: This has been the way flooring has been layed for quite a while. While this method can seem intimidating, it is actually the preferred method of installation by most contractors. A power nailer makes this installation a lot easier. The cost to rent is minimal, depending on how long you need it. If you have a lot of work or just want to take your time, you would be better off buying one, you might find you need it again at a later date. You will find that several online sources have deals on power nailers.
Floated: Floated floors became really popular with the rise in laminates. This is now a very popular way of installing bamboo flooring as well as hardwood and laminates. Simple click methods over a cushioned underlayment with little sub-floor preparation have made this method a very popular choice among homeowners.
Glued Down: You will find this method often not recommended for the DIYer. This is only because one site said no and a lot of other copy cat sites followed suit. If you are a DIYer, then you should know the consequences of not following instructions thoroughly. With that being said, if you feel this method is for you then go for it. Two very important factors to remember in this method are:
1. The use of proper adhesive. Urethane-based not water-based, urethane-based not water-based, got it?
2. Proper sub-floor preparation. Simple preparation first or costly repairs later.
These are just the basics, there is really so much more information that will be included with your new bamboo flooring. Any questions you may have about the installation or warranty of your bamboo flooring should be directed towards your manufacturer or retailer.