Standard Bamboo Floor Installation

Before You Begin
A final jobsite inspection of your flooring should be performed for grade, color, finish and quality. Ensure adequate lighting for proper inspection. If you find an irregularity in your flooring, please contact the manufacturer immediately for replacement. The manufacturer cannot accept responsibility for flooring installed with visible defects.

Jobsite Requirements
Prior to installation of any flooring, the installer must ensure that the jobsite and subfloor meet the requirements of NOFMA's instructions. The manufacturer will not be responsible for floor failure resulting from unsatisfactory jobsite and/or subfloor conditions.

Bamboo flooring should be one of the last items installed on any new construction or remodel project. All work involving water or moisture should be completed before floor installation.

Room temperature and humidity of installation area should be consistent with normal, year-round living conditions for at least a week before installation. Room temperature of 60-70ºF and humidity range of 40-60% is recommended.

Store your bamboo flooring at installation site for 72 hours before installation to allow flooring to adjust to room temperature and humidity. Do not store directly on concrete or near outside walls. This flooring may not be acceptable for full bathroom installations because of moisture associated with such locations.

Acceptable Subfloor types:

• Plywood or OSB _" o Concrete slab
• Existing wood floor _" or greater

Subfloor must be:

• Structurally sound
• Clean: Thoroughly swept and free of all debris
• Level: Flat to 3/16" per 10-feet radius
• Dry: Subfloor must remain dry year-round. Moisture content of wood subfloor must not exceed 12%, concrete moisture content must not exceed 3 lbs.

Wood Subfloors must be dry and well secured. Nail or screw every 6" along joists to avoid squeaking. If not level, sand down high spots and fill low spots with an underlayment patch.

Concrete must be fully cured, at least 60 days. If not level, grind down high spots and fill low spots with leveling compound. Must be flat to 3/16" per 10 foot radius. Do not install on concrete unless you are sure it stays dry year-round. UAll concrete must be tested for moisture.

Getting Started
Remember to begin installation next to an outside wall. This is usually the straightest and best reference for establishing a straight working line. Establish this line by measuring an equal distance from the wall at both ends and snapping a chalkline. The distance you measure from the wall should be the width of a plank plus about _" for expansion space. If outside wall is out of square, adjust working line to make it straight for the rest of your installation.

Nail Down Installation:
First lay a 15lb. felt paper vapor barrier, and install flooring perpendicular to floor joists. Lay first plank inside chalkline with grooved edge toward wall. If spacing between wall and first rows of flooring does not allow room for nail gun, fasten by face nailing, gluing, pre-drilling and edge nailing by hand with hammer and nail set or a combination of these. Counter-sink finish nails below surface and fill with matching wood putty. Always leave at least a 5/8" expansion space between flooring and all walls and vertical objects such as pipes and cabinets. Use wood or plastic spacers during installation to maintain this expansion space. Lay subsequent rows with nail or staple gun appropriate for 5/8" flooring. Nail each board every 6-10 inches and within 2" of each end. Remember to stagger end joints from row to row and use cut ends to begin and end following rows.

We recommend the Stanley-Bostitch staple gun for 5/8" flooring or the Powernail model#445. Make sure your nail gun is properly adjusted and does not damage the floor or finish on installation. Set your pressure and leveling shoe and test a few pieced before proceeding. If you have a problem re-check your equipment for adjustment or call Smith & Fong technical. Smith & Fong cannot take responsibility for flooring damaged on installation. All installation procedures should follow NOFMA recommendations.