DIY Guide to Installing a Bamboo Floor

With the ever-increasing focus on eco-friendly, sustainable construction, people are passing over traditional flooring materials like carpet and vinyl in favor of materials that are “green.” One of the most popular green flooring options available today is bamboo. Bamboo has gathered many admirers in the sustainable design world due to the fact that it is a rapidly renewable material, meaning that its growth cycle is very quick. Bamboo that is cut down today and made into flooring with quickly replenish itself, leaving very little impact on the earth. In addition, this material is all natural, so it doesn’t emit any harmful gases or chemicals, making it a healthy choice.

Bamboo is a great alternative to hardwood flooring, and in fact, is harder and more durable than hardwood. It is also very unique, and adds a beautiful look and sense of warmth to the home.

Flooring made from bamboo can be purchased from a local flooring retailer, or can be purchased online at retailers such as Plyboo (www.plyboo.com) or Teragren (www.teragren.com). Expect to pay between $6-8 a square foot for bamboo floors. To determine how much you need, measure the length and width of the rooms you’ll be working with. Multiply the length times the width, then add 20% to this number. The extra 20% will accommodate cutting mistakes and will ensure you have the right length pieces to get the job done.

To install your bamboo flooring, it is easiest to rent a wood floor stapler. These can be rented for around $30 a day at a hardware store, and will make the job much easier.

Start with a clean and dry concrete or plywood surface. Cover the subfloor with a 15 pound felt vapor barrier. This will prevent moisture from under your home seeping onto the new floor and causing damage. To lay your first bamboo plank, start at the longest wall in the room. Leave a 1/2″ gap for expansion between the plank and the wall, and nail the first plank in place. Continue to lay rows tight to the first plank, and fasten these planks with the floor stapler. The flooring should be fastened every 6-8″ on center, and 2″ from the end of each plank.

When laying out your floor, be careful not to have parallel joints. This means that you don’t want the seams lining up side by side, and instead, you should stagger the joints to provide more security. When you reach the end of a row, use a saw to cut the boards to the correct length. At the last row, it will likely be necessary to pry the last boards into place using a pry bar.

After all the flooring has been laid, fill any nail holes with wood putty, then install trim or baseboard around the base of the walls at the expansion joints.

Avoid walking on your bamboo floors with 72 hours so that they can settle into place. After this time, you will be able to enjoy your new floors for years to come.