• Vertical Plank or Laminated Bamboo Flooring Tongue & Groove Plank should be installed as follows:

• General conditions: In area to be installed, temperature and humidity must be brought to normal usage levels at least 72 hours before installation and maintained at those levels after installation. Flooring should be allowed to acclimatize on site at least 72 hours before installation. Be sure to use your moisture meter to check moisture levels in both the sub-floor and the bamboo flooring before installation.

• Applications: May be nailed or glued down over wood sub-floors or glued directly to concrete sub-floors on, above, or below grade.

• Sub-floor Surfaces must be clean, dry, smooth and free of dirt, wax, oil, paint, curing agents and other contaminants that would interfere with adhesive bond. Old resilient floors can be installed over provided above conditions apply. Wood sub-floors must be sanded level prior to new installation. Concrete sub-floors must have all cracks and holes filled with a cementitious patching material (Ardex or equal). Concrete sub-floors must be tested for moisture and not exceed three pounds per 1,000 square feet using the calcium chloride test.

• Work out of multiple (2-3) boxes. Bamboo is a natural product and has natural color variations. Bamboo flooring is separated by shade at the factory. There are no standards for this so the shade differences between cartons may be noticeable. Mixing cartons creates a natural, random shade effect.

• Nail Down: Planks shall be started square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension by positioning with a chalk line, leaving 1/4" expansion space from base plate or wall. Ensure starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing. Once initial rows are secure, second and further courses shall be blind nailed directly above tongue at a 45-50 degree angle to the face. Fasteners shall be spaced at 10-12 inch intervals with a minimum of 2 fasteners per piece. NOTE: There will not be a guarantee for Bamboo flooring installed over or onto particleboard. (OSB is the exception)

• Glue Down: Use a moisture barrier wood flooring adhesive like "Bostik's Bst" or Franklin’s 811 Plus. Follow the adhesive manufacturers guidelines for safe use, storage and handling. Wear gloves and long sleeves. Spread with a notched trowel as recommended by the adhesive manufacturer. Planks shall be started square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension by positioning with a chalk line, leaving 1/4" expansion space from base plate or wall. Ensure starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing. Once initial rows are secure, use adhesive in a Wet-Lay method of installation as follows: Apply adhesive to substrate with suitable trowel. Immediately place flooring onto "wet" adhesive. Spread no more adhesives than can be worked with in a forty-minute period (100 to 200 sq. ft.). Clean any adhesive that comes in contact with the face of the plank immediately.

• Moisture: While bamboo flooring is much more stable than most woods, it is still subject to damage when in direct contact with a constantly wet slab. The bamboo must be isolated from this type of slab by use of a reverse vinyl or sleeper sub floor. Urethane adhesive will usually fail when vapor pressure exceeds 3 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. in 24 hours. Bamboo flooring cannot be glued down under those conditions.
Note: In extremely dry climates, care should be taken to avoid shrinkage by allowing flooring to acclimatize under actual use conditions. Remove the planks from the box and expose to local conditions for several days.