help please ,
I am going to install bamboo flooring in my garage for my daughter for her dancing making a little dance studio for her .....it is concrete and someone told me to put down a sealer before I glue it to the floor but I dont know what sealer or glue to use for bamboo flooring can anyone help me out as far as a good sealer and glue that will work together thank you in advance henry

 

If you purchase a glue down bamboo laminate product, it can be installed over concrete slab with glue as long as concrete is above grade. It is very important that the floor is flat, clean and dry. Always test concrete slab for moisture content. Do NOT use a concrete sealer due to adhesion problems.

Bamboo is more stable than most wood flooring products, but it can be damaged if there is moisture. A floating bamboo floor can be installed over a concrete floor if isolated from the slab by a non-absorbent moisture barrier pad. (Floating floor systems tend to have movement, so this may not be ideal for a dance floor.) Urethane adhesive may fail due to vapor emissions from concrete. Follow urethane adhesive manufacturer's instructions. Do not use water or solvent based adhesives because these can make wood floors buckle or warp.

Bamboo is a grass not wood. Although it is more dimensionally stable than most wood products, temperature and humidity should be maintained year round. Temperature should be around 70 degrees and humidity maintained between 35-55%. Temperature and humidity should be within occupancy levels before placing the wood product in the room where it is to be installed. Then, it should be allowed to acclimate for a few days to adjust to temperature and humiditiy before installation. Make sure you follow manufacturer's instructions for subfloor prep, acclimation, and installation. Each laminate manufacturer tends to have very specific instructions to maintain warranty.

 

twelvepole,
thank you for the info ....the bamboo I bought is not laminated it is a vertical bamboo wood if that helps you out any and its supposed to be all bamboo.... I live in california and my garage doesnt get below the 30 degrees throughout the year temps are normally around 70 I paid alot for the bamboo and I am going to try to install this myself I really dont know if I even need a sealer because it stays moist free but I did buy glue , I am going to try a small section to see if the glue sticks first but your post gave me alot of valuable information I really didnt think about and that I thank you .....

 

Vertical grain bamboo is a laminate. Bamboo strips are laminated together with edges exposed to the wear surface to form a solid bamboo plank without internal voids.

Verify that subfloor is clean, dry, and free of contaminates that would interfere with adhesive bond. Do not seal floor. Test concrete floors for moisture content using a Calcium Chloride test or Tramex Moisture Encounter meter. Do not install flooring if vapor pressure exceeds 3 lbs per 1,000 sf (15 g per m2) in 24 hours. Although concrete may appear 'moist free,' concrete garage floors have vapor emissions.

Manufacturers of vertical bamboo state that installers verify that HVAC system is operating and maintaining occupancy level temperature and humidity conditions. Temperature and humidity levels should be maintained year round. The recommend that flooring be acclimatized: Open flooring bundles by removing shrink wrap minimum 3 days prior to start of installation to allow flooring to adjust to temperature and humidity levels. Or place cartons in rooms where it is to be installed, stacked no higher than three

Grind and fill concrete subfloor to eliminate humps and depressions exceeding 1/8 (3 mm) inch in 6 feet (1830 mm). Install in accordance with manufacturer's installation instructions, particularly maintaining recommended expansion gap. Use manufacturer's recommended adhesive. One-part moisture-cured urethane premium wood floor adhesive is usually recommended.

 

thanks again your a wealthful of information..

 

twelvepole,

this is really good info. on bamboo floors. thank you. any suggestions on which vapor barrier, pad and glue to use for floating bamboo on concrete in so. california? Thanks.

spongebob,

have you encountered any issues floating bamboo in california? Thanks.

 

A floating floor on a cushioned underlayment is better for dancing. The give makes it a lot easier on the dancer.

 

Heck, I'm wondering if spongebob's bamboo cupped and buckled, yet?

I sure hope he used Bostiks MVP and Best adhesive moisture blocker system!!!


6-mil or greater poly, found at the home improvement centers in the paint section

Cork underlayment

Use a glueless floater, never use PVA glue(waterbased) on the edges of bamboo or you will see edge swelling, that will never go away.