Installing a Bamboo Wood Floor over Concrete

Bamboo flooring can be installed in a number of different ways over different substrates. One of the types of subfloor that it can be installed over is concrete. When you install bamboo flooring over concrete, you will utilize a glue-down method of installation. When you are done, you will have a very solid, durable floor to use for many years. Here are the basics of how to install bamboo wood floor over concrete.

Measure the Area

Measure the area that you plan on installing the bamboo in. Take the dimensions and multiply the length and the width. Take that number and add 10%. This should provide you with enough bamboo to install in the area.

Acclimate the Bamboo

Allow the bamboo to sit in the room for 24 to 48 hours. Since it is a natural product, it needs to acclimate itself to the temperature and humidity in the room prior to installation. This will help you avoid buckling once the floor is installed.

Prepare the Room

Take out the furniture and anything else that is in the room. Take up the carpet or any other type of flooring that is on the floor. Use the broom and the dustpan to remove any dirt or dust that is in the room. Make sure that the room is extra clean before starting installation.

Level the Floor

If there are any dips in the floor, use the self-leveling compound to level out the floor. The bamboo needs to be glued down to a level surface for best performance. Allow the self-leveling compound to dry thoroughly before going on.

Spread the Adhesive

Make sure that you have the appropriate adhesive for the job. Not all wood adhesives can be used to adhere bamboo to concrete. Therefore, you should check with the company where you bought it and make sure that you have the right glue. Spread the glue with the recommended size trowel onto the concrete. Try to do only about 3 feet widths at a time. This will prevent you from getting too much glue out before you are ready for it.

Lay the Bamboo

Once the adhesive is out, start installing in the corner of the room. Lay one of the boards of bamboo into it. Press it down firmly into the glue. Take another board and adjoin it to the narrow side away from the wall. Keep installing in a vertical row until you get to a wall.

Make a Cut

Measure the distance of the gap to the wall. Cut the last board with your saw to fit in the gap.

Stagger the Rows

Take the small piece leftover from the cut and start the next row with it. This will allow you to stagger the boards and provide an installation that looks professional.

Finishing Up

Leave some heavy buckets on top of the floor to make sure that the bamboo stays in the adhesive while it dries. Put up your baseboards or quarter round around the edge and you should be ready to use it once the adhesive is dry.