Installation Guide

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Solid Bamboo Flooring
Installation Guide
Installation of Cali Bamboo® Flooring
General Guidelines - All Installation Types
• Follow Cali Bamboo Maintenance & Care Guidelines to keep your floor looking its best after installation
• Save extra flooring for future repairs.
• Do not install flooring under permanent or fixed cabinetry.
• Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color, shade and appearance.
• Mos
t installation failures result from jobsite moisture. Do not deliver flooring to the jobsite until problems are corrected.
• Cali Bamboo® flooring is intended for installation on or above grade only. Flooring installed below grade is not covered
under warranty.
• Since bamboo expands with any increase in moisture content, we require leaving at least 1/2” expansion space between
flooring and all walls and vertical objects, such as walls, cabinets, pipes, etc. If the installation flows into other rooms and
continuous runs in excess of 30 feet, a greater expansion is required, approximately 1/16” for every ten (10) feet. NEVER
install any floating floors against any vertical fixed object such as fireplace, columns, floor outlets, etc. Failure to follow
this guideline may result in tenting or buckled floors.
• 3M blue painter tape #2080 can be used to keep rows or sections of floor boards together until the adhesive has cured.
(Incorrect or aggressive tape can harm the finish, do not leave on overnight.)
• During installation, it is the installer’s responsibility to document all jobsite conditions and measurements including
the installation date, flooring moisture content, site relative humidity, temperature, and subfloor moisture content. This
information must be retained by the installer and left with the property owner as a permanent record.
• Depending on the application, Cali Bamboo flooring can be installed over an approved underlayment to provide greater
thermal insulation and sound isolation qualities. Cali Bamboo recommends using our Cali Complete™ All-in-One
Underlayment, which offers several benefits that include step noise reduction, increased walking comfort, and an industry-
leading moisture warranty.
Expansion Space Is Required
• Since bamboo expands with any increase in moisture content, we require leaving at least 1/2” expansion space
between flooring and all vertical objects (walls, cabinets, pipes, etc.). If the installation area exceeds 30 feet, a greater
expansion space is required; approximately 1/16” for every additional ten (10) feet. If the floating installation flows
into other rooms, a T-molding must be used in doorways and openings between rooms (halls, archways, etc.) to allow
separate areas to move without interference less than five (5) feet.
• Note that proper expansion space depends not only on the size and flow of the installation, but also on expected
seasonal changes in temperature and humidity that may cause the flooring to gain or lose moisture content over time.
For example, if an installation takes place when humidity conditions are low, it’s likely that the wood flooring will gain
moisture and expand later during humid seasons. In those cases, incorporate additional expansion space through use
of spacers or transition moldings.
• Hardwood floors must be able to expand/contract without interference. NEVER install flooring against any vertical or
fixed object such as fireplace, columns, islands, door jambs, floor outlets, etc. Failure to follow this guideline may result
in tenting, separation or buckled floors. Do not install cabinets or other permanent fixtures on top of the floor. Never nail
or screw anything through a FLOATED floor. If you have extremely heavy furniture items, install the floor using the glue-
down method or nail-down method as opposed to floating the floor.
• To cover your expansion space, Cali Bamboo carries matching bamboo flooring moldings that include reducers,
t-moldings, baseboards, quarter rounds, thresholds and vent registers. Matching stair parts are also available; including
stair nosing, treads and risers. Cali Bamboo also provides all the glues and adhesives you will need for to complete
your project. Please visit Cali Bamboo’s Flooring Accessories webpage.
• Undercut door casings and jambs. Remove any existing base, shoe mold or doorway thresholds. These items can be
replaced after installation. When undercutting door casings the installer should confirm there is the recommended
expansion space. The floor must have 1/16” clearance under the door casing to be able to float freely without vertical
restriction. The installer should ensure that the plank can move freely under the door jamb.
Installation