Installation Guide

Engineered Strand Installation
Guidelines
using a wood or concrete moisture meter. You may
also test concrete floors using the calcium chloride test.
Also test the flooring materials. The moisture difference
between the subfloor and the hardwood flooring must
be no more than 4%.
Before installation, lay out the flooring where it is to be
installed (that is, lay the boards down roughly as they
will appear after installation), taking care to mix it in a
shading pattern pleasing to your eye. Installer should
inspect each plank at this time for finish and quality.
Once installed, it becomes the responsibility of the
installer/homeowner. Normally you will want to start
your installation along the longest outside wall.
Remember that all natural flooring comes in a range of
colors and shades. Our quality control procedures at
the factory ensure that very few, if any defective boards
are delivered to the consumer. Remove baseboards
and undercut door jambs to insure a quality installation.
Recommended Areas:
Engineered flooring can be installed on, above, or
below grade installation. On grade is at soil level,
above grade is above the soil level, and below grade is
lower than soil level (This includes all basements,
including daylight basements. When installing below
grade, you must use the floating method only. Wood
flooring should not be installed in wet areas such as
bathrooms (with tub/shower) or mud rooms.
Crawl Space Ventilation:
Proper air circulation is important to prevent moisture
build up, especially in homes with a crawl space. Vents
should be open year round. Check to make sure that
there is no standing water or moisture at the soil level. If
moisture is present, soil should be covered with 6 mil
polyethylene to prevent moisture from migrating into the
wood flooring.
Acceptable Sub-Floors:
The sub-floors must be on, above, or below grade &
structurally sound. Bamboo flooring can be installed
over the following sub-floors:
- Existing wood floors
- Plywood (3/4
”
thick)
- Sheathing grade
- Oriented Strand Board (OSB - at least 3/4
"
thick underlayment grade)
- Vinyl tile
- Concrete floors (direct glue)
DO NOT INSTALL DIRECTLY OVER PARTICLE
BOARD, WAFERBOARD, PRESSED WOOD, OR FIBER
BOARD, except when installing with an adhesive or
floating installation system.
Sub-Floor Preparation:
The subfloor must be structurally sound and checked
for moisture content. Movement and squeaks should be
well fastened with ring nails or screws to the floor joists.
The subfloor must be clean and free of paint, wax, oil,
and other debris. In addition it must be flat and level
within 3/16” inside a 10’ radius. High spots must be
sanded flat and low spots must be filled with a leveling
compound recommended by your dealer. On old or
uneven wood floors, apply 1/4”- 5/8” plywood and ring
nail or screw every 6” to avoid squeaking (it is also a
good idea to glue the panels with a construction
adhesive).
Radiant Heat Flooring
Engineered strand bamboo may be installed with the
floating installation system over radiant heat concrete
subfloors. Wood subfloors may sometimes be nailed/
stapled, but be sure to refer to the system
manufacturer for precautions. Special care should be
taken so as not to penetrate the tubing or mesh. The
system should be operational for at least 7 days
before beginning installation. Turn off heat to allow
subfloor to cool down to room temperature 3-4 hours
before beginning the installation. After the installation
is completed, turn on the radiant heat immediately,
and gradually return to normal levels. The finished
floor surface must not exceed 85° F (29° C) for the life
of the floor. Because radiant heat creates a dry heat
that can lower interior humidity levels, it may be
necessary to add a humidifier to maintain the humidity
level between 35-55% to prevent damage to the
hardwood floor. Please be sure to consult with the
radiant heat system manufacturer to ensure that the
system is compatible with hardwood flooring.
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