Installation Guide

5
BLENDING OF CARTONS
To achieve a uniform appearance across the entire floor, we require that you open and work from a
minimum of four cartons at a time and lay out the flooring ahead of time. Be sure to mix the planks for
the best aesthetic appearance. Make certain the room is well lit to ensure color is consistent and that
any visual defects can be seen and removed prior to installation.
LAYOUT OF FLOORING
“Racking the Floor” is essential to achieve a random appearance. Start by cutting several boards in
random lengths, differing the lengths by at least six inches. As you continue working across the floor
remember to maintain a six-inch minimum space between the end joints.
Randomly install different lengths to avoid a patterned appearance. Never waste materials; the end
cuts from starter rows should be used at the opposite side of the room to complete rows or may be
used to start the next row.
EXPANSION SPACE
An expansion space of 1/2” must be left around the perimeter of the room and at all vertical obstruc-
tions. More or less spacing may be needed depending on the geographical region, interior climate,
and or time of the year. Your bamboo flooring WILL move/shrink/expand. This is a normal occurrence
of a natural product.
NAIL DOWN/STAPLE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Step One - Establish a Starting Point
1. Remove any existing wall base, shoe molding, quarter round or doorway threshold.
2. Determine the direction of the floor joists – Run the flooring perpendicular (90°) to the floor joists.
Do not run flooring parallel to floor joists per NWFA Guidelines.
3. Prior to installing flooring, roll out 15 lb. felt or asphalt impregnated paper in the same direction of
the flooring. Overlap each row by 3 in to 4 in. This process will help to keep the floor clean and
help to retard moisture from below.
4. Establish a starting point. We recommend the longest exterior runningwall.
5. Measure the total width of the flooring (including the tongue), plus 1/2 in for expansion. Measure
out this distance in at least 2 places from the starting wall and 12 in from the corners. Then, snap
a chalk line parallel to the starting wall.
Step Two - Lay Out
1. Choose the longest and straightest boards and align the plank’s tongue with the working line. Cut
the last plank to the proper length leaving a 1/2 in from the end wall.
2. Top nail the boards into place approximately 6 in apart and 1 in from the back edge (groove side)
using a pneumatic nailer; Always use a nail set to sink the nail heads below the surface of the
flooring. Remember to fill the holes with matching wood putty/filler.
3. Continue to blind nail by hand each succeeding row until the nailer/stapler can be used to install
the flooring. It is critical to make sure the starting row is properly aligned and straight.
4. If necessary, we recommend pre-drilling pilot holes spaced 6 in to 8 in apart at a 45° angle along
the tongue and blind nail the plank. Be sure to countersink the nails with a nail set.
Step Three – Rack the Floor
1. Once the first four rows are in place, continue to lay out the planks. Remain working from at least f
our open cartons. Be sure to blend the planks and stagger the end joints a minimum of 6 in apart
to ensure a favorable appearance. Avoid H-Joint and other repeating patterns in the floor.