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bamboo floor can be easily installed as those recommendations for installing traditional hardwood flooring in
general—developed by The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA), The National Wood Flooring
Association (NWFA), and The Hardwood Council.
Bel Enterprises LLC recommends/emphasizes the following points for installation of our Forttress bamboo floor.
Please be sure to read all recommendations before starting your installation.
Pre-installation:
- Please inspect material carefully before installation. Any material installed with obvious defect will not be
warranted. - Keep the package open or remove the planks in the installation area for at least 3-5 days to acclimatize to the
occupancy temperature & humidity and maintained at those level after installation. - Never store unprotected bamboo flooring in rain, snow or other wet conditions.
- Sub-floors surfaces must be cleaned, flat, dry, free of dirt, oil, paint, curing agents, sand and other debris or
contaminants that would interfere with the adhesive bond. - Concrete sub-floor should be free of cracks and holes, must be cleaned, flat, dry, free of dirt, oil, paint, curing
agents, sand and other debris/contaminants that would interfere with the adhesive bond.
Installation:
- Application - Forttress bamboo floor can be nailed or glued down over wood sub-floor or floating over wood or
concrete sub-floor. - Bamboo is a natural product and color variations are to be expected. To avoid color imperfection, please work
out of 3-5 separate cartons, alternate planks from each carton. - Bamboo materials is hard and fibrous - saw blade should be very sharp and change out when necessary to
avoid damage.
Nail Down
- Use a two layer, 15 pound asphalt felt or building paper, overlapping, under the bamboo floorings for protection
against moisture damage. - Installation can be started square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension by positioning with a
chalk line, leaving at least a 1/4” expansion space from the base wall or plate. While installing the bamboo
flooring, it should be blind nailed directly above tongue at a 40 to 50 degree angle to the face. - Due to the fact that bamboo flooring is harder than oak wood, consider making a pilot hole should the nail size
is too big as it may crack or damage the tongue, especially if nailer is not used. - Fasteners shall be used and spaced at 10 to 12 inches intervals with a minimum of 2 fasteners per plank.
- Ensure the initial rows are firmly secure by wedging or face nailing.
Caution: Particleboard is NOT recommended / suitable as a sub-floor as it does NOT
provide adequate holding of nails.
Glue Down
- Use a high grade wood flooring adhesive. Please read and follow the adhesive manufacturer’s guidelines for
safe use and use caution to manufacture’s warnings. - Spread wood adhesive using a trowel as recommended by the adhesive manufacturer.
- Start planks square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension by positioning with a chalk line, leaving
at least a 1/4” expansion space from the base wall or plate. - Ensure the initial rows are firmly secure by wedging or face nailing.
- Apply wood adhesive to the sub floors and place flooring on to wet adhesive immediately. Do NOT spread
more than you can word with. - Clean off any adhesive that comes in contact with the face of the plank immediately.
- Use blue painter’s tape to keep planks from creeping apart by taping the tape perpendicular to the length of the
planks.
Floating
- Apply underlay foam pad over existing sub-floor.
- Start planks square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension by positioning with a chalk line, leaving
at least a 1/4” expansion space from the base wall or plate. - Ensure the initial rows are firmly secure by wedging or face nailing.
- Once the initial rows are secured, simply start gluing each plank to one next to it by applying a thin line on
tongue and groove. - Clean off any adhesive that comes in contact with the face of the plank immediately.
Caution - Installation on a concrete slab requires additional sub-floor and other
preparations to avoid moisture damage. Consulting with a trained and
experienced professional is highly recommended prior to any start of work.
Maintenance
Do’s
- Place mats at the entrance to the outdoor to trap sand and grit from incoming traffic. Use area rugs on high
traffic areas. (All rugs should be breathable as rubber backed or non-ventilated rugs traps moisture which
cause damage to the floor finish. - Vacuum of sweep floor regularly using nylon brooms.
- Remove spill immediately.
- Install wood guards or protectors under legs of furniture. Always pickup furniture to move. No sliding.
- For pet owners - keep pets’ claws properly trimmed to avoid scratches and gouges.
- Use only citrus based (lemon/orange) natural cleaning products specifically for wood floor.
Don’ts
- Do not let sand, dirt or grit build up. They can act like sandpaper and actually abrade and dull the floor finish.
- Never damp mop, do not use wax, oil soap, or other household cleaners.
- Avoid walking in high heels.
- Do not exposure flooring to direct sunlight - which will bleach flooring over time.
Note: All Urethane finishes, including ceramic and aluminum oxide, will scratch.
Please follow guidelines.
