If you install Bamboo Flooring - do your baseboards need to be bamboo too?

Answer 1

It may be wood or concrete.

Bamboo Flooring Installation
Installing bamboo flooring has many of the same steps and procedures as traditional wood flooring. Installation methods will vary with the type of floor plank and whether the floor is a floating type or glue on type of floor. The manufacturer should supply instructions as to the details and specifics of their particular brand, but here are some general guidelines for installation.

Surface preparation is important in any floor installation. The sub floor should be completely clean and as smooth as possible. It is best to install over clean concrete or bare plywood sub flooring materials. However, some floating styles of bamboo floors can be installed directly over other vinyl flooring.

Baseboards should be removed so that the floor planks can tightly abut the wall. The base board will then cover any cut lines that may not be completely flush with the wall. All buildings settle and walls will become slightly out of alignment making it nearly impossible to get a good cut line.

Bamboo flooring is usually sold by the case, with each containing materials to cover a specified square foot measurement. The cases should be brought indoors, opened and the wood spread out to allow it to acclimate to the interior climate before attempting the installation. Even though bamboo has 50% less shrinkage and expansion than wood floors, what little will occur will take place within the first 24 hours. By keeping the room at its normal temperature the bamboo will expand or contract to the size it will most often retain in that room.

It is important to establish a straight line from which to work in order to have the floor boards appear straight in the finished floor. A chalk line should be placed across the room in the direction in which the floor boards will be placed. Again, because walls may not be completely straight, they are an unreliable starting line. Starting in the mid-section of the room and going back to one corner will give the overall appearance of being straight.

A tongue and groove installation system is as easy as snapping together boards. The flooring isn’t actually attached to the floor in any way, but simply floats above the sub floor. This is a good system for areas with high temperature variations, since the maximum expansion and shrinkage a floor will have will go unnoticed and without risk of separation between floor boards.

The timeless durability of a glue-on installation keeps floors secure for decades. The glue on flooring is a little more complicated and time consuming, requiring more materials and tools and may be best left to the professional.

If installing the floor yourself is a must, then the average do-it-yourselfer is easily capable of installing a bamboo floor in a reasonable amount of time. If time is a great concern, then a professional installation may be in order. Also, if the home or building is exceptionally old, odd shaped or if stairs are being covered with bamboo, professional help may also be desirable. Keep in mind that installation can usually double the total cost of installing a bamboo floor.

Installing Bamboo Flooring on Top of a Wood Subfloor
Important Notices
- Read the Warranty carefully before installing the product.
- All installed strips will be considered accepted by the installer and/or homeowner.
- Before you order flooring, make sure you add at least 5% to the actual area size you are going to cover. The industry standard for allowable small defects, mismilling or misgrading is 5 %.

Installation requirements
- Gypsum joints must be completed and dried.
- Concrete work must have been completed at least 45 days prior to installation.
- The heating system must be functional and the building must be heated up to 21°C (70°F) for a minimum of 7 days immediately prior to installation.
- The relative humidity of the building must be between 40% and 45%.
- Plywood humidity (subfloor) must not exceed 12%.
- Subfloor thickness must be a minimum of ¾”
- Particle boards or chipboards must not be used as the subfloor.

Before installing

**Do not install flooring that has not been properly acclimatized to humidity conditions. Recommended acclimatizing time is 7 days minimum in rooms where the flooring will be installed. Try to disperse flooring as much as possible. If this is not possible, make smaller stacks, break boxes, and open ends. Before starting installation, check moisture content on several randomly picked samples.

- Make sure the subfloor (plywood) is properly attached to the joists to avoid creaking.
- Correct slight irregularities on the subfloor with a sander.
- All the nails and screws of the subfloor must be driven in properly.
- Remove baseboards and doorsills.
- Cut 2cm (9/16”) off the bottom of the doorframes to insert the strips underneath them.
- Vacuum the subfloor regularly during installation to make sure it is always clean and dust free.
- A vapor barrier or felt paper (#15) placed between the subfloor and the strips will help keep the humidity content of the flooring more stable.
- 1 ¼” minimum length, 15-gage nails, or staples are recommended to fasten the floor.

Tools and Accessories required
- Measuring tape
- Miter saw
- Square
- Sawhorse
- Chalk line
- Handsaw
- Hammer
- Vacuum cleaner
- Crowbar
- Drill and drill bits
- Safety goggles
- Nail punch
- Level
- Hardwood hammer (manual or pneumatic) and rubber hammer
- Other tools and accessories may be necessary depending on site configuration and type of installation.

Installation Guide
- Locate the longest wall of the room where the product will be installed. This wall must be perpendicular to the joists. The flooring strips must be installed perpendicularly to the joists.
- Allow for a 13mm to 19mm (1/2” to 3/4”) expansion joint between the wall and the flooring strips. This joint will be hidden by a baseboard or quarter round.
- Draw a guide line with a chalk line. The guide line must be parallel to the wall. Calculate its distance from the wall as follows: expansion joint + strip flooring width + tongue width.
- Nail the first row by drilling holes on top of the strips first. The holes must be drilled 13mm (1/2”) from the side of the strip and 25cm (10”) from center to center. Also, drill holes on top of the tongue at a 45 degree angle. Using spiral roll shank nails, fix the first row of strips making sure you are aligned with the chalk line. Use a nail punch to hide the nails properly.
- For the second row, drill holes on top of the tongue at a 45 degree angle and nail it with spiral roll shank nails. Use a nail punch to hide the nails properly.
- To end a row, cut the strip at the correct length and use the remainder of the strip to start the next row. Do not forget to leave sufficient space for the expansion joint at the end of each row.
- Make sure you carefully choose the strips to avoid aligning the end joints with those of adjacent rows. A minimum of 15cm (6”) must be allowed to avoid aligning the end joints.
- Install subsequent rows using the hardwood hammer while respecting the rules for alignment joints and expansion joints. Nail the strips every 6” to 8”.
- When installing the last 4 or 5 rows, use of a hardwood hammer will not be possible because of the proximity of the adjacent wall. Proceed in the same way as you did for the second row at the beginning of installation.
- You may have to cut the last row lengthwise. Fix it in the same way you did for the first row, that is, from the top.
- Once installation of the strips is completed, use a touch-up pen to fill nail holes and correct other imperfections.
- Install baseboards and doorsills.
- Vacuum once again. Spray some flooring cleaner on a mop and clean your floor. Installation is now complete.

Practical tips
- Installation of a factory-finished, hardwood floor requires more care than a conventional floor to prevent damaging the floor’s finish during installation. Frequent use of a vacuum cleaner during installation is highly recommended to eliminate sawdust and wood chips.
- Place your tools on the plywood or on a piece of cardboard rather than directly on the hardwood floor.
- Verify frequently that the hardwood hammer works properly and make sure its base is clean. If the base is damaged or rough, place tape underneath it to protect your floor’s finish.
- To better hide the expansion joint around the room, cut the gypsum so that the wood can use that space as an expansion joint.
- Make sure the hardwood hammer is resting properly against the side of the strip before nailing. Inadequate positioning may damage the strips.
- If a nail is not driven in completely, use a nail punch and a conventional hammer.
- Save remaining strips after installation and store them in a proper place for future repairs.

Maintenance
- Use non-wax flooring cleaner to keep your floor in good condition. Use of conventional, domestic cleaners may permanently damage your floor’s finish.
- Never clean your hardwood floor with a wet mop or cloth. Water and wood are natural enemies.
- Do not wax your hardwood floor.
- Vacuum your floor frequently to eliminate the presence of solid particles (such as sand) which may damage and/or scratch your floor.
- Place protective felt underneath your furniture to protect your floor. Clean the felt regularly and replace it when necessary.
- When moving heavy furniture (fridge, piano, etc.), place a thick rug underneath furniture legs before moving

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Installing Bamboo Floors on Top of a Concrete Subfloor
Important Notices
- Read the Warranty carefully before installing the product.
- All installed strips will be considered accepted by the installer and/or homeowner.
- Before you order flooring, make sure you add at least 5% to the actual area size you are going to cover. The industry standard for allowable small defects, mismilling or misgrading is 5 %.
- This flooring is to be glued down. It is not covered by warranty if it is floated.
- The adhesive has to be a 100% Urethane-based product.
- The adhesive manufacturer’s installation instructions are to be followed.

Installation requirements
- Gypsum joints must be completed and dried.
- Concrete work must have been completed at least 45 days prior to installation.
- The heating system must be functional and the building must be heated up to 21°C (70°F) for a minimum of 7 days immediately prior to installation.
- The relative humidity of the building must be between 40% and 45%
- Refer to the adhesive’s installation instructions to find the allowable moisture level of the concrete.
- Maximum acceptable floor variation is 1/8” in 10 feet.

Before installing

**Do not install flooring that has not been properly acclimatized to humidity conditions. Recommended acclimatizing time is 7 days minimum in rooms where the flooring will be installed. Try to disperse flooring as much as possible. If it is not possible, make smaller stacks, break boxes and open ends. Before starting installation, check moisture content on several randomly picked samples.

- Correct slight irregularities on the subfloor.
- Remove baseboards and doorsills.
- Cut 9/16” off the bottom of the doorframes to insert the strips underneath them.
- Vacuum the subfloor regularly during installation to make sure it is always clean and dust free.

Tools and Accessories required
- Measuring tape
- Miter saw
- Square
- Sawhorse
- Chalk line
- Handsaw
- Vacuum cleaner
- Crowbar
- Safety goggles
- Level
- Trowel
- Other tools and accessories may be necessary depending on site configuration and type of installation.

Installation Guide
- Locate the longest wall of the room where the product will be installed.
- Allow for a 9/16” expansion joint between the wall and the flooring strips. This joint will be hidden by a baseboard or quarter round.
- Draw a guide line with a chalk line. The guide line must be parallel to the wall. Calculate its distance from the wall as follows: expansion joint + strip flooring width + tongue width.
- To end a row, cut the strip at the correct length and use the remainder of the strip to start the next row. Do not forget to leave sufficient space for the expansion joint at the end of each row.
- Make sure you carefully choose the strips to avoid aligning the end joints with those of adjacent rows. A minimum of 15cm (6”) must be allowed to avoid aligning the end joints.
- You may have to cut the last row lengthwise. Fix it in the same way you did for the first row, that is, from the top.
- Install baseboards and doorsills.
- Vacuum once again. Spray some flooring cleaner on a mop and clean your floor. Installation is now complete.

Practical tips
- Installation of a factory-finished hardwood floor requires more care than a conventional floor to prevent damaging the floor’s finish during installation. Frequent use of a vacuum cleaner during installation is highly recommended to eliminate saw dust and wood chips.
- Place your tools on the plywood or on a piece of cardboard rather than directly on the hardwood floor.
- To better hide the expansion joint around the room, cut the gypsum so that the wood can use that space as an expansion joint.
- If a strip presents too much color variation or a minor defect, put it aside and use it in a less visible area such as a closet. You can also cut a defective strip and use it to start or end a row.
- Save remaining strips after installation and store them in a proper place for future repairs.
- Remove adhesive from surface of the floor as soon as possible.

Maintenance
- Use non-wax flooring cleaner to keep your floor in good condition. Use of conventional, domestic cleaners may permanently damage your floor’s finish.
- Never clean your hardwood floor with a wet mop or cloth. Water and wood are natural enemies.
- Do not wax your hardwood floor.
- Vacuum your floor frequently to eliminate the presence of solid particles (such as sand) which may damage and/or scratch your floor.
- Place protective felt underneath your furniture to protect your floor. Clean the felt regularly and replace it when necessary.
- When moving heavy furniture (fridge, piano, etc.), place a thick rug underneath furniture legs before moving

Answer 2

Bamboo Baseboard

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
If you install Bamboo Flooring - do your baseboards need to be bamboo too?

Answer 4

They don't need to be. You should go with whatever you think looks good. I have white baseboards on a hardwood floor and I think it looks great.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

no. whatever you like.