Bamboo is a versatile flooring type that can be installed on almost any subfloor. Many people have questions about installing bamboo flooring over a concrete floor and whether it is a good idea or not? So the answer is yes, you can install bamboo flooring on top of a concrete floor.
Though bamboo is resilient flooring, you have to look at various factors, whether the base of concrete is completely prepared for it or not. There are different methods of installing bamboo on top of a concrete floor. In this guide by Design Furniture, you will learn everything about bamboo floors to install over concrete.
Different Methods Of Installing Bamboo Over Concrete
There are two different ways of installing bamboo over concrete.
1. Glue-Down Method
Though the glue-down method of installing bamboo flooring is complicated as compared to other methods, it provides sturdiness and longevity to the floor. This type of installation will require a professional and experienced hand because it needs to be installed carefully. This method is effective for both engineered and solid bamboo flooring.
In this method, a special adhesive is spread directly over the concrete slab, and you have to place the bamboo tiles over it in the proper position. You must put the first row carefully and install all the rows one by one according to the first row.
2. Floating Method
This method is primarily used in engineered bamboo flooring. It is also called click clock flooring and is comparatively easier to install than the glue-down method. In this method, the floor is installed as a puzzle by clicking all the tiles with one another. But you can’t install the floor directly over concrete; you have to install the moisture barrier first and then place the floor over it.
How To Install Bamboo Over Concrete The Easy Way
If you don’t know the proper way of installing the bamboo floor over concrete, then don’t worry; we will guide you to perform this task efficiently.
1. Use Perfect Tools
First, you must have the proper tools and materials necessary for installing a bamboo floor. Like, you have to get a special adhesive with a moisture limit, which means it will let the specific amount of moisture off your subfloor made of concrete. Gather all the necessary tools, prior to moving to the installation.
2. Prepare Your Subfloor
Analyze your subfloor whether it has holes or cracks, then you have to fill them before installing the bamboo floor over it. Once you’ve filled all the cracks, leave it to dry, then clean the floor so there will be no dust over the surface.
The second most important thing is to check if the concrete is dry or not. Because this moisture can damage the new bamboo flooring tiles. You can easily check the moisture level with a digital hygrometer. The bamboo floor can bear 65% humidity.
3. Clean The Surface
Before installing the floor, vacuum or sweep the concrete subfloor thoroughly. If it requires deep cleaning, after washing the floor, you must leave it for at least 24 hours to dry.
4. Look For The Starting Point
No matter; whether you are installing the bamboo flooring via glued or click lock method, you have to set up a focal point from where you start installing your floor. This step will also help you to determine the design you want to create with the tiles.
5. Apply Adhesive/Click Lock Tiles
If you are using a glued-down method, you have to take the adhesive and spread it over the starting point of your floor. Now place the tiles one by one carefully on the concrete. Most important thing to keep in mind is to always place the adhesive remover towels with you. These towels will help you to remove the excessive adhesive from the top of your bamboo floor. If you can’t remove it and it dries onto the surface, it will ruin the finish of the bamboo floor.
If you are going to install the engineered bamboo flooring with the click-lock method of installation. Then you should place the tiles over concrete at the starting point. Lock the tiles with one another perfectly with the built-in click lock system.
6. Always Look At The Expansion Gap
Once you have finished installing the first row of bamboo floor and have come to the point where you are going to install the last slab, then you have to measure the distance from your last slab to the wall with the help of a spacer. You have to leave ½ to 1 inch of expansion gap.
7. Create Random Look
You may see the wooden floors installed in random patterns to give a unique look to your space. Most of the popular bamboo flooring designs look excellent due to random patterns. To achieve this look, when you start installing the second row, you have to place a large bamboo board beside the short one. Once you finish installing the second row, you must apply the tape across these two rows to hold them in place until the adhesive dries. Repeat this process until you install the entire floor.
Do the same task for the click-lock method by locking all the rows with the previous one.
8. Leave It For Drying Perfectly
After installing the floor, you have to leave it for 6 to 10 hours so that the adhesive gets dried and your floor is tightly attached to the subfloor.
Conclusion
If you don’t know how to install bamboo flooring over concrete, follow the steps mentioned above. You will definitely perform this task without facing any issues. We have got you the easiest way of installing bamboo flooring over concrete. Try to install the floor as we mentioned above and you’ll be done with this home improvement project successfully.