YANCHI BAMBOO FLOORING

INSTALLATION GUIDE  

READ COMPLETELY BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION.

Congratulations on choosing Yanchi bamboo flooring.   Please take time to read the following procedures before you begin installation. With the correct installation of this flooring, following the precautions in this guide, this natural product will give you many years of satisfaction. Yanchi bamboo flooring is manufactured to standards that permit a variance in thickness, width, and length of no more than 0.25mm (that is less than 0.01 inch). While quality control procedures at the factory ensure that very few defective boards are delivered to the consumer, the owner/installer of this bamboo flooring is responsible for the final inspection. Claims cannot be made for defective boards after they have been installed.   

PREPARATION

Care should be taken in transporting and handling the flooring material. Store the flooring in a dry place, with adequate space for air to circulate under cartons. If delivery is to a construction site, the flooring should be placed inside a building that is sufficiently enclosed to ensure the flooring will be protected from weather. Concrete work, plastering, and all other moisture-related work should be thoroughly dry.

For proper installation and cohesion with the sub-floor, bamboo flooring should be acclimated in the same room in which it will be installed. Using an accurate commercial moisture meter, be sure the moisture content of the room meets the tests described below.

If you are unable to make an accurate moisture test, it is recommended that you remove the packaging and let it acclimate stacked in the room for a least seven days.   

Installation on sub-floors: Sub-floors must be structurally sound and must be constructed on- or above-grade. Bamboo flooring can be installed over sub-floors made of: wood; sheathing grade; vinyl tile; plywood (3/4-inch) (19 mm); Oriented Strand Board (OSB – at least 3/4-inch thick) (19 mm).

Moisture Barrier: A sheet-vinyl moisture barrier should be placed under the sub-flooring installed on top of concrete.   Over old wood floors, apply 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch plywood with proper nail attachment.   If a wood sub-floor is used above soil, 6-mil polyethylene should be placed over the soil to prevent moisture from getting into the wood flooring.

Moisture Test: Before installing bamboo flooring over a wooden sub-floor, check the sub-floor for moisture using an accurate commercial moisture meter. The moisture difference between the sub-floor and the bamboo flooring must be not greater than four per cent. The moisture content of the sub-floor itself must not exceed 12 per cent.

Ventilation : Adequate air circulation is important to prevent moisture from accumulating. Crawl spaces should be ventilated year round. Be sure that there is no standing water or moisture at the soil moisture level.

For Adhesive Installation: Use only 100 per cent urethane-based adhesive. Do not use water-based adhesives. It is recommended that you consult a professional for adhesive installation.

Detailed preparation and installation procedures are outlined in the National Wood Flooring Association's Hardwood Flooring Manual (NWFA). Phone: 1-800-422-4556.  

Installation Tips

1. It is a recommended that the industry standard of five per cent be added to the actual footage of required flooring material as an allowance for cutting and waste during installation.

2. A sharp fine-tooth (finishing) circular/miter saw blade is recommended for cutting. Tape the area to be cut for a clean cut.

3. When allowing bamboo flooring to acclimate before installation, turn the air conditioning or heat to the level it will be in normal living conditions.

4. Nails and staples are best placed at least three inches from the edge of the boards. For wood sub-floors, nail every six inches.

5. It is recommended that door casings be cut at the bottom so flooring fits under rather than trying to scribe the flooring to fit around.

6. Leave 1/4 -inch – 1/2 –inch (6 mm - 12mm) space at each wall for expansion of flooring. The expansion gap can be covered with the base molding.

7. Always use a tapping block and never hit flooring directly to avoid fracturing the flooring edge. A piece of flooring trim makes a good tapping block.  

8. Take care of moisture problems of potential problems before installation. Special precautions should be taken in basements. If your bamboo flooring installation is hampered by a moisture problem, contact a professional installer to improve the situation.

9. To avoid a pattern of end joints, cut the initial boards in each row at varying lengths so that all the board ends are staggered throughout the installation. Ensure that the joints are at least six inches apart.  

10. Before installing, lay out the flooring in a rough fashion according to how you would like it to appear. Arrange the bamboo's natural range of color in manner that that is pleasing to your eye. Remember, like other natural products, some color variation is expected in bamboo flooring.  

11. Bend or bowed boards are not defective. These boards may be a little harder to install, but they will lie flat after installation.      

12. Use pull straps at three-foot intervals to hold the boards firmly together.

13. For adhesive installation, use a 100 per cent urethane-based adhesive such as Bostik's Best. Be sure to follow Bostik Findley's instructions so their warranty is in effect.  

Maintenance

1.    Place doormats or rugs at entrances to collect moisture, sand, grit and other potentially damaging substances from being tracked onto your bamboo floor.

2. Dust mop or vacuum with a soft accessory to keep your bamboo floor clean from dust, dirt or grit.   Yanchi Bamboo flooring cleans easily with a Swiffer or similar type dry mop.

3. For sticky spots, use a soft damp cloth to gently scrub the floor. If necessary, use a generic hardwood floor cleaner.   Do not use steel wool or other abrasive scouring pads.

4. Do not use harsh detergents, abrasive cleansers, or corrosive chemicals to clean your bamboo floor.

5.   Avoid excessive water. Use mats in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room to protect against spills. If a spill occurs, blot it up immediately with a dry cloth or slightly damp mop.

6. Use only colorfast and non-scratch carpeting or pads on your bamboo floor.

7. Protect the floor from furniture legs and do not walk on the floor with high-heeled shoes.  

8. Although Yanchi bamboo flooring has effective UV inhibitors in its pre-finish, it is recommended that it not be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods.