Installation Guide
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Solid Bamboo Flooring
Installation Guide
Wood Subfloors: Wood Subfloors: Use moisture meter to test wood subfloor moisture content. If results show moisture vapor
at or exceeding 12%, determine its source and correct problem. Do not install the floor without a vapor barrier. Cali Bamboo
always recommends using a moisture/vapor barrier, especially if the moisture content of the flooring and subfloor vary greater
than 3%.
Concrete Subfloors: Concrete subfloors must be tested for moisture vapor pressure in more than one place for consistent
readings. If test results show moisture vapor exceeds the minimum requirements below, do not install the floor without an
impermeable vapor retarder with a perm rating of less than .13 designed to permanently block this moisture.
• Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM F 1869): Maximum vapor emissions cannot exceed 3lbs/1000SF in 24 hours
• Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter: Moisture readings should not exceed 4% on upper scale
• In-Situ Probe Method (ASTM F 2170): Relative Humidity levels should not exceed 75%
Moisture Testing Bamboo Floor
Use a reliable moisture meter that is acceptable for strand bamboo flooring.
Examples of acceptable moisture meters include Delmhorst or a Lignomat
SDM. Contact the meter manufacture to verify settings for strand bamboo.
Please note that some meters require the use of a substitute setting for
bamboo, and thus must have the moisture content readings converted in
order to get an accurate measurement (such as Delmhorst; see table; right*).
Moisture Barrier Requirements
General: Unexpected changes to subfloor moisture content may cause
dimensional changes to the floor. To ensure a lifetime of satisfaction, it
is strongly recommended that Cali Bamboo® flooring be installed over a
moisture barrier or vapor retarder (following manufactures guidelines) per
the following specifications:
Wood Subfloors: For best results, use a vapor retarder with a perm rating
between 0.7 and 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E-96 Method A.
Install as recommended by the manufacturer. Examples of acceptable vapor
retarders for wood subfloors include: Asphalt laminated paper
(UU-B-790a, Grade B, Type I, Style 1a.), Asphalt-saturated kraft paper, and
Silicon Vapor Shield.
Concrete Subfloors: For concrete applications, a moisture barrier/vapor
retarder should be chosen based on concrete moisture content. For
unlimited moisture protection, use Titebond® 531+ Moisture Control System.
Install as recommended by the manufacturer.
Acclimation & Conditioning of Cali Bamboo® Flooring
The goal of acclimation is to allow the moisture content (MC) of the flooring
to fully adjust to its new surroundings before installation.
• Determine Normal Living Conditions - Ideal interior environmental
conditions vary from region to region and jobsite to jobsite. It is the
installer’s responsibility to know what the “ideal” climate conditions are
and customize the acclimation of the floor around those conditions. For a
general view of moisture content averages by region, see the map below.
• Control Home Conditions Accordingly - Acclimation should occur
at normal living conditions. Before opening the cartons, the indoor environment should reflect the room temperature
and relative humidity levels expected to be present before, during, and most importantly, after installation. Operate
temperature / humidity control systems as normal. Allow normal ventilation through rooms.
• Cross-Stacking Flooring Planks - For maximum stability, Cali Bamboo recommends cross stacking the flooring at the
installation site while it acclimates. Remove the flooring from boxes and cross stack planks at least 4” off the subfloor
with even spacing between planks to allow for complete and even air-circulation around the flooring.
Pre-Installation
Meter Reading
(Doug. Fir Setting)
Actual %
Moisture Content
6 3
7 3.5
8 4
9 4.5
10 5
11 6
12 6.5
13 7
14 7.5
15 8
16 8.5
17 9
18 9.5
19 10
20 11
21 11.5
22 12
23 12.5
24 13
25 13.5
26 14
27 14.5
28 15.5
Delmhorst Moisture Meter Conversion
Table for Strand-Woven Bamboo Flooring
*Bamboo moisture reading conversions