Installation Guide

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Engineered Flooring Installation Guide
for all installations. Cali Bamboo does not warrant against moisture related problems. If results show moisture vapor at or
exceeding 12%, determine its source and correct problem before installation.
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 and Eucalyptus Floors
Use a reliable moisture meter that is acceptable for strand bamboo and
strand eucalyptus flooring. Examples of acceptable moisture meters include
Delmhorst or a Lignomat SDM. Contact the meter manufacture to verify
settings for strand bamboo/eucalyptus. Please note that some meters
require the use of a substitute setting for bamboo (or eucalyptus), 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 moisture barrier/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 moisture barriers for wood subfloors include:
Silicon Vapor Shield, Asphalt laminated paper (UU-B-790a, Grade B, Type I,
Style 1a.) and: Asphalt-saturated kraft paper.
Concrete Subfloors: For concrete applications, a moisture barrier/
vapor retarder should be chosen based on concrete moisture content.
For unlimited moisture protection, Cali Bamboo recommends the use of
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 job site to job site. 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.
For Engineered Bamboo and Engineered Eucalyptus Flooring: Cali Bamboo recommends simply opening the ends of
each box and breaking the shrinkwrap covering the flooring planks.
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