Installation Guide

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Engineered Flooring Installation Guide
Installation of Cali Bamboo Flooring
General Guidelines - All Installation Types
• Follow Cali Bamboo Maintenance & Care Guidelines to keep your floor looking its best after installation
• Save extra flooring for future repairs.
• Do not install flooring under permanent or fixed cabinetry.
• Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color, shade and appearance.
• Most installation failures result from jobsite moisture. Do not deliver flooring to the jobsite until problems are corrected.
• Engineered bamboo and engineered eucalyptus flooring installed below grade is warrantied with the use of an
appropriate moisture barrier. Cali Bamboo recommends Titebond® 531+ Moisture Control.
• Cali Bamboo always recommends using a vapor barrier, especially if the moisture content of the flooring and subfloor
vary greater than 3%.
• NEVER install any flooring against any vertical fixed object such as fireplace, columns, floor outlets, etc. Failure to follow
this guideline may result in tenting or buckled floors.
• 3M blue painter tape #2080 can be used to keep rows or sections of floor boards together until the adhesive has cured.
(Incorrect or aggressive tape can harm the finish, do not leave on overnight.)
• During installation, it is the installer’s responsibility to document all jobsite conditions and measurements including
the installation date, flooring moisture content, site relative humidity, temperature, and subfloor moisture content. This
information must be retained by the installer and left with the property owner as a permanent record.
• Depending on the application, Cali Bamboo engineered bamboo and engineered eucalyptus flooring can be installed
over an approved underlayment to provide greater thermal insulation and sound isolation qualities. Cali Bamboo
recommends the use of All-in-One Cali Complete™ Underlayment, which offers several benefits that include industry-
leading moisture warranty, step noise reduction, increased walking comfort, and long-lasting durability.
• Heavy furniture (500+ lbs.) may obstruct the free, natural movement of a floated floor. Restricting this movement in
certain areas can lead to problems such as buckling or separation when the floor experiences natural expansion and/or
contraction.
Expansion Space Is Required
• Since bamboo and eucalyptus expands with any increase in
moisture content, we require leaving at least 1/2” expansion
space between flooring and all vertical objects (walls, cabinets,
pipes, etc.). If the installation area exceeds 30 feet, a greater
expansion space is required; approximately 1/16” for every
additional ten (10) feet. For float installations that flow into
other rooms, a transition piece must be used in doorways and
openings between rooms (halls, archways, etc.) 3 feet or less to
allow separate areas to move without interference.
• Note that proper expansion space depends not only on the size and flow of the installation, but also on expected
seasonal changes in temperature and humidity that may cause the flooring to gain or lose moisture content over time.
For example, if an installation takes place when humidity conditions are low, it’s likely that the wood flooring will gain
moisture and expand later during humid seasons. In those cases, incorporate additional expansion space through use
of spacers or transition moldings.
• Hardwood floors must be able to expand/contract without interference. NEVER install flooring against any vertical or
fixed object such as fireplace, columns, islands, door jambs, floor outlets, etc. Failure to follow this guideline may result
in tenting, separation or buckled floors. Do not install cabinets or other permanent fixtures on top of the floor. Never nail
or screw anything through a hardwood floor. If you have extremely heavy furniture items, install the floor using the glue-
down method or nail-down method as opposed to floating the floor. For floated applications a T-molding must be used in
doorways and openings between rooms 3 feet wide or less.
• To cover your expansion space, Cali Bamboo carries matching bamboo and eucalyptus flooring accessories which
include reducers, t-moldings, baseboards, quarter rounds, thresholds and vent registers. Matching stair parts are also
available; including stair nosing, treads and risers. Cali Bamboo also provides all the glues and adhesives you will need
for to complete your project. Please visit Cali Bamboo’s Flooring Accessories webpage.
• Undercut door casings and jambs. Remove any existing base, shoe mold or doorway thresholds. These items can be
replaced after installation. When undercutting door casings the installer should confirm there is the recommended
expansion space. The floor must have 1/16” clearance under the door casing to be able to float freely without vertical
restriction. The installer should ensure that the plank can move freely under the door jamb.
Installation