Installation Guide

Installation Instructions
Engineered Bamboo Flooring
For assistance, call: 1-888-369-6888
HomeDepot.com/HomeDecorators
Product Description
Engineered
Tongue and Groove
Grade Levels
Above Grade / On Grade
Below Grade
Installation Methods
Full Spread Glue
Covers 15.494 sq. ft./Case
Item #1003 221 041
Model #AM1735E
HOMEDEPOT.COM/HOMEDECORATORS
Please contact 1-888-369-6888 for further assistance.
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
Residential
MANUFACTURER’S REQUIRED MINNESOTA DISCLOSURE – IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE: SOME OF THE BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN THIS HOME (OR THESE BUILDING MATERIALS) EMIT FORMALDEHYDE. EYE, NOSE, AND
THROAT IRRITATION, HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND A VARIETY OF ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE. ELDERLY PERSONS AND YOUNG
CHILDREN, AS WELL AS ANYONE WITH A HISTORY OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES OR LUNG PROBLEMS, MAY BE AT GREATER RISK. RESEARCH IS CONTINUING ON THE POSSIBLE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE.
REDUCED VENTILATION MAY ALLOW FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE INDOOR AIR. HIGH INDOOR TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY RAISE FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS. WHEN A HOME IS TO BE
LOCATED IN AREAS SUBJECT TO EXTREME SUMMER TEMPERATURES, AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAN BE USED TO CONTROL INDOOR TEMPERATURE LEVELS. OTHER MEANS OF CONTROLLED MECHANICAL VENTILATION CAN
BE USED TO REDUCE LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER INDOOR CONTAMINANTS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR LOCAL HEALTH DEARTMENT.
CAUTION: ASBESTOS IN EXISTING FLOOR: Home Decorators Collection’s product does not contain asbestos. Existing installed resilient ooring and asphaltic adhesive may contain asbestos llers or crystalline silica. Do not sand,
dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, bead-blast, or mechanically chip or pulverize existing resilient ooring, backing, lining felt, asphaltic “cutback” adhesive or other adhesive. See “Recommended Work Practices for Removal of
Resilient Floor Coverings” (rfci.com) for detailed information and instructions on removing all resilient covering structures.
CAUTION: BAMBOO DUST: Sawing, sanding and machining products can produce bamboo dust. It may induce respiratory, skin and eye irritation. Avoid prolonged exposure to bamboo dust. Power tools should be equipped with
a dust collector. If possible, perform bamboo dust generating activities outdoors. If high dust levels are encountered, use an appropriate NIOSH-designated dust mask.
Safety and Health Precautions
Power tools can be dangerous. Operate in strict accordance to manufacturer’s operating instructions and safety precautions. Unsafe and improper use can cause serious injuries. Avoid inhalation and exposures to wood dust by
mechanical means and by wearing personal protective equipment. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes NIOSH or OSHA approved dust masks, safety goggles and work gloves.
Warranty
This ooring product comes with a manufacturer Limited Lifetime Warranty. The warranty applies to the original purchaser of the ooring and guarantees that the surface will not wear through or peel off. Bamboo is a natural product
which may lead to some color variation from board to board. Installation of the product conrms your acceptance of the product. Failure to follow Pre-Installation and Installation guidelines will void the manufacturer’s warranty. The
warranty does not cover damage from improper use, care or maintenance, including scratching, exposure to moisture and humidity, water damage, denting, fading, or staining.
Pre-Installation
OWNER/INSTALLER RESPONSIBILITY
The owner is advised to be at home during the installation for consultation/direction. The owner and installer
should discuss installation and layout to maximize satisfaction. If this is not possible, consultation should be
done prior to installation. Installers should be familiar with installation guidelines from National Wood Flooring
Association (woodoors.org). The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for product quality of completed
installation.
PERFORM PRE-INSTALL INSPECTION. FOR CLAIMS PURPOSES, OPEN AT A MINIMUM 4 BOXES FOR PRODUCT
INSPECTION. INSPECT ALL THE PLANKS IN THESE BOXES CAREFULLY. EXAMINE FLOORING FOR COLOR, FINISH
AND QUALITY. IF YOU DISCOVER THAT PRODUCTS ARE DEFECTIVE, OR IF MATERIAL IS QUESTIONABLE, YOU
SHOULD CONTACT THE RETAILER. IF YOU ARE SATISFIED, PROCEED WITH INSTALLATION. INSTALLATION OF PLANKS
CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRODUCT.
Prior to installation, rack up planks from several boxes to ensure uniform distribution of colors, shades and
characters in the installed ooring. Planks having similar widths should be placed together in the same row to
minimize gaps between boards.
Flooring needs to be acclimated a minimum of 7 to 10 days in open cartons in the room it will be installed in.
Bamboo oors are natural products containing natural variations in color, tone, grain, streaks, nodal marks and
other characteristics found from plank to plank. They are normal and it does not mean the product is defective.
Purchase ooring to be installed in one large area at the same time. Product purchased at a later time than the
rst purchase may vary beyond your expectations.
Accessories, trims and moldings are manufactured to coordinate with the varied appearances of the oor planks.
Any exact matches are coincidental. Non-matching accessories are not defective products.
This product is manufactured according to strict quality standards. In the event that defects are discovered in
the eld, the industry standards permit a defect tolerance not to exceed 5%. An additional 5% (10% for diagonal
installations) should be factored in for cutting wastage and grading allowances.
During installation, inspect the planks continuously. Defects that can be seen from a standing position should be
cut off or held out. Installing defective planks implies acceptance.
Squeaking and clicking noises are the result of interactions among ooring, joists and suboors when they
move. Limiting the movements of the ooring system usually eliminates most of these noises. Sometimes, it is
impossible to eliminate them completely and minor squeaking or clicking noises are to be accepted as normal
ooring phenomenon.
Minor scratches can generally be repaired with the use of putty, stain or ller. It is an industry standard practice
of ooring installation and it should be accepted as normal by the home owner.
To assure the warranty is not inadvertently voided, before proceeding with any activity that is not covered in this
manual, please contact our Customer Support Team at 888-369-6888.
ACCLIMATION AND IN-SERVICE CONDITIONS
NOTE: To obtain accurate moisture content readings, one must use a moisture meter designed for use with
bamboo ooring.
Acclimation is the process of adjusting (conditioning) the moisture content of bamboo ooring to the environment
in which it is expected to perform. The bamboo ooring is fully acclimated when its moisture content and
dimensions (width and length) are stable. For example, the averaged dimensions and moisture content remain
constant for 3 consecutive days. Bamboo ooring must acclimate for as long as necessary to reach fully
acclimated stage. Acclimation time varies depending on geographical area, interior climate control and time of
the year. Minimum acclimation time is 72 hours. The recommended time for this ooring is 7-10 days.
Open the box and plastic wrap. Elevate cartons from the oor by placing them on 2x2 in. lumber or equivalent.
Acclimation temperature range is 60°F-80°F and relative humidity (RH) of 40%-55%. Conditions in which the
oor was acclimated should be maintained continuously thereafter.
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
Concrete suboors must:
□ Have minimum rated strength of 3000 psi.
□ Be level to within 1/8 in. in a 6 ft. span or 3/16 in. in a 10 ft. span; no bumps or low spots. High spots can
be removed by grinding; depressions can be lled with patching compound formulated for use in oor
installation.
□ Be clean; no construction debris, soil, mud and any other objects on or adhering to the oor; if necessary,
scrape and sweep away before the installation; no protrusions of nails, debris, or metals should remain.
□ New concrete slab must cure for at least 60 days. It must have a minimum 10 mil polyethylene sheet
between the ground and the concrete.
□ Be free from moisture related conditions which can damage the installed ooring.
CONCRETE MOISTURE
Test all concrete suboors for moisture content and document the results. Visual checks are not reliable.
Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near walls containing plumbing, near foundation walls
and in the center of the room. Minimum sample size is 3 samples per 1000 sq. ft. of area and one test for every
additional 1000 sq. ft. thereafter.
Moisture content should meet one of the following criteria:
□ 4.5% when tested using Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter.
□ Less than 3 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hours when using Calcium Chloride test (ASTM F 1869).
□ 75% when using Relative Humidity Testing (ASTM F-2170).
NOTE: Concrete moisture content may be acceptable the time of the test. These tests do not guarantee a
perpetual “dry” concrete slab. The concrete slab moisture content can vary at other times of the year. We are
not responsible for moisture-related damage to installed ooring.
LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE
Light weight concrete is concrete with a rated strength that is less than 3000 psi. Perform a quick check by
drawing a nail across the top; if it leaves an indentation, it is probably light concrete.
For glue-down applications, the concrete must possess shear strength greater than the glue. If concrete rated psi
is unknown, contact the adhesive manufacturer for guidance.
WOOD SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
□ The suboor must be clean; no presence of construction debris, soil, mud and any other objects on or
adhering to the oor; no protrusions of nails, debris, or metals should remain. If necessary, scrape and
sweep the suboor before the installation.
□ The suboor must be structurally sound and stable; no movements or squeaks; no loose panels or loose
nails; no signs of ply de-lamination or other damages. Repair all shortcomings before installation.
□ The suboor must be at; no visible bumps or low spots; the suboor should be at to within 1/8 in. in
6ft. span or 3/16 in. in 10 ft. Test for moisture using a reliable moisture meter. Perform tests at locations
around exterior doorways, near foundation walls, near walls containing plumbing lines and in the center of
the room. Measure 20 locations per 1000 sq. ft. Moisture content of the suboor should be less than 14%.
Moisture content difference between the suboor and ooring should be 4% or less.
PLYWOOD OR ORIENTED STRAND BOARD (OSB) SPECIFICATIONS
On truss/joist spacing of 16 in. (406 mm) O/C or less, the industry standard for single-panel subooring is a
minimum 5/8 in. (19/32 in., 15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1 plywood suboor panels (CD Exposure 1) or 23/32 in.
OSB Exposure 1 suboor panels, 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets. Expansion gap between panels should be 1/8 in. (3 mm). If
panels are not tongued and grooved and there is not sufcient spacing or it is inadequate, cut in the required
spacing with a circular saw. Do not cut in expansion space on tongue and groove panels.
PARTICLE BOARD OR FIBER BOARD
Do not use.
EXISTING FLOORS
Installation over existing oor requires the installer to consider potential issues related to moisture damage,
adhesive failure and fastener failure. Contact the adhesive and fastener manufacturers respectively for their
specic instructions, recommendations and requirements.
For glue down, acceptable ooring includes: ceramics, terrazzo, or solid hardwood.
RADIANT HEATED SUBFLOOR
This product cannot be installed on a radiant heated suboor.
MOISTURE BARRIER AND MOISTURE RETARDER
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR
Use moisture barrier if concrete moisture level exceeds the required limits.
WOOD SUBFLOOR
Use asphalt-saturated kraft paper or #15 or #30 felt that meets ASTM Standard D4869 or UU-B-790, Grade
D. Overlap along the edge seams 2 in.- 4 in. wide. This retards moisture movement from below. Extend the
moisture retarder to about 1 in. from the walls. Secure to the suboor as necessary.
SOUND CONTROL UNDERLAYMENT
Check with the sound control manufacturer for application guidelines. Generally, the less compressive
underlayment is preferred.
EXPANSION GAP
A 1/2 in. expansion gap is required around the perimeter of the oor and between the oor and all vertical
obstructions. Do not place permanently mounted structures such as kitchen counters/cabinets on the installed
oor. On oors wider than 20 ft., more or less spacing between rows may be needed depending on geographical
area, interior climate control and time of the year.
ADHESIVE
Use premium ooring adhesive which is non-water based, formulated for engineered bamboo ooring
installation. The preferred type is moisture cure urethane oor glue.
JOB SITE CONDITION
Prior to installation, the installer must ensure that at the time of installation, the job site conditions including
suboor/substrate, ambient temperature and relative humidity, and all impacting variables will not negatively
affect the oor. The manufacturer will decline responsibility for damages associated with improper installation
or poor site conditions.
STORAGE AND CONDITIONS
Do not store ooring in uncontrolled environmental conditions. For example, garages and exterior patios are
not acceptable areas to store ooring. Handle and unload bamboo ooring with care and store within the
environmentally controlled site in which it is expected to perform. Flooring stored on a concrete slab should be
elevated at least 4 in. to allow air circulation under cartons.
EXISTING HOME
An existing home should have a consistent room temperature of 65°F-75°F and relative humidity (RH) of
40%-55%. Continual deviation from these conditions will affect the dimensions of ooring. When using a heater
during winter months, humidity may be much lower than the acceptable range. A humidier is recommended to
prevent excess shrinkage in bamboo ooring due to low humidity levels. During the warmer months, maintain
humidity levels using an air conditioner or dehumidier, or by turning on your heating system periodically.
NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REMODEL
All work involving water, such as pouring basement concrete oors, drywall and plasterwork, plumbing,
etc. must be completed well in advance of the oor delivery. Ensure that the building is enclosed. Where
building codes allow, permanent heating and/or air conditioning systems should be operating at least ve
days preceding installation and should be maintained during and after installation. If it is not possible for
the permanent heating and/or air conditioning system to be operating before, during and after installation,
a temporary heating and/or dehumidication system that simulates normal living (occupied) conditions
can enable the installation to proceed until the permanent heating and/or air conditioning system is fully
operational. Your job site should have a consistent temperature of 65°F-75°F and relative humidity (RH) of 40%-
55% which should be maintained continuously thereafter.
BASEMENTS AND CRAWL SPACES
Concrete slab or ground must be dry. The ground in the crawl spaces must be completely covered using 6 mil
black polyethylene. Crawl space clearance between the earth and underside of joists should be no less than
18 in. and the perimeter vent area should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl space or as
mandated by code.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS BASICS
Tape measure • Moisture meter (wood, concrete or both) • Chalk line & chalk • Hammer • Electric power saw •
Carbide tipped saw blade for ne cut • NIOSH-designated dust mask • Hand saw or jamb saw • Eye protection
• Straight edge or Spacers • Pry Bar • Mallet • Broom • Color matched wood putty • Tapping block • Pull bar
Additional Supplies for Glue-Down Method: Flooring adhesive • Trowels • Adhesive remover for selected
adhesive • Clean rags • Weight roller • Painters tape
BOND FAILURE
Bond failure is NOT a ooring product defect. Most installation failures, including bond failure, result from
jobsite moisture.
Do not unpack or deliver ooring to the jobsite until moisture problems are corrected. Read adhesive
manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Certain wood ooring adhesives may have special requirements and
limitations of use. Some existing oors may not be acceptable. Not following the adhesive manufacturer’s
recommendations can lead to installation failure or product damage and will void your warranty.
GLUE SPOTS ON FACE OF FINISHED FLOOR
Adhesive can damage the oor’s nish, especially when it has dried. It is extremely important to take
precautionary steps NOT to leave ngerprint or footprint marks on the face of the board. Preventive actions
include wearing gloves when spreading glue and discarding the gloves when nished. Use clean gloves before
placing the oor planks in the adhesive layer. If glue comes in contact with the face of the board, remove
immediately with the adhesive remover recommended by the adhesive manufacturer. Use clean towels,
changing frequently to prevent haze and adhesive residue. If the spot removal damages the appearance of the
boards, replace the board.
Helpful Pointers
GENERAL TIPS
□ Make sure your work area is well lit. Good visibility ensures that color is consistent and that visually defective planks are detected and
removed.
□ The minimum length of the rst and last plank is 12 in. Using a shorter piece at undercut door jambs will help when tting ooring in place.
□ Ensure that the installation area is at.
□ Be sure to choose the pattern best suited to your needs and taste.
□ In general, the best look is focused on the center point in the longest part of the room.
□ Use a beam compass to nd the center of the room. This involves nding the center of the room, and then establishing the eye-line of the
oor. A beam compass is a plank of wood, with a pencil on one end and a nail on the other, used to make a radius to show the center of the
oor.
TONGUE AND GROOVE PROFILE
□ Unlike traditional ooring, where all plank tongues and grooves face in the same direction, there are left proles and right pieces in
every box (half each). This allows the installation of a Herringbone pattern. Be sure to familiarize yourself with this before beginning the
installation process.
SQUARE OR DIAGONAL
HERRINGBONE
SINGLE
HERRINGBONE
DOUBLE
HERRINGBONE
GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION TIPS
□ ALWAYS REFER TO THE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FLOORING ADHESIVE LABEL. The information given here is for typical installations. Adjust it according to adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.
□ Dry-lay means the glue has to set before placing oor planks in it. Wet-lay means the glue does not need to set before placing ooring on it.
□ Use a trowel design specied by the adhesive manufacturer.
□ Continuously check the transfer of adhesive THROUGHOUT the installation process. If the adhesive no longer transfers to the back of the ooring material, it must be removed and new adhesive applied.
□ Work your way out of the room.
□ After the installation is completed, keep the oor free from daily foot trafc for a minimum of 24 hours to allow adhesive to properly cure.
CUTTING THE LAST ROW TO WIDTH
□ Most often the entire length of the last row will need to be cut so that it is narrow enough to t the remaining space.
□ Measure the distance between the oor face edge (exclude the tongue) to the wall. Subtract 1/2 in. from this measurement for expansion gap. Draw a line. Cut through the line. Discard the excess piece. Proceed with the
installation.
Preparing for Installation
□ Lay out the boards from several cartons. Rack the boards to give you the appearance you want. Colors and shades should be mixed up evenly. End joints should be staggered; minimum end stager is 6 in. and varied.
□ Inspect plank quality and grading. Do not mix lot numbers without checking for color match. If ooring is defective, contact the dealer or the store immediately and discontinue installation.
□ Lay out trim moldings in advance and nd planks whose shade closely matches. Set these aside for future use.
□ Remove the existing base, shoe molding or threshold carefully. They can be used to cover the 1/2 in. expansion gap left around the edge of the room.
□ Clean suboors.
□ Undercut doors and casings using a handsaw laid at on a piece of scrap ooring. This eliminates difcult scribe cuts.
□ Install the underlayment (if used) parallel to the ooring according to the underlayment manufacturer’s instruction. Any overlap (top) should be on the same side as the groove of the ooring so that the oor planks will slide
smoothly into place. Tape all seams. Secure the underlayment material as necessary to prevent excessive movement.
□ Always use a protective foot/pad and proper height adapter plate on the fastening machine to prevent face damage, mallet damage, and edge bruising.
1 MEASURE CENTER OF THE ROOM 2 SNAP CHALK LINES 3 SEPARATE PLANKS
□ Measure across both
ends of the room to
nd the center and
mark.
Start Wall
End Wall
Center Point
Start Wall
End Wall
1 5/8"1 5/8"
Working
Line
Working
Line
Grooved Edge
AB
□ Measure 1 5/8" from
the left and right of
the center mark. Snap
chalk lines down the
entire length of the
room.
Start Wall
End Wall
Center Point
Start Wall
End Wall
1 5/8"1 5/8"
Working
Line
Working
Line
Grooved Edge
AB
□ Separate “A” and “B” planks
from the carton. If possible,
install planks from 3 to 4 cartons
at one time to ensure a mix
of pattern and shade for best
results. Notice the groove edges
are on the opposite ling sides of
the planks.
Start Wall
End Wall
Center Point
Start Wall
End Wall
1 5/8"1 5/8"
Working
Line
Working
Line
Grooved Edge
AB