How to Glue Tongue & Groove Bamboo Floors
Bamboo flooring is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional hardwood. While hardwood flooring is made from trees that may take decades to regrow, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It is pressed into long planks for use as a floor covering, and it is often installed using integral tongue-and-groove connectors. Many homeowners prefer to glue this material down rather than using nails or staples. With the right tools and preparation, this project can be completed over the course of a weekend. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tongue-and-groove bamboo flooring
- Waterproofing compound
- Trowel
- Grinder
- Wood planer
- Leveling compound
- Vacuum or broom
- Hammer
- Nails
- Urethane flooring adhesive
- Rubber mallet
- Tapping block
- Circular saw
- Mineral spirits
- Rags
Instructions
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1
Prepare the subfloor for bamboo flooring. Use a grinder to remove bumps and ridges from concrete subfloors, or a planer to remove high spots on a wood floor. Apply leveling compound to the floor to fill low areas, then sweep or vacuum the floor to remove all dirt and debris.
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2
Apply a waterproofing compound to concrete subfloors before installing glued-down flooring. Use a urethane-based compound for best results. This material can be applied with a trowel and will prevent the concrete from absorbing the moisture in the glue. Skip this step if your subfloor is made of wood.
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3
Lay out your first few rows of flooring without using glue. Start along the longest or most visible wall in the room. Once you're comfortable with the fit of the flooring, place the first floor board with the groove side facing the wall. Leave a half-inch gap between the board and the base of the wall to allow for future expansion.
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Nail this first row of boards into place using a blind nailing technique. Place the nails into the tongue of the board and hammer them in at a 45-degree angle. As you install the adjacent boards, the nails will be hidden within the groove between the two rows.
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Spread urethane-based flooring adhesive over a small area of flooring. Plan to install only a few rows of flooring at a time before adding more glue.
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Connect your second row of flooring by lining up the tongue-and-groove connectors. Press the board firmly into the glue, then use a rubber mallet and tapping block to make sure the boards are connected.
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Stagger each row of flooring to keep joints from lining up from row to row. This will create a more stable floor and also will help maintain the visual appeal of the flooring.
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Cut boards as needed using a circular saw. The board should be placed facedown to protect the finished surface. Rip the final row of flooring length-wise as needed using your saw.
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Install the final row of flooring so that there is a half-inch expansion gap along the base of the wall. Clean excess glue from the surface of the floor using mineral spirits applied with a clean rag or sponge. Add trim or molding around the perimeter of the room to hide the expansion gaps as desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Use urethane adhesive rather than water-based versions for best results.
When installing glued-down flooring in bathrooms or other wet areas, add a single bead of glue along the tongue of each board. This helps to increase the moisture-resistance of the bamboo and prolong the life of the floor.
Avoid installing glued-down flooring in the basement or in other areas that are below grade.
