Concrete floors in the basement are ideal, since concrete is inorganic and won’t rot or break down. But concrete isn’t exactly a warm, welcoming choice for a basement refinishing project. The good news is that there are some excellent flooring options for below-grade use. Some can be laid directly on top of a concrete slab, but others will need underlayment or a subfloor. Here, we present you with four good options for below-grade flooring.

Choose the Best Below-Grade Flooring

Ceramic & Porcelain Tile

Ceramic or porcelain tile is an excellent flooring choice for the basement. It’s impervious to water, and it will dry in the event you experience flooding. It won’t rot, mold, or mildew.

A major benefit of ceramic or porcelain tile floors in the basement is that you don’t need an underlayment or subfloor beneath them. You can lay the tile directly over the concrete, as long as the slab is clean and level. If it’s not level, a leveling compound can be used to create a smooth, even surface for the tile, which helps prevent it from breaking.

Tile is extremely versatile. For a below-grade family room, you can choose large, rectangular tiles that closely resemble wood, or opt for a fun checkerboard pattern using colorful square tiles. Shiny, white tile in the laundry room keeps things looking clean and bright. Stone tiles in a basement bar area can complement rustic or modern decor. 

In some northern locations, where winters get mightily cold, tile floors can be freezing underfoot for half of the year. However, radiant heating can be laid beneath the tile, keeping your toes toasty all winter long.

Tile doesn’t have great sound absorption qualities, but with ample furniture and a few rugs, that’s a problem that’s easily fixed.

Vinyl Planks

Vinyl is not waterproof, but it’s pretty close, making it a good choice for below-grade flooring. Next to tile, it’s your best choice in terms of water-impervious flooring. Vinyl plank flooring snaps together as a floating floor, and they’re easy for DIYers to install. 

Vinyl planks come in a huge variety of designs and textures. Popular designs include hardwood and stone, which look very realistic, thanks to advanced printing technology. Vinyl planks have a thicker wear layer than vinyl sheet and tile flooring and are therefore warmer and more durable. This makes them ideal for a basement rental suite.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring has come a long way in the past few decades. Improvements in a range of technologies have enabled highly realistic images to be printed on laminate flooring, closely mimicking wood, tile, and other surfaces. 

Laminate flooring in a below-grade space needs a proper subfloor, which sits above the concrete and provides a raised surface to lay the laminate on. That’s because the base material of the laminate can be damaged with prolonged contact with water, and the top layers may begin to peel if they sit in a couple of inches of water during a flood. 

Some varieties of laminate flooring are constructed and treated to be more water resistant. These make a good choice for below-grade flooring and don’t necessarily require a subfloor. However, the concrete slab should be level and in good condition, and an underlayment is necessary to block moisture between the slab and the floor.

Some laminate floor planks have a foam underlayment built in, which insulates the floor against the cold subfloor and precludes the need for additional underlayment. 

Although laminate offers a realistic interpretation of other flooring types, its recurring patterns and slightly hollow feel underfoot remind you that it’s not real wood or stone. However, it’s a cost-effective and attractive option for the basement. Installing laminate flooring is an easy DIY project. Depending on your floor and your skill level, however, you may need a professional to construct a subfloor.

Engineered Hardwood Planks

If you love the look of wood but don’t want cold, hard tiles or the hollow feeling of laminate in the basement, you still have options.

Until recently, hardwood floors weren’t recommended for below-grade use. Because solid wood swells and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity, it cracks and warps over time. But then came engineered wood floors, which are constructed of a thin veneer of solid wood laminated over a stone plastic core. This is far more dimensionally stable than a hardwood plank, so it can withstand fluctuations in humidity and temperature. 

You install engineered planks as a floating floor, which snaps together and doesn’t require nails or adhesive. An underlayment is used to create a moisture barrier between the concrete and the engineered planks. Commonly used underlayments include polyethylene or polypropylene foam sheets, but always use the type of underlayment recommended by the manufacturer.

Radiant Heating Sweetens the Deal

Radiant floor heating systems work by circulating heated water or an anti-freeze mixture through tubes beneath the finished floor. Some radiant systems consist of electric cables, although these are typically more expensive to operate. The heat radiates upwards from under the floor, warming the room evenly and effectively.

Radiant heating is now widely used below grade, thanks to advances in technology. A radiant floor heating system in the basement reduces energy costs associated with heating the space, and it can improve the resale value of your home. Radiant heating is quiet, and it eliminates air currents associated with forced-air heating. 

Several different types of radiant floor heating systems are available for the basement, and which is best for you depends on a number of factors. Above-floor systems are installed on top of the concrete slab and below the finished flooring. Below-floor systems are installed under a subfloor. In new constructions, the radiant heating system can be installed beneath the concrete. 

Whether your basement spaces include a home gym, a guest bedroom, a game room, or a home office, there’s an ideal flooring for your below-grade living area. Be sure to prepare your floor properly, and follow the manufacturer’s directions for preparation and installation. The result will be a beautiful, durable, and moisture-resistant floor for your basement rooms.

The post 4 Excellent Below-Grade Flooring Options appeared first on Learning Center.

Cork and bamboo are both intriguing flooring options that offer an alternative to traditional hardwood. If you’re considering new flooring for your home, these are both eco-friendly options that can help you maintain a home that’s a little lighter on the earth. Learn more about the pros and cons of bamboo and cork floors so you can decide which of these beautiful flooring options is the best choice for your next home improvement project.

Similarities of Cork and Bamboo

You’ll find that cork and bamboo are often discussed together because both are eco-friendly flooring options. These products give the home a beautiful appearance while making a minimal impact on the environment. Environmentally conscious consumers enjoy these picks because they’re far more sustainable than hardwood flooring.

It takes 30 to 100 years for trees to reach the proper maturity for traditional wood flooring. Timber is harvested at maturity and replanted, at which point the lengthy cycle must begin again. In contrast, bamboo reaches maturity in just five to seven years. This grass is cut at the ground level and regrows from the roots another five to seven years after each harvest.

Cork flooring is made from wood bark, so it can be harvested without killing the tree. Cork trees reach maturity at 25 years. Once the bark is peeled away, it can regenerate on the live tree in nine to 12 years. A single cork tree will typically live 150 to 200 years, though these trees can live up to 800 years.

Cork Flooring Pros

Evora Pallets Cork – Long Plank Terra Collection – Floating Floor / SKU: 10084484

Cork is a soft flooring option that provides ample cushioning underfoot. It compresses under the weight of your body, so you’ll enjoy natural give with every step. This same feature makes cork a good insulator, both acoustically and thermally. Despite its softness, cork is still a very durable product. It’s resistant to cracks and bounces back easily from most dents.

Cork is excellent at protecting your family from potential hazards. The anti-bacterial flooring is naturally resistant to mold and mildew. It’s resistant to fire as well, and will not ignite until it reaches extremely high temperatures.

You can get cork in planks or tiles to suit your decorating style. It’s available in many hues as well. The color of the cork permeates its entire thickness, so the shade doesn’t change, even as the cork sustains long-term wear. Cork flooring will typically last for around 40 years.

Cork floor installation is quick and easy. Most tiles have self-adhesive backing so you can place them in a peel-and-stick manner. Another option is a thin-set mortar adhesive.

Cork Flooring Cons

Though cork flooring doesn’t dent easily, it can sustain scratches. Cork isn’t usually the best option for a home with pets, where sharp claws will make regular contact with the material. Pointy objects like small floor legs and high heels can puncture the floor, causing major damage.

It’s difficult to repair cork when damage does occur. The best option is to replace the entire tile, so you may need to keep some extra tiles on hand. Cork flooring must be sealed to protect it from moisture damage. You should be careful about using water on this material and damp-mop only as needed. Dust mopping is a better choice.

Some spills will stain cork flooring, and sunlight can bleach some of the color out of this product. Proper sealing will protect the flooring from minor water damage, but the material will discolor and warp if flooded. If cork flooring is regularly exposed to humidity, it may curl and expand, which can cause entire tiles to pop out of place. Cork does best in a low-humidity environment.

Bamboo Flooring Pros

Selkirk ENGINEERED Collection Engineered Strandwoven Smooth Finish / SKU: 15230516

Bamboo flooring is popular for its ability to mimic many other hardwood flooring styles. It’s available in a wide range of colors. You can find varying shades of bamboo in its natural state. The product can also be stained to provide a broader range of options to suit nearly any aesthetic preferences.

For durability, bamboo is a solid choice. It’s as hard as red oak and relatively moisture-resistant. Compared to solid hardwood, bamboo flooring contracts and expands less. Cleaning it is quick and easy with a damp mop. You can expect to get 20 to 25 years out of bamboo floors with the regular wear and tear of a family. Bamboo floors that get less wear can last 50 years or more.

There are several different ways to install bamboo flooring. You can float it over other floors or install it using nails or glue. It’s important for bamboo to acclimate to the environment before installation. Professional installation is the best option.

When you’re purchasing bamboo, it’s important to make sure the product comes from a reliable supplier. If the bamboo is harvested too early, it won’t have the optimum hardness. The best bamboo for strength and hardness is Moso bamboo that’s been allowed to mature for at least five years before harvesting.

Bamboo Flooring Cons

Bamboo’s hardness is usually considered a strength, but this feature also makes the flooring noisier than a softer pick like cork. If you’re looking to minimize sound in your home, you might want a different option. If bamboo flooring is exposed to direct sunlight, it can begin to lose some of its color. Bamboo also stains easily, so it’s important to seal it properly.

Make sure you’re knowledgeable about the installation process that will be used for your bamboo floors if you’re going this route. Bamboo flooring is often installed with a formaldehyde glue. This adhesive off-gases hazardous chemicals that are linked to respiratory problems. Look for bamboo products that come with a lengthy warranty to help minimize some of the potential problems that you can encounter with bamboo.

Both cork and bamboo have great strengths that can make them strong contenders for your flooring project. If you want something soft and insulating for a pet-free home, cork is the best option. For a durable yet sustainable flooring option, bamboo may be the right pick. Factor in all your needs to decide which type of flooring is right for you.

Resources:

https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/flooring/engineered-hardwood-versus-bamboo-flooring-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.homeflooringpros.com/blog-guides/pros-cons-bamboo-flooring-vs-cork-flooring

https://www.floorcoveringweekly.com/main/features/millennials-spur-interest-in-bamboo-cork-18546

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/sustainable-flooring-bamboo-and-cork/

https://www.thespruce.com/bamboo-vs-cork-flooring-1821760

https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/interior-remodel/the-benefits-of-cork-flooring

https://www.thespruce.com/cork-flooring-pros-and-cons-1314688

https://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/the-lowdown-on-bamboo-flooring

The post Cork vs. Bamboo Flooring: What’s Better for Your Project? appeared first on Learning Center.

Yanchi Wide-Plank T&G Solid Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring / SKU: 15005473

New bamboo floors offer a gorgeous shine that you’ll likely want to retain long into the future. While a little wear and tear will ultimately add personality to your flooring, it’s important to care for your floors properly to preserve their appeal and lengthen their lifespan. Bamboo is just as strong as hardwood flooring, but it is a unique product that requires its own level of care and consideration. Read on to learn everything you need to know about keeping your strand woven bamboo floors in shape.

How to Make Your Floor Shine

The best way to make your bamboo floor shine is to make sure that you’re caring for it right. If you use the wrong cleaners, you’ll give your floor a dull appearance. Though vinegar and water is a natural choice for floor cleaning, this combination strips the floor of its beautiful luster. Using waxes or furniture polishes will dull the floors too. These products leave a greasy residue as well, which may attract dust, pet hair, and dirt.

Avoid giving your floors a dingy appearance by learning how to care for them properly. When you use the right tools and cleaning solutions, you’ll be able to keep that gorgeous like-new shine on your floors much longer than you would otherwise. Use the right cleaning schedule for your flooring so you can take proper care of your strand woven bamboo and get the sleek appearance you’re after.

• Soft-mop your floors daily.
• Capture dirt and other dry messes with a soft bristle broom.
• Wet-mop your floors for a deep clean as needed, usually weekly with family wear.
• Refinish the floors as needed to restore shine.

Soft Bristle Broom

A soft bristle broom is an important tool in your arsenal for maintaining beautiful strand woven bamboo floors. The soft bristles will prevent any type of scratching or abrasion against the flooring. Regular sweeping is a quick and easy chore that you can incorporate into your daily routine to maintain your flooring.

Designate your brooms for indoor use only. If you go back and forth between indoor and outdoor sweeping, you’ll only bring more dirt, pollen, grass, and other particles into the home. Give your broom the care and attention that it needs to stay in shape and do its job well. Clean the bristles on a regular basis, removing hair, dirt, and debris. A dirty broom will only move the mess, while a clean one can help you sweep it up.

Soft Cloths and Mops

A soft dust mop is a powerful tool for keeping your bamboo floors looking fresh. A dust mop does much of the same work as your soft bristle broom. The broader flat surface will wipe dust from the surface of your bamboo in wide swaths. A good dust mop will be your go-to tool for daily cleaning. You can quickly swipe the mop across the floors and use a small soft bristle broom and dustpan to catch the dirt that you collect.

You can also use a wet mop on an occasional basis for a more thorough cleaning. You shouldn’t wet-mop your floors too often. Reserve this for deep cleaning. Depending on the level of traffic in your home, you may need to wet-mop weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly if you don’t have kids or pets and have light traffic through the house.

Soft cloths are something you should keep on hand to clean up spills. Never leave any type of moisture sitting on your strand woven bamboo floors. This can cause permanent staining or swelling. Repairing bamboo floors can be a costly proposition, so you should act fast when you can to minimize damage. Wipe up wet spills first and address cleaning and polishing later. Keep a generous stock of these cloths at hand, so you don’t have to waste time wondering what to grab when you overturn a glass or discover a puddle.

Floor Cleaners

Be mindful of the products you use on your bamboo flooring when you decide to wet-mop. It’s important to avoid anything that will mar the floors or leave a residue. You should not use waxes, polishes, or acidic liquids like vinegar. Avoid products with oil. While you can use a small amount of water on strand woven bamboo floors, you should never flood them.

The best choice for cleaning your floors is one that’s formulated specifically for bamboo. There are many commercial options on the market that take the unique needs of bamboo into account. Once you’ve chosen your cleaning product, you should pour it into a shallow bucket. Dip your cloth or mop into the solution and wring it out completely before you proceed to clean your floors. The goal is to get a damp cloth or mop, but not one that’s dripping.

Preventative Maintenance

Selkirk ENGINEERED Collection Engineered Strandwoven Smooth Finish / SKU: 15230516

Maintaining clean bamboo floors begins with prevention. The more dirt you can keep off your floors, the more damage, staining, and abrasion you can avoid. Keep your floors dirt-free with well-placed rugs to capture dust, dirt, and moisture before these hazards get to the bamboo. This is especially important in front of your doors, where you’re most likely to track these troublemakers in. Have everyone drop their shoes by the door to minimize the chance of bringing dirt in further.

Place felt pads under furniture legs to keep them from denting or scuffing the floor. Lift furniture when you move it to prevent scratches. Simply taking the proper steps to keep dirt away will instantly make your floors more appealing. If you care for your floors properly from the beginning, you’ll enjoy the longest possible lifespan from this product.

Keeping up with a regular cleaning routine will make a huge difference in the appearance of your bamboo floors. Sweep and mop regularly so you’re always on top of dust and dirt and avoid any type of significant build-up. This approach to floor care will give you a like-new shine for your bamboo flooring long into the future.

Resources:

https://www.bambooflooringcompany.com/bamboo-flooring-blog/maintaining-the-beauty-and-shine-of-bamboo-floors/

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-bamboo-flooring/

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-bamboo-flooring-1314825

http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/334974/file-682940659-pdf/Docs/Technical/Strand-Woven.pdf?t=1405515061077

https://www.hunker.com/12328233/what-cleaners-can-be-used-on-a-bamboo-floor

http://www.brightfields.co.za/blog/2013/3/7/how-to-care-for-your-strand-woven-bamboo-flooring

The post How to Clean Strand Woven Bamboo Floors appeared first on Learning Center.

Whether the laminate flooring in your home has been there since before you moved in or you recently installed it yourself, you want to keep it in good shape. Unfortunately, problems do come up sometimes. The good news is that in many cases, you can fix the problem without replacing the entire room’s floorboards. Check out our step-by-step guide in how to repair laminate flooring in the three most common areas.

How to Repair Laminate Flooring: Peaking

If you’ve noticed that the floorboards are pushing up against each other along the seams, creating a lump on the floor that resembles a roof’s peak, the problem is peaking. Peaking occurs when the floorboards don’t have enough space to expand and contract.

To avoid further damage, you should fix the problem as soon as possible.

Find the Underlying Laminate Flooring Problem

Peaking commonly happens when there isn’t an expansion gap between the floor and the walls, when the expansion gap is too small, or if the moldings are attached to the laminate flooring. To find the underlying issue:

• Follow the peaking boards to the nearest wall.
• Check for a gap between the board and the wall or any nearby permanent fixture such as cabinets. A 0.25-inch gap usually provides enough space.
• Check the moldings for any nails or glue that may have attached them to the floorboards.

Fix the Underlying Laminate Flooring Problem

If the moldings are attached to the floorboards, remove the nails or detach the glue.

If the floor doesn’t have an adequate expansion gap, you’ll have to make one. Simply remove the molding and cut a section of flooring between the floor and the walls. Helpful tools include spacers and a jigsaw. Replace the molding. Finished!

Fix the Peaked Boards

The peaking is the main issue. Once you’ve corrected the underlying problem, you can place a heavy object on the peak for a few days or until the boards settle back into place.

How to Repair Laminate Flooring: Creaking Floors

While occasional creaks and groans are normal — especially in older homes — regular noises are annoying and may indicate an issue with the floor. You’ll need to assess the situation and determine if you can fix it yourself or if you require professional help.

Laminate Flooring Transition Between Rooms

Unless your home has the same laminate flooring in every connecting room, you’ll find transition areas where the floorboards meet another type of flooring.  For example, where laminate flooring transitions to tile. Look for floor transition strips between rooms — long, thin pieces of metal or wood — that connect one area to the next. Ideally, your floor should have them.

If there aren’t any T strips, look for expansion gaps in the connecting areas. As with walls and stationary objects, laminate flooring needs space to expand and contract here. If you don’t see a gap, you’ll need to make one, as outlined above, and then install a T strip.

Pull Up The Floor

Check for problems beneath the surface by pulling up a board or two. Is there an underlayment pad between the subfloor and the laminate flooring? If not, you can fix or at least mitigate the creaking noises by uninstalling the floorboards, adding a high-quality underlayment pad, and reinstalling the boards. This item absorbs sound and adds durability to your flooring.

Examine the Subfloor

Another possible issue is an uneven or damaged subfloor. Look for dips and humps in the floor or areas that feel spongy. Make sure to check underneath any rugs or furniture, too. If you suspect that your subfloor is rotting or uneven, you should contact a flooring professional.

How to Repair Laminate Flooring: Buckling or Warping

You’ll know that you have warped floorboards if they curve inwards like the inside of a bowl. Buckling is the opposite — when floorboards resemble an arch or an upside-down bowl. Water damage or temperature fluctuations are the most common culprits of buckling and warping. If you address the issue quickly enough, you can usually prevent the laminate flooring problems from spreading.

Look For Water Damage

Causes of water damage include:

• Standing water. It may come from a plumbing leak, an overflowed dishwasher, or from mopping with too much water.
• High humidity.
• Moisture from the subfloor.

The first two sources are easy enough to diagnose. To check your subfloor, pull up the floorboards and look for moisture or signs of mold. Also, check for an underlayment pad; not having one makes your laminate flooring susceptible to moisture damage.

Look for Expansion Gaps

Not having proper expansion gaps can cause not just peaking and creaking floors, but buckling and warping floorboards too. If most of the damage is near the walls, your problem is likely due to one of the following installation mistakes:

• Not acclimating the flooring to the home before installation.
• Not leaving an expansion gap between the floorboards and the walls, stationary objects, or transition areas.

In either case, creating expansion gaps should fix the issue.

Fix the Underlying Cause

Before you replace the damaged floorboards, you’ll need to fix the underlying cause. This task may involve:

• Taking care of any plumbing issues.
• Purchasing an underlayment pad.
• Creating expansion gaps.
• Purchasing higher-quality flooring that has a strong moisture barrier. While this step isn’t necessary, you may want to consider it if you have cheap, low-quality flooring that lacks a proper moisture barrier.

Replace the Damaged Floorboards

You’ve almost finished the job! Just follow these last steps:

• Locate the closest wall and remove the molding.
• Disconnect and remove all the planks until you reach the damaged section.
• If there’s water damage, allow the area to dry completely.
• Deal with any mold on the subfloor. Contacting a mold removal specialist is a good idea.
• When the subfloor is dry and clean, you can install the replacement floorboards.
• Reinstall the laminate flooring.
• Reattach the molding.

You don’t need to completely uninstall the flooring unless the damage is extensive or if you want to add higher-quality floorboards or underlayment. If you have damaged laminate floorboards in the middle of a large room, you may prefer to hire a flooring professional.

Knowing how to repair laminate flooring is a great skill to have under your belt. For severe damage, you should stay safe and contact a professional. However, you can fix most problems yourself or with the help of a friend.

The post How to Repair 3 Common Laminate Flooring Problems appeared first on Learning Center.

Bamboo Flooring FAQ

• Is “carbonized” bamboo flooring stained?
• So carbonized bamboo is softer than natural bamboo?
• What is the difference between “horizontal” and “vertical” bamboo flooring?
• Can a bamboo floor be floated?
• How does bamboo flooring hold up to high humidity?
• Is strand-woven bamboo the same product as traditional bamboo flooring?
• Can I clean my bamboo floor with a mop?
• When ordering bamboo flooring how much extra should I order to allow for waste?
• What are the different moldings and how are they applied?
• Can I install bamboo flooring in a bathroom?
• What is the difference between bamboo flooring and hardwood flooring?
• How do I maintain my bamboo flooring?
• Where can I install bamboo flooring?
• How do I install bamboo flooring?
• What are the benefits of bamboo flooring?

Is carbonized bamboo flooring stained?

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No. Carbonized bamboo is darker in color because it has undergone a change, not a stain. During the manufacturing of the product, the strips of bamboo are boiled and change color (becoming browner in tone). This process also softens the material.

Carbonized Bamboo Flooring

So carbonized bamboo is softer than natural bamboo?

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Yes. The process that changes the bamboo to the beautiful carbonized color also softens the product approximately 30%.

What is the difference between “horizontal” and “vertical” bamboo flooring?

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A natural bamboo stock is hollow and the walls of the plant are fairly thin. Strips of bamboo are therefore laminated together to make our 5/8″ flooring. The terms “horizontal” and “vertical” refer to the manner in which bamboo strips are laminated together. In the horizontal style, the strips are laid flat so the top surface shows the bamboo’s natural growth rings, or “knuckles”. In the vertical style, the strips are turned on their sides and laminated together in long, slender rows creating a different appearance.

Can a bamboo floor be floated?

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Yes. There are two types of floating bamboo floors: Glue-Seam and Gluless-Click. Glue-Seam require that a bead of adhesive be applied to the edge before joining the planks together. Once glued they cannot be pulled apart. Glueless-click is the easiest installation as it requires neither nails nor adhesive. The planks are simply clicked together.

How does bamboo flooring hold up to high humidity?

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As long as you let the flooring acclimate for no less than 72 hours, with boxes opened and laid flat in the room where it is to be installed, high humidity should not affect the floor.

Is strand-woven bamboo the same product as traditional bamboo flooring?

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No. Strand-woven bamboo is manufactured differently than traditional bamboo flooring. In the strand-woven process, strips of bamboo are coated with resins and then compressed with heat to form timbers. These timbers are then milled into flooring. This process produces bamboo flooring that is twice as hard as traditional bamboo flooring.

Can I clean my bamboo floor with a mop?

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Bamboo flooring cleans easily with a Swiffer or similar type dry mop. As with a hardwood floor, you should avoid excessive moisture. A slightly damp mop may be used to mop up a spill.

When ordering bamboo flooring how much extra should I order to allow for waste?

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As a rule of thumb for non-professionals, add 7% to 9% for waste and cuts depending on your skill level and the layout of the area.

What are the different moldings and how are they applied?

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• The Quarter Round molding is used to hide the expansion gap left during installation.
• The T-molding is used as a threshold in doorways or as a transition strip where the bamboo flooring meets tile or carpet of similar height.
• The Reducer molding is used as a transition from the height of the sub-floor to the height of the bamboo.
• The Stair Nose molding is used to cover the front edge of a stair tread or step. If used on a stair, flooring is installed behind the Stair Nose to cover the horizontal part (the tread) of the stair.
• The Stair Tread molding is a one-piece molding used to entirely cover the structural stair tread.

Can I install bamboo flooring in a bathroom?

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Bamboo floors are typically not covered by warranty if installed in a bathroom. Like hardwood flooring, bamboo could swell if excessive water is left to stand. So it is not a good choice for bathrooms.

What is the difference between bamboo flooring and hardwood flooring?

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Technically, bamboo is considered a type of grass. There are several advantages to using bamboo flooring compared to hardwood flooring. First, bamboo flooring is an environmentally friendly product. It takes only a few years for a bamboo plant to grow to maturity, while it takes decades for hardwood trees. And when bamboo is harvested, the root continues to live and produces new stock. Each year, one “mother plant” generates several new bamboo stems that grow to full length in a few months, and to mature hardness in about five years. Bamboo plants are therefore quickly replenished following a harvest. Second, bamboo is actually harder than many hardwoods, including red oak, so it makes a more durable flooring. Third, in most cases bamboo is less expensive than hardwood while installation costs are the same. Hardwood installers and contractors need no additional training to install bamboo flooring. Bamboo can be installed using exactly the same tools and methods as are used for installing hardwood.

How do I maintain my bamboo flooring?

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In order to maximize the durability and beauty of your bamboo flooring, we recommend the following practices as part of your floor’s normal care and maintenance.

• Place doormats or rugs at entrances to collect moister, sand, grit and other potentially damaging substances from being tracked onto your bamboo floor.
• Dust mop or vacuum with a soft accessory to keep your bamboo floor clean from dust, dirt or grit. Bamboo flooring cleans easily with a Swiffer or similar type dry mop.
• For sticky spots, use a soft damp cloth to gently scrub the floor. If necessary, use a generic hardwood floor cleaner. Do not use steel wool or other abrasive scouring pads.
• Do not use harsh detergents, abrasive cleansers, or corrosive chemicals to clean your bamboo floor.
• Avoid excessive water. Use mats in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room to protect against spills. If a spill occurs, blot it up immediately with a dry cloth or slightly damp mop.
• Use only colorfast and non-scratch carpeting or pads on your bamboo floor.
• Protect the floor from furniture legs and do not walk on the floor with high-heeled shoes.
• Although most bamboo flooring has effective UV inhibitors in its pre-finish, it is recommended that it not be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods.

Where can I install bamboo flooring?

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Bamboo flooring is an extremely versatile flooring product. It can be installed in virtually any room of your home, above or below ground, over wood, OSB, or existing vinyl flooring. There are several locations that are not recommended for bamboo flooring. Because bamboo flooring is a natural flooring product it is not recommended that bamboo be installed in wet locations such as bathrooms, washrooms, saunas, enclosed porches or verandas, or anywhere that may require wet-mopping. Extended exposure to moisture of this type may cause your bamboo flooring to warp or swell.

How do I install bamboo flooring?

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There are several things to consider before you begin to install bamboo flooring. Careful preparation before beginning will make installing your bamboo floor a quick and easy process.

• Ensure that your sub-floor is flat and smooth.
• Take extra care when installing bamboo flooring over radiant heating. Ensure that you read both the bamboo flooring and radiant heat system instructions carefully before beginning.
• Read your bamboo flooring manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully.
• Allow your bamboo flooring to acclimate in the room where it will be installed for a minimum of 72 hours.
• Inspect each bamboo flooring panel carefully for defects or damage before installing it.
• Always use a tapping block and never hit bamboo flooring directly to avoid fracturing the flooring edge. A piece of flooring trim makes a good tapping block.
• Add at least 5% to your square footage when ordering to allow for waste and cuts. As a rule of thumb for non-professionals, add 7% to 9% depending on your skill level and the layout of the area.

What are the benefits of bamboo flooring?

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Bamboo flooring is rapidly becoming one of the most popular types of flooring. Here are a few reasons why you should choose a bamboo floor:

• Bamboo floors are easy to clean.
• Bamboo floors are ideal for allergy sufferers as they do not promote dust or harbor dust mites.
• Bamboo flooring is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring, usually costing 25% to 50% less than hardwood.
• Bamboo flooring is long-lasting.
• Bamboo flooring can be installed over numerous types of sub-floors such as: wood, sheathing grade plywood, vinyl tile, concrete, or Oriented Strand Board.
• Bamboo floors are environmentally friendly. They use a quickly renewable crop. If they are made with safe resins, they have extremely low formaldehyde emissions and make excellent floors for healthy homes.

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