FAQ
Installation questions
- How do you install Bamboozle® flooring?
- Do you organise the installation? What is the lead time from ordering the product to installation?
- How long will it take to install my bamboo floor?
- Will there be any dust or bad fumes? Will we have to leave the home during installation?
- Can I install bamboo flooring over existing tiles?
- Can I install bamboo floor?
- Do you install the boards on plywood like they often do with solid timber flooring?ing over existing timber flooring?
- Can I install the floor myself?
- Can you install bamboo flooring over under floor heating?
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1. How do you install Bamboozle® flooring?
Premium grade bamboo flooring can be installed by various methods depending on site conditions and the bamboo floor you choose. The boards can be glued directly onto the sub floor, fixed direct to battons or plywood, and we have even floated numerous floors.
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2. Do you organise the installation? What is the lead time from ordering the product to installation?
What is the lead time from ordering the product to installation? At Bamboozle® we have consistently achieved the highest standard of Bamboo floor installation by only using professional craftsmen experienced in laying bamboo flooring. At present we have a several full time installation teams working for us. This gives us the opportunity to install the floor when it suits you. It is a good idea to give us as much lead time as possible to arrange dates that best suit you.
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3. How long will it take to install my bamboo floor?
This is entirely dependant on the size of the job and the difficulty of the layout. Our installations are typically quick, clean and easy and usually take about one third the time of laying a solid timber floor. Some homes can be done in a day; others can take up to one week. The only exception to this would be if we sand and polish the floor in the home in which case you will need to allow at least double the time it would take to install a prefinished floor.
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4. Will there be any dust or bad fumes? Will we have to leave the home during floor installation?
Pre-finished: There is no need for you to move out. All the boards are pre-finished which means there is no floor sanding and polishing in the home. The glue we use to bond the boards to the sub floor can give off a faint smell on the first day or two. Once dry there is no release of smells. That’s a big advantage.
Sanded and polished in house: The laying of the boards is quick and clean. The glue we use to bond the boards to the sub floor can give off a faint smell on the first day or two. Once the glue dries there is no release of smell. The floor sanding and polishing process will be a little dusty. We only use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the process is as quick and clean as possible.
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5. Can I install bamboo flooring over existing tiles?
It is not uncommon to install our floors over tiles. There are a few potential negatives that you need to be aware of: If the tiles come loose from the sub floor you are not covered by our installation warranty. Tile floors are rarely perfectly flat so when your bamboo floor is installed it will have some hollow sounding areas. The other thing we must check is that the glue we use bonds very well to the surface of the tile. In most cases we recommend that the floor be wiped over with metholated spirits and given a light sanding to ensure the glue bonds sufficiently. Laying 15mm thick boards over existing tiles can create height discrepancies to adjoining floor coverings and you may need to adjust the clearance height of doors.
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6. Can I install bamboo floor?
Existing timber floors are no different to other types of sub floor and as long as they are level, free from polish and oils then they are more then suitable for installing onto. Quite often existing timber floors simply need a coarse floor sanding to level them and remove existing finishes.
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7. Do you install the boards on plywood like they often do with solid timber flooring over existing timber flooring?
Traditionally, the best method of installing a solid timber floor is to glue and pin the floorboards onto sheets of ply wood. There are several benefits to this type of installation; Firstly, it helps protect the timber from moisture in the sub floor, Secondly, it helps hold down the floor-boards and thirdly it helps minimize the affect of undulations in the sub floor. However, Bamboo is better suited to direct stick installations because it is 15mm thick, more resistant to moisture and movement, and the gluing techniques we use minimize the undulations in the sub floor. Also the way the Bamboozle® boards are manufactured with the cross laminated centre layer effectively reproducing the benefits created by installing boards onto ply wood. Therefore there is little benefit in installing Bamboozle® floor boards onto plywood, unless of coarse your sub floor is unsuitable for direct fixing.
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8. Can I install the floor myself?
This is difficult question for us to answer without knowing your skill level. In saying this we have had many customers choose to install their own floors and the majority of them have had great results. If you choose to install your self we give you a self installation guide that gives some useful hints and we also give you phone support. A few customers that have run into difficulty have asked our installers to lend a hand. So if you have the confidence this is a great way to save money and can give you a sense of satisfaction.
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9. Can you install bamboo flooring over under floor heating?
We have done this in a number of installations. However, there are a number of things that need to be considered. Our experience with under floor heating is that the installer of the heating needs to pay attention to the level of the finished floor. On a number of jobs we have found that the screed or mesh that covers the under floor heating cables can be uneven making it very difficult to install over. You will need to inform the Bamboozle® team if you intend to install under floor heating under the bamboo.