Bamboo floor installation question

hi

started installing 5/8" bamboo floors with glue  on concrete but as I tapped on one end  the other popped out, and kept getting gaps so I took them up. can i glue down plywood and then nail the bamboo, what is the smallest size plywood I could use

My Advice:

I think you are on the right track so far.

Here is something I would suggest you do prior to going any further with the installation is make sure once the glue hardens on the back of the planks that if you intend to use them you get the glue off the planks to be reused.

The next thing I need to cover is the subfloor issue yes you could glue the plywood down to the slab and then secure the bamboo to the subfloor.  If you go right on top of the subfloor you will have more than enough rigidity or structural integrity there and as far as thickness, just go thick enough so that the nails or the staples penetrate the subfloor material and not the subfloor or plywood.  If it does penetrate the plywood it isn't that bi of a deal other than you may over time get corrosion problems that may leech back to the flooring so I would make sure there is a little plywood between the concrete and the fasteners.  Also while we are on this subject make sure that you use TREATED plywood as you are in direct contact with the concrete and will have moisture to address. 

As far as can you or should you, that is up to you and the manufacturer.  You should look at the manufacturers specifications and see if the flooring can in fact be nailed down (or stapled which ever you are using).  This is very mportant to ascertain as with all product they are engineered in a certain fashion and you need to make sure this is only approved to be installed as a floating floor like laminate flooring.

I think you are going to find added comfort in this methodology.  The plywood ahead of the flooring will make a warmer floor but it may harbor moisture problems.  Make sure prio to the installation you perform a moisture test.  This is easy tape a square of plastic down on the slab and make sure the edges are taped so that air from the room and air under the plastic testing the slab do not intermix.  Then let it set for a couple days to a week and at the end of this time loook at the plastic square and if there is any moisture droplets or fog on the nbottom side of the plastic I would look towards addressing the moisture roblem and make the installation a succcess for years to come.

This may seem like a really vague analysis but I hope it has helped somewhat.  Some of the strategies in here are very straight forward but then som eof them DEFINITLY are not.  If you have any questoins please feel free to drop me a line or leave me mail right here or post a follow up to this question and I or someone else here will answer it!

Take care and good luck

James D. Van Raden

Owner, Paragon Renovations