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As Freedom can attest, my house is a total mess on the inside. I've had the perpetual interior remodel project going on ever since the outside of my house and new garage was completed in late 2004. Mostly I've just needed a kick in the butt (and time to build up my savings a bit). Today I picked up 1000 sq. ft. of bamboo flooring, enough to do my entire itty-bitty house. It was an insanely great clearance deal at Home Depot. My final price was $1.75/sq. ft.


So, anyone have experience installing hardwood floor, and can give me tips, tricks and words of wisdom? Most of my research has been about laminates, but I just love natural bamboo. I won't be installing it probably until late summer or fall because I have so much to do to the house before I can install new flooring (moving walls, moving the laundry, replacing water-damaged subflooring, etc).

did you get that online? that's an incredible deal.

Nope. One of my co-workers saw it yesterday and told me this morning. Her and her husband have heard my incessant planning about the remodel and clued me in. The sale was $1.89/sq.ft. but I re-applied for a Home Depot card and got 10% off. I've been looking for an opportunity like this for a long time. I saw a house with bamboo floors 5-6 years ago on the Parade of Homes and knew I had to have them. But the cheapest I found was around $4/sq.ft.

I forgot to mention that includes delivery.

I heard it was against the law to install bamboo floors in Montana?

Oh baby, I'm a rebel.

The first time I saw bamboo floors in that POH house they were combined with rough-cast concrete kitchen counters.

Oh. Yeah. You know it.

gratz on the purchase.. my wife is looking at new hardwood floors too.

That could cut into my toy fund in a big way (ok, to me $1 is too much out of the toy fund)

I know what you mean. I'm working on an extreme makeover on the scoot, too. I know the house should take priority but I just can't bring myself to ignore the bike.

Post deleted by Grump

And of course that's a major problem in Montana. Our panda population is running unchecked. Luckily pandas are slow and lazy (kinda like me) and it's easy to keep them out. But when I'm done maybe I'll leave the leftover scraps of flooring outside for them. Except I'll leave them in someone else's yard. If you've ever fed a stray cat you'll know what I mean.

FJ,

If you don't have one already buy a power miter/chop saw...this will greatly increase your speed and accuracy also be sure to rent the flooring Hammer ...

leave about 1/4 to 1/2" around the entire parimeter (can be covered with base boards) for expantion and contraction...failing this will turn your floor into a thrill park ride in the humid Summer months and back flat in the dry winter...good luck...

OH YEAH buy some COMFY knee pads!!

I've done a little of it a long time ago. I know those fancy hammer nailer things make it easy. I bet you can rent it from same said Home Depot too. Anything that makeas it easier or takes some of the bending over out of the job is worth the money.

I've got the miter saw. What about underlayment? I seem to recall some sort of pad going under laminate floors. Is that just for those products? The Home Depot drone mentioned some sort of resin paper.

paper. Yeah that sounds familiar. I think I have seen some floating floors on the various HI shows, but that was all part of a system, ya know? Most HW floors I've torn up have a layer of that pinkinsh heavy paper underneith. Same stuff a lot of contractors put down OVER the floor when it is down to protect it during construction.

The place where I'm going to see Dick Dale this weekend has the top of the bar made out of bamboo flooring. Really nice looking stuff. We have this store in town called Lumber Liquidators. I've been meaning to stop in there to see what they have. Thinking about doing both bedrooms with hardwood now that I have the rest of the house tiled.

I bought a pair of gel knee pads at Home Depot when I put down the tile. Not perfect, but better than most.

old timers trick to keep it from squeeking is to use a light
weight roofing paper...tar paper acts as a moisture barrier from below ...

perimeter spacing is critical , talk to the folks at Home Depot. Most of them have a good idea what they are talking about. Make sure you ask the question , what kind of nails to use ? most hardwood floors are installed with non pre-glued nails . The floor need the ability to expand and constrict . Lay the boards out exposed in the room there going to be installed for a few days before actually installing them . This will allow the wood to acclimated to its new home . You can't do this job with out the toe nailer rent one it will save you hours not to mention your knees . It makes it so easy to drive the nails through the tongue of the boards . Lay out the wood to see what you want for a pattern , don't let the seams match up and measure twice and cut ones...

Bamboo reacts to humidity. If you are storing it for a while, store in de-humidified place with blocking underneath. Even after it is installed, don't leave heat or AC off for extended periods, like when you go on vacation. Follow manufacturer's instructions exactly so as not to void the warranty.

Initially it's going to stay on the palette in my garage. But I live in an arid climate so I'm not too concerned. I will definitely let it sit inside for a while before installation.

I put a laminate floor down in my old house. It was easy but took time.

I would imagine a lot that is done for Laminate would also apply to real wood. Gaps around the edges, and a pad underneath so the wood can "Float".

Essential tools needed.

Bacon Sandwiches
Cans of lubricant LOTS - ie beer.
Boom box with good music
1 FBH
One very big box of Band Aids. You are going to smash your fingers AT LEAST once, probably more. I did and it hurt like a basket.

My only real piece of advice. Start in a room that has lots of stuff to cover the wood if you screw up. Like the Laundry room.

store the flooring in the house. pneumatic flooring gun, mitre saw. under cut door jambs. you will most likely have to cut the interior doors down. circular saw required. don't forget a good old hammer and nails. red rosin paper for under the flooring. i'm the installation manager for the other guys. great choice in flooring. bamboo looks great. joe

I put down prefinished full thickness HW flooring. I used a finishing nailer which worked out great. A rubber mallet works to slam the boards together. Every few pieces I would measure each side to make sure they were going down evenly. I put that red resin paper underneath. Use a pad to kneel on.

FriarJohn- Is this glue-down? If so, it wouldn't go over any resilient padding.
If you don't have an undercut saw for the doorjambs, lay a piece of bamboo finished side down, or a piece of plywood the same thickness as the new floor right next to jamb. Lay handsaw flat on that, you will be able to cut your jambs so the flooring can go underneath. Much more professional look than trying to cut the bamboo the contour of jamb and casing. When you're done, probably want to use a coaster under your sidestand.

I haven't read the instructions yet but the HD people say I can glue it or nail it but not both.