Bamboo Flooring Expansion Contraction

These inherent variations are what set bamboo apart from all other natural flooring products.

Bamboo flooring expansion contraction. The exception to the rule is a floating floor. In glue and nail down applications tongue and groove each individual plank expands and contracts while secured to the subfloor. A wood shrinkage and expansion calculator the shrinkulator helps you estimate dimensional changes in wood either shrinkage or expansion based on changes in the wood s moisture content. I m assuming that the bamboo is very moisture sensitive and has shrunk due to the warm and dry conditions during the winter and will therefor expand again in the summer.

When bamboo click flooring is floated in the top hallway an overlap stair nose is required for the top step. 6 35mm to 13mm when glued nailed or stapled down an engineered floor comes pretty close to bamboo though it can occasionally require a larger gap than bamboo should. The overlap stair nose can help allow room for expansion and contraction of the bamboo flooring. The nail down method the glue down method or the floating method learn more.

However if you live in an area where the humidity varies more than 15 throughout the year and you experience seasons you re much more likely to experience expansion and contraction in your wood and bamboo flooring this is normal and the effect is increased exponentially in solid floating wood bamboo flooring. This is a natural process for bamboo and wooden flooring and occurs seasonally with temperature and humidity changes. Expansion and contraction is minimal to none as the ply layers act to restrict the movement in the overall product itself. Rapid heating or excessive heat may damage the flooring or finish.

It is applicable to wood whose moisture content is at or below the fiber saturation point about 28. Nailing vs gluing vs floating a bamboo floor. Floating floors once installed basically become one large sheet of flooring. However you must keep expansion and contraction in mind when installing any floating hardwood flooring.

Engineered hardwood is made of layers of wood which are criss crossed with regard to their grain direction then a top layer gives you your species or color. Would using a floor colored silicone type caulk be good way to fill in the gaps while still allowing for expansion and contraction. If installing glueless click bamboo on concrete the concrete should be fully cured 30 60 days before beginning preparation for flooring. Because of its hygroscopic properties all wood and bamboo expands and contracts in response to humidity levels even after its cut and turned into flooring.

If the bamboo is glued down in the hallway where the top step is a flush stair nose can be used on the top step.