Bamboo flooring is all the rage right now. It should come as no big surprise either – in fact, because it grows so rapidly and it is easy to “farm,” bamboo flooring is completely sustainable. And in an age when going green is not only the right thing to do for our own well being, but also for the fragile earth we live on, choosing bamboo for your new floor is a very commendable choice. Add the fact that bamboo makes an incredibly beautiful and durable floor surface, and it just makes even more sense.

Perhaps the best news is that bamboo flooring is not only affordable, but it’s a breeze to install too! Installing floating bamboo flooring is a fairly simple task for both professionals and handy do-it-yourselfers alike. However, there are a few things you should know first before jumping head first into the project.

Not Every Bamboo Flooring System Is Designed To Float

Floating a bamboo floor means that the individual boards or planks just interlock and fit together instead of the traditional nailing, stapling, or gluing. When combined with the right underlayment, a floating floor has a wonderful silky feel under the foot. This only works if the flooring system was designed for this specific application. Remember, not every bamboo flooring system is designed to float – be sure to check this out before going any further with the installation.

When Installing Floating Bamboo Flooring, Allow Plenty Of Space

As with any flooring system made from natural material, floating bamboo flooring will expand and contract – sometimes by a reasonably large amount. While this is a perfectly normal occurrence, there are precautions to take to prevent problems. Allowing about a half an inch of room at any edges or abutments of the floor is advisable in almost all cases with bamboo. Giving the floating floor room to “breathe” is essential to keep it tight and level. If they’re available, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s specific directions for spacing.

Use The Recommended Type Of Underlayment

When installing a floating bamboo floor, using the correct type of underlayment material is absolutely essential. The underlayment is a critical component of the overall flooring system, and a complete engineered flooring system is designed for the individual parts to work together to create a beautiful, long lasting finished product. Skipping or using a mismatched underlayment for a floating floor would be a huge mistake. For a quality flooring installation, use only the recommended type of underlayment.

Again, the good news is that bamboo flooring not only looks fantastic and is helpful to the environment, but it’s also a breeze to install!