DIY Network

Prep the Subfloor From "Kitchen Renovations" episode DKTN-403

In this first segment of the third episode of "Contemporary Kitchen Expansion," the homeowners (Keith and Miquel) prep the subfloor. They check the seams and fill gaps with skim coat while host Paul Ryan meets with a flooring expert to discuss the features of bamboo flooring.

The Materials list and step-by-step instructions are below.

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	The homeowners are unhappy with the cramped kitchen area...
	and the cabinets are too antiquated.
	The solution: Knock out the adjoining wall and open the kitchen up...
	into a spacious, eye-popping, contemporary treasure.

Materials and Tools for Prepping Subfloor --

Safety glasses
Kneepads
Facemask
Belt sander
Skim coat
Mud knife
Random orbital sander
Rosin paper
Hammer tacker

Materials and Tools for Installing Bamboo Flooring --

Kneepads
Tape measure
Pencil
Laser pencil
2 x 4's
Impulse nailer
Pneumatic flooring stapler
Mallet
Pry bar
Spline material
Wood glue

Materials and Tools for Backsplash Installation --

Work gloves
Construction adhesive
Putty knife
Laser level
Tape measure

Materials and Tools for Base Cabinet Installation --

Cabinets
Level
Shims
Drill

Materials and Tools for Countertop Install --

Dust mask
Safety glasses
Granite countertop
Circular saw with diamond blade
Vacuum
Silicone
Caulk gun
Painter's tape

Prepping the Subfloor

1. Make sure all the nails are below the surface.

2. Make sure the seams are level (figure A). If they're not, belt sand off the high spots.

3. Fill the gaps that are larger than 1/8" with skim coat. You will want to work fast because this is a gypsum-based skim coat and will dry within five minutes.

4. Work in the skim coat and feather the edges.

5. Then go back over it with a large mudding (drywall) knife (figure B) for a smooth finish.

6. After it dries, knock down the high spots with a random orbital sander.

7. Cover the subfloor with rosin paper (figure C) -- this creates a moisture barrier between subfloor and finished floor and will smooth out any imperfections. Tack it down with a hammer stapler.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

	Figure D
	Figure E

Bamboo Flooring

While the homeowners (Keith and Miquel) continue prepping the subfloor, Paul meets with a bamboo-flooring expert.

When most people think of bamboo they think of fishing poles but it's become extremely popular as an option for flooring. Tony Castle, a bamboo expert, says one reason is that it's a renewable resource. While wood is renewable approximately every 25 years, in comparison bamboo, which is a grass product, is renewable every three to five years.

Bamboo has a unique look as well. The homeowners are going with a light (figure D) version. There are two different styles of bamboo:

1. Vertical cut that is glued on the side for a butcher-block look.

2. Horizontal cut that is glued on the edge for a wood-grain look.

And there is also a carbonized product (figure E) that has the same type of manufacturing, but it's steamed to get a darker coloring. Even though bamboo is a grass, it's extremely durable and when compared to wood it's such as hard as oak and maple. In fact, this particular product comes with a 30-year warranty!

In the next segment the bamboo flooring is installed.

RESOURCES :

Vertical Natural Bamboo Flooring -- 5/8" Thick
Model #: PRBAMVN
Color: Natural
Brand Name: Morningstar

Overlap Threshold
Model #: PRBAMOTHVN
Color: Natural
Brand Name: Morningstar

T-Molding
Model #: PRBAMTMVN
Color: Natural
Brand Name: Morningstar

Red Rosin Paper
Model #: RP
Color: Red
Brand Name: Acmiot

Lumber Liquidators
Website: www.lumberliquidators.com

Custom Stainless Steel Wall Splash
Model: Custom-diagonal pattern
Color: Stainless Steel
Star Stainless Design
Website: www.starstainlessdesign.com

Signature Series Kitchen Cabinets
Model #: Rohe and Concord Prepared for Glass
Brand Name: Mid Continent Cabinetry
Color: Natural Cherry
Mid Continent Cabinetry
Website: www.midcontinentcabinetry.com

Granite Countertop
Model: Bianco Romano
Color: Pastel White
Stone Holding Co.
Website: www.stoneholding.com

GUESTS :

Tony Castle
Hardwood Flooring Expert
Tony Castle Flooring
We apologize no contact information is available.

Dawn-Marie Fildebrandt
President
Star Stainless Design
Website: www.starstainlessdesign.com

Kevin Drontle and Al Braunworth
Granite Installers
Granite-Tops, Inc.
Cold Spring, MN 56230
Phone: 320-685-3005
Website: www.granite-tops.com