DIY Network

Bamboo Floor Installation From "Kitchen Renovations" episode DKTN-403

In this second segment of the third episode of "Contemporary Kitchen Expansion," the homeowners (Keith and Miquel) mark the reference line for the flooring installation. They install a batten board and then begin installing the bamboo floor. To reverse the boards they put in a spline.

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

advertisement

	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

Installing the Bamboo Floor

1. Start by pulling a reference line off the exterior wall. Use the exterior wall because it's the longest and straightest run.

2. Use the laser level to mark the line, and then nail 2 x 3's as a batten boards all the way down the laser line (figure A) -- a guide to lay the first board in and a solid surface to nail to.

3. Start near the transition. Leave a 1" gap to allow for the transition strip. Lay the first floor board in and secure it with an 18-gauge pin nailer driving the nail right into the shoulder of the tongue. The nail needs to go in at an angle (figure B) so it isn't in the way of the next board.

Figure A

Figure B

4. Double check that your boards are running straight, lay in the next course, line it up with the seam and push it in and check to make sure your seams are straight (figure C).

5. Cut a short piece of flooring (1') to start another row to stagger the seams (figure D). If all the seams were in one straight line, the seams would be weak and you would break the tongues as you walked on the seam -- and it would not look as good.

Figure C

Figure D

	Figure E
	Figure F

6. Once you have a few rows laid down you will have enough room from the batten board to use a pneumatic flooring stapler (figure E). Use the mallet included with the stapler to tighten the boards.

Note: A pneumatic flooring stapler rents for approximately $35 a day.

7. Once you have several rows installed, you can take out the batten board so you can start working in the other direction.

8. To reverse the direction of your board make your own tongue with spline material (figure F). Take some glue and slip it into groove to create a tongue and then you can reverse the boards to install.

In the next segment a new stainless backsplash is installed and the stock cabinets are brought in and discussed.

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