Bamboo Flooring Installation Costs

Bamboo flooring has become more popular in recent years. It's environmentally friendly, stylish, and warm. Much like granite, it is beginning to be seen as a premium product, but you may find yourself wondering if you will get stuck with a premium price tag as well. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating Bamboo Flooring Installation Costs.

Before Laying Your Bamboo

To begin with, before you can do anything with bamboo you need to consider the humidity where you live and in the room you want to place it in. If the room or climate is particularly moist you will be looking at an elevated cost, not only to install the flooring, but for upkeep as well. Be certain to acclimate said boards for a few days before you install. If time is a factor in your budget you may have to rethink your plans.

Another thing to consider is that bamboo can go over many different kinds of subfloor. It'll lay over plywood, vinyl, existing wood, and even concrete. Many subfloors require specific prep work, depending on your method of installation. Once you've considered the previous things you're ready to install.

Ways of Laying Your Bamboo

Installation for these floors can be done by yourself or with the aid of professionals. If you are planning to do it yourself, you may want to try snap-lock planks. With these, it's important to have your boards cut perfectly. You can either purchase a saw yourself or have them cut it at the store (which will require you to have detailed measurements of the space you want to work in). Either way, you should count on this expense. Power tools can cost anywhere from forty dollars (though you may get lucky and find a great sale) to a thousand, if you really go all out. These click-lock boards can cost a little more, thanks to their special grooves and cuts but they make up for it by not requiring you to prep as much. You just float them on your existing floor.

On the other hand, you can always nail or staple your boards to the subfloor. This option requires a bit of standard safety-gear, the tools themselves, and patience. It is never a good idea to nail any floor to another without a little know-how, so it may not be the best option for beginners. On the other hand, if you are paying a professional to do so, it may be your cheapest option.

Another popular method of installation is to glue the planks to the subfloor. This requires a great deal of prep time and the glue can get expensive, especially if you want your floors to really last.

After the Installation

Depending on your method of installation you still have a few things to consider about installing bamboo flooring. Paying for the carpenters' time and the wood itself is not the end of the road. Bamboo usually requires a number of other charges, most of which are for upkeep and the health of your wood. Veneer, vapor barriers, foam underlay, cleansers, and sealants should all be considered as well. Also consider that you may need to be out of your home for up to three days after installation, while some of these products are used. Even the greenest options are not meant to be inhaled.

In conclusion, a bamboo flooring installation is much like any other home improvement. You have a plethora of options and each comes with its own benefits and hazards. The best you can do is: consider your options, draw out a plan, and allot for any unforeseen problems. Careful planning and budgeting are crucial, and the first step is knowing what expenses to look for.