Installation guidelines

The information in this guide is shared from TIANFU BAMBOO to our customers and contractors installing bamboo flooring.
Following the installation instructions are to insure that the bamboo floor is installed correctly, which is a requirement for your TIANFU BAMBOO floor to be covered under our Lifetime Warranty. TIANFU BAMBOO welcomes constructive feedback
and additional bamboo flooring installation tips from our customers to improve our own and others' installation techniques.

- Sub-floor Preparation- Moisture- Nail-down- Floating- Glue Down

GENERAL INFORMATION & AWARENESS

Bamboo flooring from TIANFU BAMBOO: manufactured and packed in carton box at moisture content lower than 8%. Since bamboo flooring is a natural product, the natural expansion and contraction, which is induced by the change of humidity and/or temperature, of each plank through seasons is considered normal and acceptable.

Acclimation of bamboo flooring on the job site: required, especially for the application in dry climate. A two to four week time frame for the job-site acclimation is recommended. This on-site acclimation is also required for a radiant heat system floor.

Difference in moisture content between the bamboo flooring and the sub-floor: within 2%. For instance, if the bamboo flooring is
at 7% moisture content, the moisture content of the sub-floor must be between 5% and 9%. Remember, acclimation of the bamboo flooring on the job site is our customer's full responsibility for any unpleasant shrinkage or expansion of the bamboo planks. Also, remember that the bamboo flooring is a natural product.

Industry standard of TIANFU BAMBOO's flooring: applied for the grading deficiencies of up to 5%, regardless of whether
the deficiency is of a nature or manufacturing.

Inspection of all purchased TIANFU BAMBOO flooring: done by the Installer prior to the installation. Do not install any material
that has defects in quality, such as: color, finish, and/or structure, and notify TIANFU BAMBOO immediately.

Responsibilities of the owner, builder, contractor, or installer: ensure that the job site environment, including the sub floor and
its surface, meets all applicable standards before installing bamboo flooring.

Temperature and humidity levels at the job site: set to normal living conditions as least for 7 days before the bamboo flooring
installation and must be maintained at those levels after installation.

Recommended TIANFU BAMBOO Flooring Products (unfinished and pre-finished):

Nail-Down Installation:Antique (Hand scraped) Bamboo Flooring, Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring, Horizontal, Vertical, Bamboo
Flooring.

Glue Down Installation:Antique (Hand scraped) Bamboo Flooring, Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring, Horizontal, Vertical Bamboo Flooring

Recommended TIANFU BAMBOO Building Products:

Stairs: Bamboo Structural Stair Tread, Bamboo Stair Tread, Bamboo Stair RiserRailings: Bamboo Newel Post, Baluster, Handrail.Floor: Flush-mount floor vent, Top-mount floor vent.Trim pieces: Bamboo Baseboard, Bamboo Door/window Casing, Shoe-mold, Bamboo StripTransition pieces: Nosing, Reducer, T-moldUnderlayment: PE foam UnderlaymentWall: Bamboo Wall
CoveringOffice (Space): Bamboo Screens

PREPARATION

Job Site Conditions

The bamboo flooring should not be delivered to the job site until all doors and windows are in place, all wet work is complete (cement, drywall, painting, etc.) and the permanent heating and cooling system is operational.

The bamboo flooring must be allowed to acclimate at as close to "Normal Environmental Conditions" as possible for at least 2-3 weeks before installation. See section on "Normal Environmental Conditions" for details.

Remove baseboard (when applicable) where it intersects with the new flooring area. Be sure to cut the caulk at the top of the
base board first and be careful not to damage the wall or the base board during removal.

Remove existing flooring, underlayment, and associated fasteners. Note: Depending on the lay out of the job site, it may be
beneficial to remove the existing flooring in stages to avoid having to move furniture multiple times.

Sub Floor

Inspect sub floor and/or sub surface for any height variation greater than 1/16".

Scrape, sand, plane, level, or shim any variations greater than 1/16".

Ensure that the sub floor is structurally sound.
Screw any areas that are loose or squeak. Replace any areas that are damaged or weak.

Check the moisture content of the sub floor/sub surface with the appropriate test equipment to ensure that it meets industry standards.

Sweep and clean the entire floor.

A vapor barrier, such as 6-mil polyethylene film, must be placed in crawl spaces.

A moisture barrier foam pad is necessary for any concerns that moisture underneath the sub floor may come up.

Concrete
Slab:

Inspect for any height variation greater than 1/16".
Scrape and/or level any variations greater than 1/16".
Sweep and clean the entire floor.

Have all cracks and holes filled with a cemented-based patching material, and it must be tested for moisture. Calcium Chloride test
method is recommended and flooring must not be installed if the vapor pressure exceeds 3 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. in 24 hours. Concrete slab younger than 60 days are generally too wet for installing bamboo flooring.

For nail down approach, 5/8" to " plywood is installed over the concrete or gypcrete slab with PL adhesive and nail. It is recommended to have at least 24 nails (4x6) distributed along edges and field of each piece of plywood.

It is also recommended to lay moisture barrier underlayment on top of plywood prior to installing bamboo flooring.

For other considerations of health and a clean environment, the underlayment can act as a sound barrier, cushion, and/or
absorber of toxic and/or obnoxious fumes, e.g., bamboo charcoal fabric.

Sub Floor with Radiant Heat

Be sure that the heating system is designed and controlled for bamboo floors to avoid any damage due to excessive heat and inconsistent temperatures. This includes calculating the heat load of the system and heat loss of the room.

The heating system should be operational and on for about 7 days, and the Flooring must acclimate 2-3 weeks.

Turn heat off and allow the sub floor to cool to room temperature before installing bamboo flooring.

After the bamboo flooring installation, wait two days before turning the heat back on. Gradually raise heat to the desired
temperature over the period of one week. The surface temperature of your floor should never exceed 85 F (29C). Radiant heat floor generate dry heat. It may be necessary to use humidifier(s) to maintain "Normal Environmental Conditions". It is especially important that humidity levels (35-55%) and room temperature (55-85 F) are maintained in the interior of your home or place of business at all times during the year.

Recommended Tools and Accessories for Installing
Bamboo Flooring:

Power Tools:

Miter saw and stand, Table saw, Circular saw, Fine cut saw, Toe kick saw, Jig saw, Air compressor, Cleat/staple nail gun, 16 gauge
finish nail gun, 18 gauge brad nail gun, Carpet staple gun, Belt Sander, Shop Vacuum

Hand Tools:

Hammer, Mallet, Flat bar, Nail set, Tape measure, Speed square, Framing square, Razor Knife, Fine tooth file, Chalk Line, Chisel,
Putty knife, Caulk gun, Earplugs, Safety Glasses, Extension cord, Air compressor hose, Strap clamps (for Glue Down Installations)

Accessories:

Underlayment : rosin paper (for nail down)
Foam Pad : by Shaw
(Green; Grey; Blue) for moisture/sound barrier + cushion (for nail down)
Adhesive :
Bostik's Best or Franklin's 811 Plus (glue down); Liquid Nails
Nails
: 16 gauge Cleats or Staples, 16 gauge or 18 gauge finish nails