Hello,

We will be installing bamboo in our home. Part of our living room is a concrete slab that butts up to hardwoods at the same height. We would like to cover the concrete and existing hardwoods with the bamboo. Any suggestions on the best way to do this? Can you nail down the bamboo over the hardwood and glue over the concrete? Do we need to leave an expansion gap between the hardwood area and the concrete or can we cover both without a gap? Is it necessary to put down a new subfloor over the entire area before installing?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Aimee

First things first is your living room on the ground level or above? Be sure to check the moisture of both the concrete and existing wood and make sure that they are relatively close. There are many ways to approach this. I personally would probably flash the entire area with a portland based cement and glue the bamboo down with a moisture cured urethane adhesive. You will be able to install without an expansion gap between the concrete and the hardwood. It's probably not a good idea to try and nail bamboo to an existing hardwood floor. That depends on your experience level.

Hope that helps

Thanks for the ideas. Our living room is above grade. Flashing the entire area seems to be the best way to go. I appreciate your help in figuring out this puzzle!