We are about to purchase a strand bamboo product for installation this month. We have narrowed it down to two products - 1/2" x 5" strand click bamboo and 5/8" strand nail down/glue bamboo. If we were to make the decision based only on the method of installation alone, which is preferable? Is there a reason to avoid the click, or is that ok if we like the color slightly more?

We are having it professionally installed, and the installer prefers nail down because "he's old fashioned like that." Which is perfectly fine, but that doesn't necessarily condemn the click product.

We will be installing in a conditioned environment, over a plywood subfloor. The installer said he would nail (instead of glue) with our subfloor.

One final factor - he said he would use an underlayment regardless of the product. Does that sound right? I thought I read somewhere that nail down strand bamboo shouldn't get an underlayment.

Thanks very much.

Sounds like your installer knows what he is talking about. Don't second guess your installer, specially the old ones because they might get really cranky. If you demand something other than what he specs and you have problems, then what?
Underlayment under any floor is ok if it is the correct one, specially if you have a crawl space thats damp. But then that should also be addressed.

be sure to let them know if he nails it to use an 18 gauge cleat nail. A 3/4" floor that most are all accustomed to installing uses a bigger nail (16 gauge and a different gun of course ) that will ruin a strand woven bamboo floor.

Well I see alot of issues with the click strand unless you have a HVAC unit and a stand alone humidifier or dehumidifier depending where you live to keep the temp and rh levels near where they are supposed to be. To dry and they shrink and disengage.

If you have a plywood subfloor, I would agree w/ your installer that nailing is the best installation method.

Regarding the underlayment, it depends why he is recommending that...but in general that does not sound like a problem. (unless it's a sound underlayment in which case the nails will defeat the purpose).

Debbie Gartner, aka The Flooring Girl
http://TheFlooringGirl.com
Westchester County, NY

Thanks for the advice everyone. We went with the nail down installation, now we're just waiting for the wood to finish acclimating. We're at 4 weeks and 15% humidity, so hopefully it'll be installed soon!

If your waiting for a proper reading on the floor, don't. You will not get an accurate reading on strand woven because of the reins in it. If you're at week 4 and the subfloor reads correct then I would go for it.

Jeff,

I just posted another question about this very issue. You think 15% is ok with a 4% subfloor? I'm not sure what a "correct" reading for the subfloor should be. I assume the target 10% or lower? We are pulling our hair out because the humidity won't budge. I'm happy you said something - that makes sense.

I would shut the dehumidifier off for a few days and check the subfloor again, it's probably a little low because of the time of the year along with the dehumidifier.
I would try for 6-8% but I think your fine anyways.