Q: We have a 2 yr old bamboo floor (Teregren). Installation was partially glue down (edges and in smaller spaces) and rest was nailed. Subfloor is partical board. Temp/humidity controlled. Once-per week we clean with a damp mop.
There are several spaces that make a cracking noise when walked upon; it is not the subfloor, but clearly coming from the bamboo. My guess is that it is coming from cracks in the tongue/groove that have always been there or developed with time, as I think these types of floors are prone to this.
Have you heard of this problem with bamboo? Do you have any theories or recommendations on how to quite these boards?
Thanks!
Jim
A: The problem you are encountering is not the fault of the bamboo, but rather the installation. What is likely happening here is the particle board subfloor has dilapidated because it was nailed through. Particle board is not meant for a nail-down installation and when nailed through it will break apart into chunks. These chunks will then shift as weight is displaced over the top of them. This movement telegraphs through the flooring itself and this movement causes the cracking noises your are hearing. Although the noise is like coming from the bamboo, the damage itself is not a problem with the bamboo itself, but rather how it was installed.
Although some particle boards can accept a glue down floor, typically it is suggested only to float a floor over particle board subfloors. If you had this floor installed by someone else, I would suggest contacting them and working out a way to replace your subfloor and floor.
