Replies

1. 
   Mongo | Mar 23, 2002 05:31am | #1

   I can't think of anyone that recommends their product for being glued to a below-grade slab.

   Most recommend some variation of the following:

   1. Asphaltum product troweled over slab
   2. Plastic embedded in asphaltum
   3. (optional) Repeat steps 1 & 2
   4. (optional) a layer of RFBI. May be desired if the slab is not insulated from below.
   5. Place two layers of ply (half-inch or 5/8ths) over the plastic/asphaltum layer, gapping the sheets and offsetting seams from one layer to the next. Screw the two layers together, but do not attach them to the slab or allow the screws to penetrate into the layers of insulation or plastic.
   6. Attach flooring to the top layer of plywood.

   There are other techniques available. Some are regional. Check the various bamboo manufacturers. If I recall, some say "no" to installing their product below grade regardless of how you install it. Some say you can install it below grade, but no glueing to the slab. Yuo mention 3/4" products...most bamboo is 5/8ths or thinner.

   Even though the space is heated, it may need to be dehumidified in the summer.

   Wide bamboo plank samples I've gotten from BambooHardwoods have cupped. I don't like their lamination techniques, either. TimberGrass makes a nice product...I'm in the middle of installing TimberGrass right now.

   Nothing really works well in a wet basement...ensure that there are no liquid moisture problems year-round.

1. 
   JMCKEOWN2 | Mar 26, 2002 01:00am | #2

   Thanks Mongo:

   Thought I might lay sleepers, rigid in between. poly over, plywood and then nail down the T&G.  On you advice, I'll contact TimberGrass, since that's what I'm using....

   Order up,   .....the next round's on me.