Why there should be gaps left when installing outdoor heavy bamboo flooring?
There are several reasons why outdoor bamboo flooring needs to be installed with gaps:
1. Coping with climate change
The main component of heavy bamboo flooring is bamboo fiber. Like wood, bamboo has the physical property of thermal expansion and contraction. Although heavy bamboo flooring has been dried, it is still affected by changes in climate dryness and humidity. In seasons with high humidity, bamboo fibers will expand, and the length, width and thickness of the bamboo flooring boards will increase accordingly, and the heavy bamboo flooring boards may expand; while in dry seasons, the heavy bamboo flooring boards may shrink. Leaving gaps can provide space for the expansion and contraction of heavy bamboo flooring, avoiding heavy bamboo flooring boards from arching due to expansion or large gaps due to contraction.
For example, in the hot summer, the outdoor temperature may be as high as 30-40 degrees, while in the cold winter, the temperature may drop to around 0 degrees. This huge change in temperature will cause the outdoor heavy bamboo flooring to expand and contract significantly. If no gaps are reserved during installation, the outdoor bamboo flooring will squeeze each other when they expand, causing the outdoor bamboo flooring to deform, such as arching and bending.
2. Preventing bamboo flooring from deformation
If there are no gaps between bamboo decking flooring boards, the distance between the bamboo fibers will become smaller when they expand, and the interaction between the fibers will increase. The bamboo decking flooring boards may squeeze each other after swelling due to moisture, causing the outdoor bamboo flooring to deform, crack or bulge, affecting the appearance and service life of outdoor bamboo flooring. Reasonable expansion joints can effectively reduce the occurrence of these problems.
From the structure of the bamboo flooring boards, the edge and middle parts of the bamboo decking flooring may have different expansion or contraction degrees due to different degrees of moisture absorption or loss. If there are no gaps, this uneven expansion and contraction will cause stress between the bamboo decking flooring, and long-term accumulation may cause the floors to crack or the joints to loosen.
3. Adapting to the installation environment- Drainage and ventilation requirements
(1) Drainage
Outdoor bamboo flooring is often exposed to rainwater. Leaving gaps can provide a channel for rainwater to drain. If there are no gaps between the bamboo decking flooring, rainwater will accumulate on the surface of the bamboo flooring boards and even penetrate into the bamboo decking flooring.
For example, in an outdoor terrace or courtyard, if the heavy bamboo floor installed is not left with gaps, after a heavy rain, rainwater will form water on the surface of the floor. The accumulated water soaks the floor for a long time, which will cause the bamboo fiber of the floor to absorb water and swell, causing problems such as deformation and rot of the floor.
(2) Ventilation
Appropriate gaps can also ensure that there is sufficient ventilation at the bottom of the bamboo decking flooring. Good ventilation can reduce the humid environment at the bottom of the bamboo decking flooring and prevent mold and rot from growing at the bottom of the outdoor bamboo flooring.
Concerning the service life of outdoor bamboo flooring, ventilation can reduce the humidity inside the bamboo decking flooring and keep the moisture content of the bamboo flooring board at a relatively stable level. This helps to extend the service life of the bamboo decking flooring and reduce the risk of the damages caused by a humid environment, such as floor arching and mold.
4. Installation technical requirements
During the installation process, reserved expansion joints can facilitate construction workers to adjust the flatness and alignment of outdoor bamboo flooring, ensuring that the overall effect of outdoor bamboo flooring after installation is more beautiful.
In short, the gap between bamboo decking flooring boards is an important technical measure in the installation of outdoor bamboo flooring, which can not only ensure the stability and service life of the bamboo decking flooring, but also improve the overall aesthetics.