I'm in the middle of a kitchen renovation and should be installing a Click-Lock floating bamboo floor from Cali-Bamboo at the end of the week. My kitchen is completely empty, with a plywood subfloor. My preference is to lay the floor wall to wall and put cabinets on top. Cali-Bamboo says not to install the floating floor under fixed cabinetry. I am installing cabinets with adjustable feet, for what that's worth. I spoke to someone at Cali-Bamboo about this and he said if something heavy will be on the floor (such as a fridge, range, dishwasher), I should glue the joints in these places. I don't see any way around having flooring underneath appliances, at least I wouldn't lay a kitchen floor that way. So, my question is, can I go ahead and lay the floor wall to wall since cabinets are lighter than appliances? I understand the reasoning behind having no fixed weight on a floating floor, but in a kitchen there is no way around it. Is buckling inevitable in this scenario or just a slight possibility? My flooring will have acclimated for about 10 days prior to install.
My second question relates underlayment. I'd like to use a cork underlayment. I'm thinking of using plastic for a vapor barrier beneath that. The kitchen sits over a crawlspace that is lined with plastic and spray foamed around the perimeter. It is not completely dry by any means, but there is no obvious moisture down there.
EDIT: To comment on one of my own questions, I'm reading plenty of sources that say not to use a vapor barrier over plywood. At this point, I'm just leaning towards laying a cork underlayment on the subfloor, and the bamboo directly on top of that.
My second question relates underlayment. I'd like to use a cork underlayment. I'm thinking of using plastic for a vapor barrier beneath that. The kitchen sits over a crawlspace that is lined with plastic and spray foamed around the perimeter. It is not completely dry by any means, but there is no obvious moisture down there.
EDIT: To comment on one of my own questions, I'm reading plenty of sources that say not to use a vapor barrier over plywood. At this point, I'm just leaning towards laying a cork underlayment on the subfloor, and the bamboo directly on top of that.
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