Yes, you will need to leave an expansion gap around the whole perimeter of the room. Expansion gaps are a standard part of installing a bamboo or wooden floor. They allow the planks of flooring some room to compensate for natural expansion and contraction.
What is an expansion gap?
An expansion gap is a space, of at least 10mm, that is left around the perimeter of a room when laying wooden or bamboo flooring. As bamboo is a natural product it will absorb any humidity in the air and slightly expand. Similarly, as the humidity drops and the air dries out the planks of bamboo flooring will reduce in size again. This is known as seasonally expansion and contraction.
You should leave the expansion gap around the whole perimeter of the room, including doorways, fireplaces and around any pipework.
The expansion gap allows the flooring to expand and contract into the gap so that the flooring can move without causing any damage or distortion to the whole of your bamboo floor.
How do I cover the gap?
We have a range of matching bamboo flooring accessories that can be used to cover over the expansion gap. These include, skirting boards, quarter rounds, pipe covers and door bars.