How to Install Cork
Plank Floors
In this article we’ll cover cork plank floor installation.
Cork plank flooring is considered a floating floor
installation. Keep in mind that cork plank flooring should
not be installed in any one direction for more than thirty
(30) feet without an expansion joint. Expansion joints are
also required between rooms.
Tools & materials needed:
- Cork Floor Planks (acclimated to room 48-72 hours prior
to installation)
- Hand saw
- Jigsaw
- Level
- Polyurethane foam or cork underlayment
- Flooring Spacers
- Glue (if required by cork plank manufacturer)
- Room Preparation: Remove all furniture and other
obstacles. Remove shoe molding. Measure clearance needed
under doors and frames and trim bottoms of door frames and
doors as needed. Be sure to measure with a plank on top
of your underlayment for an accurate measurement.
- Prepare Subfloor: One of the benefits of cork
plank flooring is that the subfloor can have some minor
imperfections. This doesn’t mean it can be a total mess.
Your subfloor must be clean, dry and level before installation
can begin. If it is not, take the steps necessary to correct
your subfloor before installation.
- Underlayment: The cork plank floating floor
requires either a polyurethane foam or cork underlayment
be laid out over the subfloor before installation of the
planks begins. This underlayment serves as a moisture barrier
and/or acoustic insulation.
- Plank Installation: Combine planks from various
boxes so that the natural variations are not so obvious.
It may be helpful to layout tiles before completely installing
them to get an idea of the variations and how you wish to
mix them. Once you are ready begin installation along the
most prominent wall of the room. Using spacers, be sure
to leave room for expansion around the borders of the room
and any fixed objects in the room. Make plank cuts as needed
to finish runs. Make sure joints of adjacent runs are staggered
at least twelve inches. If glue is required, apply per manufacturer’s
instructions. Rip cut final row and install with pull bar
if necessary.
- Finishing: Once the cork flooing is installed
(and glue dry if required) reinstall shoe molding around
perimeter of room. Bring furniture and other items back
in.
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