Installation of Glued - Down Cork Flooring by Tony Cuozzo

Cork flooring tiles are manufactured in 12-inch squares and so are mounted on the sub-surface with flooring adhesive. They can be installed directly onto concrete slabs or higher secure wood sub-flooring. Some flooring manufacturers recommend hardboard for glue-down installations, so be sure you follow your manufacturer?s advice.



Regardless from the sub-surface, the preparation requirements are identical. The sub-surface should be clean, dry, smooth and level. The following information provides some typical steps involved with sub-surface preparation of concrete slabs and wood sub-flooring.



Preparation for installation on concrete:



* Patch any cracks or holes per your flooring manufacturer?s recommendations



* Check the concrete for moisture content



Note: test methods vary; follow your manufacturer?s recommendation



* Cut the bottom of door frames enough to allow for tiles to adjust to underneath



* Make sure the concrete is clean, dry, smooth and level just before beginning the installationNote: using a smooth sub-surface is vital for glued-down tiles ? the shape of imperfections inside concrete or loose debris forgotten will be seen and felt inside the finished surface



* Apply sub-floor primer to the concrete which has a roller and allow to dry just before applying adhesive



Preparation for installation on wood or hardboard:



* Repair any uneven areas



* Check moisture content in the sub-floor according to the manufacturer?s recommendations



* If sub-flooring is over a crawlspace, cover the bottom below the sub-floor with polyethylene sheeting



Note: most manufacturers recommend 6-mil sheets overlapped and taped together



* Cut the bottom of door frames enough to allow tiles to match underneath



* As with concrete, ensure that the sub-floor is level, clean and most significantly, smooth in order to avoid any irregular shape transfer through the cork



* Apply sub-floor primer having a roller and enable to dry prior to applying adhesive



Acclimation:



* Most manufacturers recommend acclimating cork tiles for 2-3 days, at normal-living temperature and humidity levels, and in the room the location where the tiles will be installed



Note: reference your flooring manufacturer?s documentation for specific details



* Apply the recommended adhesive to the sub-floor having a roller, doing work in small areas during a period, and permit it to dry



Installation of tiles:



* Since cork has natural variations in shade and pattern, sort from the boxes and select tiles which will provide the best overall look



* Using spacers, leave an expansion space around the border from the room and around any fixed objects, like pipes and kitchen islands



Note: make reference to your manufacturer?s instructions since expansion space recommendations can vary from 1/4 in. to 1/2 in.



* Apply pressure equally through the surface of each tile because it is laid in place



* After all tiles are in place, and ahead of applying sealer, roll your entire floor according on the manufacturer?s recommendations



* Allow the adhesive to dry completely before walking on the floor



Note: the typical recommendation is 24 hours, but this might vary according to climatic conditions



* Clean the finished floor using a polyurethane cleaner then seal it having a urethane sealer, as recommended with the manufacturer



hardwood flooring Peabody Always follow your flooring manufacturer?s recommendations and the end result will probably be a beautiful new cork floor which you?ll be proud to show off for many years.
Tony Cuozzo will be the co-founder of FastFloors.com the entire world?s best online source for flooring products. Find out more about a variety of flooring materials, installation instructions, design tips, information on care and maintenance, and knowledge about individual manufacturers along with their products, offered by: =>