See also Installation of
Glue-Down Cork Tiles

4. Pre-finished, urethane covered

 

5. Unfinished, ready to urethane.

 

6. Pre-finished, vinyl covered.

 

Cork planks should be kept in a dry, well ventilated area with a relative humidity level between 40% and 60% before and after installation. It is recommended that you acclimatize the tiles on site, in their original packaging, for at least 24 hours prior to installation.

 

Ensure that the sub-floor is structurally sound, smooth, flat (can not vary more than a 1/4" in 10 ft), clean and dry (less than 3%moisture on concrete and 10% on wood). You can lay the floating cork floor plank over plywood, hardwood, chipboard, vinyl and most ceramic tiles. Crawl spaces under wood floors should be well ventilated and a vapor barrier of 6 mil poly should be installed. Installation on all concrete, above or below grade, requires a 6 mil vapor barrier. Overlap vapor barrier 8-12" and seal seams with water resistant tape and carry up the wall. Cut the vapor barrier even with the floor's surface after the installation is complete.

 

The floor must be able to expand and contract on all sides. You cannot obstruct its movement. You must provide an expansion gap of 3/8" at all walls, door frames, pipes and thresholds. These gaps can be covered by quarter round, base board or other mouldings that are fastened to the wall, not the cork.

 

Installation of the floating cork plank floors is similar to installation of laminate floors. Follow installation instructions supplied by the individual manufacturer. The conceptual floor design is similar for most floating "click" floors systems. No glue is required. The floors are engineered to make plank alignment and positioning simple and thus the installation process becomes manageable, even for the novice.

 

Pre-finished, urethane-covered floating cork will require one coat of urethane to be applied with a pad applicator. Shake the urethane vigorously before applying. Apply sparingly. Keep the room well ventilated. This application of urethane will insure that the edges of the cork tile are protected from excess water or other spills. Allow three to four hours drying time. Light foot traffic may be allowed four to five hours after application of urethane. Area rugs should not be placed for 10 days.

 

Unfinished, Ready to Urethane will require three coats of urethane to be applied with a pad applicator. Apply sparingly. Keep the room well ventilated. This application of urethane will insure that the edges of the cork tile are protected from excess water or other spills. Allow one to two hours drying time between coats. Light foot traffic may be allowed four to five hours after last application of urethane. Area rugs should not be placed for 10 days.

 

Pre-finished, vinyl covered Optional: cork dressing may be applied to tiles after installation. This dressing makes spills and cleanup easier and adds an extra layer of protection to the cork's vinyl surface. Application is simple and drying time is approximately 20 minutes.