Installing Cork Flooring

Remodeling any part of your house can seem a daunting proposition at the best of times and when you are on a budget, it becomes quite stressful. The flooring of a house makes a big difference in the overall decor of the house and any household remodeling that involves flooring can turn out to be pretty expensive. You need a flooring option that is durable yet stylish, chic yet cozy and above all environment friendly as well as inexpensive. Enter cork flooring, that is very easy to install and easy to clean. Installing cork flooring in areas such as entryways, foyers, kitchen and living room are an excellent choice. Cork flooring comes in planks or tiles and they can be glued down to the existing floor or you can purchase the interlocking ones that are easy to install.

Installing cork floors is a very good option, as they are scratch resistant, insulating, flame retardant, resistant to mold and mildew and have natural sound and impact absorbing properties. The cork flooring durability is considerable and are as easy as installing hardwood flooring. Here we will guide you on installing cork floors.

How to Install Cork Flooring?

Before installing cork floors, you need to first have a plan on how you are going to start the project and the materials you are going to need. For ease of installation, I would suggest that you choose cork floor tiles. The first step is to measure the dimensions of the room and calculate the number of cork floor tiles you will need. You will have to cut some tiles to fit the dimensions of the floor. Purchase several extra tiles, just in case you damage any while cutting or installing.

For a seamless cork flooring installation, you need to have a sub-floor that is perfectly level and even. The cork floor tiles have to be glued on to a flat and smooth surface for it to have a good finished look. You cannot install a cork floor over vinyl flooring, linoleum flooring or plank flooring. You can however glue cork tiles over concrete that is smooth, dirt free and even. In case you have an existing flooring system like linoleum or vinyl, then you need to tear it out and screw on a plywood underlayment that is at least ¼ inches in thickness.

Once you are done with installing a subfloor that is even, the next step is to apply the adhesive to the backside of the cork tiles and then place them on the floor. It is best to divide a rectangular room into four quadrants, then start laying the cork tiles in each quadrant. Once you are done in one quadrant, you can proceed laying the tiles in the next quadrant. Let the tiles dry for at least 30 minutes and tap each tile with a rubber mallet, so that it sticks to the surface. Once a tile is pressed down on the subfloor, you won't be able to budge it from its position, so make sure that you lay the cork tile correctly. Once you have installed the cork tiles, your job is done. You do not need to sandpaper it to finish cork flooring installation.

Cork flooring installation is quite easy and all that you need is an afternoon to do it. Cork floors give a very warm and earthy vibe to a room and as such installing cork flooring in kitchen and library works very well. Cork kitchen flooring is very much popular and is much used by interior designers. Cork flooring does not require much upkeep and as such is a great option for your home.