DIY Network

Natural Cork Flooring Installation From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-510F

Hosts Amy Devers and Karl Champley explain to Steve that the new floor is made of cork, and because it doesn't require glue or cement, the tiles lock together and can be walked on immediately.

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	Place the first plank at the left-hand end, tongue end facing the wall.
	Using a tapping block and hammer, tap on the block gently until ends of joints are firmly joined.
	The cork floor is amazingly stunning.
	The floor can immediately be walked on after installation.

Materials:

Cork floating floor planks
1/2 inch spacers
Flexible caulk
Cleaning supplies
Trim
6 mil polyethylene sheeting (optional)
Table saw and measuring tools
Natural Cork tapping block
Floor pull bar
Jig saw

Natural Cork Flooring Installation

Note: Start installing the floor in one corner, preferably parallel to the longest wall and following the direction the light falls. It is equally possible to work from left to right or right to left.

Note: Always insert the tongue into the groove, not the other way around.

1. Choose the longest wall that will be parallel to the plank floor. Tap a nail part way into the old floor 1/2" from the wall at each end of the room. String a line between the nails 3/4" above floor level. Use this string as a guide-line for the first row of planks. The 1/2" space from the wall allows room for expansion. Shuffle floor planks for best visual mix. Mix planks from various cartons to maintain natural color and pattern variation.

2. Facing the guide-line, place the first plank at the left-hand end, tongue side facing wall, starting 1/2" off the wall. It is necessary to remove the tongue from all planks lining the starting wall. Use 1/2" spacers at the end and along the wall (two to a plank) while keeping the planks aligned with the string. Spacers keep planks from shifting when subsequent rows are added. Using a tapping block and a hammer, place block flat on floor, tap on block gently until the ends of the two planks are firmly joined, with the joint completely closed up. Continue this process until you reach the end wall. Cut the last plank to fit allowing for a 1/2" perimeter expansion space on all sides.

3. If the cut-off piece from the previous row is more than 10" long it can be used to start the next row so long as end-joints between adjacent rows are always staggered by at least 10". Firmly holding row one in place, (a weight such as a full pack of planks may be helpful).

• Position the long side of the plank to be installed at an angle of 20-30 degrees to the plank already installed. Move the plank to be fitted slightly up and down at the same time as exerting forward pressure. The planks will then click into place.

• Using the tapping block, use a number of smaller taps on the short edge until the planks click together completely.

• In some cases, the planks cannot be rotated into one another, for example under a doorframe. In cases such as this, the planks can be fitted horizontally. For the long edge, you should tap them together gradually: begin tapping lightly at the corner of a plank until the joint is made, then repeat the process every 12" until the entire long edge of the plank has clicked in with the other. In order to cut around pipes, take a drill bit with a diameter similar to the diameter of the pipe + 1/4" for expansion.

4. Usually the last row will require all planks be cut lengthwise. Measure each plank at several places along the length to ensure a proper fit. Remember to allow a 1/2" expansion space along the wall side. Use floor pull bar and mallet to click the long side of planks. The short edge can be joined using the tapping block.

5. After installing your floor, you can immediately walk on it. Remove all spacer blocks. Fix the skirting board over the extended polyethylene sheeting. Never attach skirting board to the floor itself, but allow space for the floor to expand and contract beneath the skirting board. In order to fill in the expansion gap around pipes and any other areas not covered by trim, use a flexible caulk.

Installing on Concrete Substrate

Cork can be installed over concrete on or above grade. Concrete substrates are required to be sound, smooth, level and flat with a maximum variation of 1/8 inch in 10 feet. Subfloor should be free of dust, dirt and soils. Any uncorrected irregularities will telegraph through cork parquet tiles. All cracks, holes and control joints must be patched with a Portland cement based compound. Follow compound manufacturer's instructions fully and make sure patches are completely dry and well adhered. Use of gypsum base compounds is not approved. Check concrete slab for moisture. Slab must be properly cured. Check slab with calcium chloride moisture test. Moisture content cannot be more than three pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours.

Cork Must be Acclimated

Cork tiles must be stored out of the box at job site for a minimum of 72 hours prior to installation. During storage and installation, maintain temperature and relative humidity to level consistent with conditions that will prevail when building is occupied. Heating or air conditioning should be used for an appropriate length of time prior to and during installation. With improper acclimation, the floor could noticeably expand or contract after installation.

Laying Cork Tiles

Use any standard laying pattern. For best installation, lay cork with staggered joints. Shuffle cork parquets for best visual mix and identify possible manufacturing defects. Installer must accept liability for installing defective material. Mix cork from various cartons to maintain natural color and pattern variation. Allow 1/4" expansion space between finished floor and all walls, thresholds, water pipes and other vertical surfaces. Failure to provide adequate expansion space will result in installation failure. When moisture level in the environment is low, tiles should not be positioned too tightly against one another. To the contrary, when moisture level is elevated, tiles should be installed tightly. When cork parquet tile is properly aligned in place, apply pressure on entire cork surface. Pressure will cause cork to stick firmly and further movement will not be possible.

Cleaning the Floor

The entire floor can be cleaned using a polyurethane cleaner. Mist over the floor using a spray bottle. Using a damp-dry mop, thoroughly clean the floor. Using too much liquid on your floor could provoke swelling at the joints due to absorption of moisture by the unsealed cork.

RESOURCES :

Natural Cork
Website: www.naturalcork.com

HITACHI Power Tools
Website: www.hitachi.com

Porter Cable Power Tools
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

Delta Power Tools
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

Klein Tools
Website: www.kleintools.com

Magnetic Alliance Brand Integration
We apologize no contact information is available.

Waterloo Industries
Website: www.waterlooindustries.com

Gladiator Garageworks by Whirlpool
Website: www.gladiatorgw.com

Glidden Paint
Website: www.glidden.com