How to Lay a Cork Floor

By: Alexandra Bandon, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. FLOORING
Measure the square footage of your space, then add 10 percent to that number to account for off cuts.

2. MOLDING
to mask the expansion gap

3. 1/2-INCH SPACERS
You can make these by cutting up a scrap piece of plywood.

4. 4D FINISH NAILS
to fasten the show molding

5. POLYETHYLENE SHEETING
to act as a moisture barrier if youa re installing the flooring over concrete

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Straightedge and clamps
- Jigsaw,
  to cut flooring
- Flush-cutting backsaw,
  or ryoba saw, to trim door casings
- Hammer or mallet
- Pry bar
- Miter box and drill/driver,
  to cut and install shoe molding)
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Product selections for this project
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Prepping the room for cork floor installation.

Photo: Kolin Smith

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
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1. Prep Steps

Look for any vertical trim that will need to be cut away to allow the new flooring to slide beneath it. At doorways, place a cork plank atop the saddle (the threshold) and butted to the door stops. Using a flush-cutting backsaw, trim the stops—but not the jambs—]on either side of the door above the saddle. Carefully pry up the saddle before installing the flooring. Also cut the casings on the wall around the door, using a cork plank to judge how much to trim them.

In a kitchen installation, remove the cabinet toekicks if possible so you can run the cork under the cabinets. If the kick is stationary, plan to install the flooring up to within ½ inch of the toekick. This gap can be hidden in the finish step.

Installation over concrete, such as in a basement, requires the removal of any baseboard so you can cover the slab with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting and run it 3 inches up the wall. Overlap the sheeting's seams by 8 inches and seal them with tape.