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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Trimming the planks for the first course.

Photo: Kolin Smith

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
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3. Trim the planks for the first course

Start laying the planks along the longest uninterrupted wall. Measure the distance between it and the opposite wall, then subtract 1 inch for expansion. Divide the remainder by the width of a cork plank to calculate the number of courses needed to cover the floor.

If the last course ends up being less than half a plank, you'll need to cut the first and last courses narrower to balance the layout. Add the width of the last course to the full width of a plank. Divide by two to find the width of the first and last course. Use a jigsaw to rip the first-course planks to this width. If you don't need to rip down the first course, saw off their tongues to create an unobstructed expansion gap at the wall.