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 Gallery
Product selections for this project
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Photo: Kolin Smith

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
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2. Trim the doorway moldings

After carefully sawing through each doorstop, pull away the cork-floor plank and remove the waste piece of wood. Then, pry up the saddle before installing the cork flooring. Also, use the backsaw to trim the casings on the wall around the door. Again, use a cork plank as a guide to judge how much of the casings you need to trim away.