Cork Tiles or Floating Cork Flooring

Cork flooring comes in two different installation styles: glue-down cork tiles and floating cork flooring planks. There is a considerable difference when it comes to the installation process and if you plan on doing this yourself then you need to understand the differences between them. The first thing you have to do is decide where you are going to install this product. Once you’ve decided where in the home cork is to be installed, the decision of “which type” may be made for you.

Glue-Down Cork Tiles

Forna glue down tile flooring has limitations as to where it can be installed. It also has limits as to what is considered an acceptable subfloor material. Glue down tiles cannot be installed over old flooring, nor OSB plywood or any painted surface. Glued down cork tiles cannot be installed in a basement over the cement slab. The Wakol D3540 Cork Adhesive that is required for this installation is hypersensitive to moisture. A cement slab below grade is not an application we recommend for the glue down tiles. Many people have tried, and they have all failed. Even if you are sure that the slab has been sealed, Forna will not offer a warranty. There are too many factors that can, and have, gone wrong with this form of installation.

Even cement slabs that are at or above grade, must be tested for moisture content. This is an industry standard for any form of flooring installation. The Wakol adhesive requires that the hydrostatic pressure of the concrete slab be below 3lbs/1000sf over 24 hours. In the flooring industry, this is considered to be extremely low hydrostatic pressure. Make sure your flooring professional has tested the subfloor material for moisture content. Ask to see their documentation.

The cork tiles are harder to install than cork floating floors. You need to have the proper sub-floor of plywood, cement or concrete. The sub-floor must be completely level and clean. This means. Then, you can start applying your adhesive and laying down the cork tiles. Once complete you'll need to then use a drum roller to level-out the tiles and apply the require amount of costs of finish required by the manufacture. This is usually going to cost more to install with a professional since more labor is required.

To be clear, glue down cork flooring offers a technically superior floor when compared to its cousin, the floating floor. With proper maintenance a glue down cork floor has the ability to survive 30, 50, even 100 years or more.

Cork Floating Floor Planks

The floating planks can be installed in basements, kitchens, entranceways and even on stairs. This floor has a single set-back: it cannot be installed in bathrooms or laundry rooms. Other than that, it can go anywhere else in the home. Most homeowners seal their cork floating floors directly after install. This offers the highest level of protection to ensure the floors remain free of damage from spills, pets and excessive wear in high traffic areas. It’s a good idea to apply two coats at the beginning of the floor’s life. The effects are beautiful and they allow homeowners the ability to relax and enjoy their cork floor.

The cork floating floor has a simpler installation than cork tiles. This is generally used by do-it-yourself homeowners. You can use the same sub-floor as tiles. However you can also install this over some existing floors like vinyl, laminate or ceramic. So long as the subfloor is flat and sound cork floating planks can be installed over any hard surface floor. These flooring planks simply click together and don't require any glue or nails. Since these are pre-finished using a professional will be cheap but the purchase of the product itself will cost more a little more.

Summary

Cork flooring is an excellent flooring solution and as you can see above it has two great options for installation. Both glue-down tiles and floating floors give the homeowner different options for installation. Either can be performed by the homeowner or a professional carpenter. We suggest you check the website www.icorkfloor.com . They provide a very good price and service.