Installation Recommendations
SURFACE REQUIREMENTS & PREPARATION FOR CORK TILE & PLANK FLOORS
Acceptable substrate surfaces
Fully cured concrete
Wood underlayment such as APA Underlayment grade plywood (minimum 1/4" thickness) is preferred underlayment.
Exterior grade plywood (Group 1 CC type)
Vinyl composition tile (limited to one layer) when installing floating floor plank. Do not adhere cork tile.
Properly leveled embossed sheet goods that are securely bonded and fully adhered
Cement terrazzo or ceramic tile that has been leveled and the surface properly prepared such as lightly sanded and deglossed (for adhering cork tile)
Bared steel, aluminum
Non-porous surfaces (consult with Portugal Cork Flooring supplier for additional information
Non-Acceptable surfaces for adhering cork tile
Presswood
Chipboard, flakeboard, particleboard
Gypsum based toppings, leveling and patching compounds
General surface recommendations
Supporting surfaces shall be clean and free of dust, oil, grease, tar, or other loose substance that may prevent or reduce adhesion of cork tile
Test concrete slabs for excess moisture. Should not exceed 3 lbs. Per 1000 sq ft per 24 hours as measured by anhydrous calcium chloride test
Sub-floor must be level
CORK TILE-ADHERED FLOORING
Shade Variances
Cork tiles are made from natural materials and subject to shade or tone variations
Tiles may be received from the manufacturer up to a maximum of 3 different shades
Separate the cartons according to shade markings on box; boxes will be marked light, medium, dark
Tile should be installed from alternate boxes to even out the distribution of shade variations
Acclimation
Do not loose lay tile before installation, tiles mat curl, making installation difficult
Store tile in open boxes with the adhesive in room where they are to be applied for 24 hours prior to installation.
Temperature must be between 65 degreeF and 75 degreeF 24 hours before, during, and after installation
Adhesive
#DMI 55 cork tile adhesive is recommended
Use recommended notch trowel. Size 1/16" x 1/16" x 1/16"
Apply adhesive in a uniform pattern onto sub-floor. Hold trowel at an angle no less than 45 degees.
Only apply adhesive to an area in which tiles can be laid in a fifteen minute period.
An open time of 15 to 20 minutes (depending on environmental conditions) prior to tile laying is advisable so that adhesive can develop tack. DO NOT WET LAY TILE.
Installation
Tools and supplies: Square and straight edge, tape measure, chalk line, trowel
Application
Lay tile from the center of the room toward the wall.
Mark a 45 degree angle with its point at the center of the room and place and align the first few tiles to this mark
Lay tile from alternate boxes to help evenly distribute any shade variations in the tiles.
Do not install tiles if they are curled in any way.
Tiles may be cut with a linoleum or utility knife and a straight edge.
Always install cut tiles with factory finished edge facing installed tiles
Securing the Tile
After tile has been laid and they do not slide underfoot, the floor must be rolled in two directions with a 12" wide, 100lb roller. Use a hand roller around cove base and any area not accessible by large roller.
One hour and two hours after the first rolling, roll again in two directions.
After installation, the cork floor tiles will require a minimum of 72 hours to set
Cork planks-floating floor
Layout
Install the planks with their long direction parallel to the longest wall of the room
Preplan the number of rows required completing the installation. If the last row will be less than 3" wide, cut the first row of planks lengthwise making it narrower than the other rows, This result in a wider width last row.
Remove existing wall base or floor trim so that the new base or trim will cover the ¼" expansion space required for the floating floor system. The addition of a quarter round wood trim that is attached to the existing base is an option to removal of the existing base. Apply the additional quarter round after the flooring is installed.
Trim the door jambs at floor level so that the cork planks can be pushed underneath them
It is recommended a moisture barrier be installed prior to installing the floating floor and underlayment. An 8 mil thickness should be sufficient Seams should be overlapped approx. 6’ and taped.
The floating floor can be installed over most existing floors as long as the floor has a variance of no more than 1/8". If the variance is more, a cork underlayment of approximately 3/16" or an APA underlayment grade plywood may be used.
Installation
Tools and supplies: You should have available wood wedges, saw, hammer, wood chisel, knife, water pail, soft cloth or sponge, tape, measuring tape
Application
Begin the first row with a complete panel in a corner of the room, with the groove facing toward the wall
Allow an expansion space of 1/4" between the wall and the plank. Use of wooden wedges are recommended
Saw the first row's last plank to fit leaving a 1/4" expansion space at the sidewall. The remainder of the plank is used to start the second row. Use the piece that is left to start the next row unless it is too small and you do not achieve the proper appearance. If it is too small, cut a full plank in half and start the next row with one of the halves.
Place a 1/4" expansion space at the sidewall of the first plank in the second row. You may wish to dry fit the first 2 - 3 rows to gauge the straightness of the wall.
Interlock the panels by hand. Hold plank at an angle as it's tongue side is inserted into the groove of the adjacent plank.
Use a rubber mallet to secure the fit. IMPORTANT Do not strike the cork plank directly, strike only a wood batten placed against the side.
Striking the planks with too much force can cause the joint to peak up. STRIKE WITH MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FORCE REQUIRED TO LOCK THE PLANKS TOGETHER.
Cut off the last row of planks longitudinally, if necessary. To fit properly, the last row of panels is laid directly over the previously laid row. Take a full width plank and place the tongue against the wall while overlaying the piece laid directly over the last row laid. This will give you the cut line for a proper fit of the last row. Mark and cut a 1/4" expansion space is needed along the length of the end wall.
Remove the wooden wedges and attach the baseboard.