Cork flooring is a new and environmentally friendly way to decorate a home. It's surprisingly long lasting and durable, and provides sound dampening. The cork itself comes from the bark of the cork tree. The tree sheds its bark naturally so it's not harmed in the process of harvesting. Once harvested, a cork tree takes about nine years to regrow its bark. The cork is then ground and pressed into long planks, like laminate floors. This guide will teach how to install cork flooring.
Materials:
- Cork Flooring
- Tapping Block
- Measuring Tape
- Pencil
- Hammer
- Saw
- Dust Mask
- Safety Goggles
Instructions:
- First Steps
First, measure the length and width of the room to be floored and determine the square footage. Then add ten percent to that figure to ascertain the amount of cork needed to cove the entire floor space. Next, remove all furniture, baseboards and anything else that might get in the way. Removing doors is also recommended. Check for loose floorboards and secure them with screws. Flooring
It is very important to bring the cork into the room it's being installed in at least three days before the actual installation. This allows the cork to adjust to the climate of the room and get it's expanding and contracting done. Begin placing the cork flooring underlay down in strips, similar to hardwood floor style. Now begin installing the cork flooring. Work from left to right and always place the tongue side of the board toward the wall. Remember to leave about 3/8 of an inch between the wall and the flooring. This allows the cork to breathe.-
Finishing Up
Begin snapping the pieces of cork board into place, tongue to groove. Continue this all around the room. If any radiators or vents are in the room, be sure to cut holes for them. Be sure and install transition strips to the doorways and replace all furniture and baseboards. Finally, plan an event to show off the work done on the refinished room. -
Tips
Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask when using a power saw or other industrial tools. If having trouble snapping pieces of flooring together, use a piece of scrap cork flooring and a hammer to gently tap the piece into place. Be careful not to apply too much force. Flooring works well for spacers against walls. There will be lots of extra scrap flooring laying around, put them to use.
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