FLOATING vs GLUE DOWN:
Floating cork flooring versus glue down cork tiles
Cork flooring is quick and easy to install. You can choose to either a floating floor (is not glued or nailed to the sub-floor) or cork tiles which you glue down to the sub-floor. Floating floors are made to click and lock together for a quick and easy no-mess installation. Glue down cork tiles are secured in place with an adhesive.
Typically the shape of the subfloor is usually the deciding factor between a floating floor or gluedown cork tiles. If the subfloor is in poor condition with many cracks, old vinyl tiles or sheet vinyl, grimy or dirty, the use of floating floors would be recommended. The use of a floating floor over poor subfloors avoids the need to prepare costly subfloors as long as the floor is reasonably level. Also, if there is any risk of moisture migration from a concrete slab than a floating floor properly installed with a moisture barrier is also recommended. Glue down cork tiles can be used over any subfloors (wood or concrete) which are dry, clean and free of dirt, grease, wax or anything that would hinder a good bond and where cracks have been filled.
Cork Floating Floors (click and lock - no glue system)
Rather than being nailed or glued to a concrete or plywood sub-floor, floating floors sit on top of the base. They typically take less time to put in and can be installed over slight inconsistencies in your sub-floor. This type of flooring system expands and contracts as one unit, which makes it ideal for radiant flooring. When a floating floor expands, it will expand at the perimeter of the room instead of at the seam line of each tile, which is why you will need to include an expansion gap of 3/8" between the flooring and the wall. The gap will then be covered by baseboard and quarter round trim. Additional cork underlayment or padding can also be installed below the floating floor, which will offer additional acoustical sound deadening benefits.
It is not required by the manufacturer but we encourage our customers to apply two to four coats of polyurethane to the cork flooring after installation for most manufacturers. This will create a water tight surface and extend the life of your floor by allowing you to refinish the surface if necessary.
Radiant Heat Flooring: If the room in which the floating floor is to be installed has under floor heating, the surface must not exceed a temperature of 82 degrees.
Glue Down Cork Tiles
Glue down cork tiles requires more time to install, due to the use of adhesive and requires a smooth sub-floor or inconsistencies will be visible. During installation, you may use a J-roller on each individual cork tile or a heavy weighted roller once a large area is complete. This will create a solid bond to the sub-floor and remove any air bubbles.
Some of the benefits of glue down flooring:
- it is not required by the manufacturer to put additional polyurethane after installation but encourage our
 customers to apply two to four coats of polyurethane to the cork flooring after installation for most
manufacturers. This will create a water tight surface and extend the life of your floor by allowing you to
refinish the surface if necessary.
- easy to replace damaged cork tiles
The down side is that:
- not recommended for radiant flooring due to adhesive used.
- less acoustical sound deadening properties unless additional cork underlayment is installed
- installation requires more time
- not recommended for basement due to dampness
Things you should know
Expansion Gap - Floating floors require an expansion gap of 3/8" (varies with each manufacturer) around the perimeter of your room to allow for expansion and contraction. For gluedown flooring you can butt the tiles up against each other but make sure you leave a small expansion gap (just make sure it is not a snug fit) against the wall. This gap will then be covered by your baseboard and quarter round trim.
Polyurethane - It is not required by the manufacturer but we encourage that you apply two to four applications of polyurethane to most cork floating floors. This will seal all seams, provide a waterproof coating, help prevent scoffing and denting, and extend the life of your floor. If your floor does become heavily scratched or damaged, you can restore it through refinishing, just as you would hard wood flooring.
Always use a water based polyurethane versus a solvent based counter part. Water based polyurethane will not amber.
It is required you lightly screen the manufacturer finish with 220 sandpaper and then clean all dust on the floor. Follow polyurethane manufacturers directions for application. It is always adviseable to test on a small piece of scrap cork tile for chemical reactions.
We do not recommend using a low grade polyurethane. Please purchase your polyurethane at a hard wood flooring store.
Cork floors for the bathrooms and kitchens
Cork floating floors are suitable for the kitchen and bathroom if properly sealed.
Gluedown cork tiles do not require sealing if they come with a urethane finish. It is highly advised for bathrooms if you know water will sit on floor for long periods of time. If you wish to seal the floor, it will be necessary to screen the cork flooring and refinish with two coats of sealent.
After installation of the cork tiles, it is important that you caulk the perimeter of the room, prior to installing baseboard. This will prevent water damage in the sub-floors or walls.
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