Glue Down Cork Installation Guidelines
Tools & Materials Required
-subfloor materials
-vacuum
-stapler & staples
-tack cloths
-Mapei, Planipatch
-chalk line
-Mapei, Planipatch Plus (additive) -straight edge
-putty knife
-tape measure
-palm sander
-6” foam roller
-sandpaper (various grits)
-paint tray/liner (for gluing tiles)
-foam brush (apply sealer to
patch)
-wallpaper smoother or paint pad
-utility knife
-square
Site Temperature & Humidity
Keep tiles sealed in packaging until maximum 24 hrs before installation. The temperature during
acclimatizing, installation and finishing should be within the normal household range of 18°C – 22° C
and humidity should be within 25% - 40%, to reduce any effects to the tiles and to achieve best coating
results. Do not allow the contact adhesive or urethane to freeze.
Air Circulation during Coating
During the urethane application air movement should be minimal. Turn off ceiling fans, close doors,
windows, etc. to reduce drafts which may affect drying results and or may cause debris to fall into the
wet finish. Turn off the furnace during application of urethane and turn on when the finish has partially
set. Cold drafts at an exterior door or along walls may result in cloudy finish.
Subfloor Requirements and Preparation
UNDERLAYMENT
Acceptable subfloor materials are underlayment grade products and should be installed and
stapled according to manufacturers' specifications.
The subfloor must be smooth, stable and free of defects. Imperfections in the subfloor will
telegraph and be visible on the finished cork floor surface.
All joints, depressions larger than a staple hole, minor voids/splits must be filled/leveled with
the Mapei floor leveling products as instructed by manufacturer. Once the patched areas have
dried, sand flat and vacuum thoroughly.
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CONCRETE
Cork tiles may be glued directly to cured concrete. The concrete must be smooth, free of paint,
and not have a polished surface. Loose paint must be removed and polished surfaces must be
etched to provide enough porosity for binding of the adhesive. Level and fill low spots,
depressions in the concrete and cracks with the Mapei Planipatch products as instructed by
manufacturer. Allow to dry, sand as required, and vacuum thoroughly. Since concrete sheds a
fine dust the entire floor should be sealed with Planipatch Plus according to manufacturer
specifications.
RADIANT HEAT
Cork tiles may be glued directly to the surface only after completion of curing of concrete base
and heat source in working order. Prior to installation of tiles heat source must be ON, and
prior to application of urethane topcoats the heat source must be turned OFF until the urethane
has set. Repeat procedures with remaining topcoats.
Tile Selection, Layout & Positioning
Since cork is a natural product harvested from the bark of a tree it has natural character, pattern and
shading variation. No two tiles will be alike. You may preview your tiles prior to installation for
suitable placement of tiles. During our inspection process tiles may be marked on the back to bring a
particular marking to installers’ attention. It is up to the installer to use judgment for tile placement and
rotation of tiles to help shading consistency. Plan the layout accordingly for minimal waste and for final
row to have an acceptable tile size.
Applying Adhesive
TO TILES
Using a 6” foam roller apply the contact adhesive to the back of the tiles. This may be done up
to 24 hrs prior to installation. Lay flat to dry (approx. 45 minutes).
TO THE FLOOR
After marking your starting line on the subfloor apply the contact adhesive to the subfloor. This
must be done just prior to installation but must be completely dry before installation. (approx.
45 minutes).
Begin Installation of Tiles
Using your starting line and help of straight edge begin laying starter row. Once positioned correctly
apply firm hand pressure to entire tile and edge. Finish starting row, using utility knife for end cuts.
For remaining rows, stagger the tiles. After installation it is recommended to use a vinyl flooring roller
to properly secure the tiles to the floor.
Prepping the cork floor prior to Coating
UNFINISHED TILES
Carefully sand the floor surface with a palm sander. Vacuum thoroughly.
SEMI-FINISHED TILES
To create a proper bond between the existing urethane surface and the fresh coat to be applied
the floor must be completely sanded. Using 180g-220g sandpaper, scuff the entire floor,
vacuum thoroughly and tack with dampened cloth.
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Urethane Application
-UNFINISHED FLOORS: minimum 4 coats approved water-based urethane (maximum 2 coats/day).
DRYTIME GUIDELINE ONLY (depends on jobsite conditions)
1st coat -minimum 2 hrs between coats
2nd coat -leave overnight
3rd coat -3 hours between coats
4th coat -allow minimum 4 hours for light traffic (clean, dry socks only)
-SEMI-FINISHED FLOORS: minimum 2 coats approved water-based urethane (maximum 2 coats/day)
DRYTIME GUIDELINE ONLY (depends on jobsite conditions)
1st coat -3 hours between coats
2nd coat -allow minimum 4 hours for light traffic (clean, dry socks only)
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
Plan your application to ensure all areas can be coated at the same time.
Rinse urethane applicator under warm water to help remove loose fibers, blot dry on clean towel.
Gently agitate the urethane, allow to settle for 10 minutes.
Pour a puddle of finish along your starting wall. Allow the applicator to absorb the urethane. Drag
the puddle of urethane with the applicator from wall to wall. Apply in uniform coats. For the
remainder of the floor pull the applicator through the urethane in a snow plow motion overlapping
the previous pass. Do not allow the puddle to run out; continue to replenish the puddle with new
urethane. Do not stop coating; continue application until it you have completed. Allow to
thoroughly dry.
5.) Sanding between coats is not required but may be necessary for smoother results, or if you have
surpassed approx. 24 hours between coats. Always vacuum and tack the floor with a dampened
cloth if sanding is required.
Curing of Urethane
Full cure is expected around 8-14 days, depending on conditions.
During the curing period it is very important to let the floor breathe. Do not lay area rugs or mats until
this time is over. Do not wash the floor and spills should be wiped up promptly. The urethane is most
susceptible to scuffing during the curing period.
Protecting your Cork floor
Cork floors should be properly protected, the use of EZ Glides or felt pads is highly recommended
under furniture legs to help prevent scuffing and indentations. Appliances and heavy furniture should
never be pushed across the floor. Once appliances are in place Glide N Guards are recommended to
protect the floor. If possible wait 48 hrs before replacing furniture.
Regular maintenance of your Cork Floor
During the curing period sweep or vacuum as required. After the curing period we suggest using a hard
surface cleaning system with microfiber cloth and urethane cleaner for best results (ie: BonaX,
Squeaky).
Periodic maintenance
Depending on the location of your floor and the regular maintenance your cork floor may lose its luster
from wear and tear. Re-coating with new urethane may be required approx. 5-12 years. Re-coating is
required before it wears down to the bare cork.
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