Saturday, December 15, 2018

5 Tips for Installing Cork Tile Flooring in the Bathroom

Putting cork tile flooring down is becoming more and more popular in today's world. Cork is very popular with the green movement and more homeowners are going with it than ever before. Cork is quiet and warm underfoot and it also provides you with a lot of durability. Many people are now going with it as an option in the bathroom. If you are planning on installing cork in the bathroom, here are a few tips that you need to keep in mind.

Pull The Toilet

Some people try to get by with leaving the toilet in while they install flooring. When you put cork in, pulling the toilet is really the best way to do it. You will want to set the toilet back down onto the top of the flooring after you install it. This will give you a finished look and it will help you seal up the cork better when you are done.
Acclimate the Cork

Before you install the cork, make sure that you acclimate it to the surroundings. Being a natural product from a cork tree, cork flooring can expand and contract based on the temperature and humidity in the room. You will want to make sure that you allow it to acclimate for 24 to 72 hours prior to trying to install it. This will ensure that you keep your manufacturer warranty and that you will not run into problems in the near future.
Expansion Gap

Around the outside of the floor, you need to leave an expansion gap. This expansion gap provides room for the floor to expand and contract over the years. You will need to put baseboards over the edge of the gap or quarter round. Where it meets the bathtub, you may have to use caulk so that the joint remains flexible.
Glue Joints

When you are putting cork in a bathroom, you definitely need to glue the joints. Where cork locks together, it is susceptible to moisture. In a bathroom, water will end up getting on the floor at some point. Getting in and out of the shower, you will drip water on the floor. This makes it very important that you seal the joints up so that water can not get down in there as easily.

There are a number of wood glues on the market that will work in this application. Just make sure that you check with the company that you buy it from to make sure that it will work for this.
Center the Tiles

When working in a small space like a bathroom, it will usually look better if you center the tile in the room. Get a tape measure and determine the exact center point of the room. Then snap a chalk line so that you know exactly where to start from. Work from the middle out and put your cut pieces of cork up against the wall.