APC CORK:
Installation instructions for APC cork floating floors

These cork flooring instructions are guidelines only and if you are confused by any of these instructions we recommend you contact a local contractor. All product warranties do not cover problems due to improper installation.

Sub-floor:
The sub-floor needs to be fairly flat so that your cork flooring is resting on the sub-floor. It is important to avoid situations where the cork flooring will bounce or sag as you walk on it. Repeated bouncing can cause the cork flooring locking system to fail, and the floor to separate.

Cement or cement-derivative floors should be made impermeable with 0.2 mm moisture barrier in order to protect the panels from sub-floor moisture. After laying down the moisture barrier, you can choose to use a cork underlayer in order to improve the sound insulation. When fitting the underlayer, take care that the joins do not coincide with the joins of the moisture barrier.

Floating cork floors by APC Cork can be installed over the following surfaces;
- Cement
- Plywood
- Existing wood floor
- PVC
- Linoleum
- Agglomerates
- Ceramic (if there are points in the tiles that would cause a cork tile to not lie flat, they should be
chipped off flush with the surrounding area)

Cork flooring should not be installed over carpet.

In basement installations, it is important to check for areas of continuous moisture. If you smell mildew or have damp carpets, this could be an indication of a weeping tile problem. This needs to be addressed prior to installing your cork flooring. If there is no evidence of water, a moisture barrier system should be installed directly on the slab to prevent the possibility of hydrostatic pressure from forcing water through the slab and into your cork floor.

If the basement slab has major humps or valleys, it should be leveled with thin set and bonding agent or a leveling compound. This is to eliminate flexing of your natural cork flooring once installed.

Tools:
The following are tools that are used in a typical cork flooring installation:
hammer - saw - crowbar or pinchbar with protruding edge - wooden wedges.
(Tip: We use a cut piece of the cork floor as a wooden wedge).

All cutting of your cork flooring can be done with a jig saw. Remember that each cut end or edge will be hidden, either under trim or a transition piece. These cuts do not need to be perfectly straight to make your cork floor look professional.

Installation:
Make sure you have acclimated your floor in the room to which you are installing for a minimum of 48 hours.

It is advisable to “shuffle” the boxes (take a plank from the top of each box and rotate to evenly distribute the natural color).

To achieve a clean cut, saw the pattern side down with a jigsaw and up with the hand or cross-cut saw.

Check planks and do not install any defective material or they will not be covered on warranty.

Because humidty in rooms can vary, the floor must be able to expand in all directions. The greater the surface area, the greater the room for expansion is required. It must be able to expand and contract on ALL sides. To facilitate this, an expansion gap should be provided at the room’s perimeter and also around any pipes and thresholds. With larger surface areas, a wider gap must be provided. Where possible provide expansion gaps for example under doors. These will be covered by a profile that is not fixed to the cork floor but rather the base floor.

Install the panels, preferably in the same direction as the longest wall. Start installing the floor on one corner or in the middle of the area. You can work from left to right or right to left. The easiest way of installing the floor is using the tongue into the groove.

Position the plank into the previously installed plank at an angle. Move the plank to be fitted slightly up and down at the same time exerting forward pressure. The plank will then click into place. In some cases, the planks cannot be rotated into one another, for example, under a door frame, etc. In this case, the planks can also be fitted laying flat. IMPORTANT, to do this you need a hammer and tapping block, otherwise you may damage the panels to be fitted. Use a number of slight taps until the planks click into place. Do not try to fit the planks together with one hit.

Continue with the rows in this manner. On the final row, there should be an expansion joint of approximately 3/8” between the row and the wall. In doing this, remember you have to saw off the long edges of the final row of planks, to fit. Place these planks one by one next to the planks of the last row and tap the long edges together using the crowbar and hammer. The short edges can be tapped together using a tapping block.

After installation, you can immediately walk on the floor. This is one of the major benefits of cork floating floor.

Finishing:
Under normal use, no additional finishing is required for your APC cork flooring. But in the case it is deemed necessary to further protect the seams against water infiltration or humidity (bathrooms), another 2-4 coats of varnish or urethane may be applied to the flooring. Only use a high quality hardwood flooring water-based polyurethane varnish (see manufacturer’s instructions on label for product usage) which will water proof your cork flooring and protect from accidental spills.

You will need to screen your tile with 220 sandpaper before applying additional polyurethane. It is recommended to have a professional do the recoating. If it has been several weeks since the installation, a degreasing agent needs to be buffed into your cork floor. Always check for compatibility between the existing cork flooring and new polyurethane prior to recoating.

Once your cork flooring is installed, install 3/4” x 3/4” quarter round along the existing baseboard to hide the gap left to allow for proper expansion and contraction. All transition strips can now be installed as well.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR VARIOUS ROOMS:

Kitchens:
If the kitchen is getting all new cabinets, put the cabinets in first. This also applies in other rooms where built-ins are planned. Logic says to put your cork flooring in first, with the cabinets on top so there is no trim needed around the cabinets. Many cabinet manufacturers install a 5/8” thick toe kick, which can be installed after your cork flooring is installed. This eliminates the need for quarter round along the base of the cabinets except at exposed gable ends. The weight of the cabinets (or built-ins) can actually pin your cork flooring down, not allowing it to float as needed with expansion and contraction. It is very important to maintain a minimum gap of 3/8” between your cork flooring and all walls, cabinets, transition strips etc.

When moving appliances across a cork floor, you will need to put plywood down and create path to the location of appliance. Please be extremely careful since sliding heavy objects could gouge or damage your flooring. Never slide or move appliances over cork floors without glider sheets underneath. Typically, your cork floor should be placed only under the front feet of the dishwasher and stove.

If your cork floor is pre finished, you do not need to apply additional polyurethane but it is a good idea to consider sealing the seams.  We recommend contacting a professional to tackle this part of the job.  Always check for compatibility between the existing floor and new polyurethane prior to recoating.

Bathrooms:
The same rules apply to bathrooms as kitchens. The main difference is the toilet. Always remove the toilet, and tile up to the flange. When reinstalling the toilet it may be necessary to install 2 wax rings, one on top of the other, or get an extender kit, which is simply a larger wax ring. It is always a good idea to change the supply line to the tank at this time. It is highly recommended that you seal your cork flooring with several coats of polyurethane after installation and caulk all edges to create a water tight cork floor and protect from humidity.

Stairs:
Floating floors can be glued to wood stairs with a multi purpose glue and a urethane glue for other types of stairs. Edges can be covered up with stair trim.

Hallways into bedrooms or from room to room:
Whenever installing cork flooring in multiple areas that are adjoining through a doorway, it is recommended to physically separate the cork floors at the opening. For example, if you were doing a hallway and three bedrooms, you would be doing 4 smaller cork floors tied together with the T-molding. The tiles should be installed in such a way that when the T-molding is installed between them, it falls directly under the door when it is closed. If the opening has no door, simply place the T-molding in the center of the opening. Remember to maintain the gap between your cork flooring and the base of the T-molding.

Offices:
If rolling chairs are used at desks, place a plastic floor mat under the chair. Be sure to use the mat that does not have the pointed nubs on the bottom that will puncture your cork flooring.

Existing Fireplace hearths:
Fireplace hearths are an area that follows the same rules as walls and cabinets. A gap needs to be maintained between the cork floor and the hearth. Typically, a molding can be placed between your cork flooring and the hearth to give a nice finished look.

Installation over radiant heat
Only floating floors should be installed over radiant heat systems. Floating floors tend to go through normal contraction and expansion as a unit since they are not attached to the sub-floor. Glue down cork floors are not recommended due to the adhesive used to adhere the flooring to the sub-floor.

Certain precautions need to be taken to minimize the contraction and expansion. Prior to installation, the slab needs to be heated and maintained at desired room temperature for 48 to 72 hours with the flooring in the room to acclimate. Please leave radiant heat on for 24 hours after installation is complete.

Maintenance:
The type and frequency of maintenance to be applied to APC CORK flooring will vary depending on the type and amount of traffic on the floor.
• Sweep, vacuum or clean with a damp mop or cloth on a regular basis.
• Never pour water directly on the cork floor.
• Remove liquids and spills immediately.
• Protect floor covering by using felt protectors on chairs and other pieces of furniture.

On a “need to” basis, it is recommended that the floor be cleaned with a recommended floor cleaning solution. Example: A hardwood cleaner or any neutral floor cleaner (follow manufacturer’s recommendation).

Note: Cork is a natural product, thus it is normal to observe minor color shading between panels and slight discoloration from prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Any heavy furniture and chairs should have thick felt pads placed on the feet to help disburse the weight. Heavier objects such as pianos and pool tables may require a large pad under the feet. This will help to reduce denting of your cork flooring. If a piano is left unprotected in one spot, the cork floor will actually crush, ruining the cork floor tile.

If heavy items are on wheels (pianos, big screen TV’s etc) they should not be rolled directly on the cork floor. Always put a piece of plywood with a packing quilt underneath to move these objects. Heavy enough objects will even dent wood floors.

Routine cleaning should be done only with Bona Kemi Hardwood floor cleaners. No harsh detergents containing any vinegars, pastes, or waxes should be used.

Over time, the urethane layer will wear, as on any floor of this nature. It is important to have your cork flooring recoated before the urethane is worn completely off.

Repairing Damaged Tiles:
It takes a lot of abuse to damage your cork flooring to the point of needing repair, but should a cork plank be in that state it can be easy to fix. If a whole cork plank needs to be replaced, simply remove the quarter round nearest the cork plank, and remove (un-install) the cork floor up to the damaged cork plank. Be very careful when removing the cork plank so that locking mechanism (tongue/groove) is not damaged. Replace the damaged cork floor with a new cork plank, reinstall the floor and replace the quarter round. If the damage is small, it may be possible to use a silicon filler to repair the area.

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