Best Way to Install Cork Flooring?

highmark · 08-22-2006, 03:25 PM

Hi Everyone! I have decided to install click together cork flooring by NaturalCork in my 1977 Argosy. Before I decided on the flooring I re-installed all the interior items - beds, cabinets, gaucho, etc. I am now wondering if the cork flooring needs to be installed under all these items or if most of you have installed the flooring with all the interior in place. Sorry if this is a silly question, but I can't quite figure out how to get the flooring clicked together with all the interior in place - seems like I have lots of protruding edges and overhangs on the cabinetry. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. Carol

LeeMo · 08-22-2006, 04:05 PM

I suggest using the pulldown "Search" menu and type in Cork Tiles and/or Cork Floors. There are a number of threads to choose from...
Good Luck on your project!

Safari Tim · 08-22-2006, 04:08 PM

Carol,

I know a lot of people do install stuff on top of it and I am planning on doing that as well.

Technically you're not supposed to put floating floor under cabinets and beds. It's supposed to be able expand and contract.

All you do is install it up to your cabinets leaving an expansion joint that is covered up by trim.

On my old trailer I did install the flooring around the furniture and used the trim to tiddy up.

Good luck with your project!

highmark · 08-22-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeMo

I suggest using the pulldown "Search" menu and type in Cork Tiles and/or Cork Floors. There are a number of threads to choose from...
Good Luck on your project!

Thanks LeeMo for the advice. I am rather new to this wonderful site so can use all the help I can get. Before posting my request I spent a great deal of time searching as you suggested. I guess I never found the right thread as I have not been able to determine if the cork floors that people are installing are before or after cabinet installation. I will keep looking. Thanks again - Carol

**CanoeStream** · 08-22-2006, 04:15 PM

Hello Carol -- I don't think you'd want to remove all the cabinetry. My Argosy had aftermarket shag carpeting that wasn't applied under any in-place cabinetry. Imagine how the thickness dimension of your cork could be considered equivalent to carpet thickness. I don't know how the click together aspect could be worked the best but you'll probably need a chop saw or miter saw to do the trimming nicely.

There are all sorts of search resources like LeeMo says. The granddaddy of glue down cork threads is Cork Floor by Pahaska. I know the glue down floors are unkindly to plywood seams -- and an Argosy has several. Maybe combine searchwords of: cork floor click?

uwe · 08-22-2006, 04:23 PM

I installed a floating cork floor, the click togwther type in my 63 Overlander. All the cabinetry but the refrigerator cabinet float on top of it. So far this has proven itself. ( about 4500 miles)
It might be impractical to do this to your trailer, as you will have to remove and trim all the furnishings, while I had an empty shell to work with.
The cork trims easily. You can use a jig saw for this, right at teh place of install. Trimming all the corners will be very time consuming, but well worth it in the end.

Safari Tim · 08-22-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

I installed a floating cork floor, the click togwther type in my 63 Overlander. All the cabinetry but the refrigerator cabinet float on top of it. .

Uwe, what do you mean the cabinets float on top of it?

You didn't screw the cabinetry to the floor?

uwe · 08-22-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safari Tim

Uwe, what do you mean the cabinets float on top of it?

You didn't screw the cabinetry to the floor?

Nope.

markdoane · 08-22-2006, 04:59 PM

I'm using a different method. I have removed all the cabinetry. When I finish rebuilding it/tightening everything, I'm nailing a 1 1/2" wide strip of 1/2" plywood to the bottom.

That keeps the furniture at it's original elevation. The flange of the plywood also provides a covenient place to screw down the furniture.

I'll be leaving 3/8" gap all around.

We couldn't afford to lay cork on the entire floor and inside the cabinets.

highmark · 08-23-2006, 08:41 AM

Thanks to everyone for your ideas and suggestions. I think I have decided to wait until next summer and again remove all of the cabinets, etc from the unit and put cork flooring wall to wall and re-install the cabinets. I realize that it will mean trimming off the bottoms of all cabinets, but the results will be work the effort. That is, unless I find another type of flooring in the meantime! Always open to change! Thanks Again - Carol