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TowAir · 04-25-2011, 03:48 PM

We purchased our second AS last year, a nice well-maintained '76 International Caravanner. The only problem so far is that it smells musty, and as we clean and scrub to get the smell out we decided to replace the carpet. It extended through the bathroom and up the bathroom walls, and now that it's out I'm looking to replace with cork. The carpet was cut up to the cabinets and sofas. I want to use cork because 1. I like it 2. I can easily cut it to fit around the cabinets and sofas. Anyone have any thoughts? Tips? A local restoration place quoted $1800-$2000 for laminate flooring, I have to assume that was a full floor installed with cabinets, appliances, and furniture removed.

casa3805 · 04-25-2011, 04:19 PM

YouTube - Airstream Restoration - 07-1 Flooring

Tow Air,
DIY Network rebuilt a 77 Overlander. I think I did the link right. This is the You tube video on the flooring installation. They used cork and I thought it looked pretty sharp. If I screwed up the link just go to youtube and search for DIY Trailer restoration..
Have fun!

Wsmith · 04-25-2011, 04:25 PM

Cork has been around for many years as flooring in Architecturally designed projects. I remember discussions about it in collage in Construction Materials Class. It is a good flooring product is easy on the feet but probably net a good choice if you have large dogs that could possibly scratch the cork over time. It has sound deadening properties also.

truckasaurus · 04-25-2011, 05:01 PM

I'm going with cork tile 1' x 2' glue down.

FreshAir · 04-25-2011, 10:17 PM

We installed a 'floating' cork floor last Spring. It was 1' x 1 1/2 ' planks that clicked and locked together. Easy to cut to go around cabinets and doorways.
Neil

marzboy · 04-25-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir

We installed a 'floating' cork floor last Spring. It was 1' x 1 1/2 ' planks that clicked and locked together. Easy to cut to go around cabinets and doorways.
Neil

I am also going with the floating cork. It looks really sharp, I have seen it in a couple of trailers.

Aage · 04-26-2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckasaurus

I'm going with cork tile 1' x 2' glue down.

I'm surprised that you would go with a glue down, given the expansion/contraction that is bound to happen with the temperature extremes we get here in Canada...

68 TWind · 04-26-2011, 07:00 AM

I used a "corK" heavy traffic sheet vinyl I found at a local building supply. My wife wanted cork but I wanted a seamless floor, we both won. I had the interior removed, it would have been tough if the cabinets had been in. Which brings me to my second point. There is no way I would let the restoration guys remove and reinstall the cabinets in my trailer unless they had done a lot of work on Airstreams. I'd get references. Their objective will be to get the floor done and fast. Just a thought.

Soyboy · 04-26-2011, 10:01 AM

The PO of our trailer installed the floating style cork. He did a very nice, pro level job. Looks great and seems to be holding up very well with the pea gravel from campsites and the sand from the beach. We added a few throw rugs for areas such as by the sink and in between the beds.

Wsmith · 04-26-2011, 10:30 AM

A little information on cork flooring.
APC Cork offers high quality cork flooring for all your flooring needs. Cork is an alternative to pergo, laminate flooring and carpet.

Globie64 · 04-26-2011, 11:56 AM

I used cork in our AS, not the best installation but it looks nice. I had it installed in our kitchen as a test, to learn how it works before foisting it off on clients, and bought enough for a DIY project in the trailer. Am Cork is a great product, however for a DIY install I'd recommend a floating floor. The glue down, when done right is awesome (in our Kitchen) but it was a pain for me in the trailer, and the moisture fluctuations in a trailer are significant for a "wood" product like cork. The floating floors are easier to repair as well.

ALANSD · 04-26-2011, 12:12 PM

TRAFFICMASTER from Home Depot has a cork look vinyl plank that looks great. I have used real cork and this stuff, both are good choices and easy to put in.

pgr32e · 04-26-2011, 12:13 PM

A couple of years ago we put cork down and vertical tongue and groove cedar in the bathroom to replace our smelly (smoke and dog) carpet. Easy to do and smells much better.

ALANSD · 04-26-2011, 12:17 PM

looks good-- nice lens too

TowAir · 04-26-2011, 07:23 PM

Great posts and pics. I'm going to go with floating, because I don't want to mess with the adhesive and I think it might be easier for my DIY level. Another hour today on floor prep, about 3-4 hours of staple removing and sanding and hopefully we will be installing next week.

By the way, if you want to see this old Airstream and our other one, we will be "urban camping" at Burke Lakefront Airport at the Cleveland Unit Spirit of Cleveland Rally June 8-12. 85 of 100 sites booked to date!

Globie64 · 04-26-2011, 07:42 PM

The floating is FAR more forgiving than the glue down- glue down has to have a perfectly prepared substrate.

FreshAir · 04-26-2011, 09:31 PM

I did have one annoying problem during my 'floating floor' installation. A PO had installed self sticking vinyl tiles. When I pulled those up I had a gooey floor. So I laid a sheet of poly plastic moisture barrier down. That was tricky to as the goo would grab the poly sheet before I was ready to align it. I finally gave up making that perfect as I discovered that the plastic is so thin that once flat any folds were flat also. So I have a moisture barrier too.

Neil

FreshAir · 04-26-2011, 09:47 PM

I found my posts on my installation. It's in this thread...posts begining with #21. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f461...s-65213-2.html

Neil.

chowman2011 · 05-12-2011, 12:37 PM

Fresh Air,

I am interested in the cork flooring You put in! This sounds like the type of flooring I would like to install in My 77 Silver Streak 'Refurbish'.

Not really inclined for a adhesive/glue down type; and I had wobdered if this type of cork flooring was available...Wa-La !!

Info on sources for this flooring would be much appreciated!!

Thanks,
Christopher

steveturk · 05-12-2011, 01:20 PM

If the "musty odor" is partialy due to the carpet that was removed it likely is in the plywood subfloor. If you go to ehow.com and search for "How To Seal A Subfloor From Pet Odor" there are instructions that I followed before installing a floating laminate floor in my motorhome. It's some extra work but was well worth it in my opinion. I did not remove the cabinets etc. and it took quite a bit longer than I expected. There is alot of cutting involved and an expansion gap is needed all around. You will also need to install baseboard of some kind to take care of the gap. I love the look and feel of cork and was very close to choosing it over the wood laminate. Before you purchase get a sample and see if it will be durable enough for your needs. The samples I looked at could be scrached quite easily with your fingernail.

Good Luck with your project !