How to Install Cork Flooring

Cork flooring installs like laminate with click-lock planks over a level subfloor. Most rooms take a weekend to complete with proper preparation and acclimation time.

  1. Let Cork Breathe First. Bring cork planks into the room 48 hours before installation. Stack them with spacers between each box to allow air circulation. This prevents expansion and contraction issues after installation.
  2. Flatten Your Foundation. Clean the subfloor thoroughly and check for level using a 6-foot straight edge. Sand down high spots and fill low areas with floor leveling compound. The subfloor must be within 1/8 inch over 6 feet for proper installation.
  3. Seal the Subfloor. Roll out cork or foam underlayment perpendicular to the direction you'll install the flooring. Butt seams tightly together without overlapping. Tape seams with manufacturer-approved tape to prevent moisture intrusion.
  4. Map Your Pattern. Measure the room and calculate how many full planks will fit width-wise. If the last row will be less than 2 inches wide, rip the first row to make both end rows wider. Mark your starting wall and ensure it's straight.
  5. Lock Down Row One. Place 1/4-inch spacers along the starting wall. Install the first plank with the groove side against the wall. Continue the first row, connecting planks end-to-end using the manufacturer's locking system. Cut the last plank to fit, leaving 1/4-inch expansion gap.
  6. Click Rows Into Place. Start each new row with the cut-off piece from the previous row if it's longer than 12 inches. Connect each plank to the previous row at a 30-degree angle, then lower flat until it clicks. Tap gently with a rubber mallet if needed.
  7. Route Around Obstacles. Measure and mark cuts for vents, pipes, and other obstacles. Use a jigsaw for curved cuts and a miter saw for straight cuts. Test-fit pieces before final installation and maintain expansion gaps around all fixed objects.
  8. Finish the Final Row. Measure the width needed for the last row and subtract 1/4 inch for expansion. Rip planks to width using a table saw or circular saw. Use a pry bar to pull the final row tight against the previous row while engaging the locking mechanism.
  9. Trim and Finish Clean. Remove spacers and install baseboards or quarter-round molding to cover expansion gaps. Install transition strips at doorways where cork meets other flooring types. Use finishing nails and set heads below the surface.