How to Install Cork Tiles Over Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl tiles aren't the ideal underlayment for most types of new floor installation, because the tiles can eventually come up--and if they come up, then whatever is attached to the top of them will come up as well. One exception is any kind of "floating" floor, including a cork tile floor. Like all floating floors, the cork tiles connect to each other but not to the underlayment itself; they just sit there, held down by the floor trim. One advantage is that, if you later decide you want your vinyl floor back, you can easily take up the cork.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hammer
• Prybar
• Carpenter's glue
• Tape measure
• Floating cork tile floor planks
• Table saw
• Trim nailer

1. Use your hammer and prybar to remove the floor trim from the room. Remove it carefully, because you'll be re-installing it at the end. Use your hammer to remove the nails from the trim. Set the trim aside.

2. Systematically examine the vinyl tiles, making sure none of them are coming up or loose, as this could interfere with the cork flooring. If there are any loose spots, glue them down with carpenter's glue. Get the floor clean, dry and free of any obstructions.

3. Measure across the width of the room. Divide that measurement by the width of your cork tile to determine how big the last tile on the other side of the room will be next to the wall. If there will be less than half a tile there, split the difference, and plan on cutting each of the tiles along the first wall so both sides come out evenly.

4. Cut your first course of tiles (if necessary) on a table saw. Clip them together with the tongue-and-groove connections on the sides. Set them on the vinyl floor so they're sitting 1/2 inch from the wall.

5. Clip the rest of your tiles together, going course by course and cutting the end-tiles as necessary on your table saw. Keep a 1/2-inch gap at all the walls, for expansion. At the far wall, cut the last course as needed.

6. Re-install your floor trim, using your trim nailer. The nails should be shot through the wall, not through your cork floor. The trim should rest right on the cork, so it holds down the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear eye goggles when making your cuts.

References

• ThisOldHouse.com: How to Lay a Cork Floor.