Yes, choose our clic floating cork floor and you can install directly over your existing flooring with very little surface preparation.

If you are handy, you probably can. Floating cork floors are literally a snap to install since we use a clic system. Cork tiles require a little more attention to preparation of the sub-floor, but can be installed successfully by the handy homeowner. Varnishing is as simple as carefully mopping a floor, and all our products are low-VOC, water-based and low-odor.

It is better to remove the existing vinyl, but if it does not cause a transition problem from one floor to the next and/or if it does not cause a problem with the installation or removal of appliances and doors then it can be done. Keep in mind though that you may want to remove and raise your base boards so they have the proper reveal.

You first need to flatten the floor with a skim coat of a Portland cement based patching compound. Or, you can simply install a floating clic cork floor directly over the existing tile.

Prefinished floors have two big draw-backs; they tend to look synthetic and the seams between tiles are left unprotected leading ultimately to black lines and lifting tile corners. The DuroDesign cork floor is site-finished with 4 coats of our MP765 low-VOC polyurethane varnish for the ultimate in optical definition, clarity and durability. All seams between tiles get sealed and protected for a long-lasting, easy to clean floor.

Although modified thinset will bond to the vinyl floor covering it doesn't mean it will allow for a successful installation. The vinyl should be removed along with the 1/4" plywood underlayment.

If your original vinyl floor was installed using a full spread adhesive method, then you can apply an embossing leveler to the original vinyl to smooth it out and then install the new vinyl.

Yes, of course. We can custom color match any color sample you send us. Contact one of our flooring specialists and we'd be glad to help you find the perfect color for your new DuroDesign cork floor.

Evora cork flooring from BuildDirect comes with a UniClic locking system which makes for ease of installation, requiring about the same level of flooring installation experienceneeded for a laminate flooring project, for instance.

Cork flooring is very accommodating and installation over concrete, wooden subfloors and tile are commonplace. The surface upon which you install your cork flooring must be level, dry, and clean. Evora cork flooring does not require underlayment, just a vapor barrier in the form of a plastic sheet.

Yes and no. Is the vinyl flooring is tightly secured to the subfloor? Does the vinyl flooring have a thick cushion attached? If the vinyl floor is thin and well secured to the subfloor you may be able to float a wood floor over it. In some situations you may be able nail/staple a wood floor over it also. If the wood subfloor is sound you may be able to nail a solid wood floor over the top.

The floor substrate, be it wood or concrete, needs to be flat and smooth. Because of corks' resiliency, imperfections, bumps and holes will telegraph through the finished flooring. If the subfloor isn't sufficiently smooth, troweling on a skim-coat with a cement-based patching compound is essential for professional results. We recommend using Ardex SD-F W.W. Henry Feather Finish, Mapei Planipatch Plus or Mapei Ultra Skim Coat.

Because there is a higher probability of moisture in a basement slab, only floating floors are recommended. Tiles that are glued could delaminate and cup, therefore are not recommended. We recommend the use of the floating floor with a foam film underlayment as a moisture barrier underneath.

Yes, we sell cork flooring in a satin/semi-gloss finish (35 units at 60?) as well as a matte/eggshell (20 units at 60?) polyurethane finish.

If you are good at do-it-yourself projects, and have installed other types of flooring, then you will probably not have any difficulty. However, if you have never installed any form of flooring, then you may wish to employ a reputable flooring installer who is experienced in installing vinyl, wood, or ceramic tiles. If you decide to have your cork floors professionally installed, ensure that they are familiar with the product and brand that you have chosen.

Please refer to the installation instructions found in every box of product or refer to our Floor Care, Installation section of our website.

Cork is a natural insulator so just by having a heated house; the floor will draw the warmth. If you still want to install radiant heat, it has posed no problems. The floor may take slightly longer warm up but the heat will be retained efficiently. 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.

Making cork tiles is not a very arduous task, though the whole process, from growth to formation of tiles, is rather time consuming. After the cork is pruned (on usually 9 or 10 year cycles), it is collected and laid in the sun to air dry. The selective shavings are then ground up to varying degrees and sorted into different categories (mainly by size of pieces). Depending on the mixture, the pieces are either intermixed or left alone as large chunks.

Cork flooring is a product made from the bark of the cork oak tree, a material which is ground, processed into sheets and baked in a kiln to produce tiles that serve as flooring for offices, light commercial locations, and residences.

We generally recommend that the underlayment be removed because the subfloor may mot be adequate to support tile; however if your existing vinyl floor was installed over an adequate subfloor using a full spread installation method then yes, it can be done if you use the proper installation products.

Generally speaking, the best places to install cork flooring are on-grade (the level of the surface exterior to the space) or above grade (the second floor of a building, for instance). Areas where a lot of dampness and moisture, such as basements with newly poured subfloors, should be avoided. Subfloors must be level, dry, and clean before installation is considered.

Ceramic tile can be bonded to ceramic tile with a polymer modified thinset BUT your installation will only be as good as the weakest tile in the old installation.

Concrete Floors must not contain a sealer or finish of any kind. For installing below grade (below floor level, like in basements), we recommend Basement Proofer to prepare concrete floors. First, clean the sub-floor for any remaining dirt and grease. Tiles must be in the room of installation for at least 2 days to stabilize temperature. Never use polyurethane over vinyl tile.

Yes it can, provided you have tested your basement floor for moisture. Excessive moisture can be controlled and brought within acceptable levels simply with a plastic vapor barrier sheet or special applied coatings. Either glue-down cork tiles or floating planks can be installed in basements, although in most cases, it is easier to use a floating floor system.

It depends on the type of wood floor you choose. Our Engineered floors can be installed over existing floors such as ceramic tile, vinyl and most other types. Solid wood floors have some limitations in this area. Best to talk to your Wood Flooring International dealer about whether or not it’s a good idea to install the floor you want over the floor you have.

Yes, in most cases, if you have a sturdy substructure. The existing wood flooring can be removed and replaced with vinyl deck planks. Vinyl railings and trim can be used to replace or cover all of the outside visible surfaces.

When tested according to the standards of the National Wood Flooring Association Test (Janka Ball Hardness Test), it shows an average hardness of 1820 PSI. DuroDesign uses only square-edged planks for the clean flat look of a site-sanded floor, with the dustless convenience of a pre-finished floor. Our varnish is also specially formulated for utmost clarity, allowing our rich colors and the natural beauty of bamboo to shine through.

No. Mastic is best used for wall tile, especially in high-humidity areas. For most floor installation, we recommend latex thinset.

Depending upon the type of system you have, it is usually possible to install ceramic over radiant heat floors. Some applications will require a membrane in between the tile and subfloor. Ask your contractor what is best for you. One of the rubs against ceramic tile is that it is cold and hard. There are floor heating systems available to make your floor more comfortable to the touch, but in terms of hardness, yes, ceramic is much like hardwood in that it doesn’t have much give.

Natur Cork flooring can be installed over most existing floor coverings (except for carpet) in any room of your home except in very damp or wet areas (eg. Bathrooms) .