Tiling or painting over old cork floor

Cass · Mar 21, 2007 12:48 pm

I have a cork floor in my kitchen (laid c. 1987). Does anyone have any ideas or experience with laying over the top of it and how I would prepare it - i.e. tiling or sticking down those vinyl planks? Any ideas on painting it and putting a sealant of some kind? It's only a small floor (about 3m x 2.5m)

I was thinking of removing it but was told it would be a very difficult job. Worse still I read on the internet that some James Hardie cork floors put in around this time may emit asbestos fumes when the floor is removed (but not when it is left intact) ...

Michelle · Mar 22, 2007 10:03 pm

This is a VERY good question Cass!
One of which you will not like the outcome.

There are only two types of flooring that will go successfully over the cork.

1) Tongue & Grove timber or laminate flooring
2) Carpet

Anything else will not successfully stick to the estapol used to coat the cork.
You can sand the cork back, that brings it back to a POURUS flooring, any glue you then use will be sucked into the cork and not do the job. Which means you will then have lifting of your flooring. Not nice!

Although taking the cork up means masking your face, this is just a small issue.
It can take weeks to get it all up off the floor, nasty and strenuous work!!

BUT … this would be the way I would suggest you go.

Painting…you could probably get away with this, you would have to sand the cork back and be prepared to use a LOT of paint. Remember once you sand it, it becomes porus, and all moisture will seep through to the bottom. That’s a lot of paint. Quite truthfully, if this process is not done properly, you could end up with a very ugly floor.

Give it a lot of thought; if you can’t afford to do it correctly at this stage you will be better off waiting till you can. It will save you some very disappointing times ahead otherwise.

SORRY!!!

Cass · Mar 22, 2007 10:38 pm

Hi Michelle,
Thanks for answering my question. I think you might be right about just leaving it - maybe until I can afford to pay someone else to come in and do it all for me!
I did write to a couple of companies about the asbestos issue so I'll write another post if I get any further information.
Cheers,
Cass

maddas · Mar 23, 2007 7:29 pm

as far as I know I have never heard of asbestos being in cork tiles,
since cork is a natural product made from the bark of the trees ,
in saying that due to the dust from sanding the cork being so fine ,that can be a haszard,
I diffently agree with Michelle in removing it before laying any new flooring product, even products that are able to be laid over it can cause the tiles to lift,
I would defently suggest getting in a professional to remove these as
A, it's bloody hard work, and
B, if you get a professional in they will leave your sub floor in a condition that will be able to be laid on
cheers matt

Cass · Mar 23, 2007 10:02 pm

Hi Matt, I think the problem with the cork was Hardies "vinyl and cork underlay" - but I'm thinking that I may not have an underlay because a neighbour (who had the same floor) said the cork was glued to the concrete slab. Do you know what type of tradey would I hire to come and remove it for me?
Cheers,
Cass

maddas · Mar 24, 2007 7:33 pm

try pro grind , if they cant do it ,they'll be able to help find you someone

http://www.progrind.com.au/fcremoval.htm

carpet man · Mar 30, 2007 11:56 am

Cass

I have a cork floor in my kitchen (laid c. 1987). Does anyone have any ideas or experience with laying over the top of it and how I would prepare it - i.e. tiling or sticking down those vinyl planks? Any ideas on painting it and putting a sealant of some kind? It's only a small floor (about 3m x 2.5m)

I was thinking of removing it but was told it would be a very difficult job. Worse still I read on the internet that some James Hardie cork floors put in around this time may emit asbestos fumes when the floor is removed (but not when it is left intact) ...