How to Install Cork Floating Flooring for Soundproofing a Room

Cork floating is a flooring material for soundproofing and fortifying a wooden floor. This material usually comes in thick sheets, which will be used as underlayment of the floor. It can be installed over a plywood subfloor or concrete slab with flooring adhesive applied with an adhesive trowel.

As a soundproofing material, cork floating sheets are comparable to rubber and fiber in efficacy to reduce sound. Cork floating flooring is often installed in commercial buildings as soundproofing material. You can also use this material to soundproof any room in your home. In fact, you can do the soundproofing on your own without needing the help of a contractor. Of course, there are certain things you need to consider to achieve a professional-looking job. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to install cork floating flooring for soundproofing any room in the house:

Step 1: Prep Your Work Area

Start by moving furniture away from the room and removing dust and debris from the floor using a vacuum cleaner. If you have a plywood subfloor, walk around to check for squeaks. Drive a 1 to ½ inch deck screws next to the existing nails that hold the squeaky floor using a drill and screw tip attachment. The added screw should eliminate squeaks and fortify the sub-flooring.

Step 2: Measure the Room’s Dimension

Measure the floor to check how much cork underlayment you need and the amount of adhesive you need to get. Usually, cork sheets are about 36 inches wide and around 48 to 60 inches long.

Step 3: Applying the Adhesive

Wear a pair of latex gloves and a dust mask. Starting at one wall on the opposite side of the doorway, work your way towards the door to apply an even coating of adhesive. You want to pour some of the adhesives along the base of the wall, spreading it in semicircles using an adhesive trowel.

Step 4: Installing the Cork Floating Flooring

Starting from one end of the wall, apply the cork flooring sheet to the end, over the adhesive. The long edges of the cork floating sheets should sit flush along the base of the wall. To really get the cork sheets to stick, press each sheet down with the flat of your hand. Keep pressing if the edges of the cork floating sheet are not aligned with each other. Start measuring and marking a filler piece for every end of the first row of cork sheet using a wooden or metal straight edge as a guide. Trim the edges evenly using a sharp utility knife.

Once the first row of cork sheets is done, move forward to the second row of cork sheets. Apply the cork sheet where the filler was installed to offset the butted ends of the sheets. Again, apply an even coating of adhesive then lay down the second row of cork floating sheets. Cut the ends to fit the base using a knife, before working towards installing all the sheets towards the doorway. Finally, cut the cork at each side of the doorway and along the base of the wall.  Cut the final piece and install it to finish up the floor.

Step 5: Checking for Lumps

Once the whole floor is covered with the cork floating sheets, you want to check for lumps. Roll the entire area of the cork underlayment using a 100-pound floor roller for an even surface. You want to roll several times to eliminate any inconsistencies.