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I Want To Put Cork Flooring In My RV, What Is The Best Way To Do It?
by Michael DeFrank
(Chambersburg, PA, USA)
Installing a Cork Floor in Your RV
I want to install a cork floor in my motorhome. Need advice on whether to use squares or planks and glue the floor or float it.
ANSWER Hi Michael, first, you can use either Cork Planks
You can either float or glue the panels or squares down. Either method will work. If you plan to float the floor, use interlocking panels or squares. If you plan to glue the floor down use non-interlocking panels or squares.
The downside to floating the floor in the RV is that you have to use interlocking panels or squares. In the case of the interlocking squares they have to be oriented one certain way to interlock, this may create more wasted material, you could experience the same problem with the panels.
The only downside to gluing the floor down is that if you decide that you don't like the flooring, it will be more labor-intensive to remove it.
Take a look at the video below for some tips on how to float a Cork Floor in an RV.
Materials Mentioned in the Video Above
Moisture Barrier
Flexible Molding Trim
Things To Be Aware Of
1. If you have room slides in your motorhome, you need to ensure that the cork flooring will not interfere with the operation of the slide. The slide could damage your cork flooring or vice versa. Depending on the type of slides you have in your motorhome, there can be adjustments that could be made to the slide to prevent damage to the slide or flooring. Pay particular
It would be a shame if the slide takes a chunk out of the flooring when it is being opened or closed.
2. Not all cork flooring is constructed the same. The density of the cork, the height of the cork and resiliency of the cork flooring can vary by manufacturer. If you find the flooring you like, you may want to reach out to the manufacturer of that flooring and let them know how you are planning to use it. They should be able to let you know if they believe it would be advisable to use it that way or not. Remember "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
3. Some cork flooring is not recommended for use in areas that have a lot of moisture (i.e. kitchens, bathrooms, etc.). Some cork flooring scratches very easily, so if you have kids, grandkids, pets or plan to walk around the RV with Ice Skates on, this may not be the type of flooring you want.
4. Some people have reported a petroleum type smell emanating from cork flooring, even several months after installation. The smell was there regardless if the flooring was floated or glued down. In the confined spaces of an RV, this could be a problem. There is nothing worse than having a great looking floor in your RV only to have the RV smell like the inside of the kerosene lamp.
Don't ask me how you are going to determine if the flooring you have chosen is going to have this smell problem. I guarantee that you are going to get some strange looks from other customers in the home improvement store if they spot you sniffing cork floor tiles.
I hope that I have been able to provide you with the information you needed. If our visitors have any tips or suggestions, they can add them by clicking on the add a comment link located near the bottom of this page.
Happy RVing
RVing Al
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