How to install Cork and Marmoleum Floors

Eco-conscious homeowners are increasingly turning to cork and Marmoleum flooring for their sustainability, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. Both materials are natural, renewable, and offer excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen, bedroom, or home office, installing cork or Marmoleum floors can be a rewarding DIY project. This guide walks you through the installation process, tools you’ll need, and tips for long-lasting results.

Why Choose Cork and Marmoleum?

Cork flooring is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, making it a renewable and biodegradable material. It’s naturally antimicrobial, soft underfoot, and provides excellent sound insulation. Marmoleum, a brand of linoleum made by Forbo, is composed of linseed oil, wood flour, and jute backing. It’s durable, low-VOC, and available in click tiles or sheet form.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

• Utility knife or jigsaw
• Rubber mallet
• Measuring tape
• Chalk line
• Floor roller (for sheet Marmoleum)
• Adhesive (for glue-down installations)
• Underlayment (if required)
• Spacers for expansion gaps

Recommended Amazon Products:

• REXBETI 44-Piece Laminate Flooring Installation Kit – Includes mallet, pull bar, tapping block, and spacers.
• QuietWalk Underlayment – 200 sq ft – Ideal for cork floating floors over concrete or plywood.
• VersaStick Universal Flooring Adhesive – 4 Gallons – Low-VOC, pressure-sensitive adhesive for Marmoleum and cork tiles.

Preparing the Subfloor

Before installation, ensure your subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Remove any old flooring, nails, or debris. For concrete subfloors, use a moisture barrier if required. For wood subfloors, secure any loose boards and sand down high spots.

Installing Cork Flooring

1. Acclimate the Planks

Let cork planks sit in the room for 48–72 hours to adjust to temperature and humidity.

2. Plan Your Layout

Measure the room and use a chalk line to mark your starting point. Stagger planks for a natural look and structural stability.

3. Install the First Row

Place spacers along the wall to maintain a 1/4-inch expansion gap. Lay the first row with the tongue side facing the wall.

4. Continue Installation

Click or glue planks together row by row. Use a tapping block and mallet to ensure tight seams.

5. Finish the Edges

Cut the final row to fit and remove spacers. Install baseboards or quarter-round molding to cover expansion gaps.

Installing Marmoleum Click Tiles

1. Acclimate the Tiles

Let Marmoleum click tiles acclimate for at least 48 hours in the installation space.

2. Dry Fit the Layout

Lay out the tiles without adhesive to ensure proper fit and pattern alignment.

3. Install with Click System

Start in a corner and work your way across the room. Use a tapping block to lock tiles together securely.

4. Trim and Finish

Use a jigsaw to cut tiles around doorways and corners. Install trim to complete the look.

Installing Marmoleum Sheet Flooring

1. Cut and Dry Fit

Measure and cut sheets to fit the room. Leave a 1/8-inch gap around the perimeter for expansion.

2. Apply Adhesive

Spread adhesive using a notched trowel. Let it become tacky before laying the sheet.

3. Roll the Floor

Use a 100-lb floor roller to press the sheet into the adhesive. Roll in multiple directions to eliminate air bubbles.

4. Seam Sealing

If installing multiple sheets, use a heat welding tool or seam sealer to join them.

Care and Maintenance

• Use a microfiber mop and pH-neutral cleaner
• Place mats at entrances to reduce dirt and moisture
• Use felt pads under furniture legs
• Reapply finish or polish as recommended by the manufacturer

Related Articles

• Flooring Installation Information
• Compare Pricing on Different Types of Flooring
• Care and Fixing Wood Flooring

Conclusion

Installing cork and Marmoleum floors is a smart, sustainable choice for any home. With proper preparation and the right tools, you can achieve a beautiful, long-lasting floor that’s comfortable, quiet, and eco-friendly. Whether you choose the warmth of cork or the resilience of Marmoleum, both options offer a unique blend of performance and environmental responsibility.

For more flooring guides, installation tips, and product reviews, visit FloorCoveringWorld.com.

This video demonstrates, step-by-step, how to install eco-friendly cork and marmoleum (natural linoleum) flooring. Two kitchen floors installed in one Super Bowl weekend, and we still made it to the party!

How-To Instructional Video on installing Marmoleum Click Flooring Product. Demonstration.