Tiling of floorboards

Glastoun

We're going to be putting cork tiles over floorboards in our dining room - should we be putting down a layer of plywood first to smooth everything out? If so, how thick?

And given that we're not going to see the floorboards again for some time, are there any sub-floor checks we should do before covering them up - radiator pipes, electricity cables etc? I don't fancy taking up all the floorboards but if it's worth doing a check for leaks etc before the tiles go down we could probably squeeze that in.

phill99

In a word, No.

Overboard it with 12mm ply using screws at 200mm spacings. Will give a good surface to put your cork tiles on.

the_matrix

phill99 wrote: »

In a word, No.

Overboard it with 12mm ply using screws at 200mm spacings. Will give a good surface to put your cork tiles on.

Correct.

The finished look is amazing.

PasturesNew

It might be worthwhile making a video/taking photos of what is under the floor and where .... "in case", so if you do have to take it up in the future you at least know where to start.

Glastoun

Cool, that makes sense.

For those with experience of cork tiles, what finish do you recommend? The big choice seems to be between water- and oil-based polyurethane, but I've been looking at Osmo Polyx Oil as Osmo products tend to get very good reviews (used their Top Oil on our oak worktop).

Looking for a fairly neutral matt/satin finish, that won't go amber (oil-based polyurethane tends to do this), and can resist scratches.

phill99

For ease of recoating in a couple of years, water based is far easier. Nothng will resist scratches - its a floor after all.

Can't advise about oil on floors although my gut instinct says no.

Glastoun

This is the product:

http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/osmo-polyx-oil

There are few reviews specific to cork, which makes me wary, but I guess I could get a sample pot and try it for myself.

We'd rather spend a bit more time/money to get something solid than have it degrade and have to redo it in a couple of years.

cyclonebri1

I'd just run over it with a metal/voltage detector 1st and mark any no go areas on the T&G, last thing you want to do is hit a cable or pipe when fixing the ply. Pay attention to cut areas of the existing floor, they have been for access to some thing. Make sure existing is well fixed down before ply is applied;)

cyclonebri1

the_matrix wrote: »

Correct.

The finished look is amazing.

Look Mr Matrix, I've seen your posts popping up in this section over the last few weeks.

When are you going to post something original rather than as you are doing now, cribbing what others have helpfully added?
If you are trying to get your thanks score up you need to be helpful

Glastoun

The tradesmen have screwed the ply down and then glued the cork on top, but there a few areas where I can push down with my foot and the ply is obviously moving up and down on the floorboards - one edge in particular, but also some places in the middle of the ply boards. The boards were fairly big, possibly 2m x 1m.

How could they address this? Is it feasible to remove a single tile, add a few extra screws and then glue a new tile down in it's place? No finish has been applied yet (although we did go for the Osmo Polyx oil in the end).

I know perfection isn't possible and there may be little uneven bits we'll have to get used to, but surely the ply should be attached securely enough not to move on its own?

cyclonebri1

I know you will think I have a downer on cork tiles but I'll say this anyway. You mentioned you don't want to be re-finishing them every couple of years. You will be very lucky to get 2 years out of them imho. Been there and done it, worst move ever, they looked disgusting after a few months. Had you done this job DIY I would have said based on the above leave it, but

You have paid someone good money to do a professional job, you don't seem to have got what you paid for. Get them back in to get it sorted, don't tell them what to do or even suggest what you have in your question, that would mean they were acting on your instruction and can be tricky if they mess up.