COMMON QUESTIONS:
Cork flooring questions about installing cork tiles and natural cork flooring
> Why each brand recommends different adhesives
> What is the difference between a floating floor and glue down tile?
> Can cork flooring be installed in the kitchen and the bathroom?
> How durable is it?
> Will my floating floor sound hollow when I walk on it?
> Is cork a good soultion for a busy family?
> What is the difference between each brand?
> Is natural cork flooring a healthier alternative to other floorings?
> Why do I need to put a polyurethane finish on my floating floor?
> How do I check for moisture in my subfloor?
> Will my pets damage the cork floors?
> Will cork flooring resist high heels and heavy furniture?
> Are cork floors affected by moisture and temperature changes?
> Can you install a cork floor over radiant heat?
> Can you install a cork floor in a basement?
> Is cork underlayment a good choice for soundproofing?
> Can I wax my floor?
> Will cork fade in the sun?
> Why do I get a Security Message when trying to view Full Planks?
> Best way to move heavy objects (fridge or stove) over your flooring
> Is there a quality difference between the lower cost items and higher cost items?
Why each brand recommends different adhesives
Each brand specs out specific adhesives to use with your glue down tiles. It is highly recommended that you follow these guidelines, since most installation problems are due to using the wrong adhesive.
TOP
What is the difference between a floating floor and glue down tile?
Both types of flooring are equally durable and provide a beautiful floor for many years. The primary reason a person would choose one over the other is:
People choose a floating floor because:
1. Ease of installation
2. Used for a basement room over a concrete slab due to dampness
3. Customer has radiant heat and adhesive used for glue down tiles is not recommended. the glue down tiles are not
 recommended for this application due to its adhesive
4. Floating floors can be installed over laminates.
5. Can be installed in wet areas but requires additional poly urethane (except for Da Vinci products).
People choose a glue down tiles because:
1. Height difference between new floor and adjacent flooring requires a thin flooring.
2. Can be installed in bathrooms or other wet areas without additional poly urethane (except for Da Vinci products).
3. Less expansion and contraction then floating floors
4. Tiles are 12"x12" and can installed in different patterns
5. No off-gassing issue
6. Very eco friendly product since it is compprised of 100% cork
TOP
Can cork flooring be installed in the kitchen and the bathroom?
Cork floating floors are suitable for the kitchen and bathroom if several coats of polyurethane is applied to seal all seam lines or the product comes with sealed edges.
Cork tiles that are glued down do not require sealing if they come with a urethane finish. However, it is highly advised that you seal the floor for bathrooms, if you know water will sit on floor for long periods of time. If you wish to seal the joints, it will be necessary to screen the tiles and refinish with two coats of sealent and you should caulk the perimeter of the room, prior to installing baseboard. This will protect the sub-floor from water and protect from scratching.
Cork flooring is very comfortable to stand on and easy to maintain, as well as hypoallergenic and sound absorbent.
Sweeping and damp mopping should be part of your regular maintenance program as grit could act as sandpaper and scratch your sealer. If the floor starts to show signs of wear, simply apply another topcoat of sealer and this should bring back the original luster to the floor.
Precautions should be taken to protect the floor from excessive spills.
TOP
How durable is it?
Cork is an extremely durable product but can still be scratched and dented like any floor (drop a can of beans on your hardwood floor and it will dent as well) but with proper care can provide a beautiful floor for years. We have customers who have installed them in their homes, who own large dogs and they have never had any problems. You may also further protect your floor by applying several coats of additional poly urethane which will help protect your floor.
TOP
Will my floating floor sound hollow when I walk on it?
Cork is a natural sound absorber so it will not sound hollow when you walk on it. Both glue down tiles and floating floors are perfect for homes with cathedral ceilings since it will reduce the echoing traditional flooring would create. You may also install cork underlayment to further decrease any issues of sound.
TOP
Is cork a good soultion for a busy family?
For a busy family, we recommend the application of 2-3 additional coats of poly urethane after installation. This will protect the floor and keep and top surface scratches on the top layer and not damage your flooring. After this measure is taken, cork flooring will be the perfect flooring for years to come.
TOP
What is the difference between each brand?
All floating floors are basically constructed in the same manner, with a center locking sytem made of HDF (high density fiber board) and cork underlayment on both sides with a top veneer layer that creates the different designs and colors. The only execption to this is Enviro Cork which has a top layer that is 1/8" thick that is a solid cork design and has no veneer. However, the veneer construction has been available for many years so both types of floating floors are durable and throughly proven to last.
In regards to glue down tiles, some of the tiles are solid design from top to bottom and others have a veneer which creates the design. The difference between some of the brands is thickness but remember we are talking about a difference of .03" which is barely noticeable when installed.
So the main thing to look for when choosing a brand is what style best suits your aesthetic sensibility.
TOP
Is natural cork flooring a healthier alternative to other floorings?
Natural cork flooring is a great alternative for allergy suffers since dust, mold and insects will not be able to take hold, as they do in carpeting.
People with bad knees and joint problems, will find the the combination of cork flooring and cork underlayment a great alternative to standing on cold hard tile.
For parents with small children or the elderly, falling on cork flooring versus tile, may make the difference between a small bump or serious injury.
TOP
Why do I need to put a polyurethane finish on my floating floor?
It is recommended that you apply two to four applications of polyurethane to all cork flooring. This will seal all seams, provide a waterproof coating, help prevent scoffing and denting, and extend the life of your cork. If your floor does become heavily scratched or damaged, you can restore it through refinishing, just as you would hard wood flooring. Please note that some manufacturers require you to apply a polyurethane coating to honor their warranty.
We do not recommend using a low grade polyurethane. Please purchase your polyurethane at a hard wood flooring store.
Always use a water based polyurethane versus a solvent based counter part. Water based polyurethane will not amber and dry quicker.
You can really use any urethane finish that is made for wood.
In order to apply polyurethane to your cork floor, you will need to lightly abrade it with 220 sandpaper and then throughly clean before following manufacturer directions for application. It is always adviseable to test on a small piece of cork tile scrap piece for chemical reactions.
ABRADING YOUR FLOOR: Applying polyurethane requires that you screen the floor which consists of lightly abrading (sanding) your floor with a 220 grit sand paper. We recommend attaching your sandpaper to a drywall pole sander and make 2-3 light passes and then use a tack cloth to pickup up any dust. Your goal of abrading the floor is to create a rough surface so the new layer of polyuretahne will bond to it.
Some polyurethanes come as a 2 part mixture that will have a usuage time between 2-4 hours. If you need to mix more polyurethane, you may stop at a board seam and then continue from there. READ ALL MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE STARTING.
APPLYING YOUR POLYURETHANE: You will need an synthetic applicator to apply your polyurethane and we recommend following the manufacturers recomendation. We recommend purchasing an applicator at your local hardwood flooring store. DO NOT USE A PAINT ROLLER. THIS WILL LEAVE AIR BUBBLES IN YOUR FLOORING. When applying your polyurethane, start with a small area until you get comfortable and then gradually increase your coverage area. Please be careful with room corners, since this is typically where you will see lines and excess polyurethane.
DRYING TIME: Drying time varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so please follow all factory recomendations. Some manufacturers reommend you abrade between coats and others say you do not need to abrade between coats if done 24-48 hours between coats. If you have any question, please contact the manufacturer or hire a professional.
TOP
How do I check for moisture in my subfloor?
Look around for visible water stains on the drywall and subfloor, particularly on the concrete.
Moisture Testing: APC Adhesive requires the use of moisture tests on all concrete and wood subfloors. Subfloor moisture percentages should not exceed the flooring manufacturer’s or APC Adhesive recommendations, whichever is lowest. If excessive moisture is present, use an appropriate vapor barrier.
The Calcium Chloride test measures moisture emission in concrete. The maximum level when installing cork flooring is 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet over 24 hours. APC recommends using a Concrete Moisture Encounter meter for reliable concrete testing. The meter should be pressed firmly to the subfloor for an accurate reading. Maximum reading for cork installations over concrete should not exceed 4 ? on the meter. Moisture in wood subfloors should be measured with a wood moisture meter. The moisture content should not exceed 14%. Subfloors should be within 5% of the wood flooring’s moisture content. Read flooring manufacturer’s moisture standards. A moisture meter can also be used to measure in concrete. Follow the instructions carefully. Moisture meters measure wood and concrete differently.
The Accelerated Plastic Film test is a good indicator test for concrete moisture. Tape 2’ x 2’ poly film squares with duct tape to concrete subfloor in several areas throughout the floor. Position a light close enough to warm the surface of the plastic film (approximately 18”). Lift the squares after 24-72 hours. If moisture condensation is present on the film or if the concrete has darkened, this indicates moisture is present.
TOP
Will my pets damage the cork floors?
Most cork floors and cork tiles come prefinished with an acrylic matte varnish and like any wood flooring can be scratched by claws of both dogs and cats running across the floor. Cork is comprised of air cells so it gives under pressure. This allows for less abrasion than traditional wood flooring.
Good maintenance and a polyurethane finish will help prevent scratching.
To cover scratches, some customers use Old English Scratch Cover and dab it on with a Q-tip to cover blemishes. Make sure you test it on a left over piece or in a corner before applying to an area.
TOP
Will cork flooring resist high heels and heavy furniture?
Over time, heavy furniture will leave an indentation in your cork floor, so it is recommended that you use a furniture floor protector pad which will disperse the weight and prevent indentations. Like any floor, cork can be punctured by sharp objects and damaged by pointy furniture feet. It is recommended that furniture with pointy legs have protective pads placed under them.
Most shoes will not damage cork flooring but stiletto heels may leave an indentation. It is recommend to remove any pointy heeled shoes.
TOP
Are cork floors affected by moisture and temperature changes?
Just like wood, cork floors are subject to expansion and contraction due to climate. During hot seasons, moisture is lost and the tiles may contract slightly showing seam lines. When moisture levels increase, the tiles will expand.
As a rule, cork flooring is more stable than wood flooring because when wood expands, it does so only in the direction of the grain. With cork, the expansion and contraction process is dispersed in all directions. With proper acclimation, installation and maintenance, any expansion and contraction will not be noticeable.
TOP
Can you install a cork floor over radiant heat?
Cork is a natural insulator, so simply by heating your house, the floor will draw in warmth. Installing radiant heat poses no problem. The floor may take slightly longer to warm up, but the heat will be retained efficiently.
Only floating floors should be installed over radiant heat systems. Floating floors tend to go through normal contraction and expansion as a unit since they are not attached to the sub-floor. Glue down cork floors are not recommended due to the adhesive used to adhere the flooring to the sub-floor.
Certain precautions need to be taken to minimize the contraction and expansion. Prior to installation, the slab needs to be heated and maintained at desired room temperature for 48 to 72 hours with the flooring in the room to acclimate. Please leave radiant heat on for 24 hours after installation is complete.
TOP
Can you install a cork floor in a basement?
Because there is a higher probability of moisture in a basement slab, we recommend floating floors. Cork tiles may be used in a basement but a moisture test must be done to guarantee that the slab is dry. If there is moisture in the slab, the tiles could de-laminate and cup. The other option is to create a subfloor over the slab to adhere the glue down tiles to.
Floating floors with a vapor barrier are a perfect choice for basements.
TOP
Is cork underlayment a good choice for soundproofing?
Absolutely! 6mm cork is widely being used for sound reduction in buildings. It is a very economical and effective way to meet building codes for sound control. Cork underlayment can be used under tile, marble, laminate, cork and hardwood floors.
For rooms with high ceilings, cork flooring with cork underlayment is a perfect choice to eliminate the echoing quality that hardwood flooring creates.
TOP
Can I wax my floor?
You may use a butchers wax aka bowling allley wax. a 1 lb can should spread about 1000 sq. ft. Use sparingly. Apply with slightly damp cloth. Do small area ..let dry and buff. Use of a commercial buffer is not recommended as it makes the floor too slippery.
TOP
Will cork fade in the sun?
Cork is a product of nature so even with the UV finish on the flooring, it will still tend to fade when exposed to direct sunlight. The process can be slowed if a UV tint is applied to the windows
TOP
Flash Security Message
Some viewers may get the below warning when viewing "Full Planks View" since it is uses Macromedia Flash. This warning does not compromise your security and only indicates that you will be viewing a image from Cork Innovations. Please select "Allow" and Never Ask Again to be able to view the image.
TOP
Best way to move heavy objects (fridge or stove) over your flooring
If possible, you should lift and place your object into the location you want it. If you can not do this, lay down a hard surface such as plywood and create a path to the location your fridge or stove will be placed. Pleae make sure the plywood is thick and large enough to disperse the weight of the object. You may also want to place a moving blanket under the plywood to prevent any scractching.
TOP
Is there a quality difference between the lower cost items and higher cost items?
The price difference between items is due to the use of different colors or a more elaborate design which requires additional steps in the manufacturing process. The overall construction of an item is identical so there is not a quality difference between the two.
TOP
|
