| Material: |
100% Natural Cork on Surface & Bottom Layer
High Density (HDF) 6mm or Center Layer |
| Installation: |
36 x 12 approx. (900 mm x 300 mm) |
| Total Thickness: |
7/16 approx. (11mm) |
| Surface Layer Thickness: |
3.2mm |
| Weight: |
32 lbs. per carton |
| Carton: |
21 sq. ft./ 7 planks |
| Surface Finish: |
3 Coats Flexible Acrylic Matte Varnish/D Wear Finish |
The bark, which becomes the cork flooring, was designed by Mother Nature to protect the tree during its average 500-year lifespan. Not only is the bark inherently fire resistant but it is also resistant to temperature changes, to more than 38 species of insects, including the termite, and to the development of microbes.
About Cork - Cork is the name given to the bark of the cork oak, a tree from the beech family, characteristic of western Mediterranean countries.The bark acts as a protective shell to the harsh climate changes and numerous fires affecting the region.Cork trees are stripped of their bark every nine to fourteen years, the tree is never cut and the habitat remains undisturbed.The properties of cork are derived naturally from the structure and chemical composition of the inner cells. Each cubic centimeter of cork’s honeycomb structure contains between 30 and 40 million air cells. Hence cork provides:
INSULATION
Because 90% of the tissue consists of gaseous matter the density of cork is extremely low, giving the materials wonderful insulating properties, thermal as well as acoustical.
RESILIENCY
When cork is subjected to pressure, the gas in the cells is compressed and volume reduces considerably. When released from pressure, cork recovers very rapidly to its original shape.
IMPERMEABILITY
The presence of suberin, an inherent waxy substance, renders cork impervious to both liquid and gases. As a result, it does not absorb water and may therefore be considered the best seal available.
HYPOALLERGENIC
Cork does not absorb dust and consequently does not cause allergies.
DURABILITY
Cork is remarkably resistant to wear, as it is less affected by the impact and friction than other hard surfaces because of the cellular composition.
FIRE RETARDANT
A natural fire retardant, cork does not spread flames and does not release toxic gases during combustion.
This past decade the floating floor technology has been successfully adapted to cork flooring to produce one of the highest quality floor covering.
Cork flooring parquets and floating floors are quiet, warm, comfortable and easy to maintain, still remaining reasonably priced.
Cork flooring has been used around the world and in this country for over a century.
Yesterday’s prestigious applications include:
- The First Congregational Church in Chicago, Illinois - Installed in 1890
- The Mayo Clinic & Plummer Building – Installed in original building in 1912 adding some additional cork flooring in 1940 for a total of 300,000 sq. ft.
- Falling Water, Western PA, residence designed with cork floors by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1937..just to name a few
Cork flooring is coming back strongly as architects and designers are very enthusiastic about the distinctive look of the material, the need for better indoor air quality and overall comfort as well as related environmental issues.
Cork underlayment, a lower density material is becoming more and more accepted as an economical and well performing alternative for sound insulation in building construction.
Cork composition material in rolls or sheets is also the ideal underlayment for laminate flooring as it absorbs sound and provides resiliency. See Item 1959.
Cork, a unique material, combines more benefits than any other floor covering.
Will my cork floor fade in the light?
Yes, exposure to UV light as well as sunlight will cause color variations to cork; typically a yellowing. This is normal and not a manufacturing defect. Area rugs and large furniture will block light exposure and cause uneven coloration. To minimize, furnishings and floor coverings should be moved periodically. Covering large exposed windows will help as well.
Who do I address my flooring concerns to after my purchase?
Please address concerns immediately with your flooring retailer.
Will my pets damage the cork floors?
Cork floors come prefinished with an acrylic matte varnish that could 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 with wood for example.
Good maintenance like the application of polish or urethane will eliminate any tiny scratches that may be caused by pets.
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.
Will cork flooring resist high heels and heavy furniture?
Cork itself is a very dense product and is designed to withstand commercial traffic.
Cork has a lot of memory due to the air cells and recovers well from most objects. Like any floor, cork can be punctured by sharp objects and damaged by furniture feet. It is recommended that furniture with sharp or damaged legs have protective pads placed on them
Are cork floors affected by moisture and temperature changes?
Just like wood, cork floors are subject to expansion and contraction due to climate. During heating season, moisture is lost and the tiles may contract slightly showing small spaces between the planks. When moisture levels increase, the tiles will expand.
Cork as a rule is more stable than wood flooring for the fact that when wood expands, it does so only in the direction of the grain. With cork, the expansion or contraction process is dispersed in all directions. With proper acclimation, installation and maintenance, any expansion/contraction will not be noticeable.
Maintaining a stable environment with temperature and humidity control is optimal. During installation, the following precautions should be taken: If installing in the winter; once the planks have been acclimated, do not install the joins too tightly as the floor can go through an expansion period months later. In summer; again after the tile have been acclimated, it is necessary to butt the tiles together tightly since dry heat will cause them to contract in winter.
Can you install a cork floor over radiant heat?
Cork is a natural insulator so just by having a heated house; the floor will draw the warmth. If you still want to install radiant heat, it has posed no problems. The floor may take slightly longer 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.
Certain precautions need to taken to minimize the contraction and expansion. Prior to installation, the slab needs to be heated and a 75-degree temperature maintained. The floor itself needs to be acclimated in the room for 72 hours prior to installation
Can you install a cork floor in a basement?
Because there is a higher probability of moisture in a basement slab, only floating floors are recommended. Tiles that are glued could delaminate and cup, therefore are not recommended.
We recommend the use of the floating floor with a foam film underlayment as a moisture barrier underneath.
Is cork underlayment a good choice for soundproofing?
Absolutely, 6mm and 8mm cork is being widely used for sound reduction in buildings
It is a very economical and effective way to meet building codes for sound control
Cork underlayment used under tile, marble, laminate, cork and hardwood floors
It is available in 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm and 12mm thickness.
Is cork flooring suitable for a kitchen?
Cork floors are fine for a kitchen. They are 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 additional coat of sealer. If the floor starts to show signs of wear, simply apply another topcoat and this should bring back the original luster to the floor.
Are cork floors suitable for a bathroom?
Floating floors are not recommended for bathroom, however glue down tiles can be used.
Precautions should be taken to protect the floor from excessive spills and water.
After installation of the tiles, it is important that you caulk the perimeter of the room, prior to installing molding or wall base. This will prevent water damage getting into the sub-floors or walls. It will be necessary to seal the floor with at least two coats of sealer.
I purchased a house that has cork floors, can they be refinished?
If the floor was installed prior to 1970 it would most likely have wax on it. You will need to contact a wood floor finisher and sand the floor down to bare cork in order for you to recoat with a sealer. You can choose to stain the floor a different color before sealing if you would like to change the original color.
If the finisher cannot remove the wax completely your only recourse is to continue waxing the floor because sealer will not penetrate the wax.
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