Pay Attention To Detail When Installing Cork Flooring In The Basement

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9503
Comment this article

Cork has slowly become a routine flooring material with advancements in technology and different industrial innovations. It has since usurped the linoleum or vinyl tiles that are normally used in the kitchen in homes where people are interested in eco-friendly solutions; especially if they have problems with allergens and pollution. Various factory finishes are available that are ready to install which makes it a popular choice in many homes today. Not only is it cost affordable, many problems connected with insects and microorganisms are held at bay when used in kitchens.

Installing cork flooring in the basement is advisable for two reasons. One is that cork provides warmth underfoot, temperature control in the space and is that it is resistant to mold, insects and moisture. One misconception about cork is that it “must” be glued down in a basement. This could not be further from the truth.

The new, water based adhesives are sensitive to moisture levels in concrete. This means installing glue down cork floor in a basement is always going to be a risk. No matter the effort put in to moisture mitigation in ...
... a basement slab, there is always a risk that the “fail-safe” measures could be overwhelmed with an unusual event; such as excessive flooding in the spring, tree roots cracking the slab, sump-pumps failing or weeping tiles being overwhelmed with water. Any of these, singular or in combination, can cause partial or total failure of the moisture mitigation in your concrete. Once this occurs, your glue down cork floor is exposed to moisture and will no longer be considered “safe” from lifting.

The glue-down cork tile or the floating floor planks can be used in the basement though many prefer to use the floating floor system. It is advisable to use 6 mil polyethylene sheeting before laying the cork floating floor. This is to avoid the risk of moisture migration. If the flooring has to be applied to a wooden subfloor, then it can be glued down according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be aware! OSB, or “chip” board, as it is commonly called is not an appropriate subfloor material for resilient flooring. The same holds true for glue down cork tiles. Only APA approved plywood or cementatious material can be used as underlayment for cork glue down tiles. When installing any resilient flooring material, it is advisable to use the adhesives that are recommended by the manufacturer for best results. Follow their instructions and you will have trouble-free cork flooring in your basement.

Cork flooring in kitchen is recommended and reports reveal that people who have used this product are happy with the result. When people stand for long hours, they find that they do not have problems with their knee joints, or other such ailments, as compared to a hardwood or stone floor. It has a cushiony impact that makes it possible to stand without getting a lot of pain. The material is resilient and if a cork underlay is used, there is more flexibility noticed. Housewives also agree that it is easier to clean cork floors when there is any food spillage. There is no danger of ants, cockroaches or mites being attracted to these types of floor. A multi-coated UV-cured finish is provided for the cork flooring in the kitchen. This makes it easy to remove both organic as well as inorganic spills easily. The finish can be retained for many years and ph neutral cleaners may be used to clean these floors.

Scour the internet to find the best supplier of cork when you are considering installing cork flooring in the basement. Call them to get their lowest price or subscribe to their newsletter. You can also check out their catalogues and ask for samples to be sent to you. Contact their customer support to sort out any queries you may have before you place your order.

If you are considering Installing cork flooring in the basement , contact iCork Floor LLC and get their lowest price. You can also check out their various colors and patterns when you plan to use Cork flooring in Kitchen .