The Benefits Of Cork Glue Down Floors

By Author: Vikram Kumar
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When suffering from knee or joint pain walking can be a chore that is often difficult to perform. Amplify that with a hard surface that provides no cushion, such as a hardwood floor or a stone floor and you’ve just added to the pain. We at Forna Cork Flooring offer an alternative for those who suffer from joint pain. We offer a solution in the form of a softer surface, one that acts as a cushion and absorbs the shock of every step.

Consider a surface that is comprised of cork and we have it in a glue down tile design. This type of cork-based flooring is not too soft or too hard. Firm of form, yet also relaxed enough to absorb footsteps so you do not feel the jar of each step. This type of flooring has quickly become a must have for gyms and physical therapy clinics.

Cork itself is constructed in a ‘honeycomb’ like formation. A lot of air is trapped within its chambers. This trapped air does two things. The first is that it gives cork a cushiony feel, caused by the compression and release of air every time you step on it. But that’s not all.

What makes cork flooring so great? What makes it ...
... an ideal element for a variety of purposes? The comfort factor and the versatility of cork flooring are found in the essential construction of cork.

Cork is the bark off the cork oak tree that is stripped and subjected to complex processes to make cork flooring. Technological advances have allotted several innovative processes that help to greatly enhance the comfort factor. The manufacturing of cork glue down tile is performed carefully, first by peeling the base cork off the tree in sheets. These sheets of cork air dried for 18 months or are UV cured to reduce the time. Then the wine-cork industry takes its fair share (95% of cork bark is used in the wine industry). These left over pieces of bark are pulverized into smaller pieces. These pieces are boiled for the first time. This first boil creates “black cork”. It is hard, waxy and difficult to work. It is ideal for exterior wall insulation. Then the second boiling occurs. This is where cork regains its blond colouring. The tiny nodules are then blended with non-toxic adhesive (roughly 8-12% adhesive). Once the mixture is coated with glue, batches are then pressed together under high pressure. This causes all the little bits to adhere to one another, producing cork tile.

There are other interesting qualities of cork that makes it well-liked as a flooring material. The air filled chambers also helps to give cork its insulating properties, which is great. This means you do not need to raise or lower your thermostat too much, which can go a long way in reducing your power bills. Cork is also water resistant so it won’t rot or mold. It is a natural fire retardant as well. And termites give it a wide berth.

Come see us at Forna Cork Flooring and see what the ‘cork’ is all about.

cork glue down tile offers several benefits that other flooring options do not. If you are planning on getting a Cork floor installed, go to iCork Flooring to check out the range of options available.