Everything About Cork Flooring

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9554
Comment this article

Cork is an eco-friendly material and is harvested from cork oak. It is a light and resilient material that has water-repellent properties. It is used as an insulant in underlayment as well as for cork flooring. You can opt for any color of cork tile or planks. These can be installed very easily and are very durable as well. Since it is moisture-proof it can be used in all areas of a home. It seems very fragile and can crumble easily but cork flooring can last for decades. It does not get scratched very easily and is easy to maintain.

Laying cork tile is not a difficult proposition and even a DIY enthusiast can manage it with ease. The subfloor should be even, completely dry and clean. It will have to be sealed-off to prevent the rise of moisture. If you are going to install the floor yourself you will have to ensure that accurate measurements are taken. Buy the amount of tiles or planks you need and factor in a little more towards damage or wastage. The tiles will first have to be laid-out loosely across the floor. This will give you a fair idea about how they will fit and finally look. The best way to work with cork ...
... is to opt for floating cork flooring.

This kind of flooring is even easier to install. It has to be simply snapped together. The pieces or planks are pre-fabricated and pre-coated. This means less work for you as well. The edges towards the wall will have to finally be sealed-off. If you have opted for glue-down cork flooring, it will be a little more time-consuming and is a precision job. The adhesive will have to be applied over small segments and the tiles will have to be abutted together. Care has to be taken to ensure that there are no raised edges. Some planks are pre-sealed but if they are not you will have to do so yourself.

Lay down the tile adhesive in small sections, abutting tiles tightly together. Ensure the tiles are leveled and have no raised edges. Seal the cork as directed by the manufacturer. Once the installation has been completed do not disturb it for the prescribed amount of time. Look after the cork floor and protect it from direct sunlight. Keep the shades or curtains drawn. Ensure that all indoor plants have been placed on a drip-tray and that no water collects or puddles on it.

Though cork is a durable material, do not drag any furniture across it. Lift the furniture while placing it elsewhere. Always place cork coasters under heavy furniture legs as this will prevent it from getting dented. Ensure that children do try to scratch the surface with any sharp object and that pets do not try to sharpen their claws on it. Do not lay non-porous rugs in the same spot for an extended period of time. It will only lead to build-up of moisture. Though cork is a moisture-resistant material it is best to keep is as dry as possible.

Resource box:

I Cork Floor has every possible variety of Cork Flooring . It is available in Cork Tile and plank form.