Cork Floor Problems And How To Deal With Them

By Author: Vikram Kumar
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Cork is an environment-friendly product that is used in a lot of commercial and residential applications. It is resilient and is moisture-resistant. It is used as an underlayment and is very comfortable to walk on. It is easy to install and has acoustic properties. Though there are a lot of plusses in its favor, there are a few problems with cork flooring. These will have to be considered if you are planning to have a cork floor installed in your home. Cork floors are generally sealed to make them tough and durable. Irrespective of what materials are used, proper maintenance is essential to keep anything in good shape.

However, you need to consider how much of traffic the floor is going to see and whether it is going to be exposed to direct sunlight. In some cases pets or children tend to damage the floor. A well-maintained and looked-after cork floor can easily last for upto ten years but it can also get gouged-out easily. The best way is to have it in common areas and bathrooms. That way, you can keep an eye on things and ensure that the floor is not damaged in any way. Polyurethane-sealed cork floors may get damaged ...
... with sports cleats and sharp heels. Then again, any wood floor surface will be damaged by these products.

Though they do not get dented easily this is something you will have to consider. Heavy furniture should not be dragged across the room and you will have to use small furniture glides to ensure that the floor itself does not get dented badly. Vacuuming and sweeping is generally more than enough to keep it clean. The occasional damp mop with neutral floor cleaner is great for those times when you think the floor needs a bit more care. Some people use harsh cleaning agents that can damage the finish. Oil based soaps can heavily damage a polyurethane finish and should be avoided at all costs. Cork floors are largely moisture-resistant but ensure that there are no constant drips under the kitchen or bathroom sinks if you have cork flooring there.

Cork is not suitable for outdoor spaces. The ground underneath cork has to be smooth and it has to be protected from the elements as well. Direct sunrays can do irreversible damage to this floor and it can fade very quickly. As long as it is used indoors and is shaded from sun and rain, cork flooring will last for a long time. It is not suitable for areas like expansion joints.

Some cork companies sell substandard material. You should always settle for denser cork. Flooring cork material should have a minimum density of 30 lbs per cubic ft. this will ensure that the flooring will last a long time. Do not buy cheap cork as it will only turn out to be more expensive in the long run. Cork is a very resilient material and dropping heavy objects on it will not really damage it. Cork tile always springs back. If a particular tile does get damaged simply have it replaced as soon as possible. Look after your floor well and keep all problems at bay.

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I Cork Floor will have the Cork Floor you are looking for. Cork Floors are durable but have to be maintained well.