Care And Maintenance Of Cork Flooring
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Author: Clinton Maxwell Many people think of a bulletin board when they think of cork
flooring. This is not the case at all. This material is
beautiful and available in a wide variety of colors and shades,
from very light to dark. There is a cork floor to match any home
décor. It also comes in a wide variety of textures and patterns,
including marble and wood grain patterns that resemble pergo
flooring.
Benefits of Cork Flooring
Cork is a great insulating material. It keeps your home warmer
in the winter and cooler in the summer. The energy efficiency
aids in cutting energy bills in the winter. It is much more
energy efficient than either Armstrong laminate flooring or
discount wood flooring. Cork is also good for sound insulation.
It helps cut down noise from another room, or another floor.
This material is softer on your feet than ceramic tile,
bellawood or any other wood or stone flooring material. This is
more comfortable in the kitchen, when you may spend a lot of
time on your feet. In addition, if you drop a dish, it won't
break as easily as it would on a tile or stone floor. Another
benefit, cork is naturally fire retardant.
Cork is also good for the environment. It is made from the bark
of the cork oak tree. These trees grow primarily in Spain and
Portugal. The trees are not cut down. The bark is stripped
away, without killing the tree. It immediately begins to grow
back and can be peeled again about every nine years. This
flooring does not contribute to deforestation, which is
considered a big problem on our planet today.
Installing Cork Flooring
Installation is done by either nailing or gluing down the
material. It can be installed over wood or concrete. It's
important to be sure the subfloor is completely dry. Applying a
sealer before installing the floor helps prepare the surface and
controls moisture. Peel and stick cork tiles are also available
for easy installation.
Spread the adhesive on the subfloor with a paint roller. Once
the tiles are laid, you will hardly see the seams. A razor
knife can be used to cut tiles to fit around corners or angles
in the room. Once the tiles are laid, you will need to roll the
floor with a 100 pound floor roller. These can be rented from
most places where other tools are rented. A clear urethane can
be applied over the floor for added protection.
Cork is fairly easy to clean and maintain. Sweep with a broom
to remove debris. You can mop the floor with a damp mop as
needed. The finish may begin to wear off after several years.
Floor sanders can be used to sand the floor lightly. Reapply a
coat of urethane after sanding to protect the floor. You can
apply several coats, sanding lightly between each coat, for
added protection. Several coats of clear urethane will make the
floor more water resistant.
About The Author: Clinton Maxwell is author and designer of
writer is specializing in tips on cork flooring
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