The biggest advantage of using cork flooring is that it is a renewable resource. It is prepared by harvesting the bark from the cork oak tree. It is a very resilient material and quickly reverts to original shape when compressed to nearly 40%. This is because the cellular structure which resembles the honeycomb with its 14 sided polyhedrons is sponge like, as the cells are filled with gas, which contains 90% air to give it that cushioning effect. Most of the cork oak trees grow in the Mediterranean regions such as Italy, Portugal and Spain and many villages are dependent on harvesting cork for their livelihood. Cork is harvested and grows back within 10 years. No part of the bark is wasted and most of it us used to produce the famous wine corks. Scraps are collected to produce the cork boards, rolls and sheets that are used for this type of flooring. Cork flooring is becoming popular today due to many reasons. One is that it does not produce off-gassing which is harmful and meets with industry standards. As a result, you will not find any carcinogens produced and this meets with high quality standards and tests. There are many advantages to using this type of flooring. It is cost effective and easy to maintain. It is extremely versatile and comes in tiles or planks. It has natural grain patterns in wood which are being used aesthetically on walls and floors for striking finishes. Cork glue down tile floors may cost a little more than the planks but if it is well laid out, it can last for a long time. Before installing these tiles, you should lay the tiles in the room to be installed for at least about 12 hours. Make sure the sub floor is level. The subfloor should be above grade as the adhesive used is very sensitive to alkali or ground salts that may be present in cement. This will lift the cork from the underside and destroy the perfect level. If the sub-floor is concrete, damp-proof membranes should be incorporated. Make sure no residue is left on the sub-floor before applying adhesive. Lay the cork tiles and finish the floor with 2-3 coats of polyurethane that is water based. Check out the directions as suggested by the manufacturer for best results. Make sure to purchase the adhesives as recommended by them. Cork floors do not require much maintenance. It is enough to vacuum or sweep floors and ensure that there is no surface dust or grit. Wipe with a damp cloth if the floor is sealed with polyurethane. Abrasive cleaners and wax polish should not be used. Make sure that the furniture legs are protected with pads. Make a careful decision before you select the cork glue down tile or the floating flooring. Consider the labor costs, costs of material purchased. You may have to pay the contractor for installing glued-down surfaces but this type of floor is known to last for decades so make a smart decision when you select cork floors for your home or office needs. Resource Box iCork Floor is a distributor for many states in United States as well as Canada. They provide all the information at their website. Select Cork Flooring or cork glue down tile after researching and finding out all about the benefits of using both these types of floors.
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