Cork Flooring

Cork floor tiles are comparable to parquet but have added benefits of insulation against both temperature and noise. Cork is a soft fiber board available in planks and smaller tiles. It is practically alternative to wood flooring. This type of floor is soft, noiseless and has no allergic effect on the health of occupants of the house. Being soft in nature it saves the cost of carpeting. It is right choice to use this flooring in children’s room, family room, music room etc. Cork flooring is tough resilient, water resistant. It observes sound and provides acoustic excellence. Being highly abrasion resistant, this floor can also be used in offices, restaurants and shops etc.

(This Picture is Contributed by "Kartik")

Cork - Another good option for flooring

Before Laying Cork Flooring

Base Coat under Cork Flooring:

• The earth should be compacted properly with the help of watering and ramming.
• Sand piling should be done which helps to ensure proper compaction of the earth under floor.
• Lay 100 mm thick fine sand on compacted earth.
• After laying fine sand, lay 100 mm thick cement concrete in the ratio 1:8:16.
  It must be ensured that the base coat laid is fully compacted by hand rammers or with surface vibrator.

Leveling Concrete for Cork Flooring:

• A layer of leveling concrete should be at least 25 mm thick.
• Cement concrete should be in the ratio 1:2:4.
• It should be laid in proper slope and in level.
• It should be perfectly compacted.
• It should be cured for 7 days.

While Laying Cork Flooring

• After drying level concrete the surface should be cleaned.  
• Unpacked material used in cork flooring should be kept at room temperature at least 24 to 48 hours before installation of flooring.
• Make sure that site temperature and humidity can be maintained within acceptable limits during cork installation. 
• Do not allow glued faces to contact each other.
• Prepare layout on sub floor, determine and mark starting line (usually central).
• Apply approved adhesive on starting area of the sub floor and allow these adhesive to dry before laying cork floor tiles.
• Install tiles at the start with the help of a straight edge and continue gluing more sub floor as installation proceeds.
• Trim cork floor tiles at walls as required and trim tiles to fit precisely at cabinets, fixtures, etc.
• Sand floor surfaces (light to moderate) with a palm type vibrating sander and vacuum thoroughly.
• Apply first coat of approved sealer (very thin) with a pad type applicator.
• Apply a second thin coat of approved sealer about 3 to 6 hours following the first coat.
• Apply a light to medium base coat of approved urethane 8 to 12 hours after the sealer and let floor rest for 2 days.
• Scuff sand the floor surface as required and clean up thoroughly.
• Apply a medium coat of approved urethane and then within 4 to 7 hours apply a final coat of urethane

Advantages of Cork Flooring

• Gives beautiful look.
• Available in wide range of color such as green, red, and chocolate and black.
• Anti-allergic.
• Elastic and anti static.
• Soft in nature, saves the cost of carpeting.
• Durable and insulated against sound, noise and temperature.

Tools Required For Cork Flooring

• Sharp knife
• Measuring tap
• Line marker chalk etc.
• Putty knife
• Carpenter’ square
• Hand sander
• Brush for applying sealer, glue and urethane.