Protection and
Maintenance of Natural Cork Floors
Lasting beauty can be achieved through purchasing a quality
floor covering and providing proper on-going maintenance.
Natural Properties
Fading:
Cork contains organic pigments. Just like other wood products, cork will fade
and should never be exposed directly to sunlight. Where possible, use drapes or
other systems to protect your floor from excessive light. Cork will yellow when
fading.
Joints: Wood floor systems expand and contract in
response to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. By controlling the
environment, maintaining an adequate temperature and relative humidity around
50%, you will minimize the visible effects of the normal contraction and
expansion of your floor.
Protection
You may protect your cork floor by taking the following
precautions:
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To help eliminate fine particles of dirt/grit that act like
sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep as needed. |
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Spills should be wiped up immediately. |
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Use walk-off mats at entrance doors and in front of kitchen sink. Avoid
rubber backed or other non-ventilated mats or rugs. |
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In the kitchen, use a rug in front of the working areas such as in front
of the stove and sink to prevent local premature wear. |
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Install proper protectors under “feet” of furniture. |
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Caster wheeled chairs should have wide casters. A protective mat should
be used under office chairs. |
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|
Maintain a minimum humidity of 50% in the room. If necessary, use a
humidifier. |
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|
Periodically check floor for signs of wear. |
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Weight distribution is a key factor in preventing indentation. |
Maintenance
Sweep or vacuum floor frequently in order to avoid build up of abrasive
particles. Use only cleaners specified for use on pre-finished hardwood
available from your local retailer or home center. WET MAINTENANCE IS ENTIRELY
FORBIDDEN!
Most cork decorative patterns are made of thin veneer laminated to a cork
base. Failure to maintain the finish could result in irreparable damage. The
longevity of the finish is relative to traffic intensity and quality of floor
care. When the floor starts to show a traffic pattern and signs of wear it is
time to renew the finish. It is the responsibility of the owner to judge when
the floor needs recoating. For cork floors surfaced with acrylic finish a new
coat of polyurethane will make the floor look new again and prolong its
lifespan. Natural Cork recommends that a flooring professional be employed for
this process and that strict adherence to the finish manufacturer’s guidelines
be observed.
Protection
and Maintenance of Natural CORK Curable Oil Floors For Commercial Application
Lasting beauty can be achieved through purchasing a quality floor covering
and providing proper on-going maintenance.
Natural Properties
Fading: Cork contains organic pigments. Just
like other wood products, cork will fade and should never be exposed directly to
sunlight. Cork will yellow when fading. Where possible, use drapes or other
systems to protect your floor from excessive light.
Joints: Wood floor systems expand and contract in
response to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. By controlling the
environment, maintaining an adequate temperature and relative humidity of 50%,
you will minimize the visible effects of the normal contraction and expansion of
your floor.
Protection
You may protect your cork floor by taking the following precautions:
|
|
|
|
To help eliminate fine particles of dirt/grit that act like
sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep as needed. |
|
|
|
|
Spills should be wiped up immediately. |
|
|
|
|
Use walk-off mats at entrance doors and in front of kitchen sink. Avoid
rubber backed or other non-ventilated mats or rugs. |
|
|
|
|
In the kitchen, use a rug in front of the working areas such as in front
of the stove and sink to prevent local premature wear. |
|
|
|
|
Weight distribution is a key factor in preventing indentation. Dents
will recover in time as long as the cellular structure of the cork has not
been broken. |
|
|
|
|
Install proper protectors under “feet” of furniture. Furniture will
require different types of protectors in order to achieve maximum weight
distribution. Resilient pads such as those made of felt, flexible rubber,
and saucer-shaped plastic glides will work for most furniture. |
|
|
|
|
Caster wheeled chairs should have wide casters. A protective mat should
be used under office chairs. |
|
|
|
|
Maintain a minimum humidity of 50% in the room. If necessary, use a
humidifier. |
|
|
|
|
Periodically check floor for signs of wear. |
Maintenance
Sweep or vacuum floor frequently in order to avoid build up of
abrasive particles. The longevity of the finish is relative to traffic intensity
and quality of floor care. Most cork decorative patterns are made of thin veneer
laminated to a cork base. Failure to maintain the finish could result in
irreparable damage.
Natural Cork Curable Oil finished product can be maintained indefinitely through
routine use of S.C. Johnson’s Traffic Wax in accordance with the directions
printed on the manufacturer’s label. As signs of wear become visible, following
this simple maintenance program in traffic areas is all that is necessary to
preserve a protective surface and retain original luster. Natural Cork
recommends applying Traffic Wax as part of the installation process for best
results. WET MAINTENANCE IS ENTIRELY FORBIDDEN!
Protection and Maintenance of Natural Cork Curable Oil
Floors For Residential Applications
Lasting beauty can be achieved through purchasing a quality
floor covering and providing proper on-going maintenance.
Natural Properties
Fading:
Cork contains organic pigments. Just like other wood products, cork will fade
and should never be exposed directly to sunlight. Cork will yellow when fading.
Where possible, use drapes or other systems to protect your floor from excessive
light.
Joints: Wood floor systems expand and contract in
response to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. By controlling the
environment, maintaining an adequate temperature and relative humidity of 50%,
you will minimize the visible effects of the normal contraction and expansion of
your floor.
Protection
You may protect your cork floor by taking the following
precautions:
|
|
|
|
To help eliminate fine particles of dirt/grit
that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep as
needed. |
|
|
|
|
Spills should be wiped up immediately. |
|
|
|
|
Use walk-off mats at entrance doors and in front of
kitchen sink. Avoid rubber backed or other non-ventilated mats or rugs. |
|
|
|
|
In the kitchen, use a rug in front of the working areas
such as in front of the stove and sink to prevent local premature wear. |
|
|
|
|
Weight distribution is a key factor in preventing
indentation. Dents will recover in time as long as the cellular structure of
the cork has not been broken. |
|
|
|
|
Install proper protectors under “feet” of furniture.
Furniture will require different types of protectors in order to achieve
maximum weight distribution. Resilient pads such as those made of felt,
flexible rubber, and saucer-shaped plastic glides will work for most
furniture. |
|
|
|
|
Caster wheeled chairs should have wide casters. A
protective mat should be used under office chairs. |
|
|
|
|
Maintain a minimum humidity of 50% in the room. If
necessary, use a humidifier. |
|
|
|
|
Periodically check floor for signs of wear. |
