Cork tiles can be used as flooring in all living spaces. Above all, in children's rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and corridors, where their ability to reduce noise, thermally insulate and create a hygienically safe environment will be used the most. Cork flooring reduces the risk of developing allergic diseases. The basis of a perfect cork floor and its high effect is to follow a few brief tips and recommendations. If you follow them, the cork floor will meet your requirements both functionally and aesthetically.
1. Before laying
Adjustment of the surface of the base
It is very important to have a flat, firm and dry surface, without joints, protrusions and dirt. Vinyl, linoleum or original cork tiles must be removed. Uneven concrete floors must be leveled with leveling compounds and then penetrated to bind the remaining dust.
Stabilization of cork tiles
For the stability of the dimensions, it is important to balance the temperature of the cork tiles with the environment in which they will be laid. We leave the tiles unpacked from the PE film to stabilize for about 48 hours in the laying room. The ideal temperature is 20°C. The humidity of the substrate for gluing should be lower than 2.5% CM and the temperature should not drop below 18°C during installation.
2. Laying the floor
Auxiliary network
We divide the room in the middle with a rectangular cross into four areas, which we draw as auxiliary lines directly on the base.
Bonding
Dispersion glue is applied to cork tiles and the floor with a roller, always in only one thin layer (we recommend using glues with higher moisture resistance for gluing in bathrooms). We can start gluing the cork tiles to the floor as soon as the glue no longer sticks. We place the first tile in the center of the room and continue using the "stairs" system towards the wall, and we can glue them either "brick-style" or "cross". Each laid tile must be fixed to the base by honest tapping with a rubber mallet. For large areas, we recommend using a heavy metal roller.
Ends at the edges
We use a narrow and sharp knife to trim the edges. We leave a 3-4 mm gap at the wall, which we cover with a strip.
3. Finalization
Varnishing (only for natural cork tiles)
After sanding the glued tiles over the entire surface, we apply the first layer with a base floor varnish (bridging the top varnish - the base varnish is always more flexible and contains pore fillers). The next 2-4 layers (depending on the load) are applied with cork topcoat (cork varnishes are abrasion-resistant and at the same time extremely flexible) one-component or two-component polyurethane varnishes (depending on the load). One of the most important points of successful painting is sanding after the first layer of paint. We thus prevent the creation of the so-called orange peel. However, this sanding must be done only after 8-12 hours of drying of the base coat. However, we recommend sanding between the second and third layers of varnish by hand or with a vibrating sander PADOM. It is also important to remove dust and all dirt before each painting. Painting is generally done with a roller. We recommend fully loading the floor after 10 days and during this period the so-called "curing the varnish", it is good to treat the floor more gently. As a rule, do not use varnishes intended for wood (they lack sufficient flexibility).
Oiling/waxing (only for natural cork tiles)
The surface of natural cork tiles can be treated with floor oil on a natural basis with the addition of hard waxes. This finish is especially suitable for children's rooms and bedrooms, because oiling cork does not lose its natural appearance and the contact with the floor is very pleasant. After laying, we sand the floor. The first application of oil is carried out with a straight stainless steel spatula over the entire surface of the floor and the excess oil (maps) is immediately removed from the surface of the floor. After drying for approx. 24-48 hours, we apply the second layer with a roller. This second layer dries in about 12-24 hours. To improve the appearance, it is possible to apply a third layer of oil, which is dry within 6-10 hours.
4. Maintenance and recommendations
All surfaces that touch the cork floor and move on it must be rubbed with a cork pad or felt (especially the legs of chairs and tables). This applies especially to waxed and oiled floors. We clean the cork floor with a small amount of detergent diluted in water, a mop or a rag. As a matter of principle, we do not use highly concentrated chemical preparations. We also keep the cork floor in good condition with products that fill in microcracks or the porosity of the surface itself. The preparation "Polymer maintenance - POLISH" is particularly suitable either as an additive to water or applied undiluted and creates an additional layer that significantly increases the durability and life of the floor.
Cork is a unique natural material, therefore no two cork tiles are the same. Slight shade differences and differences in surface structure are part of natural cork. Before laying, carefully check the contents of the individual packages and distribute any shade differences evenly over the floor. This will highlight the natural character of cork as a unique material. In case of obvious defects, it is necessary to complain to the supplier about the floor before installation. It is not possible to complain about these defects after sticking them on the floor. Be careful when moving heavy furniture, refrigerators, washing machines, freezers. The legs of tables and chairs should be provided with mats made of thick fabric or felt. In a permanently moist and non-ventilated environment (bathroom), surface treatment with a highly resistant varnish is necessary. In places where the floor is exposed to strong sunlight, the so-called the "fading" of cork tiles, which, however, will only affect the aesthetic effect. Wood and other natural materials also show the same properties. To prevent fading, it is therefore recommended for more exposed rooms to repaint the floor with a floor varnish that contains a UV absorber. If you follow the recommended advice, the effect of the cork floor is very high and we believe that you will be fully satisfied.
