Cork flooring installation – common problems and precautions
Cork flooring is quickly becoming a popular flooring option for the homeowners due to its environment-friendly features and also its ability to absorb sound and offer maximum insulation from heat and cold. Cork floors are also the best for people with allergies, as this flooring material runs no risk of causing allergies in any way. Cork floors come in different style and pattern, they look really good as flooring and can provide service for generations when maintained and used in the right way. However, to get all these best benefits of cork flooring it is important to take certain precautions while installing cork floors. If you do not install the flooring in the way it is suggested to be, it is sure to not to give the best service and can even need a reinstallation. So, while installing cork flooring in your house, keep the following points in mind so that you do not happen to make the mistakes that can cost you dearly in near future.
Cork flooring tiles need to be acclimatized before installation
No matter how much expensive variety of cork flooring tiles you are purchasing, it will need to be acclimatized with the temperature and humidity level of the room where it is going to be installed for best results. Cork being a wood product tends to expand and shrink depending on the temperature and the humidity level of the room where it is installed, so first acclimatizing the tiles in the environment before installing them can be very effective to ensure that you get the best results. It will also ensure that there is minimum fluctuation due to expansion and contraction as the season changes.
Select the right type of installation
Cork flooring can be installed in two ways; one is the adhesive application method and the other is floating floor installation. To ensure the best service and maximum longevity of the cork flooring it is essential to follow the right type of flooring method for a particular room. Adhesive flooring installation needs the tiles to be fixed with the flooring base by applying an adhesive material; whereas for the floating type of installation, the tiles come in a tongue-and-groove design where the edges of one tile are fitted with the edges of the nearing tiles and it is not fixed at the base. Installation of cork tiles with adhesives might be suggested for living rooms, but when it comes to bathrooms opting for a floating installation is essential to get the best outcome.
Ensure that you have a clean and proper sub-floor before installation
When it comes to installing cork floors with adhesives ensuring the condition of the sub-floor on which the tiles are going to be installed is vital. If you are going to install the cork tiles on vinyl or any other base always ensure that the base is smooth, levelled, clean and dry. Installing the cork tiles on a sub-floor that is not smooth or dry in the best way is sure to harm the cork with time. The best cleanliness of the base is important to ensure that the tiles can have a smooth base and give the same smooth feel under the feet. Installing cork tiles on a sub-floor with cracks is never a good idea as that can affect the final outcome of the flooring once it has been installed. For glue-in cork flooring installation which is more preferred for areas expected to experience more footfalls, ensuring that the base is perfect is vital.
Apart from keeping the above points in mind, it is also important to follow each and every guideline provided by the manufacturer about installing the floor. Opt for professional installation but also keep your eye open to ensure that the tiles are being installed in the best way.
Author Bio: The author is an experienced flooring expert. He has helped thousands of homeowners in Carpet Calgary choose the perfect floor for their rooms. He likes to share his vast knowledge with the masses by regularly writing and posting articles.
