|
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:
 |

|
 |
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. |
 |
 |
 |
Install proper protectors under “feet”
of 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. |
 |
 |
 |
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. |
Maintenance
Sweep
or vacuum floor frequently in order to avoid
build up of abrasive particles. Clean the floor
using a cleaner recommended for prefinished
hardwood floors.
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 One Step No Buff Wax in
accordance with the directions printed on the
manufacturer’s label. This simple maintenance
program is all that is necessary to preserve a
protective surface and retain original luster.
Natural Cork recommends applying One Step as
part of the installation process for best
results. WET MAINTENANCE IS ENTIRELY FORBIDDEN!
|