The instalment of cork floor and wall coverings is a process with its own features which requires special skills. Therefore, it is better to leave it to the professionals that have prior experience of working with cork. If you still decide to manage the instalment yourself, we recommend that you take a good look at the installation instructions.
Instructions for installations
Before installation
Before, during and after the installation process, the following conditions must be met:
- Air temperature in the room is no less than 18°C;
- The temperature of the floor surface is between 15°C – 28°C;
- Relative air humidity should be from 40% to 70%.
Before laying the floor, the material must be left in the room to acclimatize and equalize to the temperature for at least 48 hours.
Laying should only be done on a firm, even, dry and clean base. The previous base of PVC/Linoleum can be left. We recommend that all other coatings are to be removed.
First, the working space must be covered with a substrate (cork substrate is recommended) with a thickness of at least 1,8 – 2 mm. The strips or sheets of the substrate are laid in joint with each other. For better fixation it is necessary to use adhesive tape.
If you are installing on a concrete surface, we recommend pre-spreading a dense, plastic film with a sickness of at least 0.2mm. The sheets must overlap each other for at least 20cm and cover the beginning of the wall for 20cm as well.
Instalment
When installing, it is necessary to take into account the temperature seam/clearance (space between the walls and the floor to be laid) to be at least 10mm. The same space should be left near pipes and doorways. After laying the floors, we recommend you close the spaces with a skirting board.
- Measure the room to see how many solid boards will fit on the floor. This will help to calculate whether the last board in the first row will be shorter than 30cm. If that is the case, it is necessary to shorten the first board to the necessary length for the sake of balance. The last row of boards should be measured in the same way. The minimum length should be at least 5cm. Also, shorten the boards in the first row, but in a way that the first and the last board should be approximately the same length.
Make sure to check the evenness of the wall! If the wall is uneven, you can use any wooden plates to level them.
- Place the first board in the left corner of the room with the male (tonguing) side to the wall. Remember to install the wedges at the top and at the right side.
Install the second board directly into the protruding part of the first board. To do this, insert the spike at an angle of approximately 20 ° – 30 ° into the groove and lower the board until the lock tightly closes.
A little pressure will make the laying easier. Continue the laying the row as described. When fitting the last board that will need to be resized, use a pull rod to facilitate the process.
- Start the second row with the remainder of the board from the previous row, if its length is at least 30 cm. If not, use a new board, which will need to be sawn accordingly. Keep a distance from the wall (seam) with a spacer. Using the remaining board from the previous row, start again from the left edge.
Lay this board over the installed board of the previous row. Insert and lower the board at an angle of approximately 20 ° – 30 °. Fasten the next board on the front side and lower it with a small amount pressure.
In the process, the longitudinal side of the groove from the previous boards should move to a horizontal position. Lift the front side of the board to about 7-10 cm — together with all the boards in that row — and lay them on the previous boards until they close (snap into place). Lower both boards until the longitudinal edges cover each other.
The remaining boards should also close from the front side and then from the longitudinal side. Continue laying according to the instructions.
If you are using something to equalize the boards, after laying 3-4 rows, remove it and press the connected boards against the wall, while minding the gaps.
- Make sure that you left the gaps around the pipes and doorways.
- If the board cannot be laid in some places (under the doorway or under heating structures), use a special metal bracket. Use the same bracket when installing the boards closest to the wall.
You can walk on the floor immediately after the installation. Pull out the wedges and close the gaps between the wall and the floor using a suitable skirting board that must be attached to the wall.
Cleaning up after Instalment
Sweep away the remaining trash or use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and dirt. Use a slightly damp cloth with a mild floor cleaner. For areas with deeply ingrained dirt, use a white, non-abrasive cleaning sponge (without large abrasive particles). Wipe the dirty area with the sponge, then go over the area with a cloth moistened in clean water.
First Cleaning/Floor Care
In rooms of low use, it is possible to carry out normal cleaning using a mop. After that, the floor can be cleaned with a soft cloth and detergent diluted with water. Remember to avoid large accumulations of water on the surface.
Reconditioning the surface
In order to get rid of encrusted dirt and “lines” that may appear on the varnish, it is necessary to repeat the varnish coating. Thoroughly clean the floor first.
Clean the contaminated surface with a cleaning agent, then wipe with a cleaning sponge. Before coating, sand the base with sandpaper (grain size not less than 180) or a special grinding sponge to a matt state. Then wipe the surface with a damp cloth moistened with clean water. Then apply one or two layers of a two-component water-based polyurethane varnish, if necessary, use a special primer beforehand, for better adhesion of new varnish layers.
Important Information
Depending on the load level, exposure to sunlight, the colour of the coating may vary. Consider this if the coatings are laid in a room with high exposure to sunlight.
To protect against scratches and dents, it is necessary to use felt protectors on the base of furniture. Wheels on chairs and other furniture must comply with the standard (DIN 68131 – elastic castors).
In places of concentrated loads (for example, in front of a table, with roller chairs), it is advised to use protective vinyl floor mats. Also use this material in front of the door to prevent dirt and sand from entering.
The most optimal conditions for floating cork floors: humidity in the room should be no more than 55-65%, temperature within 20 °C – 24 °C. Take this into account when heating the space in winter. If necessary, use a humidifier. We do not recommend installing floating cork floors in rooms with high humidity.
Attention
Differences in structure and colour even within one package – are part of the natural properties of cork oak and cannot serve as a valid reason for the return of goods.
