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Laminate Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is available in two basic forms: traditional tiles and laminate.
Traditional cork flooring systems are tiles, which are usually 12' squares that
are 3/16' thick. There are larger squares measuring up to 24 inches but are still
3/16' thick. Cork tiles are adhered directly to the plywood or concrete subfloor.
However, traditional cork tiles cannot be directly attach to linoleum or other sheet
flooring. You can install cork tiles in any room of your home, and cork is water
resistant. However, just like other woods it is strongly suggested that you not
install cork in such areas as bathrooms or other area where water might get on the
surface. This is because water can seep between the joints, causing the cork to
swell and cup. Laminated style cork flooring is consists of multiple layers of material, with the
top layer being compressed cork. The top layer is usually bonded to medium-density
fiberboard, which is then bonded to the bottom layer of uncompressed cork. This
type of lamination forms a floating floor. Laminated cork floors are tongue-and-grooved,
which either snap together or must be glued together, creating a floating floor
that can go directly over linoleum. Laminate cork is the perfect choice when your existing flooring cannot be torn out
or is in very poor condition. When installing laminated cork, it is extremely quick
and easy to do however, you have to allow for it to expand and contract as humidity
changes. In addition, because laminated flooring consists of three layers it will
be higher than the old flooring. If you are using the cork in only one part of
your home, then you will have to use thresholds so that you can minimize the differences
in elevation the between rooms. You can install laminated cork in nearly every room, however it is strongly suggested
that you do not install it in bathrooms or locations where water may collect as
moisture can cause the wooden fiberboard to swell, permanently warping the floor. Laminated floorings are normally come pre-finished from the manufactures. The polyurethane
finishes are tougher and more durable but are more difficult to refinish. However,
with proper care, laminated cork floorings can last for decades.
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