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cork flloring ??’s

foobytor | Posted in General Discussion on November 20, 2004 01:24am

thanks for all the sooper advice in the past.  the customer you all sold on Marvin Windows now wants your input on cork flooring.  The stuff she is looking at is presealed.  she wonders about it holding dents from the feet of chairs and tables.

any advice will be appreciated.

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Replies

  1. almaltd | Nov 20, 2004 04:09am | #1

    Cork is easy on the feet and on the back. Sealing it can be a bit of a problem. But the real challenge is lack of tensile strength. Don't even think about dragging a stove or piano over this material. It just doesn't have the strength to handle that. If you have small children with overactive imaginations I would also pass. If the clients are aunt Matilda and uncle Ernie who are in their sixties then this can be a great product.

    Alma

    1. biscuit02 | Nov 20, 2004 08:10am | #2

      Can cork be installed on a concrete slab? How about over ceramic tile?

      1. woodguy99 | Nov 20, 2004 03:40pm | #3

        I'm no expert, but I have worked with cork on a couple of jobs.  I noticed the floor guys were very concerned about having a perfectly smooth underlayment because cork will telegraph every little imperfection that's under it.  That, and the fact that any moisture coming up through a slab would make the tile want to pop up, would make me think it should not be used over concrete or tile.

        This stuff was prefinised and seemed pretty tough.  It looked great and felt great under foot. 

        1. biscuit02 | Nov 20, 2004 08:25pm | #5

          Thanks-- you answered my next question as well-- about the look and feel.  This would be for a kitchen with no dogs or kids, just a cook who does'nt want to stand for long periods on cold ceramic tile!

           

      2. almaltd | Nov 20, 2004 08:04pm | #4

        Dear Biscuit02

        Yes you can install it over those two materials, but really the issue is what you use to first achieve a perfectly smooth, transition free subsurface. Ask a commercial flooring installer what they use in your area. Companies like Mapei make products to smooth ove surfaces like ceramic tile and concrete.

        In my opinion, the most important thing is to find the best commercial installer and get them to advise you. This is not an easy thing to assess without actually seeing the site conditions.

        ALMA CONSULTING LTD

         

        1. biscuit02 | Nov 20, 2004 08:26pm | #6

          Thanks for the advice. It's a down the road project, so I'll be sure to research it thoroughly.

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