Maintaining Your Cork Flooring

Cork is a unique flooring option that saw its heyday from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. However, due to the advent of more inexpensive flooring options, cork fell out of favor, but due to recent high-profile clients like Hilton Hotels and the Library of Congress, cork floors are making a comeback. While it all comes from the bark of the same cork tree, cork flooring is not the same as the stopper for your favorite bottle of pinot grigio or the bulletin board you tack your bills to. Cork flooring is highly pressurized and bonded together with adhesive to make it a durable and beautiful flooring option. Read on to learn how to maintain your cork flooring so that you can enjoy this attractive, unique flooring option for many years to come.

Preventive Maintenance

As with all flooring, preventive maintenance is your first step in maintaining your cork flooring First, make sure to keep your floors swept and mopped on a regular basis, making sure to limit excess debris off your floors and immediately wiping up spills. It is important to note however, that because of the delicate makeup of cork floors, neutral pH chemicals and eco-friendly substances are recommended for cleaning, as they are gentler than typical solutions. It’s also a good idea for you to use of doormats, breathable rugs and protective mats, as this will offer additional protection. You should also keep your cork out of direct sunlight and rearrange furniture periodically to change up which sections are exposed.

Heat and Humidity

Cork reacts more to heat and humidity than any other type of wood that you could use in your home, often resulting in noticeable expansion and contraction when subjected to rapid changes in temperature and humidity. One of the most important things you can to do preserve your cork flooring well into the future is keeping the temperature and humidity in your home under control. By keeping a regulated, steady temperature and a moderate relative humidity, you are more likely to keep your cork flooring in its intended shape and therefore avoid costly repairs.

Professional Finishes

Whether your cork floors are intended for commercial or residential use, a professionally applied finish is a great idea. Urethane coats and wax coats are both popular options. Urethane is a much more detailed, tedious and costly process, but it will have a more desirable look and can last for up to ten years. Wax is a lot less time-consuming but must be reapplied every two years or so. There are other finishing options, as well. When trying to determine what’s best for your cork flooring, always ask a flooring professional.

Keep Your Cork Flooring Looking Great

For an interesting flooring choice that you won’t find in many homes, there is almost no better selection than cork. However, like most flooring options, keeping your cork flooring looking great is a matter of engaging in preventative maintenance. Regular cork flooring maintenance will preserve your floor’s look and help preserve its appearance for years to come.