Is cork flooring new?

Where does cork come from?

Why should I purchase cork flooring?

Are cork floors affected by changes in moisture and temperature

How resilient is cork flooring?

How long should I wait before walking on my new cork floor?

If I move, can I take my floor with me?

Is there cork filler that I can use for touch up?

Can cork tiles be installed over sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles?

Will cork flooring tiles fade?

Is cork flooring appropriate for kitchens and bathrooms?

Cork flooring has been around since the early 1900’s.  More recently, cork has gained in popularity due to its environmentally friendly nature and the new styles.

Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus Suber). The life span of the cork oak tree is about 150 years and does not need to be cut down to obtain the bark. The bark is harvested once every 6-8 years.  Thus, it is a renewable resource and an extremely environmentally friendly product.

Cork flooring is remarkably resistant to wear and is about as durable as any other type of floor. Because of its elasticity and softness it will be a relief for your joints and feet. Furthermore, cork provides natural heat and cold insulation, sound absorption and vibration reduction. It is also antistatic, antiallergenic, insect resistant, and environmentally friendly.

Cork floors will expand and contract due to climate conditions just as all other wood floors. However, cork flooring is generally more stable because any contraction or expansion is disbursed in all directions unlike wood that only expands across the grain. As a general rule, we recommend 72 hours of acclimation prior to installation to help limit contraction or expansion.  If installed in the winter it is important to leave extra room for expansion.  If installed in the summer, you must install tiles tightly, allowing for contraction.

Cork is resilient and recovers well from compression and traffic.  However, just as any other hardwood floor, it is susceptible to scratches.  Sharp objects may puncture cork flooring.

NapaCork floors can be put together without any glue so you don’t need to wait until the glue dries.  You can walk on it upon installation.

Absolutely, the tongue and groove interlocking system allows for easy disassembling and reassembling.  However, we do not recommend doing so more than three times.

Yes. To create cork dust, take a scrap tile and sand the edge. Mix this with polyurethane to create a putty like consistency.  Then pack the putty into the small cracks and allow it to dry. Follow by a coat of polyurethane over the surface.

We do not recommend this because residue can build up on the surface of the vinyl with proper bonding of the adhesive, causing it to de-laminate over time.

The color of your cork flooring will change slightly over the years. It should be protected from direct sunlight and UV rays by using window treatments.

Yes! Cork flooring is suitable for all rooms - both residential and commercial.  Kitchens are common rooms for cork flooring because it is comfortable to stand on and easy to clean and maintain.  Surface water spills will not harm cork flooring, simply clean up the spill as you would any other floor. For bathrooms, cork is warm underfoot especially in the winter season. Since heavy water spills are anticipated, we recommend that the perimeter of the room is caulked prior to installing the molding or base boards.