Comprehensive Tips When Dealing With Cork Floors In The Kitchen

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9400
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When installing cork floating floors in the kitchen, a floating floor is to be installed last. This is very important and critical detail that people often leave out. Before performing a kitchen installation of cork tiles, it is important to remember that two coats of water based polyurethane must be applied. Polyurethane is not used to seal the cork of the floor which is a common misconception. The use of Polyurethane is actually used to seal the seams in order to protect the high density fiberboard from receiving any type of subsequent water damage. By doing so the sub-floor is also protected from any incoming water damage that may have been caused otherwise.

A list of materials will be required before installing cork floating floors in the kitchen begins. In order to complete the project one will require a tape measure, pencil, bath or kitchen caulking, Loba Supra WS 2K water based polyurethane or Polywhey water based polyurethane, a cork floating flooring acclimated for 48 to 72 hours prior to installation, a hammer with a tapping block or a rubber mallet, a tapping block which can be made of samples from the cork ...
... flooring, half inch shimmies, a fine napped paint roller, a medium sized container in order to mix the two part Loba Supra Satin Polyurethane if it is used and a paint tray to contain the Polywhey polyurethane mixture. It is also important to know that the caulking of the raw edges of the cork floor must always come after the polyurethane has been applied to the floor. Directions and information on the caulking should be found on the individual product.

To begin polyurethane application mix the two part polyurethane in a water tight container. Take the varnish and hardener and place them in a container to be shaken vigorously. Follow instructions on the container and mix the amount needed to seal the floor in one coat. Keep the rest unmixed until you are ready to apply another seal. Capping the container of premixed Loba polyurethane can cause the container to burst after four hours.

Three hours of working time is allowed once the two part epoxy has been mixed before it transforms into hardened plastic. Once the three hour mark has passed it is important not to recap the container holding the epoxy because a buildup of pressure may cause the container to burst. Be sure to measure carefully the amount needed. Polyurethane can take up to six to eight hours to dry. Do not be tricked, just because it appears or feels dry does not mean it is finished, time must still be allowed for it to cure. Only after 24 hours may the floor be available for very light use and is still not recommended. Once four to six hours have passed a second coat may be applied with the same rules mentioned above. It is imperative to allow time for the floor to cure which may be up to five days after cork tiles are installed. Do not place any objects on the floor and only allow very light, necessary traffic through.

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Installing Cork Floating Floors in the Kitchen is easy but it is important to do it systematically. For the best selection of Cork Tiles at affordable prices go to iCork Floor.