Natural Cork

Natural Cork



What is cork?
A member of the beech family, the cork oak tree grows in coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Relatively slow growing, these trees survive harsh conditions in depleted soil that will support little else of value. There are examples of cork oak trees that are 400 to 500 years old though the average life expectancy would be 100 to 120 years.
Unlike most trees where primary value is derived from the lumber of the trunk, cork is actually obtained from the bark of the tree. This unusually thick bark is made up of millions of tiny prism-shaped air pockets which create a resilient cushiony surface and lead to the assertion that, with cork, you are literally "walking on air". Grown on farms and harvested every 9 to 11 years, the financial benefit lies not in felling these trees but in keeping them alive and in production for generations.
The ability to use cork in flooring applications was not discovered until the 19th century when American, John Smith, discovered agglomerated cork. Today, cork flooring is created from the post-industrial by-product of the bottle-stopper industry. This 'waste' material is ground up and then formed into sheets using minimal amounts of adhesive to bind the particles together under high pressure. The size, quantity, and type of cork granule in conjunction with varying degrees of pressure make the difference between 'bulletin board' material and material suitable for flooring applications.
Historically, cork floors were finished in the same manner as any other wood flooring, i.e. with a paste wax buffed into the surface. However, the labor-intensive nature of maintenance was seen as a real drawback when rolled sheet vinyl and similar 'modern' resilient surface options came on the market mid last century. Cork flooring fell out of favor and for perhaps 30 years was not readily available to the average consumer.
New finishing techniques and improved technologies have revived interest in cork in the past ten years. Though still a small fraction of the overall floor coverings market, cork is enjoying a surge in popularity driven in large part by consumer demand. What does cork have to offer setting it apart from other surface flooring materials? Quite a bit it turns out. In fact, no other floor covering can match the combined benefits of cork.



Why choose cork?
Durable and Easy to Maintain
Pre-finished Natural CORK flooring is protected with 5 coats of durable UV cured acrylic finish. Regular maintenance requires only routine sweeping and vacuuming to avoid build up of abrasive particles. Spills should be cleaned up right away. Use only cleaners specified for use on pre-finished hardwood available from your local retailer or home center. Wet maintenance is entirely forbidden. Your well maintained cork floor will last for decades of enjoyment.

Comfortable
Cork provides a comfortable cushion underfoot as it gives under compression. Because Cork "bounces back", recovery from marks left by furniture will leave minimal residual indentation, less noticeable than on wood, carpet or vinyl floors.

Fire Resistant
Cork is a fire inhibitor that does not spread flame. Cork will not produce toxic gases on combustion.

Thermally and Acoustically Insulated
Cork contains over 100 million prism-shaped cells per cubic inch. These air-filled cells allow cork to provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. The inherent resiliency of cork, provides a comfortable cushion that is gentle on feet, back and joints. With cork flooring, wakling barefoot in the bedroom or bathroom on a cold night doesn't have to be an unpleasant experience. In addition to providing a comfortable cushion underfoot, cork's unique air-filled cells and unique ability to bounce back reduce noise, making cork the perfect alternative for multi-level housing developments, office spaces, museums, and houses of worship.



Natural CORK Floating FloorPlank...
A floating floor is one that is not attached to the substrate. Each plank is secured to those adjoining so that the floor system functions as a single unit instead of as a series of individual pieces. All Natural CORK floating floor plank feature a center core tongue & groove layer with the unique CLIC technology patented by Unilin. The center core is sandwiched in-between two layers of cork. On top is a surface wear layer of 100% high-density cork. Underneath is a flexible low-density cork underlayment providing excellent acoustic insulation.
Planks come prefinished with 5 coats factory applied UV cured acrylic.
Featuring JointShield edge sealing for added protection.
Non-toxic center core layer that is impervious to moisture and will not warp.
Natural CORK floating floors are available in the Classic and Earth Series for a total of 20 different references.

Description: Natural CORK tongue and groove CLIC floating floor for commercial and residential applications
Size: 35 11/16" X 11 13/16" X 1/2" (3mm - 1/8")
Top layer: 3mm (1/8") high density cork wear layer
Middle Layer: 6mm (1/4") exterior grade fiberboard
Bottom Layer: 3mm (1/8") cork underlayment
Finish: 5 coats UV-cured acrylic finish
Formaldehyde: No added formaldehyde
Installation: Glueless locking, Unilin CLIC system

Introducing
square cork floating tiles...
Floating cork tiles offer an easy way to create interesting patterns such as checkerboards, as accent pieces and borders. Floating cork tiles can mix-and-match with the other 20 styles of our premium Natural CORK collection. Square tiles measure 11 7/8" X 11 7/8".



Natural CORK Parquet Tile...
Parquet tile is available finished or unfinished in 100% high-density cork. Natural CORK Parquet Tiles are supplied with one coat of contact adhesive applied to the bakc which significantly reduces installation time and labor. Natural CORK tiles are only available in the Classic Series in 7 references. Natural CORK floor tile for commercial and residential applications.
Sizes: 12" X 12". Other sizes available by special order
Finish: factory finished with 3 coats of curable oil.

Natural CORK Underlayment...
Natural CORK Underlayment is available in either sheets or 200 sqft rolls to provide acoustic insulation beneath other surface flooring materials. Cork underlayment can be glued under hardwood, ceramic tile, carpet, and laminate. In addition, cork underlayment serves as a stress crack protection membrane when installing ceramic tile.
Corkshield Underlayment.
The recognized advantages of cork underlayment-- quiet, resilient, comfortable, are further enhanced through the addition of an energy conserving aluminum radiant barrier and proven anti-microbial Microban protection. By eliminating mold and bacteria, Corkshield contributes to better indoor air quality and keeps protecting the floor.



Natural CORK featuring...
Joint Shield.
"JointShield" is a moisture protection system applied at production to the edges of the floor panels.
With the "JointShield" technology, your cork floor will wear better in spite of possible spills and frequent moppings. Permanent protection is done by the factory application of a moisture-repellent agent (paraffin-oil based) to the entire cross-section of the profile. The edges of the cork floor panels become completely sealed and watertight.
Microban.
By eliminating mold and bacteria, Corkshield technology with Microban, contributes to better indoor air quality and keeps protecting the floors.
Wear Top.
Wear Enhancing Abrasion Resistance Finish Available, this new generation of finish, will increase wear and scratch resistance while not compromising flexibility. This finish also meets European Environmental regulations.



10 Reasons to Buy Natural CORK Floors

1. Industry's leading profile: Patented UNICLIC profile produced under license of UNILIN FLOORING.

2. Superior Installation Systems: Both floating floors and tiles are offered with the latest technological advancements to optimize the performance of the installation.

3. Superior Joint Protection: Application of a moisture-repellent agent
(paraffin-oil based) to the entire cross-section of the profile.

4. Quality Assurance: Produced under ISO 9001-2000 Quality Management System and controlled by state-of-the-art process control, inspection and testing procedures.

5. Superior Density: Standard cork tiles and floating floor wear layers are available today with densities of 28 pounds per cubic feet. A higher density tile will wear better, dent less and will remain more stable after installation. Natural CORK uses 22% more cork offering a density of 34 pounds per cubic feet.

6. Better Protection of the Surface: Natural CORK uses a superior finish specially formulated to flex with the cork under pressure. Instead of the 3 coats applied to standard lines, Natural CORK floating floors receive a 5 coats treatment.

7. Highest Grade Fiberboard: The blue fiberboard used as the core layer in Natural CORK floating floors does not contain any added fomaldehyde and offers higher resistance to moisture.

8. Microban Protection: In 2006, all Natural CORK floors started to be offered with Microban protection to eliminate mold and bacteria, improving indoor air quality and preventing floor and subfloor deterioration.

9. Available Only At Selected Quality Dealers: Natural CORK Floors are only offered to the best dealers in the industry. Buying from a selected retail dealer insure a guarantee of personalized service and the backing of Natural CORK, the leading brand in the industry.

10. 15 Years Limited Residential Warranty: Available from your dealer, Natural CORK offers a 15 Years Limited Residential Warranty for all cork floors.