Cork Floor in the Kitchen
Beyond the Bottle Stopper
Through today’s technology, cork is enjoying its “Second Renaissance” as a flooring material. Yet the old myths, born mostly out of the ‘70s, still abound: Never use cork in the kitchen. This mantra, most common among long-time contractors, is no longer applicable.
Through industry innovations, such as High Density Fibreboards (HDF), water-based polyurethane and “Factory Finishes” cork is now well on its way to becoming a routine flooring material.
Unlike laminate floors, cork floating flooring can be laid in a kitchen thus removing the need to settle for linoleum or ceramic tiles for your kitchen. Cork flooring planks and click-together systems utilize the strength and durability of High Density Fibreboard (HDF) to construct the flooring system. HDF has an absorption rate of roughly 5-7% and expands/contracts in all six directions. This makes the HDF the ideal construction partner for cork.
Whether cork tiles – squares or rectangles constructed out of 100% cork – or cork floating flooring, it is always wise to seal a cork floor when it is being used in a “wet” room such as a kitchen. The polyurethane varnish acts as a seal along the floor’s seams; protecting the subfloor (or the HDF layer if it is a floating floor) from moisture damage.
Cork flooring products now come in dozens of factory finishes and are ready to install. Cork Flooring, or floating flooring, is now to the same industry standards as laminate flooring; even utilizing the same patented “click-together” systems as laminate floors. Moreover, because of the different finishes, cork flooring is versatile and fits in with most décor themes.
Cork is a natural fit in the kitchen. At time where Super-bugs and dangerous viruses are being discovered at an alarming rate, cork’s natural anti-microbial properties come as a welcome “bonus”. It is water proof. Its ability to prevent evaporation and spoilage has been used by vintners for centuries.
Another reason why cork is so appropriate for the kitchen is because of its cellular composition and presence of suberin, which, besides making it highly resistant to moisture and helping prevent permanent damage and deterioration due to water, also makes cork resistant to high heat.
Cork flooring is also very easy to clean. Regular sweeping and mopping is what is needed. You do no need to use any special chemicals, or special tools or equipment for the job. Here are a few things you need to remember when it comes to taking care of your cork flooring in the kitchen.
The kitchen is prone to spills but there’s no need to worry. Wiping away spills immediately will prevent stains from forming on the floor. If you need to use soap to clean a stubborn stain, make sure you use one that is non-abrasive or it will scratch the surface.
When mopping, use a damp mop. Avoid using a very wet mop as excess amounts of water can stain and damage cork in the long run.
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Cork Flooring is becoming increasingly more popular because of the many benefits it offers. If you are looking for Cork Floor in the Kitchen , go to iCork Floor.
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