Even so, there are available solutions that do not compromise the quality of the design you want to create. Maybe marble flooring was the initial plan, however it just doesn’t fit into the budget, that doesn’t mean you have to forgoe the look of marble, you could opt for cork flooring instead. Take bathroom flooring for example. You can easily use cork tiles, which has great characteristics such as being fully waterproof as the alternative, it not only brings a lower cost but also can be made to mimic the look of marble flooring while giving you all the benefits of cork.

Cork Tiles Applications

You will be amazed at the number of places in which cork tiles https://www.icorkfloor.com/installing-cork-tiles can be used. This material has been used as flooring for more than 150 years. Its first applications was in religious centers in Portugal and Spain. The US Library of Congress has its original cork flooring that has been in use since its opening. These famous places were not wrong in choosing this material. It has lots of benefits in lots of areas. It is famous for its warmth and distinctive feel. Some say its just a perfect carpet substitute. Its looks are also great. Not to mention that with todays technology you can apply a varitety of finishes to a cork floor.

Cork tiles are also formidably durable. Lots of instalments of cork flooring https://www.icorkfloor.com from the 1890 – 1940 period are still in use today. Most of them look as beautiful as when they were orginally placed. The reason why it is so durable is that cork compresses and then depresesses, able to return to its original shape. Cork is also a highly water resistant material. In fact, it is the only wood-made material that can claim this characteristic. The benefits do not end here. This material is also fire retardant and insect resistant. These benefits can put you at ease when compromising for less expensive material. But if you think about it, there is no actual compromise here to be made. The main reason why cork is not as expensive as other materials is because it is taken form a sustainable source, and is currently gaining in popularity. Nowadays cork tends to be regarded for its retro appeal.

Cork products go for around $2 to $12 per square foot depending on a variety of factors; like the density, shape, finishing layer ect. Keep in mind that these prices are usually without adding installation to the equation. If you want it to be professionally installed, which is highly advised, then the prices will have an added $3 to $5 dollars per square foot. As with every product available on any market, the better the quality the more durable the product, so shop with that in mind. Even products made out of the same prime material can differ from one another manufacturer to another, so remember this when you are going shopping.

Maintaining and Cleaning the Cork Flooring

Keeping your newly installed floor clean is not too much of a hassle. The final finishing layer is almost exactly the same as you would find on hardwood floors. Whatever the case might be, this is still wood so avoid using extremely potent cleaners, as the great look might fade away. Go with the manufacter/distributor reccomendations for the proper cleaning products and avoid abrasive cleaners. The reasons are evident, they degrade the finish itself and then can damage the cork sheeting beneath. A cork floor requires periodical sweeping or vacuuming of the floor to keep it tidy, and depending on the amount of traffic, damp mopping about once a month. Even if all the conditions are respected, a new polyurethane finish is advised every two to seven years depending on the usage levels.

In worst-case scenarios, if cleaned or applied incorrectly the floor can start to swell or gap between pieces. Most manufacturers and distrubutors, thus, advise professional installation. The cost of reparations might run higher than that of the initial installment, so it might be wiser to pay more now than pay even more later. Like the old saying goes “Better safe than sorry!”