RESILIENT FLOOR COVERING

1. RESILIENT FLOOR COVERING

2. Cork flooring. It became popular in the United States when renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright chose cork flooring for many of his home designs.

3. Features; • This resource is renewable and sustainable • No matter how much foot traffic it endures, or how long furniture stands on it, it retains its shape and elasticity • It’s a natural fire inhibitor • It insulates against heat and cold and maintains a warm floor temperature in your home • It has excellent acoustic properties, as it absorbs ambient sound • It is naturally anti-static • It has an inherent cushioning nature • Its properties prevent the cultivation of mold and resist dust mites and insects • This material is resistant to moisture penetration • It is an excellent choice of flooring for rooms used by children or the elderly

4. Today’s cork floors offer selection, performance, and beauty and can be manufactured as tiles, planks, or even sheets in various thicknesses. The cork goes through a baking process that increases its durability, and is then sealed with polyurethane or wax. There is practically no waste--from the harvesting of the raw material--to the finished floor, making it highly desirable as a “green” product. The bark is taken from a cork oak tree and harvested without any negative environmental impact. In fact, the bark actually re-grows and can be harvested again in nine to twelve years! • Cork floors are, more or less, synonymous with comfort and gentleness underfoot. This might be your material of choice if you have toddlers and small children at home prone to falls. Homes for the elderly often incorporate cork as the flooring of choice for its unique level of comfort and warmth. If you stand for long periods of time, cork underfoot helps relieve back stress and leg fatigue.

5. How to care for cork floors • Wipe away spills at once • Damp mop the floor occasionally • Vacuum and sweep regularly to clean dirt and grit that can cause abrasion to the floor • Place breathable mats and rugs at entrances to prevent dirt and debris from being tracked in • Use a mat in front of the kitchen stove and sink to prevent wear due to excessive use • Use felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scuffs • If the finish is appearing dull, have your floors recoated to protect the cork • As with any floor covering material, use window coverings to prevent excessive exposure to direct sunlight

6. What not to do • Don’t wet mop a cork floor. Avoid excessive moisture • Don’t use mats with rubber backings. (They trap moisture and affect the finish of the floor) • Don’t walk on cork floors with stiletto heels • Don’t drag heavy furniture across a cork floor. Better to lift and place to protect the floor