Any flooring that exceeds 25-30 linear feet, we recommend you add a transition strip which will help the floor expand and contract naturally.
Yes but be very careful how long you leave the tape on it and carefully remove it because the adhesive on the back on the tape “MAY” damage the finish when removed. It would be best to test on a spare piece of flooring.
Yes, exposure to UV light as well as sunlight will cause color variations to cork; typically a yellowing. This is normal and not a manufacturing defect. Area rugs and large furniture will block light exposure and cause uneven coloration. To minimize fading, furnishings and floor coverings should be moved periodically. Covering large exposed windows will help as well.
Please address concerns immediately with the retailer your purchased your flooring from.
Look around for visible water stains on the drywall and subfloor, particularly on the concrete.

Moisture Testing: APC Adhesive requires the use of moisture tests on all concrete and wood subfloors. Subfloor moisture percentages should not exceed the flooring manufacturer’s or APC Adhesive recommendations, whichever is lowest. If excessive moisture is present, use an appropriate vapor barrier.

The Calcium Chloride test measures moisture emission in concrete. The maximum level when installing cork flooring is 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet over 24 hours. APC recommends using a Concrete Moisture Encounter meter for reliable concrete testing. The meter should be pressed firmly to the subfloor for an accurate reading. Maximum reading for cork installations over concrete should not exceed 4 ? on the meter. Moisture in wood subfloors should be measured with a wood moisture meter. The moisture content should not exceed 14%. Subfloors should be within 5% of the wood flooring’s moisture content. Read flooring manufacturer’s moisture standards. A moisture meter can also be used to measure in concrete. Follow the instructions carefully. Moisture meters measure wood and concrete differently.

The Accelerated Plastic Film test is a good indicator test for concrete moisture. Tape 2′ x 2′ poly film squares with duct tape to concrete subfloor in several areas throughout the floor. Position a light close enough to warm the surface of the plastic film (approximately 18”). Lift the squares after 24-72 hours. If moisture condensation is present on the film or if the concrete has darkened, this indicates moisture is present.

Cork itself is a very dense product and is designed to withstand commercial traffic. Cork has a lot of memory due to the air cells and recovers well from most objects. Like any floor, cork can be punctured by sharp objects and damaged by furniture feet. It is recommended that furniture with sharp or damaged legs have protective pads placed on them
Just like wood, cork floors are subject to expansion and contraction due to climate. During heating season, moisture is lost and the tiles may contract slightly showing small spaces between the planks. When moisture levels increase, the tiles will expand.

Cork as a rule is more stable than wood flooring for the fact that when wood expands, it does so only in the direction of the grain. With cork, the expansion or contraction process is dispersed in all directions. With proper acclimation, installation and maintenance, any expansion/contraction will not be noticeable.

Maintaining a stable environment with temperature and humidity control is optimal. During installation, the following precautions should be taken: If installing in the winter; once the planks have been acclimated, do not install the joins too tightly as the floor can go through an expansion period months later. In summer; again after the tile have been acclimated, it is necessary to butt the tiles together tightly since dry heat will cause them to contract in winter.

Cork is a natural insulator so just by having a heated house; the floor will draw the warmth. If you still want to install radiant heat, it has posed no problems. The floor may take slightly longer warm up but the heat will be retained efficiently

Only floating floors should be installed over radiant heat systems. Floating floors tend to go through normal contraction and expansion as a unit since they are not attached to the sub-floor.

Certain precautions need to taken to minimize the contraction and expansion. Prior to installation, the slab needs to be heated and a 75-degree temperature maintained. The floor itself needs to be acclimated in the room for 72 hours prior to installation

Because there is a higher probability of moisture in a basement slab, only floating floors are recommended. Tiles that are glued could delaminate and cup, therefore are not recommended.

We recommend the use of the floating floor with a foam film underlayment as a moisture barrier underneath.

Absolutely, 6mm and 8mm cork is being widely used for sound reduction in buildings. It is a very economical and effective way to meet building codes for sound control. Cork underlayment used under tile, marble, laminate, cork and hardwood floors and is available in 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm and 12mm thickness.
Cork floors are fine for a kitchen. They are very comfortable to stand on and easy to maintain as well as hypoallergenic and sound absorbent.

Sweeping and damp mopping should be part of your regular maintenance program as grit could act as sandpaper and scratch your additional coat of sealer. If the floor starts to show signs of wear, simply apply another topcoat and this should bring back the original luster to the floor.

Floating floors are not recommended for bathroom, however glue down tiles can be used. Precautions should be taken to protect the floor from excessive spills and water. After installation of the tiles, it is important that you caulk the perimeter of the room, prior to installing molding or wall base. This will prevent water damage getting into the sub-floors or walls. It will be necessary to seal the floor with at least two coats of sealer.
If the floor was installed prior to 1970 it would most likely have wax on it. You will need to contact a wood floor finisher and sand the floor down to bare cork in order for you to recoat with a sealer. You can choose to stain the floor a different color before sealing if you would like to change the original color. If the finisher cannot remove the wax completely your only recourse is to continue waxing the floor because sealer will not penetrate the wax.
10 feet area – 1/4″ or 2 – 3 feet area 1/8″
Cork floors come prefinished with an acrylic matte varnish that could be scratched by claws of both dogs and cats running across the floor. Cork is comprised of air cells so it gives under pressure. This allows for less abrasion than with wood for example. Good maintenance like the application of polish or urethane will eliminate any tiny scratches that may be caused by pets.