Application of polyurethane finish: In order to prevent dirt and liquid spills from penetrating through the joints, a coat of polyurethane should be applied after installation of the floor. after properly cleaning your cork floor with a neutral hardwood floor cleaner, apply a coat of high quality polyurethane finish with a lambs wool applicator. Follow polyurethane manufacturer's instructions for application. Natural Cork recommends the use of a water based finish to maintain the integrity of the color of the floor. Allow 12 hours of curing time prior to walking on the floor. For installation in bathrooms, the perimeter of the room should be caulked prior to installing the molding. For Commercial application - Apply 3 coats of Bona Kemi Mega polyurethane (800) 872-5515

1. Protection

Necessary steps to protect a cork floor:

• To help eliminate fine particles of dirt/grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep as needed.
• Spills should be wiped up immediately 
• Use walk off mats at entrance doors. Avoid rubber backed or other non-ventilated mats or rugs.
• Install proper protectors under feet of furniture.
• Caster wheeled chairs should have wide casters.
• Periodically check floor for signs of wear.

Fading: Cork contains organic pigments. Just like a wood floor, cork will fade and should never be exposed directly to sunlight. Where possible, use drapes or other systems to protect your floor from excessive light.

2. Maintenance

Residential Environment: Sweep or Vacuum as needed. Damp mop with a neutral hardwood floor cleaner. Never wet mop or flood the floor when cleaning. Squeeze from the bottle onto the floor and use a lambs wool applicator to apply a thin coat of Refresher. Coverage should be approximately 800 square feet per quart. Allow 2 hours to dry, and then apply a second thin coat. Refresher, is a non toxic water based formula. It can be applied 2-3 times per year and will restore the floor to a satin finish.

Commercial Environment: Sweep or Vacuum as needed and damp mop using a neutral hardwood floor cleaner. Never wet mop or flood the floor when cleaning.

High Traffic Areas: For best results, apply Protect Coat using a high speed buffer and white pad, as frequently as once a week for areas subjected to heavy traffic. Mist the surface of the floor with Protect Coat and, using a white pad allow the buffer to work across the surface of the floor.

Light Traffic Areas: In areas with light traffic, 2 thin coats of Protect Coat can be applied with the provided lamb's wool applicator 4 to 6 times a year. Apply the second coat perpendicularly to the first one. Coverage is 800 square feet per quart. When becoming dull, the floor should be buffed with a high speed buffer and white pad. Protect Coat is a waterborne polish formula containing acrylic and wax. Let dry completely before allowing traffic. Protect Coat will provide a satin finish.

Note: If because of improper maintenance or damage, the floor requires another coat of polyurethane. Protect Coat must be completely removed.

Staining: Remember, the beauty of using Cork Parquet Tiles and Natural Cork Floating Floors is they can be stained a color before the protective coating is applied. The stain may be any high quality commercial oil based stain that is for use on unfinished hardwood floors for on site staining. For better results with water based stains, pieces should be stained and sealed individually prior to installation. Follow the stain manufacturer's recommendations for the application process.

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