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Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: We find that in comparing prices your prices are the most economical. Why?
Question 2: Why people choose a floating floor ?
Question 3: Why should I purchase a cork floor?
Question 4: Can cork flooring be installed in the kitchen and the bathroom?
Question 5:How durable is it?
Question 6:Will my floating floor sound hollow when I walk on it?
Question 7:Is cork a good soultion for a busy family?
Question 8:What is the difference between our brand to other ?
Question 9:Is natural cork flooring a healthier alternative to other floorings?
Question 10:Why do I need to put a polyurethane finish on my floating floor?
Question 11:Will my pets damage the cork floors?
Question 12:Will cork flooring resist high heels and heavy furniture?
Question 13:Are cork floors affected by moisture and temperature changes?
Question 14:Can you install a cork floor over radiant heat?
Question 15:Is cork underlayment a good choice for soundproofing?
Question 16: Can I wax my floor?
Question 17: How to move heavy objects (fridge or stove) over your flooring?
Question 18: Are cork floors new or have they been around and I just haven't heard about them?
Question 19: Is cork flooring suitable for kitchens and bathrooms?
Question 20:Can we install a cork floor in the basement?
Question 21: Is the color of all cork flooring consistent?
Question 22:We find that in comparing prices your prices are the most economical. Why?
Question 23:Is there any formaldehyde in your products?
Question 24:Does cork flooring require underlayment?
Question 25. Why is cork flooring known to be a good insulator?
Question 26. Q. Can I install my cork flooring myself?

Question 1: We find that in comparing prices your prices are the most economical. Why?
Answer: You are getting the benefits of a true factory outlet price.
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Question 2: Why people choose a floating floor?

Ease of installation

Used for a basement room over a concrete slab due to dampness

Forna floating floating are the best flooring to be used over radiant heat system.

Floating floors can be installed over laminates.

Forna glue down tiles can be installed in wet areas but requires additional poly urethane .

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Question 3: Why should I purchase a cork floor?
Answer: Cork floors are as durable as most other floors. In addition, they are a natural product, environmentally friendly, and produced from a renewable resource (bark of cork oak tree when peeled does not damage the tree). In addition cork flooring is antistatic, sound absorbing, insulating (both heat and cold), and a relief for those with allergies.
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Question 4: Can cork flooring be installed in the kitchen and the bathroom?

Answer: Cork floating floors are suitable for the kitchen and bathroom if several coats of polyurethane is applied to seal all seam lines or the product comes with sealed edges.

Cork tiles that are glued down do not require sealing if they come with a urethane finish. However, it is highly advised that you seal the floor for bathrooms, if you know water will sit on floor for long periods of time. If you wish to seal the joints, it will be necessary to screen the tiles and refinish with two coats of sealent and you should caulk the perimeter of the room, prior to installing baseboard. This will protect the sub-floor from water and protect from scratching.

Cork flooring is 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 sealer. If the floor starts to show signs of wear, simply apply another topcoat of sealer and this should bring back the original luster to the floor.

Precautions should be taken to protect the floor from excessive spills.
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Question 5: How durable is it?
Answer: Cork is an extremely durable product but can still be scratched and dented like any floor (drop a can of beans on your hardwood floor and it will dent as well) but with proper care can provide a beautiful floor for years. We have customers who have installed them in their homes, who own large dogs and they have never had any problems. You may also further protect your floor by applying several coats of additional poly urethane which will help protect your floor. If you are concerned about durability, please order samples and try denting them before placing an order.
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Question 6: Will my floating floor sound hollow when I walk on it?
Answer: Cork is a natural sound absorber so it will not sound hollow when you walk on it. Both glue down tiles and floating floors are perfect for homes with cathedral ceilings since it will reduce the echoing traditional flooring would create. You may also install cork underlayment to further decrease any issues of sound.
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Question 7: Is cork a good soultion for a busy family?
Answer: For a busy family, we recommend the application of 2-3 additional coats of poly urethane after installation. This will protect the floor and keep and top surface scratches on the top layer and not damage your flooring. After this measure is taken, cork flooring will be the perfect flooring for years to come.
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Question 8: What is the difference between our brand to other ?
Answer: Our Cork Floating are finished: 3 layers of Water based PU varnish imported from Germany. Water-based polyurethanes provide a clear finish and have NO odor. You can recoat them. Also, tt has nature look than Oil-based polyurethanes. Water-based polyurethanes provide is environment friendly. Oil-based polyurethanes leave strong odor. Most of all, it will cause Environmental Issues
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Question 9: Is natural cork flooring a healthier alternative to other floorings?
Answer: Natural cork flooring is a great alternative for allergy suffers since dust, mold and insects will not be able to take hold, as they do in carpeting. People with bad knees and joint problems, will find the the combination of cork flooring and cork underlayment a great alternative to standing on cold hard tile. For parents with small children or the elderly, falling on cork flooring versus tile, may make the difference between a small bump or serious injury.
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Question 10: Why do I need to put a polyurethane finish on my floating floor?

Answer: It is recommended that you apply two to four applications of polyurethane to all cork flooring. This will seal all seams, provide a waterproof coating, help prevent scoffing and denting, and extend the life of your cork. If your floor does become heavily scratched or damaged, you can restore it through refinishing, just as you would hard wood flooring.

We do not recommend using a low grade polyurethane. Please purchase your polyurethane at a hard wood flooring store. .

Always use a water based polyurethane versus a solvent based counter part. Water based polyurethane will not amber and dry quicker. ..

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Question 11: Will my pets damage the cork floors?

Answer: Most cork floors and cork tiles come prefinished with an acrylic matte varnish and like any wood flooring can 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 traditional wood flooring.

Good maintenance and a polyurethane finish will help prevent scratching.

To cover scratches, some customers use Old English Scratch Cover and dab it on with a Q-tip to cover blemishes. Make sure you test it on a left over piece or in a corner before applying to an area.
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Question 12: Will cork flooring resist high heels and heavy furniture?

Answer: Cork flooring is produced in a density high enough to withstand heavy traffic and weight. One of the characteristics of cork is that it has a "memory" and therefor recovers well from compression, very much like a wine cork being puled out of a bottle expands. A polyurethane surface finish further protects the cork and allows for easy maintenance. Over time, heavy furniture will leave an indentation in your cork floor, so it is recommended that you use a furniture floor protector pad which will disperse the weight and prevent indentations. Like any floor, cork can be punctured by sharp objects and damaged by pointy furniture feet. Nevertheless, just like other flooring materials, we recommend the use of protective pads under furniture legs.

Most shoes will not damage cork flooring but stiletto heels may leave an indentation. It is recommend to remove any pointy heeled shoes.
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Question 13: Are cork floors affected by moisture and temperature changes?
Answer: Just like wood, cork floors are subject to expansion and contraction due to climate. During hot seasons, moisture is lost and the tiles may contract slightly showing seam lines. When moisture levels increase, the tiles will expand.

As a rule, cork flooring is more stable than wood flooring because when wood expands, it does so only in the direction of the grain. With cork, the expansion and contraction process is dispersed in all directions. With proper acclimation, installation and maintenance, any expansion and contraction will not be noticeable.
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Question 14: Can you install a cork floor over radiant heat?

Answer: Cork is a natural insulator, so simply by heating your house, the floor will draw in warmth. Installing radiant heat poses no problem. The floor may take slightly longer to 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. Glue down cork floors are not recommended due to the adhesive used to adhere the flooring to the sub-floor.

Certain precautions need to be taken to minimize the contraction and expansion. Prior to installation, the slab needs to be heated and maintained at desired room temperature for 48 to 72 hours with the flooring in the room to acclimate. Please leave radiant heat on for 24 hours after installation is complete.
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Question 15: Is cork underlayment a good choice for soundproofing?
Answer: Absolutely! 6mm cork is widely being used for sound reduction in buildings. It is a very economical and effective way to meet building codes for sound control. Cork underlayment can be used under tile, marble, laminate, cork and hardwood floors.

For rooms with high ceilings, cork flooring with cork underlayment is a perfect choice to eliminate the echoing quality that hardwood flooring creates.
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Question 16: Can I wax my floor?
Answer: You may use a butchers wax aka bowling allley wax. a 1 lb can should spread about 1000 sq. ft. Use sparingly. Apply with slightly damp cloth. Do small area ..let dry and buff. Use of a commercial buffer is not recommended as it makes the floor too slippery.
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Question 17: How to move heavy objects (fridge or stove) over your flooring?
Answer: If possible, you should lift and place your object into the location you want it. If you can not do this, lay down a hard surface such as plywood and create a path to the location your fridge or stove will be placed. Pleae make sure the plywood is thick and large enough to disperse the weight of the object. You may also want to place a moving blanket under the plywood to prevent any scractching.
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Question 18: Are cork floors new or have they been around and I just haven't heard about them?
Answer: Cork floors have been used since early in the last century. First, Our products have been exported to Japan, then Europeans for a decade. Japan and Europeans are particularly familiar with cork flooring. More recently cork floors have become very popular in North America and Australia and are now sold virtually around the world.
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Question 19: Is cork flooring suitable for kitchens and bathrooms?

Answer: Yes, it is suitable for all rooms - both residential and commercial. Kitchens are one of the most common rooms for cork flooring installations since it is comfortable to stand on and easy to clean and maintain. Surface water spills do not harm cork flooring. Simply wipe up as you would on any other floors.

In bathrooms cork is warm underfoot as well. If heavy water spills are anticipated (such as much splashing by children in bathtubs) we recommend that after installation of floor the perimeter of the room is caulked prior to installing molding or base boards.
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Question 20: Can we install a cork floor in the basement?
Answer: We recommend the installation of cork floating floors in basements. Due to a risk of moisture migration from the concrete slab floating floors should be placed over a moisture barrier (6 mil film of polyethylene). This will provide you with trouble-free flooring. If you wish to use glue down cork tiles in your basement, you can do so but we would recommend that you first place a moisture barrier over the concrete slab and on top of this barrier you install plywood sub-floor. You then glue the tiles to the sub-floor.
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Question 21: Is the color of all cork flooring consistent?
Answer: Cork floorings are high quality, natural materials and should be recognized as such. Some shade variation is an inherent and attractive characteristic of all natural products, whether cork, wood, or bamboo.
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Question 22: We find that in comparing prices your prices are the most economical. Why?
Answer: You are getting the benefits of a true factory outlet price.
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Question 23: Is there any formaldehyde in your products?
Answer: Our products meet the European E1 and E0 Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Green Flooring. The Formaldehyde Emission Standards is less than 0.5 mg/L. Our products of Formaldehyde Emission is less than 0.1mg/L. There is less Formaldehyde in our product than Formaldehyde in an apple or a bottle of beer.
In the manufacturing process, we use German edible-grade water-based polyurethane adhesive that is used to process wine corks.
There is a certain amount of formaldehyde all organic products (even in your vegetable and fruits), but it is safe to consume.
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Question 24: Does cork flooring require underlayment?
Answer: Forna cork flooring does not require underlayment, just a vapor barrier in the form of a plastic sheet.
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Question 25: Q. Why is cork flooring known to be a good insulator?
Answer: The cellular nature of cork flooring allows warmth to be held in, making it a very warm flooring to walk on, even in winter months. Another aspect of the kind of insulation cork flooring provides is that of sound, which is naturally absorbed. This makes for almost silent footfalls and can have a significant quieting effect in areas which are normally associated with echoes and other distracting ambient sounds, such as in foyers and hallways.
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Question 26: Can I install my cork flooring myself?
Answer: Forna cork flooring comes with a UniClic locking system which makes for ease of installation, requiring about the same level of flooring installation experienceneeded for a laminate flooring project, for instance.
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