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Installation Guidelines for AmCork Parquet Cork Floor Tiles

Download Install Guide - Parquet Floor Tiles

Download AmCork Install Guide - Parquet Floor Tiles (PDF Document)

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AmCork Install Guide - Parquet Floor Tiles

WARNING!

You must adhere the cork parquet tiles to the subfloor using DriTac 6200 tile adhesive applied as a two-part contact glue. Apply a paper thin coat of the adhesive to the subfloor and to the back of the parquet tiles.You should use a high density foam painter's roller making sure that the adhesive is flashed (turned transparent) before adhering the tiles. This will provide the strongest bond for cork wall tile installation. Too much adhesive or not allowing it to flash will cause the tiles to cup and not bond around the edges. Cork flooring needs polyurethane after the flooring tile installation. The use of "Traffic" by BonaKemi or "Xterra" by Dura Seal is required under our 25-year warranty. Read our instructions on how to install cork parquet flooring carefully before installation. Responsibility for the suitability of the parquet tiles or the adhesive for each individual case cannot be assumed by American Cork Products Company since American Cork Products Company has no influence on the installer's proper application.
  
  

PREPARATION / ACCLIMATIZATION

Open cartons must be at job site for 48-72 hours prior to use for proper cork tile installation. During storage and floor tile installation, maintain temperature and relative humidity to level consistent to conditions that will prevail when building is occupied. With improper acclimatization, the floor could expand or contract after installation. Rooms and sub-floor temperature should be between 65-85°F. All substrates must be clean, dry, and dust-free prior to parquet flooring installation. All holes, cracks, and joints must be patched with a Portland cement based compound (follow manufacturer's
instructions). Compound must be properly cured before parquet floor installation.
  
  

INSTALLING ON CONCRETE

Cork parquet tiles can be installed over concrete on or above grade. When using parquet over a concrete substrate, AmCork's 1/4" cork undlerlay sheets are recommended. Concrete must be sound, smooth, and level with a maximum variation of 1/8" in 10 feet. Any abnormality in the subfloor will be transparent through cork parquet tiles. Test concrete substrate with a calcium chloride moisture test. Moisture content level cannot exceed 3lbs. in a 1.000 sqft area.
  
  

INSTALLING ON WOOD

Plywood must be smooth, level, and structurally sound prior to parquet style tile installation. Sand uneven areas as needed. New plywood should be 3/8" or W' thick with one side finished. Basements and crawlspaces may affect sub-floor temperatures and humidity. The use of 6-mil polyethylene is recommended over the earth.
  
  

INSTALLING OVER RADIANT HEATING SYSTEMS

AmCork tiles are only compatible with hot water radiant heating systems. Do not install cork tiles over electric radiant heating systems. Floating floors tend to expand and contract as a unit and therefore are recommended when in use with radiant heating systems. Cork parquet tiles can be installed as long as the consumer understands that gaps between parquet tiles could be visible during the heating seasons. Prior to cork flooring installation you will need to turn the system on, regardless of the time of year, for 4-5 days. Maximum surface temperature should never exceed 85°F.
  
  

LAYING CORK PARQUET

For best results lay tiles with staggered joints. Mix tiles from various cartons to maintain natural variation of color and pattern. Allow 1/4" expansion space between finished floor and all walls, thresholds, water pipes, and other vertical surfaces. Use a silicone sealer near bathtubs, commodes, etc. When moisture level in the environment is low, parquet tiles should not be positioned too tightly against one another. When moisture level is high, tiles should be installed tightly.
  
  

CLEAN UP

Follow manufacturer's instructions based on adhesive type.
  
  

APPLICATION OF POLYURETHANE

In order to minimize damages to your flooring and to prevent dirt and liquid spills from penetrating through the joints the use of polyurethane is required. Bona Kemi's 'Traffic" polyurethane or Dura Seal's "X-terra" polyurethane is required under our 25-year warranty. Residential applications require 2 coats and heavy residential or commercial use requires 3 coats. See attachment for manufacturer's instructions on use.
  
  

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

Sweep and/or vacuum floor regularly. Never saturate the floor with water when mopping. Damp mop (only) floor as needed. Use wide casters or felt tips under legs of furniture. Cork flooring, like any other wood floor, will fade if exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. The use of drapes or other systems is recommended to protect the floor.
Please note that pre-finished polyurethane tiles have a characteristic known as "fullness" which appears around the perimeter of the tile. It creates a slight rise along the seams, even though the tiles join flush and squarely with one another. "Fullness" occurs because cork is a natural product that absorbs and emits moisture on the surfaces that are unfinished (tile edges). It is not considered a defect in materials. Once cork flooring tile is installed, application of polyurethane on the entire floor may reduce the "fullness" effect.