Congratulations on your purchase of your NFP Cork floor and to guarantee satisfaction we are including several pages of tips and instructions for your cork floor.

TYPES OF SUBFLOORS OR SUBSTRATES

The subfloor is of great importance. It is necessary that the subfloor is solid, hard, level, free of grease or dust prior to installation of your NFP Cork Floor. If in doubt, have your subfloor professionally installed and prepared by flooring expert.

Cork flooring can be installed over "Pro-board", "Structure Board", Mahogany, Plywood or concrete. Subfloors should be dry, free of dust and grease.

STEPS TO INSTALLING A CORK FLOOR

MAINTENANCE, REFINISHING AND REPAIRING NFP CORK FLOORING

See detailed information for each step

MOISTURE TEST PRIOR TO NSTALLATION OVER CONCRETE FLOORS

Prior to installation on concrete, it is recommended that a moisture test be done.

Choose several different areas of the floor and tape a clear plastic square approx "24 x24" to the concrete to form a sealed "window." If, after 24-48 hrs. there is no "dew-like" formation under plastic window this indicates that the concrete substrate is dry enough to install cork. If in doubt contact a flooring expert.

TYPICAL TOOLS REQUIRED FOR CORK FLOOR INSTALLATION

Additional tools include a roller for pressing seams and a vaccum cleaner.
CONCRETE FLOOR PREPARATION

Once you have determined (by following NFP's recommended moisture test procedure) that the floor is dry enough to install cork flooring follow these simple installation guidelines
.

  • Note that the more level your floor the better the end result
  • Concrete floor should be smooth, free of any debris
  • Floor should be sanded with a coarse sandpaper to ensure removal of any dirt particles that would telegraph through the cork flooring.
Dips or cavities in floor should be filled with a floor leveling compound such as "plani-patch" with adhesive additive. Follow manufacturers instructions.

If in doubt contact your local flooring specialist.
Once the cavities and dips are filled and sanded smooth and level, vacuum and tack the floor with a damp cloth.

The floor is now ready for the application of adhesive - see application of adhesive instructions.
Photo available
 WOOD FLOOR PREPARATION

For best results NFP recommends a subfloor be installed over any existing flooring. NFP suggests using a subfloor material such as "Pro-board" "Structure Board"or Mahogany Plywood.
Photo available INSTALLING A SUBFLOOR

Climatize subfloor material in the area of installation for several days prior to installation.

Install subfloor using flooring adhesive and fastening with flooring staples. Lay subfloor perpendicular to existing plywood, staggering the joints. Fill all joints with "plani-patch" mixed with an adhesive compound, and sand smooth.
CLEAN THE FLOOR

Vacuum and tack floor with a damp cloth.

Once floor is clean, level and smooth you can now proceed with the application of the cork flooring adhesive.
Illustration Required CHOOSING YOUR FLOOR LAYING PLAN

By loose laying some cork tiles you can determine your desired pattern and establish a starting point. Here are a few points to help you choose the most appealing floor plan.
Illustration Required When entering the room the tiles should run perpendicular to the window as in figure 1 and not as per figure 2. This method is more pleasing to the eye. If pattern is 12x12 tiles being installed in a ceramic type fashion then it is not necessary to follow the above method. Only if tiles are 6x24 or 12x24 should you use the method shown in the figures described.
SNAPPING A GUIDE LINE

To establish your starting point place a tile 1/4" away from the wall on the opposite sides of room see figure 3. Draw pencil line and snap a chalk line to make sure you start with a straight line.
No Photo Available If material you are joining up to (i.e.: carpet, vinyl, wood, ceramic)
is in a doorway away from room wall, cut tile A and tile B so that you will have a full tile in the centre of the doorway
Now that you have determined the cork floor laying pattern, vacuum the floor and tack with a clean damp cloth. Snap chalk line and you are now ready to apply the adhesive on the floor. See applying adhesive instructions.
APPLICATION OF CORK FLOORING ADHESIVE

Your cork adhesive is a special latex contact adhesive. A coat is on the back of the tiles and then a coat of adhesive is applied to the floor, once the back of the tiles and the floor make contact they bond together. NFP cork tiles come with the adhesive pre-glued to the back of the tiles so all you have to do is apply the adhesive to the subfloor.
Apply adhesive along walls and in doorways with a brush
Use a short hair roller to apply adhesive to the large areas not cut by brush. It is best to use a long handle on the roller so that you have an overall view of the floor.

Note: You can roll adhesive over your chalk line.
Let adhesive dry until it is transparent approx. 1-2 hrs. Allow for adequate ventilation while applying adhesive and after to speed up drying time.
Undercut door jams using a scrap piece of cork as a thickness guide
INSTALLING CORK FLOOR TILES

After applying adhesive (as per adhesive instruction) start installing the tiles on room side of chalk line

Inspect each tile prior to setting the tile in place for any debris that may be stuck to back of tile. If you don't do this you may end up with little bumps or ridges visible on the finished floor.
Install 1 complete row at a time. Cut tile at the end of each row staying within 1/4 inch of the wall.
Use cut off tile (only if it is 4 inches or more) to start a new row...
staggering the joints, keeping them approximately 4-6 inches apart
After 2 or 3 rows go back and install row on wall side
When cutting cork tiles use a hard surface to cut on, making sure to do all cutting away from installation area.
Cut tiles using a sharp knife along a straight edge or carpenters square snapping tile along your cut edge to break away from full tile.
Snapping tile creates a clean break
Use a tile cutter if available
When installing cut tiles always butt factory cut edges together.

Each tile should be carefully set tight to the adjoining tiles and pressed firmly into place by hand.
Photo Required
 When attempting to cut around obstruction i.e.: cupboards, doorways, it is best to use a barrier between tile and floor (either wax paper or cardboard) to prevent tile from adhering to floor.
Photo Required
 VACUUM ENTIRE FLOOR

After you are finished laying the tiles, inspect the floor and remove any debris or cut off pieces of cork.
ROLL THE FLOOR

Once the floor is laid you must roll entire surface with a floor roller see figure 7 to ensure that every joint is flat and secure.

Vacuum and damp tack floor. The floor is now ready for the application of Urethane.

APPLICATION OF URETHANE TO CORK FLOOR

NFP Imports uses only the highest quality specially designed cork floor water-based urethane to coat our floors. NFP urethanes are manufactured using strict guidelines for durability, flexibility and environmental concerns. See NFP technical data sheet for more detailed information about our environmentally friendly urethanes.

If you have selected a coloured cork floor, it is possible that during the packaging, shipping or installation that some tiles might have nicks in the stain. If this occurs, before applying the urethane, use the touch up kit provided with your order to re-touch damaged areas. Make sure to wipe off excess touch up stain and let dry thoroughly.

Shake or stir urethane container for 2-3 minutes then pour into plastic bucket or container big enough to hold long hair lint free roller.
Illustration Required
 It is important to pre-plan the method of application so that you have a starting and ending point. Work in sections that are manageable. For best results it is recommended that the work be done as a 2 person team. One for cutting in along the edges, and around obstructions and the other person to do the rolling.
Photo Required
 When rolling urethane into cut in areas distribute the urethane in sections overlapping the still wet urethane keep wet edge.

Do not leave puddles.

For a good drying and end result these next steps are very important.
  • Allow adequate drying time between coats 4-6 hrs.under good conditions: temp
    between 18 & 20 degrees Celsius and relative humidity around 55-65 %.
  • Work area should be at room temperature
  • Do not apply urethane to floor if floor temperature is lower than 5 degrees Celsius.
  • Do not use in areas of high relative humidity- above 80%
  • Use adequate ventilation but no drafts.
  • Do not apply urethane too thick
  • It is important that you use up all of the urethane supplied, even if it means applying an extra coat.

. MAINTENANCE

CORK Maintenance System

When you choose NFP, you choose not only natural beauty but also an easy-to-clean and easy-to-maintain product.

Did someone spill something? Did someone else fail to wipe his or her shoes? No problem! Since every NFP cork floor is finished with a wearproof top coat, you do not need to worry about spills or mud. All that is needed is to go once in a while over the floor with a wet cloth, a dust cloth or the vacuum cleaner and your NFP cork floor is as good as new again!

To keep maintenance to a minimum, we suggest that you keep the top coat of your cork floor in tip-top condition. NFP will be happy to help you in this regard and has developed three products, made especially for your floor:

(1) CORK FLOOR POLISH

For ease of maintenance NFP suggests that a polish be appied either satin or semi-gloss.

How to apply cork floor polish

Apply a thin, undiluted coat of polish with a wet cloth, sponge or floor finish applicator and spread it uniformly across the cork floor. You get the best result by applying the finish in sections, overlapping them while still wet. Be sure to allow the floor to dry thoroughly. Do not dry with forced air and keep draft out. After the floor has thoroughly dried, apply a second coat perpendicular to the first coat.

1 liter Polymer Finish is sufficient for a floor surface of 800 to 1000 sq.ft.

If you prefer a cork floor with a somewhat matted appearance, cork floor polish is available in satin finish.

(2) CLEANGLOSS (CORK FLOOR CLEANER)

Once a cork floor is finished with cork floor polish, do not use any harsh household detergents. In most cases these detergents damage the top coat and jeopardize the wear-proof guarantee. Instead, after having applied polish, use CLEANGLOSS (a two-in-one cleaning detergent and maintenance product). With just one treatment, your floor will be completely clean and, in addition, has been given extra-protection thanks to CLEANGLOSS

How to use CLEANGLOSS

Start with a thorough vacuuming of the floor. Add _ cup of CLEANGLOSS to about 7.5 liters lukewarm water and wash floor. You do not need to rinse the floor. Just allow the damp cork floor to dry by itself.

(3) STRIPPER (POLISH REMOVER)

For removing old coats of cork floor polish, use the stripper as directed.

How to use NFP stripper
Mix 1 liter remover with 9 liters lukewarm water. Spread this mixture over the cork floor with mop or cloth. Allow the remover to soak in for about 10 to 15 minutes and scrub the floor. It is extremely important to completely remove all diluted residues of polish. This can be accomplished by using a wet/dry vacuum.
If necessary, repeat the treatment and then rinse the floor with clean water. Prior to applying a coat of polish, be sure that floor is completely dry.

Note: All NFP maintenance products must be stored in their packaging in a cool, but frost-free area; and kept out of reach of children and pets.
. REFINISHING

Refinishing with water-based cork floor urethane

Method:

Vacuum floor clean.

Mix NFP remover with lukewarm water (about 1 liter remover to 9 liters water). Spread mixture across floor and scrub thoroughly, preferably with a floor polisher and cleaning pad. Make sure the floor remains wet. Do not forget to clean the floor especially along the baseboards where old coats of finish tend to be thickest.
In case of extremely dirty floors, use some liquid scouring material (e.g. VIM) in order to totally clean the floor, allowing it to soak in for 5 to 10 minutes. Scrub again with the scrubbing machine. Remove water and dirt with a wet/dry vacuum. This needs to be done with great care to ensure no residues of the floor finish will be spread across the floor again.

Rinse the floor with clean water to which you have added a splash of ammonia and remove water again with wet/dry vacuum. Dry floor thoroughly.

If the floor has been slightly damaged, do a touch-up of these areas and let dry. When the floor is clean and dry, you can give it a finishing coat of urethane. We suggest you apply two top coats of floor finish and use the prescribed maintenance products to keep your floor in good condition.

NFP does not accept any responsibility for loosening of our floor finish if used on a floor other than an NFP floor.
. REPAIRING