1. You Need to Do Some Moisture Tests!
First and foremost, determine your basement flooring. Is it at grade or above grade? These are the best grades for cork floating floors. Do not install a cork floor in below grade floors. The next thing that you need to do before you put in a new floor is a moisture test. This is very important because cement foundations can carry a lot of moisture within the slab itself. A moisture test will determine whether a cork floor can be installed in your basement area. Different climates will also influence different levels of moisture. So regardless of the flooring material that you are going to use, it is recommended to do a moisture test first.
The results of these tests are very important. This test will show if your basement needs other to make it able to or if a vapor barrier is enough to prep the area.
If you hire a professional contractor then they include the moisture test in their package. Some of them even include more than one test. These are the ones that understand that the best way is to verify the moisture percentage before the flooring and after the process is done so you can see the difference and be assured your new floor will work well in the space. So you should make sure that at least one moisture test is done.
The tests are not only important for the long life of your floor but also because, without it, many warranties will be nullified. So, be sure to see that this procedure is done correctly. You do not want to encounter any problems that your warranty will not be able to resolve. Mistakes can be costly.
2. What Should You Know About the Moisture Barrier!
A moisture barrier is a vapor barrier, or sheet of plastic, often a 6-millimeter polyethylene sheeting that you can use in conjunction with a floating cork flooring . This sheeting will sit between the concrete subfloor and the floating cork floor. It will be the barrier that keeps moisture away from the cork floor. After a moisture test, you will be able to determine if this moisture barrier is the best option for your basement.
If you wish to install cork underlayment beneath your floating cork floor, be sure to place it above the moisture barrier as well. And as you are laying a floating cork floor, your underlayment should be a floating underlayment as well.
Often a vapor barrier is all that you will need to ensure that your problem with the moisture is solved. Only in meteorological situations when the moisture will fluctuate from one extreme to another do you need to take more precautions. For example, if you live in an area where the climate is often rainy, you will need to take more precautions. Consult with the manufacturer, distributor, or one of their agents for advice in this situation. Cork is water resistant, but cork flooring incorporates other binding agents and components so it may not be able to perform at top rate without more safeguards.
3. What Type of Underlayment Should You Use for Your Basement Flooring?
As mentioned above, not only should you use cork for the basement flooring but you should also use it for the underlayment as well. Cork is very resistant to moisture and it is the best solution for situations such as this one, where the biggest problem is the moisture.
Keep in mind that it is very important to use the same method of installation for both the underlayment and the flooring above. Installing a floating cork floor means installing floating cork underlayment for the best results.
In conclusion, for the best results, do it right from the start. Make sure of the grade your basement is at. Do a moisture test to ensure that your basement space is within the range for a cork floor, if not, make sure to bring it up to code so you can install a cork floor. Use a vapor barrier and install the underlayment to the same installation type as your cork floating floor. Following these directions will ensure that your cork flooring experience will be the best and offer you the best results.
Selecting suitable floors for your hotel is a time-consuming task as there are numerous aspects to consider.
You want your hotel floors to last for many years to come while taking on little damage.
Also, you want flooring that is easy to maintain, looks great, feels comfortable and does not cost a fortune.
How much money can you afford to spend on this project?
These are important questions that will take you one step closer towards finding the most suitable floors for your property.When shopping for new floors most people pay a lot of attention to style, patterns and colors.
Of course, the style you choose for your flooring is important, it needs to blend in perfectly with your décor.
When shopping for new floors it is best to establish what you look for in a floor in order to narrow down your options.
With cork flooring you can create any décor you have in mind.The first thing you have to establish when you start your search for a new floor is to determine what you want, what aspects matter to you the most in a floor.
Would you like to have a pleasant and comfortable walking surface?
You will be surprised to see how cheap cork floor products are.
If you need a reliable and durable product that can be used in different rooms of the house or in commercial spaces you cannot go wrong with cork.We should mention that cork floors are easy to install and to maintain, they can be installed even on uneven surfaces, and they can be installed over other existing systems.
Property owners who do not want to use cork as a floor can use it as underlayment for ceramic tiles, wood or stone.
