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Cork and Bamboo Guide

BAMBOO

Bamboo has been cultivated for more than 4,000 years in China and has been used in everyday life for centuries. It is very durable--in fact, a typical bamboo has a tensile strength of 28,000 per square inch, compared to 23,000 for steel. 
 
Because bamboo is a natural product, it is unpredictable in color consistency. There are essentially three styles: one is natural and has a natural yellow color; the next is steamed or carbonized for a deeper tan color and finally some bamboo manufacturers are using color stains for even greater design flexibility.  
 
Extremely long wearing, bamboo has become the chic floor for many installations and stands up to high traffic while maintaining its natural beauty.  

Bamboo care and maintenance

Vacuum or sweep your bamboo floor regularly, and remove spills promptly. If using area rugs, lay ones with non-abrasive or felt backing on high-traffic areas, and move your area rugs occasionally to maintain a uniform appearance in the floor's finish, which may be affected by abrasion, sunlight or other factors. 

CORK

I first discovered cork over 10 years ago but today's cork flooring is patently different. New locking systems and laminate-style construction has led to the development of plank cork flooring with the very latest in edge treatments and style. 
 
A natural sound barrier and insulator, cork is actually the bark of the cork oak tree which is harvested every seven years in the traditional manner that hasn't changed much since it was first cultivated. Grown almost exclusively around the Mediterranean Sea in places like Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and France cork is truly a miracle of nature. One cubic inch of cork consists of not less than 200 million completely enclosed air cells? This cushiony softness is what makes cork not only comfortable on your feet, but a very quiet flooring choice. Cork is a natural product that comes in an array of earthy colors and treatments. 

Cork installation tips

* Proper preparation of the sub-floor is essential for the successful installation of cork floor tile. Remove paint, wax or any other substance that may prevent proper bonding. Avoid installing cork floors in any areas with excessive sub-floor moisture. 
* When using leveling compounds, complete drying of compound is critical for proper adhesion. While the cure time may be a few hours, the complete drying time of these compounds can take 24 hours or more. It is, therefore, important to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully. 

Cork care and maintenance

Keep the cork floor surface free of dirt and grit through regular damp mopping. Clean spills and excess water immediately, and never flood the floor surface with any liquid or use harsh abrasive cleaners. In addition, furniture tests are recommended to prevent indentations in the tiles or better yet, floor protectors.