Wicanders Floating Cork Installation Instructions
Prior to Installation
Transport and store the cartons in laying position
Packaged tiles and adhesive should be acclimatized at job site in dry, well-ventilated area for a minimum of 48 hours so that flooring may acclimate.
Remove tiles from packages just before start laying
During storage and installation, maintain temperature and relative humidity to a level consistent with the conditions which will prevail when the building is occupied. In most cases, this means maintaining temperature range of 18ºC to 28ºC (65 F to 82F) and relative humidity range of 35% to 65%. In order to reach this climate, use heating or air conditioning in the appropriate length of time prior to beginning installation.
Wicanders® floorings are natural products and some shade variation is an inherent and attractive characteristic. To achieve the most pleasant blend of shades, shuffle before laying.
Site Inspection
Prior to installation, please inspect the tiles in daylight for any visible faults or damage, and also check if the subfloor and site conditions are in accordance with the specifications described within these instructions.
Preparation
SUBFLOOR PREPARATION OF Wicanders® FLOATING FLOORS WITH CORKLOC®
Wicanders® floating floors with CORKLOC® can be installed in most domestic areas and in almost all commercial areas except in bathrooms, saunas and persistently wet rooms.
Wicanders® Floating floors with CORKLOC® can be laid on top of most hard surfaces such as resilient floor coverings, wood flooring and ceramic tile. Soft subfloors such as carpets and similar must be removed.
The subfloor must be even, flat, dry and variations should not exceed 3 mm in 2 m (0.12" in 6.6 feet).
All type of concrete, wooden and ceramic surfaces must be completely dry. Never install Wicanders® floating floors with CORKLOC® without using a PE moisture barrier film with a minimum thickness of 0,2 mm (.008'').
Radiant-Heated Subfloors
For Wicanders® floating floors with CORKLOC®, the surface temperature of the subfloor must not exceed 28°C (82°F).
For detailed information, follow the instructions supplied by the subfloor heating system manufacturer/contractor, or contact your supplier.
Remember that rugs or mats placed on top of the floor may function as heat accumulators and will increase the floor surface temperature more than the maximum surface temperature recommended (must not exceed 20 - 22 ºC).
Installation of Wicanders® Floors over Heated Subfloors
Any Heated Subfloor has certain working conditions depending on the heating system and the subfloor.
In order to avoid problems with functioning and durability during the construction phase, the norms and rules concerning installation are to be followed very strictly.
The drying of a heated subfloor has to be made by turning the heating on/off with a pause before installation of the floor, following a documented protocol. After that you can begin the "heating phase".
The beginning of the heating phase in concrete subfloors is to be made not before 21 days after complete curing of the substrate. The heating phase has to begin with running temperature of 25ºC, (78ºF) during 3 days.
The subfloor should be in place and cured for at least 60-90 days.
The temperature should then be increased each day until the maximum temperature allowed according to the manufacturer system. This maximum value should be kept for at least 72 hours and maintained for 5-7 days without any turning off.
The decreasing of temperature is made by reducing it each day until 18ºC on the surface is achieved. During the installation, the temperature of the surface should not exceed 18ºC (65ºF) and should be kept for 3 days after finishing the installation (for floating floors). Then the temperature should be increased slowly to a max. of 28ºC (82ºF) on the subfloor surface.
Expansion Gaps
Wicanders® floating floors with CORKLOC® are installed as a "floating floor", so the planks should not be fixed to the subfloor.
The skirting boards cannot be pressed down, for not restricting the movement of the floor. Also provide 10 mm ( 1/2 inch) expansion gaps to the walls and other fixed objects. Floor areas superior to 100 m² (900 sq. ft), or with dimensions greater than 10 m (30 feet) in either direction, transitions between two rooms and asymmetrical floor areas require extra expansion gaps.
How to Install Floating Floors
Rules for the installation of Wicanders® Floating Floors with Corkloc® Glueless System
Laying
Wicanders® floating floors are natural products and each individual plank has its own shade and pattern. Therefore, shuffle the planks in order to obtain the most pleasant blend of shades. Lay planks preferably following the direction of the main source of light. We recommend laying Wicanders® floors on wooden floors crossways to the existing floorboard.
Tools and materials required
Padsaw or a fine toothed handsaw, spacer blocks, pencil, set square, 0,2mm PE film and adhesive tape.
Installation around doors, radiators and last rows
If necessary, the planks can be laid from all directions. CORKLOC® is easy to uninstall. This makes easier to plan the installation e.g. around doors.
Preventative Care
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If works will take place in the room where the floor is installed, protect with craft paper, plywood or hardboard.
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Do not drag furniture across the floor. - Use felt pads on chair and furniture legs.
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Office roller chairs must comply with DIN 68131 (Type W1). Use protective office mats under the rolling chairs.
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Place quality walk-off mats at all entrances to retain dirt, grit and moisture.
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Never use latex or rubber backed mats as they can permanently stain the floor.
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Never use cleaning products with abrasive ingredients or solvent based, e.g. acetone.
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Never use wire brushes.
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Avoid moisture on the floor.
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Place area rugs or mats in front of the kitchen appliances and sink to protect your cork floor from a lot of traffic, water spillages, dropping food, grease, and everything else that can cause premature wear of your kitchen floor.
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Ideal and healthy room conditions are 35 - 65 % R.H. at 20°C (68°F).
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When using intensive room heating, the indoor air humidity may drop so low that the floor is prone to dry out. As cork is a natural material, this may cause shrinkage of the tiles that will result in minor gaps in the flooring joints. Use a room humidifier to prevent this.
Remember that rugs or mats placed on top of the floor may function as heat accumulators and will increase the floor surface temperature more than the maximum surface temperature recommended (must not exceed 20 - 22 ºC).
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Cork, as a natural material, may tend to fade when exposed to sunlight. Cork and wood, are natural products, colour change may be expected when exposed to natural light over a period of time. Cork will tend to fade while wood tends to mellow or darken. It is important to move area rugs and furnishings to allow for even colour change.
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Use blinds, curtains or other sun screening system to minimise this effect.
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Wicanders® floors are easy to maintain. You only need a mild detergent and a vacuum cleaner. For daily/weekly maintenance, you can also use a broom handle with a cloth on the end. The removable cloth has a substance with anti-static characteristics, which will clean all the dust and prevent its settling on the floor.
For maintaining your floor as new, Wicanders® recommends a range of Maintenance Products, which will give pleasant results.
For its correct use follow the instructions on the packaging labels of each product, as well as the information from technical data sheets.
Re-Varnishing
All Wicanders® factory finished cork floors WRT and HPS come with a factory finished wear layer and are ready for immediate use after installation. Therefore, no varnishing is required after installation. Only, in very specific situations, where spillages frequently occur or when extreme maintenance with water is required, Wicanders® offers a sealing system to protect the joints. (Examples: elderly homes, hospitals, restaurants, cafes, etc.).
Repairing Floating Floors
REPAIRING FLOATING FLOORS WITH CORKLOC® GLUELESS SYSTEM
Repairing a damaged plank of floating floor:
Alternative A: Plank removal
Damaged or wrongly installed planks can be removed as follows:
a) Remove the skirting board.
b) Remove all planks until you reach the one to be replaced.
Warning:
Planks should be folded up or slid out of their lock; never bent down against their lock. Remember to stack the planks facing the wall (which CORKLOC® system has been cut) in order for you to be able to return them to their respective positions.
Alternative B: Plank cutting
The following tools and materials are required in order to remove planks from within an installed area: Electric handsaw, Knife, Chisel, Hammer, Adhesive (PVA Adhesive, class D3).
See Fold down installation video