-How is it installed? [Click here for more detailed instructions]

After proper conditions of the substrate are met (see below), the installation continues with the lay out of the room area. To establish centerlines in the same manner as other tile installations, run a parallel line from the centerline at the entryway. The substrate is then coated with Globus Cork reciprocal adhesive. Adhesive is applied with a paint roller, (paint brush for the perimeter), to the substrate. A 3/8" nap roller generally works best. The reciprocal adhesive must cover 100% of the substrate. Let adhesive dry clear, which usually takes about 45 minutes depending upon the substrate and humidity conditions. (Do not allow any foot traffic to adhesive area.) Apply reciprocal adhesive to as much of the area of the substrate that will be covered with tile within a day's work. Installation begins with the first tile aligned to your layout lines. When the tile is in its proper position, secure the contact between the tile and substrate using a rubber mallet. Once a few tiles are in place, you can use a small block of flat wood or plywood as a tapping board for the rubber mallet. Once the tile is tapped, it CANNOT be removed. Continue the installation in the same manner. Cut in the perimeter as you go or when field tile is completed.

Note: Globus Cork tiles are shipped to you pre-glued and must be installed within 40 days from date of shipment from Globus Cork. If installation of tile exceeds the 40 days from date of shipping, a refreshing coat of adhesive must be applied to the back of tile. Adhesive must cover 100% of the back of the tile. Allow adhesive to COMPLETELY dry before proceeding. Clean any and all overspill of adhesive from the edges of each tile. Clean up of adhesive while wet is done by with a damp cloth. Clean up of the adhesive when dry is done by simply rubbing the excess adhesive off the edges like rubber cement.

You need to apply the reciprocal adhesive to the substrate for proper installation. Adhesive is available in 1 gal. tubs at an additional charge from Globus Cork and will be shipped with your order. Request it when you place your order.

Cork tiles can be installed directly over concrete or plywood sub-floors and over primed drywall.

Plywood sub-floors: Plywood substrate must be clean and free of all adhesives, paint, grease, oil, dirt and other foreign matter. All fasteners must be recessed from the surface area. All seams and voids can be flashed with cementious patching cement only. (Example: Ardex Feather Finish). Never use a gypsum-based product. Plywood should be installed within specified trade practices. Deflections of no more than 1/8" in 10 feet should be kept. Plywood should be secured via staples and glue. Nails and screws have a tendency to creep up after some time passes. The use of a self-leveling cement works best, giving a truly leveled floor.

Cement or Concrete substrate: Cement or concrete must be cured, free of paint, oil, dirt, grease and foreign matter, salts and alkaline, moisture content of less than 2 lbs. per square foot. Cement or concrete must be troweled smooth with a cementious patching cement, free of all voids and nubs. Best results are achieved with a self-leveling cement with deflections of no more than 1/8" within 10 feet. In both cases, the sub-floor must be smooth, clean and free of any bumps or cracks. Any unevenness will show through the surface of the cork floor. Be sure the floor is swept and vacuumed clean before starting the installation. More technical subfloor information is available.

No. If you have carpeting, vinyl, sheet vinyl, rubber etc., it will need to be removed and either the floor will need to be sanded until smooth or easier, a new plywood sub-floor be installed. (For example: Multi-ply plywood comes in sheets of 48x48x1/4") The problem exists with the previous adhesive residue in the substrate. The new adhesive will not adhere to such a condition. Best results: use an all purpose type of adhesive and glue and fasten the new plywood in place. Follow the section concerning " plywood sub-floors".

If you have ceramic or stone tiles and they are secure and not loose, float a cementious patching cement over tiles making the surface free of all deflections, grout lines and tile cushioning. The sub-floor must be flat and smooth and free of all paints, dirt, oil, grease and other foreign matter.

A reputable flooring installer who is comfortable with installing vinyl, wood or ceramic tiles can install Globus Cork tiles. We do provide telephone consultations to anyone installing our tiles. You might also want to visit RenovationExperts at: http://www.renovationexperts.com for a pre-screened installer. Many of our homeowner customers consider this a DYI project. If you have some experience laying vinyl tiles, you might want to install the cork tiles yourself. Our product is shipped with an installation guide. If you choose to use a flooring installer, have them give us a call to fine-tune their cork installation practices or ask questions about substrate floor preparation.

The Globus Cork tiles arrive to you prefinished with a premium water-based finish and preglued. For best results and protection from moisture leeching into the seams, an additional coat of the same varnish is be applied after the tiles are installed at your location. Globus Cork sells this premium commercial-grade varnish and will ship it with your tile order. Tiles must be clean and free of adhesive, dust and dirt before the final coat of varnish is applied. Regular cleaning with a vacuum, fine bristle broom, or a damp mop with a ph balanced cleaner Avoid products with ammonia or abrasives. Periodically you should refresh the finish layer on the tiles. Either a new layer of the top coat of finish can be applied or use Globus Floor Polish which produces a protective wear layer for Globus Cork tiles. This application can be applied once every year or so depending upon the traffic on the floor. You will never be stripping or buffing your floors.

You should vacuum your cork floor regularly and for more thorough cleaning, damp mop it with a mild soap. Use only a slightly damp soapy mop to clean and then wipe over it again with a clean slightly damp mop to pick up the soap residue. You should use a mild Ph-balanced soap like Liquid Joy dish soap and never an ammonia-type or abrasive product. Globus Cork will sell a Concentrated Cleaning product, which you can purchase directly from us. You should never wax your floor. We do not recommend steam cleaning cork flooring as it is not good for wood floors.

A well-maintained cork floor will last for decades. Depending on how much foot traffic the floor receives, you'll want to apply Globus Cork Floor Polish or another top coat of finish on a regular basis. This could be once every year or two in a residential location or several times a year in a busy retail location.