Care Maintenance – Novafloorings

Nova Cork Floors Recommendations and Care & Maintenance

CARE & MAINTENANCE

Providing proper maintenance begins with knowing two key components of your cork floors, cork will fade if it is exposed directly to sunlight/UV light and it will react to humidity and temperature fluctuation. Cork contains organic pigments. Just like a wood floor, cork will fade and should never be exposed directly to sunlight/UV light. Where possible, use drapes or other systems to protect your floor from excessive light. Additionally, UV inhibited clear coat protectors can be applied over your finished floor. Area rugs and large furniture will block light exposure and cause uneven coloration. To minimize this, furnishing and floor coverings should be moved periodically.

Cork floating floors expand and contract in response to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Maintain a moderate temperature and relative humidity around 50-60%; use de-humidifier or humidifier where necessary.

CLEANING

Simply sweep or vacuum your floor frequently in order to avoid dirt build up, which may scratch the finish. Do not use any abrasive or aggressive cleaners or solvents that contain glycerin, as these will attack the surface and could make refinishing impossible. Simply sweep and mop with a well wrung -out sponge with neutral detergent (pH of 6 to 8) or cleaners that mist over the surface and damp mop up as you go. You can also use 4 parts of water to a 1-part vinegar. It is not a good idea to use the old bucket-and-mop method, as excess moisture will cause swelling at the seams.

PRECAUTIONS

Spills should be cleaned immediately. Chairs with casters should have minimum 2” casters. Use mats under these chairs to protect your finish from becoming dull. Furniture or chair feet should sit on wide coasters to prevent excessive indentation. Dispersing weight is important.

FINISH AND FINISHING

Your floor comes with a factory water based polyurethane finish. Nova Distinctive Floors recommends putting additional coats of Bona Kemi Traffic polyurethane in order to seal the seams to prevent any water penetration. Please keep in mind that all natural products are recommended to have a UV finish to protect the product from fading (See below for recommended care products). Use 220 grit or finer sand paper using a random orbital or hand sander to lightly abrade the finish. Problem areas must be abraded sufficiently in order to completely remove the imperfections in the polyurethane. DO NOT sand the polyurethane down to the raw cork.

It is the installer’s responsibility for verifying the usage of the proper grit sand paper and other tools to ensure the finish is not scratched, gouged, or otherwise damaged during the abrading process. After the floor has been swept and cleaned and dried, apply water-based polyurethane on the abraded area.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Water Based Polyurethane:	Bona Kemi – Traffic – Matte Finish
	Bona Kemi – Mega – Matte Finish
	Glitsa HP Water Based Polyurethane – Matte Finish
	Loba Supra Water Based Polyurethane – Matte Finish
Cleaners:	Bona Kemi Hardwood Flooring Cleaner
UV Finish:	Pro-coat Aqua-pro finish

Nova Cork Floors Recommendations and Care & Maintenance