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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-CA link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Veneer products over particle board (clik floors) are a tough one. They are designed as disposable products in comparison to traditional flooring materials. On the plus side within a factory environment they can be efficient with materials (including binders and finishes). They are also efficient in terms of site resources (labour, etc.) On the down side they typically look like shit in 5 years. Cork tends to look better longer because its quite neutral and doesn’t show wear as much.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Typical good practice is that if you put that style of floor down you put an extra coat of finish to fill seams and add some life expectancy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I would look at solid cork tile and if you have local sustainable solid wood flooring available (alder, maple, birch, etc.) I would seriously consider recommend it as an option. Solid cork tile is very comfortable, durable and people tend to like it for maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Greenbuilding [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>George Tremblay<br><b>Sent:</b> November-02-12 9:44 AM<br><b>To:</b> Green Building<br><b>Subject:</b> [Greenbuilding] experience with cork flooring?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My wife and I are considering cork flooring for a kit/dining/living room. We're drawn to the claimed environmental sustainability of cork, along with its comfort and texture/appearance.<br><br>I'm interested in informed comments about cork's "green" credentials, and especially about its durability in a high traffic area.<br><br>Potential for spillage has me worried about using the floating planks, which are ~.25" of cork glued to a fiberboard (water absorbent!) core - can the seams be sealed well enough to protect against damaging moisture intrusion? Alternative appears to be glue-down tiles (on a new Advantech subfloor). How refinishable/replaceable?<br><br>Thanks,<br>George Tremblay<br>Troy, NH <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>