FAQ

Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree, being the species name Quercus Suber L. The cork oak tree is native to the Western Mediterranean Basin, where it finds the ideal growing conditions: soil, weather, temperature and altitude.

There are many reasons for which the use of cork contributes to a more sustainable world. In the Montado area, cork oak trees help regulate the water cycle and with it fight desertification and they retain from the atmosphere high quantities of carbon dioxide, strongly combating climate change. These forests of cork oak trees have high rates of biodiversity, turning them in one of the 36 worldwide biodiversity hotspots.

Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree, and it is harvested in an ancient and manual process without cutting or hurting the tree. Cork is first harvested when the tree is 25 years old and the trunk perimeter reaches 70cm. The bark regrows and subsequent harvestings take place every nine years, between the months of May and July. These trees have an average lifespan of 200 years, meaning that the same tree can be harvested 15 to 18 times during its life.

Cork floors have as its core a natural product – cork. They are environmental friendly and produced from a renewable resource (bark of the cork oak tree). In addition, this technology will provide you comfort and wellbeing. The products are silent and with natural thermal insulation, they provide walking comfort and are impact resistant. Adding to very high resistance and durability, no other flooring material combines all these benefits.

Cork is subject to the phenomenon of expansion and shrinking in response to climactic changes. Extreme environmental conditions, meaning exposure to extreme heat, moisture or dryness (more than 65%, less than 35% R.H) can cause cork to shrink and make joints more visible. When humidity levels are higher, cork flooring can expand. In the case of cork in particular, any expansion or shrinkage is dispersed in all directions. With proper acclimation, installation, and maintenance, this can be overcome.

Cork’s inherent resilience perfectly balanced with the mechanically strong multilayer structure, make Wicanders’ products more comfortable to stand or walk on than many other types of floors.

Wicanders floors have very good acoustic results. All tested in official and independent labs, the results on walking and impact sound reduction are available for all products.

All Wicanders range products are tested following international standards. The fire resistance is defined based on energy (flame) and smoke. In what concerns energy contribution it ranges from A to F (being A the best), and smoke from 1 to 2 (being 1 the best). This information can be found on the product’s Technical Data Sheet.

The symbols follow the European standard (EN685) that identify the levels of use: ● House – product suitable only for residential areas ● Building – product suitable for residential and commercial area The number of human symbols stands for the traffic that it endures: ● 1 person – Light traffic ● 2 people – Moderate traffic ● 3 people – High traffic

Yes, they do. Wicanders products are designed to meet the rigorous criteria required to classify for points. Based on the LEED framework, Wicanders products contribute towards achieving the following credits: materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

Yes, they do. Wicanders accomplish the criteria requirements to classify our products for points. Based on BREEAM guidelines, Wicanders products contribute towards the following credits: health and wellbeing and Materials.  

All the brochures can be found on the Data Center of the website.

Yes, they do promote it. All Wicanders products are subject to the highest standards in indoor air quality certificates. Certificates such as Greenguard, TÜV or the French regulation for VOCs (in which we have A+ classification) are part of the requisites of the products.

Wicanders products are intended for indoor use only.

Wicanders has available a wide variety of floating flooring that offer an easy installation. Just simply connect it together and do not use any adhesive.

Yes, you can. Wicanders has products suitable for commercial areas with heavy traffic like department stores, lobbies, schools and open plan offices. You just need to find the perfect fit for your needs, through all Wicanders offer.

CORK LOC® means that the product is a floating floor with a no glue system. Wicanders floating products have a locking system patented by Välinge.

All installation instructions can be found on the Download Center of the website.

Wicanders floating floors can be installed in most domestic areas and in almost all commercial areas, except in saunas and persistently wet rooms.

Wicanders floors are floating floors. You can install half brick, brick or random installation. There is no design to match in the installation process. In case you are installing floating products, you should use a PE moisture barrier film and turn the film upwards along the walls.  

Yes you can, if the ceramic tiles are firmly attached, stable and without cracks. The subfloor must be even, flat, dry and variations should not exceed 3mm in 2m (0.12” in 6.6 feet)

The subfloor must be even, flat, dry and variations should not exceed 3mm in 2m (0.12” in 6.6 feet). Packed tiles should be acclimatized at job site in dry, well-ventilated area for a minimum of 48 hours in its original packaging. Remove the plastic wrapping only when ready to install. The room temperature should be between 18ºC and 28ºC (65ºF to 82ºF) and the relative humidity between 35% and 65%. These conditions should be maintained during and after the installation period. Use a PE moisture barrier film with a minimum thickness of 0,2mm (0.08’’) under all floating products, except for Hydrocork.

Yes, Wicanders products can be used over radiant floor heating systems. Due to the insulation properties of cork, the floor will heat up more slowly than conventional laminates or wood floors, but it will provide a slower release of heat over time. The surface temperature of the subfloor must not exceed 28°C (82°F). 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 – 22ºC).

Despite its age, there is always a risk of moisture in subfloors, for that reason it is necessary to ensure that an efficient moisture barrier is installed. Subfloors must be permanently dry on concrete subfloors without radiant heat. Consider the maximum humidity less than 75% RH or conduct calcium chloride moisture tests to ensure that moisture emission levels are less than 3lbs/1000ft2/24 hours (USA and Canada), or  CM Test: for concrete 1,5% (Heated) and 2,0% (Non-Heated) for anhydrite 0,3% (Heated) and 0,5% (Non-Heated).

When using a floating installation, which does not require any glue, you can simply remove the damaged piece and install a new one. This is one of the many advantages of floating installation systems. Check our Installation Instructions to a step-by-step guide on this procedure.

Hydrocork can be installed in all domestic areas and in most commercial areas, except in saunas and permanent wet areas. It is possible to use Hydrocork in other areas like bathrooms or kitchens or other areas where spillages frequently occur since it will not swell when exposed to water.

Hydrocork should be protected from heat and sunlight by the use of curtains and/or blinds. In areas which will be exposed to excessive heat (≥ 45 ºC /110 ºF) or direct sunlight the flooring must be glued to the subfloor with the use of an acrylic adhesive.

For Hydrocork installation, no underlay is required. Please check Wicanders auxiliary product list.

Since Hydrocork is only 6mm thick, it just requires a tape measure, craft knife, pencil, straight edge, chalk line, white rubber hammer or hand roller. Hydrocork connection system is designed to be installed in a vertical connection by pressuring from top to bottom (without making any angles). Just need to position two planks side by side and when the cork core is inserted on the gap, it automatically compresses and then, with the help of a white rubber hammer, press down along the joint. That way the cork core will expand back to its initial shape, forming a tight, stable seal.

Since Hydrocork is a floating product, you must leave expansion gaps. The minimum gap is 5 to 10mm. When installing Hydrocork in bathrooms, you should seal the perimeter with a silicone-free product in order to avoid humidity to infiltrate between the product and the subfloor. By doing this you will avoid molds and odors. Expansion gaps can be overcome, by gluing Hydrocork to the floor.

It depends on the complexity of the layout and the skills of the installer. Measure the length and width of each individual room and then multiply it to know the total square meters/footage. Do the same for each room. Waste and cuts depend on your skill level and the layout of the area. Diagonal layouts or floors with curved walls may require more careful calculation of the quantity required. As a rule, add an additional 5-10% of the total square meters/footage to cover the waste factor.

Wicanders floors are easy to clean. Simply vacuum, broom or sweep it to remove all loose dirt and then use a damp but not soaking wet mop to clean. You can also use a broom handle with a cloth at the end. Its anti-static characteristics will clean and prevent dust from settling on the floor. Harsh abrasives or ammonia-based cleaning products should be avoided. Use simple floor cleaning products or approved products by Wicanders.

We will give you some tips on how to maintain your floors: ●        Use walk-off mats to collect any dirt, moisture or other abrasive substances. Do not use latex or rubber backed mats as they can permanently stain the floor. ●        Use felt pads floor protectors on chairs and furniture legs. ●        Cork is a natural material; it may tend to age when exposed to direct sunlight. Use blinds, curtains or other sun screening system to keep direct sunlight off the floor.

All Wicanders floating products can be walked-on and mopped immediately after installation.

Yes, you can use other cleaning products besides Wicanders. You can find approved recommended products on “Wicanders Auxiliary Product List” document.