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A client asked me yesterday about refinishing what she said was a cork floor. I am not familiar with cork flooring and do not intend to undertake the project but I was hopeing to get some useful info to pass on. The floor is laid in 12″x12″ squares which she said are no more than 1/4″ and are 40 years old. They are tight to the floor, and are in good condition, but faded and discolored in areas due to age. Does anyone know how to refinish or clean thes floors to restore a newer, more uniform look?
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Hi Cosmo,
Not a problem. Use a flat based sander and remove the old finish, vacuum the dust and finish off with a damp cloth.
Then DON'T TOUCH the cork tiles with your hands and refinish with any Poly-urethane wood floor finish.
Don't be afraid of the work,Cosmo, cork is treated just like any wood floor except it sands easier and faster because it's softer.
Gabe
*Cosmo... Gabe's entirely correct... and you can use a wax finish instead of urethane if your client wants a dead-flat matte. Great flooring, durable as you can tell, soft underfoot and warm as well.