NEWH - August 2003 - (Page 50)

cork – not just for wine bottles anymore… As a major strategy in the “ooh & aah” factor for the Ashford Club entrance, Colette Anderson searched for something new, something cutting edge and found herself returning to a product with a long and distinguished history - cork. Expanko Cork Company of Parkesburg, PA, provided the specs and was confident that their product was highly durable from the innate nature of cork combined with the newest finishes. Additionally, a wide variety of patterns have been created to enhance design elements in modern architecture. Manufacturers of cork material recommend using a product with a density greater than 32 pounds per cubic foot and a polyurethane finish to ensure durability. In addition to durability, cork offers a floor that is both comfortable to stand on and is quiet; two key factors when choosing commercial flooring. (Cork is almost 80% air!) Cork floor tiles have all the advantages of a natural cork product: elastic, anti-static, sound absorbing, insulating, and anti-allergenic. Installation of cork flooring is similar to that of other resilient flooring products. Sub-floor preparation must be performed for a smooth level sub floor of concrete or plywood. Additional precautions must be taken to ensure moisture-emissions levels in the sub floors are within manufacturers’ suggested limited. After the prep, tiles are glued to the sub-floor using a variety of methods. The most common and effective method is trowelable acrylic latex adhesive. One or two additional site applied coats of polyurethane may be recommended. Damp mopping with a neutral cleaner is all that is normally needed for maintenance. When wear (as in most natural flooring), becomes evident recoating with polyurethane is all that is necessary. Check with the manufacturer for recommendations. “cork flooring is a bit more expensive than wood, but brings to the table when finished, a resistance to staining and discoloration, as well as a refinishing interval much longer than wood since it tends to “give” rather than wear. . .” -Colette J. Anderson, Anderson Plus Associates Reminders: when specifying cork, choose a product with a density greater than 32 pounds per cubic foot and finished with a true polyurethane finish. Also be cautious with colored cork. It may look good initially, but it generally discolors and fades. Choose a supplier that has been selling cork for a number of years and can back up their claims with documented experience in the field. And lastly, follow the installation directions precisely - as in wood, you cannot “push the limits.” In terms of price, cork flooring is a bit more expensive than wood, but brings to the table when finished, a resistance to staining and discoloration, as well as a refinishing interval much longer than wood since it tends to “give” rather than wear. Environmentally speaking, cork is a “green” product. Made from the Cork Oak grown in Spain and Portugal, cork is a renewable resource. Cork bark is stripped from the trees in nine-year intervals with no negative effects and harvesting the bark is actually healthy for the trees. In terms of long-term savings and major entrance impact, cork used in the Foyer of the Ashford Club was worth the research. John Ham, “The Green Room,” Environmental Flooring Solutions - iamham@bellsouth.net; from an original article by Expanko Cork, Parkesburg, PA, www.expanko.com 50 http://www.expanko.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - August 2003

NEWH - August 2003
Contents
Letter From the Editor
Hospitality News
On the Road Again
Calling All Entries
Tips on Specs
The Creation of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort
Signature Golf Resorts
Designing a Golf Clubhouse
International Purchasing
Creating a Vision for Clubhouse Renovations
Signage for Today’s Golf Resort
The History of Nightclubs
To See and Be Seen
Appealing to the Senses
Marysol–Real and Magical in the Windy City
The Juggling Act—The “Ooh and Aah” vs. Value Engineering
Cork—Not Just for Wine Bottles Anymore
Lessons Not Learned: Life Safety Issues From the Cocoanut
Small Business Advice...
Things to Consider When Building, Renovating or Expanding
Industry Partner Education
Sources and Credits
Bios

NEWH - August 2003