Westhollow Cork: Labrador

Q: I recently purchased and installed your Westhollow: Labrador Cork floating flooring and need some technical advice regarding sealing. I know that sealing is not required, but from shopping several other kinds of cork flooring I also know that several manufacturers recommend sealing the floor once installed to protect the seams. Would you advise that I apply a seal coat for added protection? And if so, what – lacquer, polyurethane?
If sealing is not advised initially, can I reseal the floor later when/if it starts to show signs of wear? And with what?
Thanks,
Chris Rauth
A: Westhollow’s floating cork does not require sealing, which is part of why it is great for residential and commercial use. This being said, you will not need to seal it as the floor should naturally fit rather snugly together. In the future, should you see a certain amount of wear that you deem is more than desired, rather than reseal the floor, you will want to screen it an apply a couple of new coats of finish. In this case, Westhollow’s current finish is a lacquer on the Labrador, although more recent floors are featuring a UV cured acrylic. In this case you will want to buff away the top layer of finish using a 220 grit screen (sand paper) then apply new layers of finish. Typically you want to use the same finish as the one featured on the floor, but I would lean towards a water-based urethane, such as Bona Traffic, or acrylic.
Keep in mind that it should be years before its necessary to screen the floor, as cork is fairly giving when it comes to high traffic levels as long as proper care and maintenance is done on a regular basis.