Corticeira Amorim has just announced the launch of Hydrocork by Wicanders at BAU 2015 in Munich. Combining water resistance with low thickness, this cork floating product hits the market as a differentiated and high value-added solution.
Designed by Wicanders' Floor and Wall Coverings Business Unit over two years, Hydrocork is the result of a strategic focus on RD&I by Corticeira Amorim, involving an investment of around € 700 thousand.
Made up of a low thickness agglomerated cork composite core, this new flooring concept offers all the benefits of natural cork - particularly in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation, walking comfort, impact resistance and body wellness (Corktech technology) - and is now improved with a superior water resistance performance, thus avoiding the risk of a possible floor swelling, and is easy to install. The result is a product that offers an excellent technical performance and superior warranty coverage when compared to the solutions currently available on the market.
António Amorim, Chairman and CEO of Corticeira Amorim, highlights the importance of this solution: "Hydrocork is a distinctive product with high added value for the flooring industry. This collection responds to the mission of Amorim Revestimentos to ensure a product range aligned with the interior design trends while meeting a number of requirements such as functionality, sustainability and superior technical performance, all enhanced by the use of cork."
With only 6 mm thickness, Hydrocork can be easily cut and applied on top of almost any existing surface, being ideal for renovation projects.
At the same time, the new PressFit compression system now displayed, allows an easy, quick and effective installation. Taking advantage of cork's properties - elasticity, flexibility and compressibility - the PressFit system functions like a cork stopper, that is, cork planks are easily installed by exerting a slight pressure, which causes the tongue and groove to be put under internal tension, creating a tight seal.
In total, Hydrocork is available in a range of 12 premium wood visuals, that replicate the texture and natural beauty of this high-end material. Available size: 1225 x 145 mm. All Hydrocork products feature a 0.55 mm wear layer and offer a warranty coverage of 15 years for commercial applications and 25 years for residential use.