Cork has been used for flooring for a long time, however it has become increasingly popular recently due to its eco-friendly qualities. It’s mainly chosen over hardwoods from old forests and rainforests, as it is a sustainable resource with no associated guilt.

What Is Cork Flooring?

Cork is taken from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber) in dedicated plantations that grow the trees specifically for the purpose of being used commercially. The extraction of cork is done periodically. As a result, cork is an organic, renewable substance. For the purpose of producing flooring, it is pounded, squashed, and transformed into sheets secured with adhesives.

At the conclusion of its life span, cork is capable of decomposing and entering back into the environment.

Certainly, cork flooring has a plethora of advantages and its trendiness has caused it to be put in virtually all areas of the residence. This type of flooring is not as strong as other options and is liable to be impacted by various harms. In order to make a wise choice regarding the use of cork in a specific environment, it is essential to have an understanding of its intrinsic properties.

How is Cork Floor Made?

It’s also a sustainable choice. The outer layer of Quercus suber, a mature evergreen tree, is delicately taken off to obtain cork. This process is not damaging as the tree regenerates its bark every nine years. Two different kinds of cork flooring exist, including tiles which can be adhered to the floor and planks that interconnect with clicks. In 2019, cork planks that are protected from moisture entered the market, allowing cork floating floors to be used in any area in the home such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. Cork flooring nowadays has a plethora of appearances, from the conventional speckled patterns to a broad spectrum of colors and even finishes resembling wood and rock.

However, while modern day cork is compatible with a range of interior looks, its inherent features are most compelling. Amity Worrel, a Texas interior designer who has dealt with cork for over twenty years, declared that she put up a drift wood cork floor over vinyl tile in the living room, dining room, kitchen, mudroom, and den. When I let items fall they don’t shatter, they instead rebound. She mentions that when her children rush around the house at great speed, their movement doesn’t disrupt her virtual conferences.

The Basics of Cork Flooring

What does it cost? About $5 to $10 per square foot. The cost of having a floating floor professionally installed ranges from $2-$3 per square foot, whereas getting a glue-down floor professionally installed costs between $6 and $10 per square foot.

How long does it last? Glue-down and floating cork can have a lifespan of 40 years or more with appropriate maintenance, but if neglected, their duration is usually between 15-20 years.

DIY or hire it out? No fasteners or adhesive is required to put cork pieces together, making it possible to install them without any professional help. It is usually recommended to hire a professional for laying down glue-down cork since the subfloor must be level and the adhesive must be fast drying.

How much maintenance? Cork needs the same level of upkeep as a wooden flooring: vacuuming, wiping with a damp cloth, and preventing harm from furniture legs that may slide and shoes with gravel on them. Polyurethane coating on cork flooring should be re-done every 3 to 10 years, depending on the amount of wear and tear.

Where to buy it? The best selection and service can be found at a floor store, green building supplier, or a manufacturer’s website.

What’s the warranty? The length of time it holds for will vary from 15 years to a time period potentially lasting as long as you own the property. Two should be used – one for the cork and one for the completion.

Cork Flooring Costs

The expenditure for cork floor covering boards or tiles can range from two to twelve dollars per square foot, based on the depth of the product, the grade of the cork, and the standard of the finish. Getting the job professionally done is cost effective, approximately costing two dollars per square foot. The average nationwide cost to cover a 100 square foot area with cork flooring is approximately $950.00 which equates to $9.50 per square foot. This is in the same price range as what a bamboo floor costs, and is less expensive than the majority of hardwood flooring. Despite the fact that putting down cork flooring unlike hardwood or bamboo is quite easy and something a lot of homeowners can do themselves, it also allows them to save money by not needing to pay for professional installation.

Maintenance and Repair

When correctly installed and several coats of an effective sealer are put on the surface, it is straightforward to maintain cork flooring. It’s easy to keep this floor clean, just a bit of sweeping or vacuuming to take care of the small dirt and grime, and a light damp mopping from time to time. It is essential to clean up any spills right away so that they don’t cause discoloration. The closing step consists of coating cork with a sealant to produce an imperceptible guard over its surface, which can help keep out water marks and damage. The seal coat needs to be renewed periodically. Cork flooring can be damaged if a room is flooded, leading to warping and discoloration, despite the fact that sealers provide protection. The air being highly humid can result in the cork curving or expanding, potentially increasing the chance of tiles dislodging or boards crumpling.

Cork floors can be especially susceptible to damage from cat and dog claws. Trimming their nails should assist in eliminating possible damage to a cork flooring, yet pets may still cause some harm to it. Items that are exceptionally weighty can leave lasting indentations in the fabric if they are placed on it. Some of the effects of furniture damage can be prevented by using furniture coasters and placing larger pieces on top of flat wooden boards or other support pieces.

If a cork floor is exposed to direct sunlight daily, it is possible that its color may become uneven with patches appearing in different hues than the other parts of the floor. Covering the windows with curtains or blinds will prevent this, but it must be done consistently and with caution.

A great benefit of cork flooring is that its surface can be restored often, similar to hardwood, which provides a beautiful, modern appearance. Sanding down the solid cork tiles or planks until all imperfections are gone, then applying a stain and/or sealant to the surface is the process. This can be achieved multiple times, depending on the material’s depth. It is not possible to revamp engineered cork flooring, as the superficial cork covering is rather shallow.

Design

Cork flooring that is classic in style has a great natural allure which is perfect for a room that has an informal and relaxed atmosphere. However, with the invention of new manufacturing technics, cork floors have begun to appear almost indistinguishable to hardwood, marble, or even concrete. Cork flooring is now able to be used in multiple locations, as long as it has a good seal. A proficient installer can create a near endless amount of designs through combining different hues to develop personalized visuals. Take note that cork floors will eventually manifest signs of abrasion from miniscule scratches and dings; they are ideally used in places in which this classical look would be desired.

Cork Flooring Installation

Cork flooring comes in a variety of styles, crafted using either cork cut into slices or ground up cork blended with binding agents. Cork can be used as a single-layer material for the flooring or it can be layered on a board composed of fibers. Standard cork flooring comprises solid cork pieces that are added to the ground with sticky attachments, similar to how vinyl tiles are put in place. A more modern type of cork flooring is composed of laminate planks with a base layer of compacted cork, sandwiched between a middle layer of MDF or HDF, with a top layer of premium cork. Cork planks generally feature lock-lock edges when being set up in a way that resembles something like how laminate flooring or high-end vinyl planks are put in. Floating floors usually have a thin padded underlayment beneath them.

If the cork flooring has not been pre-treated, you must complete the installation by adding several coats of sealant to the flooring.

Putting in a cork floor is a not too difficult DIY mission, giving cork a leg up over hardwood or bamboo railing, both of which can be trying for DIYers to handle.

Comfort and Convenience

Cork has the advantage of being particularly pleasant to the touch, as it provides a soft and malleable surface when stepped on. In rooms like kitchens, cork is highly favored due to the fact that it keeps you on your feet for extended periods of time. Carpeting can be a beneficial selection for children’s rooms and individuals who are more prone to stumbling as it offers a soft area that can absorb the impact of an accidental fall.

Cork contains a waxy substance called suberin. The material that cork floors are made from naturally deters insects, which in turn prevents infestation and can help create a healthier atmosphere.

The interior of cork is composed of multiple minuscule areas filled with air, blocking off sound and making any space more protected from sound. Cork flooring’s ability to insulate against temperature fluctuations can assist in reducing your heating and cooling costs. Cork is an excellent choice to reduce noise in loud rooms.

Pros of Cork Flooring

  • Resilient and comfortable: A cubic inch of cork bark holds about 200 million air cells—so even a quarter-inch of cork in a floating floor offers ample cushioning for your feet and back.
  • Warm and quiet underfoot: Its air cells make cork a natural thermal and acoustic insulator. Cork flooring is an especially good choice in colder climates.
  • Mold, insect, and fire resistant: Cork contains an antimicrobial wax called suberin that also repels moisture, mold, bugs, and even fire.
  • Damaged spots can be replaced: If tiles or planks get gouged, the affected pieces can be removed and new ones swapped in.
  • Eco-friendly choice: In addition to regrowing their bark roughly every nine years, cork oaks can live for 200 years or more. Cork forests absorb millions of tons of carbon each year.

Cons of Cork Flooring

  • Fades in direct sun: Unless it’s a wood-look product with a PET (plastic) top layer, cork flooring—including products printed to look like stone or colored with stain—will lighten with exposure to ultraviolet light. The UV protectants in a clear coat provide some buffer, but not as much as UV-blocking windows or window film. Without these precautions, it’s best to avoid cork in areas that get a lot of direct sunlight.
  • Prone to scratching: Like other natural floorings such as wood and linoleum, cork can get abraded over time, especially if you have pets. If that’s a concern, avoid it in high-traffic areas, or be prepared to refresh the topcoat regularly.
  • Hard to tell when it’s time to recoat: The visual complexity of many cork floors can make it difficult to see when the finish is wearing away and a new coat of polyurethane is needed. Poor maintenance will shorten its life span.

Two Types of Cork Floors

The prices of the two types of cork flooring may not be too dissimilar, but the way each of them is made and put into place is different.

Click-And-Lock Floating Planks

This is perfect for those who are looking to do their own installation, even if there is already vinyl or tile on the floor.

These boards can attach to one another and comprise of a HDF or HDPE core that is placed between sheets of granulated cork held together by adhesives.

A variety of styles can be found among many items that feature cork veneers, which are often colored or have images of wood or stone on them printed with a photographic technique. You can put boards in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction, creating designs such as herringbone. The edges of a buoyant cork are usually angled, and almost always it has been reinforced with a factory finish that can last for a long period of time and is composed of polyurethane.

Planks for use in flooring generally measure 36 inches in length and come in two widths, 7 1⁄2 inches or 12 inches. Some special varieties with a wood or stone appearance are available in tiled squares.

Glue-Down Tiles

This would be ideal if you are wanting to create a notable design or achieve a genuine mid-twentieth century aesthetic.

Tiles of agglomerated cork are attached to the subfloor and have been in use for 75 years. The cork is compressed into blocks, then sliced into sheets and cut into tiles. They are either made up of the same material throughout or they have a surface layer that can be colored or imprinted.

The majority of the items are 3⁄16 of an inch in depth, and they are covered in polyurethane before being sold. A select few traditional products remain without a finish or are given a wax coat. Their distinguishing feature is the variation of colors, sizes, and shapes available, like triangles and pentagons – this variety provides many options for creating mosaics of shapes like stars and geometrics.

Marks of Quality to Keep in Mind

Consider these things when shopping for cork.

  • Cork from the Mediterranean is more resilient than cork from Asia, which comes from a different tree species, Quercus variabilis.
  • To ensure cork flooring has no formaldehyde and won’t release VOCs, look for independent certifications such as GreenGuard Gold and Global GreenTag.
  • Most cork flooring with a veneer top has a wear layer 2mm to 3mm thick. Check the spec sheets and choose products with the thickest wear layer: They will be more resilient and durable.

Is Cork Flooring Right for You?

If you want a comfortable, informal looking floor that is warm and appealing, cork might be the perfect selection for you. Cork is not the correct selection if you’re looking for a spotless floor, because it is a pliable substance which creates a weathered look as time passes.

Jonathan
Author: Jonathan