Cork Flooring

Consider cork for its soft, warm feel when you walk on it. Durable as it is, cork is filled with air pockets. That makes it easy on the feet. Some families with small children have chosen cork because the falls are softer, too. That same softness gives cork insulating and sound-deadening properties.

Consider cork because it’s anti-allergenic and insect resistant. A waxy substance called suberin is a natural part of cork. It repels bugs, mites, and even mold.

With all those advantages, you probably wonder why cork flooring isn’t more popular. The answer is “fashion.”

When Frank Lloyd Wright installed cork flooring, it was the traditional choice. Synthetic floors like vinyl became popular during and after World War II. Then wall-to-wall carpeting was the fashionable choice.

As hardwood flooring has become more popular, cork has been making a comeback. One big reason is that cork is an eco-friendly choice.

Cork is the ultimate renewable resource. That’s because cork flooring is made from the bark of the cork oak and not the tree itself. That bark regenerates every decade or so. There are cork trees that have been producing cork for over 150 years!

Sounds almost perfect, right? Well, you know that nothing is perfect so let’s review some things you should think about if you’re considering cork flooring.

There are two basic types of cork flooring. One type is cork flooring that is cork all the way through. The other type is a veneer of cork over a stabilizing veneer of high density fiber. The veneer offers greater design flexibility, but cannot be re-sanded like floor that is completely cork.

When you’re considering a cork floor, consider all of the following. There will be costs for materials, installation and maintenance. Often a decrease in materials costs results in increased cost in the other categories. It’s smart to consider your total cost of ownership.

Make sure that the company that installs your flooring understands some of the special requirements of cork. In many cases, the cork needs to be the last big thing installed at a site. The cork needs to be brought to the space several days in advance to so that the material has time to adjust to the environment.

As flooring professionals, we can help you make sure that cork is right for your specific application. And we’ll assure that it’s installed using eco-friendly methods and materials that meet manufacturer’s specifications and preserve your warranty.