Cork Flooring FAQ

Why should I use cork flooring?

Cork flooring material provides a functional and beautiful floor. It is also very easy to maintain and comfortable to walk on. Cork flooring is also one of the most sustainable floors you can choose. It provides great support, comfort, warmth, and years of beauty.

How long can cork flooring last?

Cork flooring is considered to be a very durable material. With proper maintenance your cork flooring can last up to 80 years.

What makes cork flooring so durable?

Cork is naturally resilient, which means that it can withstand wear and tear at an increased level. Contrary to hardwood floors, whenever hard items fall on cork, these things will not scratch the cork floor or damage it.

Is cork flooring easy to maintain?

Cork is very easy to maintain, usually it just requires a damp mop with very soft soap. No hard scrubbing is required or even the use of harsh cleaning substances. Cork is a great product for kitchens, dining rooms, and living areas because it can handle the high levels of traffic, resists stains, and will last for years.

What makes up cork flooring?

Cork flooring, like ordinary cork, is made up of millions and millions of honeycomb cellular structures sourced from the bark of the Cork Oak tree. After it has been harvested from the bark, it is stacked into piles and then set aside for one year. Then the piles of cork will be taken to a grinder where it will be made into cork sheets. Basically, cork can be manufactured in two ways, homogenous and veneer. Homogenous can be re-sanded and refinished, but veneer products cannot. Cork flooring is usually available in either tiles or planks and can be installed by either gluing it down or floating.

What are the different colors of cork flooring?

The usual color of cork flooring is tan but it also comes in a great variety of blacks and blues. Specialized manufacturers can readily customize the cork flooring to match whatever color it is that you want. Different patterns and textures are also readily available for you to choose from.

Is cork flooring eco-friendly?

Cork flooring is considered as one of the most renewable sources of flooring available and the Cork Oak tree is not harmed at all during the harvesting process. The harvesting of the bark of this tree is heavily regulated and is contingent on a nine-year cycle. The age of the oak that is subject to harvesting must be at least 25 years old. Actually, using the tree’s bark for cork protects the natural habitat of the tree which is very beneficial to nature. The overall preservation of this particular tree specie helps greatly in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. These trees help stop soil erosion and at the same time, minimize the occurrence of forest fires because these trees are fire-retardant.

What are the advantages of cork flooring?

Besides being eco-friendly, cork flooring is comfortable and easy to walk on. The cork’s natural ability to cushion falls will benefit not just the prevention of injuries but the breaking of objects as well. The cellular structure of cork makes it a very durable material and it can absorb sound efficiently making it a popular choice for most apartments and condominiums. It also poses health benefits to people by being hypoallergenic, fire resistant and anti-microbial.

What specific rooms or areas should cork flooring be installed?

Cork flooring can virtually be installed in any part of your house regardless of the grade. It can even be used as flooring material in bathrooms and basements since it is water resistant, but you have to make sure that the humidity levels in the area where cork is installed in should not be too high. High humidity levels can cause moisture and this can be harmful to the cork floors. Cork flooring is also very comfortable to step on so it is advisable that you install it in high activity areas or rooms where you spend most of the time standing up like your kitchen.

Does cork flooring revert back to its original shape?

You have to remember that cork is composed of millions and millions of cellular structures which in turn are made up primarily of air. Whenever a heavy pressure is applied to cork, it will surely revert back to its original shape after the pressure is lifted or gone. But you also have to be on the safe side by putting on felt protectors and cushions for your heavy furniture.

What makes cork flooring resistant to water?

Cork has this natural substance called Suberin which is a waxy substance. Suberin acts as a barrier between the cork and outside forces like water, dirt and other debris that can potentially get in the cork. Suberin is also the responsible substance for making cork somewhat fire resistant.

What ways is cork flooring installed?

There are several ways that you can do to install cork flooring. These are glue-down, floating and interlocking without the use of glue.

How long can cork flooring last?

If you take proper and regular care of your floors, your cork flooring will surely last a lifetime or up to 80 years.

Can UV rays from the sun damage cork flooringacc?

Yes, so in order to prevent this from happening, you can install drapes and blinds so that your floors won’t be directly exposed to the sunlight. Another thing that you can do is install a protective film on your windows so that sunlight can be filtered.

Why does cork need to acclimate before installation?

Cork flooring is similar to hardwood flooring in this aspect because it also has the tendency to change its size depending on the change of temperature. Due to this, it is not advisable to install cork in rooms which do not have a controlled humidity or climate. Before installation, you should let the cork tiles or planks sit on the floor where you will install it for at least 24 hours so that it can get used to the climate of the room.

I have pets. Is cork flooring a good option to use?

All floors are not resistant to animal scratches but cork will perform better than other materials because it is naturally impact resistant. To make sure that your animals won’t do too much damage on your floors, you have to regularly trim their nails.

Can I use cork flooring in my kitchen?

Yes, a lot of house owners actually prefer having cork flooring for their kitchen because it is very comfortable to stand on making it the best option.

Can I install cork flooring in my basement?

Yes but you have to be aware that the glue-down type of cork tiles will not work well in this area because basements can sometimes have high levels of moisture. Instead, you can use a floating cork for this purpose.

Can I use cork flooring over my vinyl floors?

This is not recommendable as vinyl has the tendency to accumulate residue on its surface which might pose a problem when it comes to adhesion. In the long run this might cause the cork floors to de-laminate.