Cork Floors Guide

Forget the bubbly

In more ways than you probably imagine, cork may feature in your home. Long-heralded for its insulating properties, keeping oxygen from wine and other liquids, it is surprising that it took so long to realize its utility in the home. Millions of tiny cells per square inch perform an impressive job of insulating sound, temperature, and shock by storing air and not letting go. It's like bubble wrap on a microscopic scale, sans the initial fun and subsequent annoyance of playful popping.

Environmentally sound

Conceived and marketed as a "green" design element for private homes and commercial uses, cork floors utilize a slim layer of cork and dense fiberboard to provide a solid, unmovable base for your floor. At just over an eighth of an inch in thickness, the product is an efficient and convincing product derived from the recent need to sustain resources. Trees from which cork is harvested are not harmed in the process, leaving them ready to be harvested again in a number of years.

Labor saver

Most cork floors are "floating," meaning you will not be troubled with nails or glue and can likely install it yourself in a day. Traditional wood floors (cork can mimic the wood look or be designed for whatever taste you prefer), even the floating kinds, often require precise cutting and a knack for matching seams tightly. Cork, on the other hand, cuts easily and is set on fiberboard with snapping tongue-and-groove slots. Many wood floors, while tongue-and-groove, still do not snap into place.

The advantages go beyond simplicity. Cork is naturally waterproof and does not facilitate the growth of mold or mildew. This makes it a great choice, particularly for allergy sufferers. Priced anywhere from four to seven dollars per square foot, cork flooring is an easy decision for the do-it-yourselfer or independent contractor.