Natural Cork Flooring

The skinny on natural cork

The trend toward green interiors has given us a variety of low-cost, renewable resources like concrete, bamboo, coir, and now, cork. Natural cork flooring is venerated among surfaces and underlayments for its insulating properties and unique looks.

Whether you consider cork flooring a viable alternative to wood and tile, or are highly skeptical about its efficacy, you should probably read on and consider further research into the topic. The use of cork is espoused by those seeking to save money, the environment, and themselves from allergens. Too many carpets and subsurfaces used in homebuilding are not hypoallergenic, causing undue stress to homeowners - often without them knowing.

Installation considerations

Furthermore, cork is remarkably renewable, on the scale of bamboo. And while bamboo will generally be a bit cheaper in price, the labor involved in installing a typical tongue-and-groove wood floor is far more difficult than the relatively easy cork-floor installation process.

Most floating floors click together and come completely pre-finished. In addition to saving money by doing it yourself, you can expect an installation free of messy glues and opportunity for injury.

Soft on cork?

And to alleviate any fears of the malleability of cork, realize that cork floors are usually set atop a high-density fiberboard base and topped with cured acrylic to withstand all kinds of abuse. Cork itself is a softer material than solid wood, but the finished product is much less susceptible to scratches and dents. Regardless, the thickness of the cork is just over an eighth of an inch, providing just enough cushion and insulation for temperature and sound. Overall, it is a superb product not to be passed over as a fleeting trend.