Cork Underlayment

The lowdown on cork underlayment

Something of an anomaly to the uninitiated, cork underlayment should be objectively considered by anyone doing some home renovating, especially to their floors. With the price of carpeting, hardwood, marble, and other kinds of flooring, it is easy to go with the cheapest underlayment available, citing invisibility as your reason. A cork underlayment, while pricier than your run-of-the-mill carpet pad, bestows plenty of benefit.

Privacy

With millions of tiny cells per square inch, cork is an amazing insulator. Each cell contains trapped air that buffers transition of shock, heat, and sound. Those in rooms below will be saved from hearing your footsteps, while you can pleasantly enjoy a nap while they listen to music.

Convenience

Installing a cork underlayment is as easy as any kind of carpet pad. Most rolls measure four feet in width and up to 50 feet long. Depending on your preference, you can use a glue-down method or traditional staples. Either way, the ease with which cork can be cut and its light weight makes it an ideal material. Depending on your needs, thicknesses range between an eighth of an inch to a half-inch.

Financial

As stated, a cork underlayment is not the cheapest way to line your floor. However, the insulating benefits could compensate the upfront cost within a year. And as energy concerns increase, keeping conditioned and heated air where you want it is always a plus.

Health

As cork is naturally waterproof, you have no need to worry of spills causing mildew or mold growth. Averting this health risk not only saves you from getting sick, it prevents mounting, debilitating repair costs.