When it comes to all the different types of flooring options available, it can be a bit overwhelming. It’s also one step of many to a renovation process alone, so we’re here to give you as much knowledge as possible!
Looking at cork flooring, in particular, we’re diving deep to give you every detail. From how it’s made to its sustainable impact on the environment, follow along to see how flooring such as cork has the possibility of entering your life in a revolutionary and wonderful way. Not every floor is ideal for every location, so read on to discover if cork floors are missing from your life.
Ready? Let’s go!
Let’s Define Cork Flooring
Before we begin with all the bigger details of cork flooring, let’s first start with defining it. Cork floors are best explained as a product made from the bark of a cork oak tree, hence where the name originates. When the material is sourced, it’s manufactured into sheets and placed in a kiln to produce the gorgeous classical long flooring for homes and offices that we know and love. However, they can also look like square tiles.
This easy process and cool way of sourcing are readily available to any that opt for this kind of product. It happens to be one of the quickest processes, too, creating a better turnaround time for a renovation. Now that’s definitely a win!
Where Does Cork Flooring Originate?
Cork flooring can actually be best found in Southern Europe. Portugal specifically is one of the most popular areas in which cork is derived. In fact, most of the material is found here, making it super easy to source and regrow as each year passes.
The idea for this type of floor first became popular in the 19th century. It wasn’t until in the early 20th century, though, that Frank Lloyd Wright, a well-known architect, used the material in several of the public buildings he designed. They were so popular that these buildings still utilize their original cork floors to this day.
Why Is Cork Floor a Great Insulator?
What’s great about this material is that it comes in handy in the wintertime. Why? Cork cells are able to trap heat, allowing for the floor to be warmer throughout the year.
The natural insulation itself also makes for a much more quiet floor. In a large open space such as a foyer or living room, cork will instantly diminish any excess noise that may come from bigger areas in the home or commercial business.
Will Your Pet Ruin Cork Floors?
While the floors may be softer, this actually doesn’t make it any less durable. In fact, cork can carry its weight in being sturdy and being a strong competitor in that respect to other wood materials. The claws of a cat or dog are less likely to damage cork floors as compared to softer materials. If cork isn’t right for your lifestyle, there are many other pet-friendly floor options available, ranging from oak to pine and everything in between.
This isn’t to say that cork can’t be scratched at all, though. Although it has natural resiliency to it, if an item is heavy enough, a gash or two may appear if something is dropped on it.
Let’s Talk All About Colors
Like any type of wood material, the color is going to be natural and one of a kind. This simply means that no one plank or tile will ever be identical unless it was artificially manufactured like vinyl.
However, it is common to see cork with coloring ranging from golden yellows to deeper brown hues. And with exposure to sunlight, any sort of coloring can be expected to change with time.
These Are the Best Places To Install Cork
When we look generally, cork flooring is actually best installed on the surface level of an outer space or on the second floor of a location. These are considered to be both on-grade or above grade.
However, if it’s somewhere such as a basement with a new subfloor or in an area with a ton of moisture, then it’s best to avoid these areas. All subfloors need to be clean, dry, and level before any installation, especially with a material like cork.
Pros of Cork Flooring
Now that you know essential information about cork flooring in itself, let’s take a deeper look into how you can benefit from having it in your home. Each of these pros could very well fit nicely into your lifestyle, so it’s worth knowing as many of them as possible to ensure you’re making the right choice when selecting this product.
Read on for more below!
Cork Is Super Friendly To the Environment
Believe it or not, cork is much safer for the environment than your other typical hardwood floor types. This is due to the fact that it comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, which can be harvested sustainably.
The Cork Material Is Comfortable
If you stand for long periods of time in your home or commercial space, then the flooring underneath you matters. Cork is known to be one of the most comfortable to walk on because of its softer texture.
Cork Is Known To Be Hypoallergenic
This amazing material naturally resists mildew. To further assist this type of flooring, request antimicrobial planks to further protect the inhabitants of your home or business.
This Is a Floor That’s Easy To Maintain
When cork floors are sealed correctly with polyurethane, then the look of cork can last for many years to come. All that’s needed for a good cleaning is a vacuum for dust and a damp mop for any difficult spills or stains.
Cork Is Easy To Install
Cork floors aren’t limited to just one set look. Instead, there are multiple standard forms, such as planks or even a tile appearance. This is great for not only installation purposes but also for style versatility.
Cork flooring can be easily and happily assimilated into your life. Once you have cork floors implemented into your space, you might never want any other type of flooring.
Cons of Cork Flooring
On the other side of the pros are the cons. Like any product, not everything can be perfect all the time. Here are a few extra possible things to know when deciding if cork floors are the right choice for you.
Cork Floors Can Easily Fade in the Sun
If you have a home or space drenched in sunlight every day, this may not be the right choice for you. The sun loves cork; its rays can easily soak up your new floor’s coloring. One way to avoid this is by purchasing a UV-resistant finish to coat the top of your floors.
It Doesn’t Perform Well in Humid Climates
Cork floors can expand with humidity and can contract back in just about every direction. While this may not seem like a bad thing, it’s more specifically a danger to floating floors and their lifespan. Too much movement from the humidity over time can cause your floor to fall apart.
If Cork Floors Are Engineered, They’re Not Quite as Eco-Friendly
When flooring is engineered and not sourced naturally, synthetic adhesives are used that make the process not as friendly to the earth. Additionally, synthetic adhesives might also contain plastic.
Professional Installation Can Be More Expensive
Hardwood, in general, is going to be more expensive to install, so it’s an investment worth thinking about thoroughly. One way to get a cheaper form of installation is if you opt for an engineered cork instead.
Every unique space and person has a unique floor preference. Certain floors aren’t going to work based on the inherent structure of the material and how they resonate with specific environments. At Hardwood Bargains, this is something we understand, which is why we provide various options for every homeowner and business person.
All About Cork
After taking the leap to learn more about cork flooring, we found that it has great benefits for both homes and certain commercial spaces. Cork flooring is a beautiful and environmentally sustainable way to spruce up any space. Not only is the soft material healthy for your legs and feet, its durability promises longevity for years down the line.
Sources:
Pros and Cons of Cork Flooring - Is It Right for You? | Bob Vila
Cork Flooring Pros and Cons | The Spruce
Cork Flooring FAQ | Build Direct
Species Profile: Cork Oak (Quercus suber) Rainforest Alliance
