What is Cork Flooring?

Cork is most commonly recognized for its role in preserving wine in bottles. It can also be shaped into a board for pinning notes or reminders in the office. However, one of cork's most remarkable uses may be in flooring, providing a sensation as if you're walking on air.

Cork flooring isn't a recent innovation. It has been in use in the United States since around the early 1900s [source: Tolli]. "It offers sound insulation by absorbing footsteps and noise," explained Ann Wicander, president of WE Cork. "Historically, it was used in libraries and churches, but today it's a common choice everywhere."

The growing interest in environmentally conscious products has led to a resurgence in the popularity of cork flooring for residential use. Many homeowners are opting for eco-friendly flooring choices like cork.

In this article, we will explore how cork flooring is manufactured and installed, as well as its benefits and challenges as a flooring material. We will begin by examining the process of how cork flooring is created.

How Is Cork Flooring Created?

Most of the cork used for flooring, as well as for wine bottle stoppers, comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, or Quercus suber, which is native to the Mediterranean region [sources: World Wildlife Fund]. The bark is carefully harvested by hand every nine years, leaving behind a protective layer that allows the tree to continue growing and generating new bark. A cork oak tree can live for up to 250 years [sources: WE Cork].

After the bark is harvested with a special hatchet and air-dried in the forest for several months, it is sent to a factory where wine corks are punched out of the material. The remaining bark, or post-industrial waste, is then boiled and ground up, before being compressed with adhesive resins. This mixture can be shaped into flooring pieces or used to create unique patterns, such as combining shaved bark as a veneer with the ground material as the backing [source: Wicander]. Some cork flooring also includes a high-density fiberboard layer.

Cork flooring is available in a wide range of styles, offering numerous design options. There are up to 40 different colors and various shapes, including squares, rectangles, and even hexagons [source: Biscoe].

The cost of cork flooring is affected by the quality of the material and the complexity of the design. On average, cork flooring ranges from $5 to $12 per square foot (0.09 square meter), including both materials and installation. However, the price depends largely on the quality and style of the cork. When compared to other flooring options, cork is more affordable than hardwood and comparable in price to bamboo [sources: Smith, Floor Critics].

The type of flooring you select can determine the installation method required. Let's explore the two main methods of installation.

How Is Cork Flooring Installed?

There are two primary methods for installing cork flooring. The traditional adhesive method, typically used for cork tiles, begins by acclimating the tiles to the room's environment. Next, the subfloor (such as cement board or plywood) is prepared to ensure it's even, clean, and dry. "The adhesive application is either a direct glue-down or contact method to ensure the tile stays in place, as it may curl at the edges if not properly bonded," explained Steven Tolli, owner of S/L Certified Inspection Services and a flooring expert from New York.

The floating floor installation method is often preferred for residential applications due to its simplicity and flexibility. This installation involves cork flooring that is designed with a tongue-and-groove connection, allowing the pieces to snap together. Unlike the adhesive method that requires specific subfloor conditions, floating floors can be laid over existing surfaces like wood, ceramic tile, or vinyl. This installation type is also easy to remove and replace if style preferences change.

It’s essential to remember that cork flooring is sensitive to changes in humidity, so it's important to leave space for expansion during installation. "It's a wood product; although it's a resilient wood product," noted Wicander. "It will expand and contract."

Regardless of the installation method you choose for cork flooring, you can count on certain benefits. Next, we'll discuss the advantages of choosing cork flooring.

Why Opt for Cork Flooring?

Cork flooring is celebrated as an eco-friendly flooring option. "It's definitely gaining popularity as people increasingly seek more environmentally conscious flooring solutions," noted Jennifer Biscoe, currently CEO of Globus Cork.

The eco-friendly benefits of cork flooring begin with the product and its manufacturing process. As mentioned, only the bark of the cork oak tree is harvested, allowing the tree to continue thriving after the bark is removed, making cork a renewable resource. Additionally, cork flooring can be seen as made from recycled materials, as the waste generated from cork production is repurposed into flooring instead of being discarded in a landfill. Many manufacturers also use low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) adhesives, which help improve the air quality within a room [source: Biscoe].

Beyond its environmental advantages, cork flooring offers other appealing qualities for homeowners. These benefits arise from cork's unique structure. "Cork naturally contains 200 million closed air cells per cubic inch," explained Wicander. Think of a wine cork: it can be compressed under pressure, but it returns to its original shape afterward, providing a cushioning effect underfoot. The air cells in cork also help retain heat, making it an effective insulator, with less heat loss than hardwood or ceramic tile floors. The air cells also contribute to cork's sound-absorbing properties. Additionally, cork flooring is somewhat fire-resistant and, thanks to Suberin, a natural wax in cork, it is resistant to insects and allergens [source: Globus Cork].

Cork is a durable flooring option, but its lifespan depends on quality and maintenance. "We've had the Classic Collection in the market for over 100 years," said Wicander. "There are installations that are still in service after more than 100 years."

Next, let's explore some of the drawbacks of cork flooring.

Drawbacks of Cork Flooring

While cork flooring offers many advantages, it’s essential to be aware of its limitations before choosing it for your home. For instance, cork flooring is not indestructible. "No matter what you might hear, it can scratch and develop indentations, particularly from high heels," explained Tolli. To protect it, it's recommended to use soft pads or coasters under furniture. Pet claws can also cause significant damage to cork floors, so be sure to keep their nails trimmed. Applying a polyurethane finish and re-coating it annually will help preserve the flooring’s quality.

Another downside of cork flooring is the potential for fading. "Unlike hardwood floors, cork lightens with exposure to sunlight," said Wicander. To minimize this effect, consider using windows with UV-protective coatings or adding window coverings.

As mentioned earlier, cork flooring can be affected by changes in humidity. Fluctuations in moisture levels can cause the cork to swell or warp. It is recommended to maintain a humidity level between 30 and 60 percent to keep your cork floor looking its best [source: The Flooring Store].

Lastly, cork flooring may be considered expensive for some homeowners. If cost is a concern, cork generally costs more than certain types of carpeting or vinyl tiles, which can be found for as little as $2-3 per square foot.

Although cork flooring has some downsides, it remains an excellent choice if you're seeking an eco-friendly flooring option with a wide variety of design possibilities and distinctive benefits.