One of the more interesting floor coverings, cork flooring has been in use for over one hundred years. In the early days, cork was mostly used in commercial buildings, such as banks and municipal buildings, for its resilience and sound-dampening qualities. Today, cork is being rediscovered by savvy homeowners looking for alternatives to the “hardwood jungle.”
Earth Friendly and Foot Friendly
Cork is actually the bark of the Mediterranean Cork Oak tree, which is harvested by carefully slicing the outer layer off the tree to avoid damaging it. This practice is believed to improve the health of the tree, and the bark grows back in place, ready to be harvested again in nine years. This sustainable crop is recognized by individuals and organizations for its inherent eco-friendliness.
The cork bark is made up of many cells containing a harmless gas that compresses underfoot and then bounces back to its original form. This makes cork extremely comfortable to walk or stand on because of the “give.” Cork is naturally resistant to water and microbial attacks, which protects the tree. These properties also make it an ideal surface for kitchens, which are prone to both water and food spills. Cork is also fire retardant and non-toxic when set ablaze (try THAT with a vinyl floor!).
Cork doesn’t absorb like hardwood can, and thus creates a non-permeable barrier on your floor that neither absorbs microbes or allergens, nor releases any gases or particulates. This makes it ideal for allergy-sensitive applications or anywhere indoor air quality is important.
From Wine Bottles to Wine Cellars
Cork has made the long journey from a modest bottle stopper to a top choice in modern flooring. Its resilience makes it ideal for high-traffic areas and kitchens, where standing is noticeably more comfortable. Cork also has fantastic sound-deadening properties, making it a favorite for apartments and high-rises. But think about your home library or kids’ playroom—couldn’t they benefit from comfortable, sound-reducing flooring? A cheeky application would be a wine cellar, where cork would serve to insulate the cool floor, provide comfort and protection from breakage, and, of course, serve as a visual metaphor!
Many Styles to Choose From
Cork flooring is available in a number of ways, both pre-finished and unfinished. Solid cork tiles are quite popular and easy to glue directly to the subfloor. A newer option is engineered cork flooring, which is somewhat like a cork sandwich: a layer of cork underlayment, then a High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) layer for stability, followed by a top layer of cork. These boards are approximately 12” x 36” and offer the sound-dampening, insulating, and cushioning qualities of cork, while providing the structural rigidity of the HDF board. These engineered cork floors can be installed as glue-downs or floating. Finally, there are mesh-backed mosaic cork tiles that install just like ceramic mosaic sheets on adhesive, then grout them.
Cork flooring thicknesses can range from ¼” to ½”, and we recommend always opting for the thickest option for premium long-term performance in cushioning, sound-deadening, and refinishing.
Cork comes in a huge array of colors, plus unfinished options for a custom look of your own creation. Popular finishes include water-based finishes, waxes, varnish, and urethane coatings. Be sure to consult with a flooring specialist for their recommendations before purchasing a finish.
Installing Engineered Cork Flooring
When using engineered cork floorboards, make sure to start with a prepped subfloor. This means it should be level, clean, and sealed (in basement applications). Because these boards are rectangular, you’ll most likely want to orient them parallel to your longest wall, or running “with” the length of the room. Open several packages and do a “dry set” to lay out the boards as you want them to be arranged. Remember that cork will have a wide variety of color and shading, so packages will vary. Be sure to mix up colors and patterns so you don’t end up with sections that are lighter or darker but rather a well-integrated floor.
Use a chalkline as your starting point and snap the boards together according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Start by building toward the nearest wall, then reverse from the starting line out in the other direction. Always check to ensure you’re remaining true and square to the room. This applies to both glued and floating applications.
Installing Cork Flooring Tiles
Because solid cork tiles are flexible, they will mimic the irregularities in the subfloor, so you’ll need to thoroughly prep and level the subfloor. This may include sanding down joints between plywood sheets or high spots over joists, and possibly using some leveling compound to bring up low spots.
Depending on the condition of your subfloor, you may find it easier or less time-consuming to install a new medium-density fiberboard (MDF) subfloor over the top of your existing one. This will provide you with a clean, level surface (as long as there are no major underlying variations). With a new MDF subfloor, you’ll need to affix it with flooring adhesive and screw it into the existing subfloor—remember to sink the screw heads into the board, then fill and smooth over those holes.
Next, patch all seams with an engineered cement and skim-coat the floor for a smooth, pool-table finish. Seal accordingly with a complementary primer, and you’ll be ready to affix your cork tiles.
Just like engineered cork flooring, it’s important to open several packages of cork tiles and lay them out, mixing the lights and darks, plain and patterned. Using contact cement (check with the manufacturer) applied with a brush in corners and edges, and a medium-nap roller in open areas, cover an area wide enough to accommodate a row or two of tiles, and let the cement dry to a tacky state. Set your cork tiles in the tacky cement and use a roller to press them in place. The edges can be trimmed with a carpet knife or razor blade. Apply the finish as desired, and enjoy your new resilient, cushioned, and acoustic cork flooring!
