Cork Flooring: A New Idea?

There has been renewed interest in cork flooring recently, but you may be surprised to find that it has been around for more than one hundred years. However, for whatever reason, cork flooring has not been given the credit it deserves.

Not only does it feel great underfoot, it is also resilient and highly durable. It's also a very forgiving choice for the kitchen, where dishes and glasses are most often dropped. In fact, it is excellent in almost any area of the house, and can safely be installed over most materials, such as concrete, plywood, and many existing floors.

You may also not know that cork flooring can be refinished. It is available in different stains and colours, and you can even custom-stain your own floor.

What are the drawbacks of cork flooring? The most significant is that it does not take well to being pierced by pointed heels or thin furniture legs. If you're interested in a cork floor, be prepared to to take those heels off and place protective cups under your furniture.

In terms of price, cork flooring is more expensive than laminate, but can be cheaper than hardwood. It is normally sold in tiles or strips. Be sure to account for wastage when calculating the square footage of the area you're flooring. (Adding 5% to 10% is a good rule of thumb.)

Related topics: Renovations and Repairs.

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Want to know more about the pros and cons of various types of flooring? Please ask me, I'll be happy to help.

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