What is the cost of cork flooring?
Prices range from about $3.99 to $6.39 for floating floors. Freight and accessories are extra. Installation costs are usually between $1.75 to $2.50, but many people do it themselves.
Below are more frequently asked questions.
Will my pets damage my cork floors?
Cork floors are coated with UV cured acrylic or polyurethanes that could be scratched by the claws of cats and dogs running on the floor. This holds true of hardwood and bamboo flooring as well. However, because the cork and finish "give under pressure", the surface will be less subject to abrasion than a similarly treated wood floor.
Another way to prevent scratching is to re-coat your floor in high traffic areas every 3-5 years with a non-toxic polyurethane. Remember, for all types of flooring, good maintenance is the key to longevity.
Will cork flooring resist high heels and heavy furniture?
Cork is very dense and is designed to withstand most commercial traffic. It also has a lot of "memory" and recovers well from depressions made by shoes and heels. However, just like any other flooring material, cork flooring can be punctured by sharp edges and sharp feet of furniture. For this reason, if you know there will be Stilletto heels we recommend extra layers of polyurethane finish. We also recommend that all furniture have protective pads applied underneath their feet.
The application of an additional coat of polyurethane after installation to seal the floor and proper maintenance using our polish once or twice a year will ensure the longevity and beauty of your floors. For more information refer to How to Maintain a Cork Floor.
Is cork flooring suitable for a kitchen?
Yes, today the main application for cork flooring is in the kitchen. It is very comfortable to stand on for long periods of time, and it is easy to maintain.
Cork is also sound absorbent and hypoallergenic, as you may know. No other flooring material combines all these benefits. When maintained properly, cork floors will last as long as hardwood floors.
If you expect an unusual amount of water to be spilled on the floor, we recommend the application of an additional coat of polyurethane in the kitchen or bathroom to further protect the floor. This can be done initially or years later as the floor shows signs of wear on the surface.
Is cork flooring suitable basements and bathrooms?
Cork and water get along very well which is why it's used in wine bottles and on fishing bobbers. However, the finishes and adhesives are not designed to be underwater for long periods of time. The high-density fiberboard core on most cork floating floors has been impregnated with wax to prevent the absorption of moisture. Make sure your cork flooring has this feature.
If you have young children we don't recommend using cork in their bathroom. If your basement floods every so often we don't recommend that either. However, dry basements are fine for traditional cork floors and so are bathrooms where constant moisture is not an issue and good ventilation is available.
Copyright © 2006 Joel Hirshberg All rights reserved.