Cork flooring is a resilient, natural type of flooring. The material comes from the bark of the oak tree. This makes it an extremely eco-friendly floor choice because its production doesn’t involve cutting down trees. There are both advantages and disadvantages of this type of flooring, so you’ll want to be aware of both of these before you decide on a cork floor. Cork tile flooring is relatively easy to install, Cork floors come in many different colors, including honey, black, green, red and chocolate.

Benefits of Cork Flooring

Cork flooring reviews are generally positive. Some of the main advantages of cork tile flooring are the following:

• Cork flooring doesn’t conduct heat or cold like other floors do, and it’s easy to install.
• Cork floor is naturally hypoallergenic and repels pests like termites and mold.
• Cork flooring tiles come in many different colors, including honey, black, green, red and chocolate.
• Cork floor is very soft and easy to stand on, making it a great choice for kitchens and other areas where you spend a lot of time on your feet.

Drawbacks of Cork Flooring

While cork floors may be alluring to you, you should also consider the downsides of this type of home flooring:

• Cork floors require a higher level of maintenance than other floor types.
• Frequent foot traffic can wear and dull the surface of cork flooring, in which case you’ll need to polish the floor with acrylic varnish.
• Cork floor is also subject to damage from water and moisture, and needs to be sealed fairly often.
• Cork tile flooring is only recommended in rooms that have light foot traffic and are free of moisture.

Installing Cork Floors

Cork flooring is easy to install and in most cases, doesn’t require professional installation. Usually, cork floors are “floating.” This means that they aren’t attached to the subfloor, and therefore don’t require nails or glue. Cork flooring tiles are easily cut, and they interlock with each other.

In order to install cork flooring, you’ll want to follow these steps:

• Bring your cork tile flooring into the room where you plan to install it at least 48 hours before the scheduled installation. (The planks need this time to adjust to the humidity and compression of the room before they’re installed.)
• Make sure the subfloor is flat and dry before laying down cork tiles.
• Seal the subfloor and remove any carpet or padding.
• Lay down the cork floor, using the snap and lock feature to attach tiles to each other.

Cork Floor Maintenance

Because cork floor is so delicate, it requires more maintenance than other types of home flooring. Abrasive particles from dust and dirt can permanently damage the floor, and moisture can cause the planks to warp.

To clean cork floors, sweep with a broom and mop with a mild soap or specialized floor cleaner. If the floor begins to dull, restore its shine with an acrylic varnish.