Does anyone have any experience with cork flooring? PLease give details.
You've got to watch out for your footing. All those corks tend to roll around a lot. On the plus side, they're pretty soft when you land on them. Once they get to three layers thick then they stabilize out a bit. My living room floor is covered in corks up to about 2 feet thick. My head now touches the ceiling and I saved a fortune on underfloor insulation.
You probably will want to avoid cork in your bathrooms because of potential moisture issues. Many of the older kitchens had cork flooring - and I'm sure our grandmothers and great grandmothers appreciated the relief for their legs (compliments of cork) from their extended hours of cooking and cleaning! It has many unique features which deserve a closer look. The resource box just below lists many flooring choices in case you decide to research other options. Hope this helps!
I love cork flooring! My grandfather installed cork in one of the rooms in his house in 1953 and it still looks great today. Here are the PROS of cork flooring: 1. Cork is eco-friendly, moisture resistant and naturally hypoallergenic 2. It's natural honeycomb structure provides a natural cushion so it's great for those who have joint problems or have trouble standing on hard surfaces 3. Cork is available in planks, tiles and mosaic tiles with several varying textures and colors leaving endless pattern and design opportunities. 4. Cork flooring can be done as a DIY installation project 5. Cork flooring can last many many years 6. Can be installed over radiant heat system (if approved by manufacturer) 7. Cork is a natural noise insulator (why it's used often as an underlayment) 8. Safe flooring for small children 8. Easy to clean and care for Here are the CONS of cork flooring: 1. It may not withstand heavy foot traffic 2. Heavy furniture may cause indentation marks (use felt protectors) 3. May require refinishing every few years (some cork finishes do not require this) I'd say there are more pros than cons with cork flooring. Cork is gaining more and more popularity due to its green properties as well as the fact is now available in more colors and styles. I say go for it! It's lasted almost 60 years in my grandfather's house!
This is a good question, sadly most websites selling or promoting cork flooring won't give you any negatives about cork. I'll try to give you the best opinion on cork flooring to help you make the right choice. I've given you the three best pros and three worst cons. Pros - Cork flooring is a natural renewable resource (cork, it's main material is harvest via the bark of the cork oak tree) - Cork flooring naturally resists pests and is anti-allergic (this is due to Suberin in cork) - Cork flooring is very comfortable a durable (due to the honeycomb like cellular structure which contains 90% gas) Cons - Cork flooring isn't cheap compared to other wood flooring solutions. As with any other type of green or eco-friendly product. - Cork flooring requires a sealant after installation, which can effect it's fire resistance properties that it's sometimes marketed as. - Cork flooring isn't water proof, it is water resistant and perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. However, water underneath a cork floor can damage it in the long run as with any flooring type. Don't buy the whole cork stopperwine bottle theory at face value.
Pro- You will never have to worry about stopping up a wine bottle again Con- Anything you drop will go through the floor. Nuf said Pro- Never have to worry about hiding evidence again Con- You will probably break a leg or two while walking
