As an architect, I’ve seen the rising popularity of cork flooring in contemporary home interiors over recent years. Architects and homeowners are drawn to its unique blend of sustainability, comfort, and design versatility.

In this article, I’ll provide a summary on the pros and cons of cork flooring, helping you decide if it’s right for your home.

For more detailed information, you can read my in-depth guide on cork flooring.

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READ: An Architect’s Guide to Cork Flooring

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‍Natural cork tiles in a mid-century townhouse by Gilbert & Weal Architects. Photo by The Modern House.

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Pros of Cork Flooring

There are several reasons why you should consider cork flooring for your home. Below is a summary of its benefits.

Design Versatility:

Available in a variety of colours, sizes, and finishes, cork flooring includes solid cork tiles for a mid-century look, hard-wearing engineered cork flooring, and innovative agglomerated cork planks.

Eco-Friendliness:

Cork is a renewable resource with a low carbon footprint. Harvesting cork does not harm the tree, allowing it to continue growing and absorbing CO2.

Soundproofing:

Cork’s honeycomb-like structure acts as a barrier to both impact and airborne sound, making it excellent for soundproofing. Traditional solid cork tiles offer impressive sound-dampening qualities.

Thermal Insulation:

Natural insulation properties help reduce heat loss and energy bills, making cork flooring an excellent choice for maintaining a comfortable home environment, especially on uninsulated floors.

Comfort:

The natural softness of cork flooring makes it comfortable to stand on, and its warmth adds to the cosiness of your home. Engineered cork boards often have an additional cushioning layer, enhancing comfort further.

Resilience:

Cork’s natural compression properties make it resistant to blunt impact forces, enhancing its durability. While traditional solid cork tiles are quite resilient, engineered cork boards offer even greater durability due to their layered construction.

Water Resistance:

Cork contains suberin, a substance that repels water, making it resistant to mould and mildew. Water resistance is more pronounced in engineered cork boards due to their protective surface layers.

Hypoallergenic:

Ideal for people with allergies or sensitivities, cork flooring helps prevent the buildup of dust, pollen, and other allergens.

Air Quality:

Modern cork flooring products are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributing to a healthier home environment.

Visually Forgiving:  

The mottled characteristic of cork makes small spills and damages less noticeable, helping maintain its appearance.

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Pale cork tiles in a Barbican flat, London. Photo by The Modern House.

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Cons of Cork Flooring

As with any flooring choice, there are some disadvantages to cork flooring in certain environments. These include:

Durability:

Many types of cork flooring are susceptible to denting and scratching, especially in high-traffic areas. Engineered cork boards tend to be more durable due to their multi-layer construction.

Moisture Sensitivity:

While water-resistant, cork flooring is not waterproof. It can warp and buckle in wet conditions if not properly sealed and maintained. Glue-down cork products are suitable for kitchens and bathrooms and can withstand a reasonable degree of moisture. Cork flooring should not be used in excessively wet and humid areas.

Porousness:

Natural cork flooring can absorb spills and stains quickly, though modern finishes largely mitigate this risk.

Refinishing:

Cork flooring products with a thin veneer cannot be sanded and refinished, limiting their longevity. Traditional solid cork tiles can be refinished to some extent, but engineered boards with thin veneers are more restricted.

Maintenance:

Solid cork flooring requires occasional sealing to protect it from moisture and maintain its appearance. Engineered cork boards generally need less frequent sealing but still require maintenance of their protective layer.

Sunlight Sensitivity:

Cork can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight, so blinds or curtains may be needed in high-exposure areas. Engineered cork boards often have UV-resistant finishes, but some fading can still occur over time.

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Cork flooring should be finished with UV-resistent coatings to prevent sunlight discolouration. Photo by Scenesmith.

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Is Cork Flooring Right for Your Project?

Overall, cork flooring is a great option for contemporary home interiors, offering a unique balance of sustainability, comfort, and aesthetics.

There are cork products suitable for most domestic spaces:

• Traditional cork tiles offer unrivalled comfort and acoustics. They are great for softening hard, cold spaces, or mid-century modern inspired interiors.
• Engineered cork flooring offers many of the same benefits as engineered timber flooring and can be used in similar applications. It also features highly durable finishing layers, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.
• Innovative cork flooring products such as Recork combine many characteristics of cork and solid timber flooring, offering a unique, contemporary aesthetic in many domestic spaces.

By understanding both the advantages and potential drawbacks of the different types of cork flooring, you can make a well-informed decision for your flooring needs.

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The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance and educational purposes. For specific expert advice for your project, appoint an architect featured on Designs in Detail.

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About the author

Aron Coates, an architect with over two decades of experience, draws upon a wealth of residential architectural expertise, encompassing projects ranging from the restoration of historic structures to the design of contemporary homes.

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