Care and Maintenance of Cork Flooring

Q: I know that cork is a material that can be used for flooring but I have no idea about its care or advantages.

A:  Flooring is a great investment, and since you’re thinking of cork, you are headed down a great path already.  You might be interested to know a few facts about cork. 

• Cork is a self-regulating material when it comes to temperature. It will neither become too hot nor cold.
• Cork is extremely durable and is used in places you might not have realized—banks, churches, courts and more!
• Cork is a great material to consider if you are trying to keep acoustics great in a particular room of the house due to its great insulation properties.
• Cork is eco-friendly! Its bark is harvested every 9 years allowing for the tree to continue growing and producing wood.

This material is beautiful and available in a wide variety of colors and shades, from very light to dark. In addition, you can find a cork floor to match any home décor. It also comes in a wide variety of textures and patterns, including marble and wood grain patterns that resemble pergo flooring.

Benefits of Cork Flooring

1. Because cork is a great insulating material, it will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The energy efficiency aids in cutting energy bills in the winter.

2. Cork’s great insulating features also protects against noise from adjoining rooms. So if you don’t have a “music” room at home, you will definitely be able to benefit from its sound insulation in other ways (noisy teens, loud games, etc.)  It even helps cut down noise from floor to floor.

3. This material is softer on your feet than ceramic tile or any other wood or stone flooring material. This is more comfortable in the kitchen, when you may spend a lot of time on your feet. In addition, if you drop a dish, it won’t break as easily as it would on a tile or stone floor.

4. Another benefit, cork is naturally fire retardant.

Maintaining Cork Flooring

Cork is fairly easy to clean and maintain. Sweep with a broom to remove debris. You can mop the floor with a damp mop as needed. The finish may begin to wear off after several years. Floor sanders can be used to sand the floor lightly. Reapply a coat of urethane after sanding to protect the floor. You can apply several coats, sanding lightly between each coat, for added protection. Several coats of clear urethane will make the floor more water resistant.