Cork flooring is a sustainable floor covering made from the harvested bark of the cork oak. It’s manufactured into tiles or floating planks and offers:
- cushioned comfort,
- natural insulation
- good sound absorption
- unique look and style
Using our 30 years of experience in the flooring industry, we’ve created this in-depth guide to help you decide if cork is the right flooring for you.
The Breakdown
- What is cork flooring?
- How is cork flooring made?
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Types of cork flooring
- Click Cork Flooring
- Glue-down tiles
- What are the benefits of cork flooring?
- What are the downsides of cork flooring?
- Can you use cork flooring in a kitchen?
- Can you use cork flooring in a bathroom?
- How long does cork flooring last?
- How much does cork flooring cost?
- How to maintain cork flooring
- Quick answers about cork flooring
What is cork flooring?
Cork flooring is made from the bark of a particular type of oak tree that most commonly grows in the warmer Mediterranean climate, the vast majority coming from Portugal & Spain, together producing 81% of the world’s cork.
The cork tree is remarkable because it is the only species that can regrow its bark after harvesting, making it a truly renewable material. Few, if any other materials, can claim to be as eco-friendly as cork.
How is cork flooring made?
To make cork flooring, manufacturers combine granulated raw cork, which is compressed into sheets and then cut into tiles or planks.
For floating floors, two layers of cork are bonded to a central layer of high-density wood fibres, which contains the click mechanism.
The top layer of cork can be treated with a colour and sealer to make it more durable and resistant to water, scratches, and dents.
Types of cork flooring
Cork flooring generally comes in two forms: glue-down tiles or click-together planks. Each format has its own upsides and downsides and is better suited to different applications in your home or business. We’ve broken down the features of each.
Click Cork Flooring
Click cork flooring is a great option for anyone who’s installing flooring themselves or wants a quick and straightforward installation.
Also known as floating cork flooring, it can be installed by just about anyone and usually comes in rectangular cork planks. Click cork is a great value option due to reduced labour costs and ease of installation. However, click planks are not normally recommended for bathrooms where there is high humidity, as sometimes the HDF core can take on moisture and swell.
Glue-down tiles
If you want a flooring option for more humid places, glue-down tiles might be better as they are pure cork without the HDF core. With this method, cork tiles are glued to a subfloor (the base layer of the floor that tiles are attached to) using a special adhesive.
This is also the best product if you want to use different colours to make a patterned floor such as a chequerboard. Glue-down cork tiles can be cut to shape and are installed in a similar way to LVT flooring.
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Feature |
Click Cork Flooring |
Glue-Down Cork Tiles |
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DIY-friendly |
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Experienced DIYers |
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Requires adhesive |
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|
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Moisture resistance |
Good |
Excellent |
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Durable |
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|
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Cost-effective |
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|
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Easy maintenance |
|
|
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Best Suited For |
All areas except bathrooms |
All areas including bathrooms |
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Underfloor heating |
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|
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Pet Suitable |
Yes, but beware sharp claws |
Yes, but beware sharp claws |
What are the benefits of cork flooring?
Whether you decide to install click cork flooring yourself or pay for the installation of glue-down tiles, cork is an outstanding flooring material for many reasons. Here are just some of the benefits of this natural wonder material.
Comfort
Cork is a naturally soft, springy material, filled with millions of tiny cells that compress and regain their shape. This makes it comfortable to walk or stand on, especially barefoot, and ideal for rooms where you spend a lot of time, like the kitchen.
Durability
Cork is a naturally soft, springy material, filled with millions of tiny cells that compress and regain their shape. This makes it comfortable to walk or stand on, especially barefoot, and ideal for rooms where you spend a lot of time, like the kitchen.
Sustainability
As we’ve already mentioned, cork is a naturally sustainable material because the bark is harvested without harming the tree. Bark grows back naturally and the oaks, which can live for 150 to 200 years, are a carbon sink. For each kilogram of cork produced, the tree captures 73 kg of CO2.
Water resistance
Cork is naturally water-resistant, that’s why it’s been used as wine stoppers for hundreds of years. The same structure of air-filled cells that makes it flexible and comfortable also helps protect the material from water damage. To properly protect it from water damage, however, you’ll still need to treat the material and maintain it correctly.
Most of our cork flooring is pre-sealed in the factory or we can supply recommended sealers.
Soundproofing
While sound is often amplified by hardwoods or tiles, cork helps to soundproof rooms and reduce noise pollution throughout the home. Cork flooring works great in nurseries, children’s bedrooms, and other places with high footfall.
Insulation
As well as absorbing sound, cork is a highly effective insulator. Its air-filled cell structure helps retain heat more effectively, making it 3x better at insulating than engineered wood flooring. It’s insulation means it’s even used in facades and roofs, to help keep heat in properties.
Anti-microbial & hypo allergenic
Cork is naturally resistant to mould and mildew, making it a great option for wet environments like bathrooms. As cork is compressed and treated during manufacturing, it’s naturally smooth and flat, which prevents dust and debris from building up. See more information on cleaning cork flooring below.
What are the downsides of cork flooring?
Cork flooring is a versatile and sustainable flooring option for many of us, but it isn’t perfect for every application or home. Before you decide on the flooring for your home, you should be aware of the downsides of the material you’re considering.
Moisture susceptibility
While cork is water-resistant, it can still be susceptible to water damage in certain circumstances. The cork itself needs to be treated—although you can use natural waxes like beeswax to add a waterproof layer. Click cork flooring can be more susceptible to water damage, as it has a HDF (High-density fibreboard) core, which can warp when exposed to excess moisture. Therefore, click cork flooring is not recommended for bathrooms – try glue-down tiles instead.
Scratches & dents
Cork’s natural springiness helps it pop back into shape when compressed; however, like many types of flooring, such as LVT and Engineered Oak, it can be prone to scratches. You should always be careful when moving heavy furniture or if walking grit in from outside. We recommend always using felt pads on furniture and door mats at external entrances.
Fading under sunlight
One of the great things about cork is the natural colouring. This colouring, however, like other natural materials like wool and timber, can be impacted if exposed to strong direct sunlight. To help prevent damage from UV rays, UV filters on your windows can help. Or simply rotate furniture and rugs to minimise fading in high-sunlight areas.
Budget
Cork flooring is by no means the most expensive flooring material; however, budgets can increase depending on the type you choose. We have products at lots of different price points so please contact us if you’re working to a specific budget.
Can you use cork flooring in a kitchen?
Cork flooring is a great option for kitchens. It combines some of the key characteristics needed for busy kitchen floors, including:
- Antimicrobial: Kitchens can be breeding grounds for bacteria due to raw food and humidity from cooking. Cork is naturally antimicrobial, preventing mould and mildew from growing on your floor.
- Sound insulation: In a busy kitchen with clanging pots, whirring oven fans, and sizzling dishes, cork flooring helps reduce noise thanks to its natural sound-insulating properties.
- Water resistance: Spillages are inevitable in your kitchen. Properly sealed cork flooring is water-resistant against occasional spills.
For our full breakdown on cork flooring for the kitchen, see our article here.
Can you use cork flooring in a bathroom?
Tiles and vinyl are popular choices for bathrooms, but glue-down cork tiles can do just as well in humid environments. Here are just a few of the attributes that make cork a great option for bathrooms.
- Comfortable: If there’s one room where you’re going to spend the most time barefoot, it’s the bathroom. So, you need a floor that’s warm and comfortable underfoot. Cork is naturally springy and helps retain heat, creating a relaxing bathroom environment.
- Cork is a good material for bathroom floors because it is naturally water-resistant. However, click cork flooring has an HDF core (high-density fibreboard, a type of compressed wood layer in the middle) that can warp if wet. For bathrooms, it is better to use water-resistant glue-down tiles that do not have an HDF core.
- Anti-microbial: Naturally resistant to mould and mildew, cork helps prevent damage and bacterial build-up from wet feet and bath spillages.
For our full breakdown on cork flooring for bathrooms, see our article here.
How long does cork flooring last?
Cork flooring usually lasts between 10 and 40 years, or even longer in some cases. The amount of time it lasts depends on how it’s used, how it’s finished, and how it is maintained. Flooring in high-traffic areas or that is exposed to high levels of moisture may not last as long. To ensure your cork flooring lasts as long as possible, keep it clean, protected from damage, and reapply protective sealants every few years.
Our Earthtone range has a 15-year domestic warranty and a 5-year commercial warranty.
How much does cork flooring cost?
Cork flooring generally costs between £30-£75 per square metre, depending on a range of factors, including the style, materials, and installation:
- Materials: Whether you choose click or glue-down tiles will also impact the overall cost. Glue-down cork is often cheaper than click cork but requires adhesives and sealing. The thickness of your cork will also affect the price: thicker cork is more expensive.
- Sealing: All of our click cork options are pre-sealed in the factory and do not require re-sealing. Our glue-down options mainly come pre-sealed but we recommend applying more sealer after the flooring has been installed to improve the durability and cover any cut edges.
- Installation: As we’ve mentioned, the cost of installation can significantly increase your flooring cost. If you choose to click cork flooring and do it yourself, it can be a great value option.
How do I maintain cork flooring?
To clean your cork floor, avoid harsh or synthetic cleaners, as they can damage it. Vacuum regularly to remove dust and debris that could damage the floor, and use a damp mop to wipe the surface. You can protect the floor from scratches and dents by adding floor protectors to furniture legs. Small scratches and dents can be fixed by adding wood filler, sanding, and reapplying your sealant.
Like any natural material, cork flooring needs to be maintained to protect it from physical and water damage. It’s recommended to reseal our glue-down options every few years or if they start to show wear.
Cork is a natural material that’s becoming increasingly popular for customers who want a sustainable, attractive, and practical floor option. Naturally water-resistant and anti-microbial, it’s easy to maintain and is often cheaper than hardwood flooring options. Flooring by Nature offers a range of cork flooring styles, including click and glue down tile options. From living rooms to bathrooms, choose cork flooring for a versatile, modern solution for home and business owners.
Quick answers about cork flooring
Is cork flooring waterproof?
Cork is water-resistant. Proper sealing and prompt spill cleanup are essential.
Can you use cork flooring in kitchens?
Yes. All our cork options are suitable for use in kitchens and, with correct maintenance, will perform well for many years.
What about bathrooms?
We recommend glue-down cork tiles and thorough sealing.
How long does cork flooring last?
Typically 10–30+ years depending on traffic, thickness, finish, and maintenance.
Is cork good with underfloor heating?
Usually, yes—follow the manufacturer’s max surface temperature and acclimation guidance.
Does cork scratch or dent?
It can. Use felt pads, trim pet nails, lift heavy furniture, and reseal when needed.
How thick should cork flooring be?
Commonly 4–9.5 mm for comfort and durability; check product specs and subfloor.
Is cork eco-friendly?
Yes—the bark is harvested without felling the tree. Use low-VOC adhesives/finishes to maximise sustainability.
Shop Our Full Cork Flooring Range
If you are convinced that Cork is the right flooring for you, shop our full cork range