Have you ever considered a cork floor?

More Canadians are beginning to recognize the value of using renewable resources in their home renovation projects. Among the many options available to homeowners is a growing trend that has been making its way back into flooring projects: cork.

Cork is harvested from cork oak trees and has many added benefits, making it a great choice of material for new flooring. It’s received criticism in the past for its lack of durability and colour choices, but that’s no longer the case. Modern technology has come a long way to make cork floors stronger. With the wide array of colour options, it’ll be easy to find the right flooring for you.

We’ve done some research for you. Here are the reasons why you should consider cork floor tiles in your next home renovation project:

Durability

Cork material tends to be more resilient than hardwood flooring when it comes to preventing scratches. While cork is not completely impenetrable from everyday wear and tear, due to the nature and texture of the material, scratches blend in seamlessly, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye. This means if you are an animal-lover, this product might be better suited to you than a more traditional flooring type. You won’t have to worry about your furry friends scratching up the floor and you can avoid carpet, which is notorious for keeping bad smells locked in.

Another amazing feature is that unlike hardwood flooring, cork flooring is antimicrobial. This means it’s resistant to mold and mildew, making clean-up a breeze. It’s great for those who have little ones running around and playing on the floors. Any opportunity to keep the germs away from kids is a good thing!

Pricing

Cork flooring is fairly inexpensive in comparison to hardwood and bamboo materials. If you are looking to purchase the flooring at big-box hardware stores, here’s an estimate of what the cost of material can run you. We’re comparing two prices with two different aesthetics for a room size of 12’ x 15’, or 180 square feet. The cost of installation will vary, but typically costs around $2 per square foot, for a total project cost of roughly $360 to $400.

Heritage Mill Monaco Plank* – $2.39 per square foot, which works out to approximately $430 before tax.
Millstead Copper Plank** – $4.58 per square foot, which will cost approximately $824 before tax.

Solid hardwood can cost anywhere from $4 to $7 per square foot, making cork flooring a stylish and cost-effective alternative. Install your own cork floors for a quick do-it-yourself project to save on installation costs.

Refinishing

Make your cork flooring more durable by refinishing it. There are a few different types of finishes available at your nearest hardware store, the most common being a finish that sits on top of the floor and bonds to the cork. Finishing cork flooring with a water-based finish like polyurethane is beneficial, for it’s a tough surface finish that protects the floor from damage and stains, adding to its longevity and durability. Consider these reasons when deciding to finish your cork flooring:

Water-based finishes are easy to clean up.
They don’t give off harmful fumes.

Make cork flooring your next DIY project. Otherwise, use our directory of floor laying and refinishing to find a professional installer who can help with your home renovation project.