- Pros: warm, quiet, comfortable to stand on.
- Cons: dents from heavy furniture, fades in sun, and needs a good finish.
- The most popular way to get cork today is cork-backed vinyl (for example Wicanders Hydrocork, and TORLYS lines with built-in cork underlay).
Where cork shines
- Kitchens where you stand a lot.
- Kids' rooms and playrooms.
- Condos, where it helps with sound.
- Basements, where it feels warmer than tile.
Where to skip it
- Sunrooms and big sunny windows, because it fades.
- Under pianos, fridges and heavy furniture with small feet, because it dents.
- Full bathrooms (solid cork), unless it's a cork-backed vinyl rated for wet rooms.
Cork-backed vinyl: the best of both
Vinyl on top for wear and water, with a cork layer underneath for warmth and quiet. Check the wear layer in mil and whether the product allows extra underlay. Usually it doesn't. Wicanders Hydrocork · TORLYS.
Common questions
Is cork flooring good for kitchens?
Yes. Cork is comfortable to stand on and warm underfoot. It needs a good protective finish and quick spill cleanup, and heavy appliances can dent it.
Does cork flooring dent?
It can. Cork compresses under heavy point loads like furniture legs and appliances. Use wide furniture pads.
What is cork-backed vinyl?
Vinyl plank with a cork layer attached underneath. It gives vinyl's wear and water resistance with cork's warmth and sound reduction.
Who's writing this: Rose and Thorn Flooring is a flooring company in Surrey, BC. We install floors for a living, so yes, we'd love to do yours. But nobody pays us to say nice things about a product, and we don't earn commission from any brand. If something here is wrong or out of date, text us at 604-716-4160 and we'll fix it.