cork flooring? (hardwood, Home Depot, heat, colors)

[toodie]

I've been wondering how cork would do in a living/dining area. Has anyone installed it or seen homes with large rooms of cork flooring? There are a lot of things favorable about it, easy on your feet, prevents mold and mildew, doesn't warp.

When I looked at samples at Home Depot, I thought the floor would end up looking like a huge bulletin board. But when I see rooms done on HGTV, they look pretty nice.

If anyone has seen homes with this flooring or has installed it, I would really appreciate your feedback.

Thanks,
toodie

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by toodie

I've been wondering how cork would do in a living/dining area. Has anyone installed it or seen homes with large rooms of cork flooring? There are a lot of things favorable about it, easy on your feet, prevents mold and mildew, doesn't warp.

When I looked at samples at Home Depot, I thought the floor would end up looking like a huge bulletin board. But when I see rooms done on HGTV, they look pretty nice.

If anyone has seen homes with this flooring or has installed it, I would really appreciate your feedback.

Thanks,
toodie

I'm interested in hearing from people about the maintenence & longevity of cork. Toodie mind if I also tack on anyone who owns bamboo flooring?

BTW historical use of cork floors:
"Some notable installations include many of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's design projects, including Falling Water in Western Pennsylvania. A sample of others during this period would include: The United States Department of Commerce Building, Department of the Interior Building and the National Archives in Washington DC(circa 1930). Other notable installations include: St. Mary of the Lake Chapel, Mundelein, Illinois (circa 1920) and Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania (circa 1937) Whatever one may think and wonder of cork flooring longevity, all the original installations mentioned remain to this day. "
http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/har...cork-intro.htm

[toodie]

No, I don't mind at all about adding bamboo to the list. And thanks for the info you posted.

I guess they moved my post from raleigh/durham, and I really don't understand why because there are lots of posts there about wood floors and nobody moved those posts, so I don't get it.

I'll have to figure out where I am now.

Thanks,
toodie

[HappyNCGirl]

Originally Posted by toodie

I've been wondering how cork would do in a living/dining area. Has anyone installed it or seen homes with large rooms of cork flooring? There are a lot of things favorable about it, easy on your feet, prevents mold and mildew, doesn't warp.

When I looked at samples at Home Depot, I thought the floor would end up looking like a huge bulletin board. But when I see rooms done on HGTV, they look pretty nice.

If anyone has seen homes with this flooring or has installed it, I would really appreciate your feedback.

Thanks,
toodie

Toodie- A couple years back we finished off our basement, and used cork for the flooring. It was absolutely gorgeous. We used cork that came in "planks" that snapped together, tongue and groove (like hardwood does). After installation, the cork is coated with sometype of product that seals it and gives it a mellow sheen. We loved it so much that we used it in our bonus room and foyer of another home. I too was so worried that it would look like a cork bulletin board, but it doesn't look like that at all. It is durable, and actually not cold to the bare feet as hardwood or tile can be. Perfect application for a basement, or anywhere for that matter.

Everyone who saw it in our homes just raved about it. There are tons of colors and patterns to choose from. Cork floors have been used for decades and decades in Europe and in Commercial buildings such as banks. Its not really new, just new to us.

My engineer husband who researches everything to the nth degree found a fantastic website source. We got a great price and he installed the flooring himself. The place we ordered it from was a family owned business, very informative and helpful from start to finish, with our project.

Go for it! You will be delighted beyond your expectations.

[rubytue]

My in-laws had cork floor in their sun room. The floors were gorgeous and looked nothing like a bulletin board. It was not, however, a good floor for a sunroom. A sunroom needs a flooring material that will act as a heat sink (stone or tile), and I think their choice of flooring was a big contributor to why their sunroom overheated so badly in the summer. We are finishing our basement, and pretty sure we will be using cork flooring. Probably the click-together type.

[toodie]

Great information! Thank you for your replies. Sounds like those who see cork floors are impressed with the look of it.

Best,
toodie

[BobKovacs]

We visited the library near our home for the first time yesterday, and it had what appeared to be a beautiful honed stone floor- the material even went up the stairs as well. What I found odd was that it didn't have the "cold", hard feel of stone, but had the look. As I checked it out further, I realized that it was actually 12"x12" cork tiles- they looked great, and were holding up incredibly well in such a heavily traveled public building.

[harborlady]

Now I'm wondering if this wouldn't be perfect in a bathroom when you forgot your slippers in the middle of the night.

[Bones]

Originally Posted by harborlady

Now I'm wondering if this wouldn't be perfect in a bathroom when you forgot your slippers in the middle of the night.

Now you have me interested for a bathroom installation.....

[katzenfreund]

We are currently debating installing cork floor in the kitchen that we are having remodeled. A couple of people have told us it would not be their first choice for a kitchen. Anyone have thoughts on this? I love the look of a cork floor!!