If you’re tired of your existing flooring and are looking for something a little different, you might be wondering whether cork flooring could be the right option for you.

Cork flooring has a long and illustrious history, and although it went out of fashion for a few years, it seems to be back in vogue again.

There are certainly a number of reasons why more people are opting for this natural floor covering, but if you’re trying to make an informed decision you need to know the disadvantages of cork flooring for homes too.

With that in mind, here are the pros and cons to choosing a cork floor for your home...

Why Should I Choose A Cork Floor?

There are a whole lot of reasons why you should consider a cork floor for any room of your home:

Soft Surfaces

Its cushiony soft surface feels comfortable and cosy under your feet and this makes it ideal for spaces like kitchens where you stand up for extended periods.

If you’re replacing the flooring in an elderly person or child’s roof, cork flooring could be a good choice because it can offer some protection in case of accidental falls

Good Insulation

Cork is also an extremely effective insulator. Reducing heat loss through your floor is very important if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, have a warmer home, and slash your energy bills at the same time.

Cork’s interior is made from small chambers that are filled with air. These form a barrier against noise and heat transmission, so your room will be a lot more comfortable!

Easy to Care For

Cork is easy to refinish, which means you can give it a new, fresh look from time to time. All you need to do is sand it down then stain or re-apply a finishing sealer to make it look as good as new.

Installation and maintenance is a breeze, and since cork is eco-friendly, recurring, replenishable and biodegradable, it’s ideal for anyone who is committed to sustainability.

Creates a Cleaner Home

If anyone in your home suffers from allergies, cork flooring is also a great choice. Cork, unlike carpet, repels hair, dust, and small particles and is also easy to clean completely. This improves the air quality inside your home.

As an added advantage, the suberin inside cork repels insects and vermin so you can keep your home naturally pest-free.

Water damage represents a significant issue and although cork can be sealed to protect against stains, this seal will never offer 100% protection, and should the room become flooded, your cork flooring will discolour and warp

Why Should I Avoid Cork?

Although cork has a lot of things going for it, it’s important to also be aware of the disadvantages of cork flooring for homes:

Not Durable

One of the greatest problems is that cork can be easily damaged. As it is very soft, it can be punctured by sharp objects and scraped by furniture legs. If someone wears heels on your flooring, it can easily cause holes while even small particles of grit and dirt can tear the material’s surface.

Any heavy furniture or appliances can sink down permanently into your cork flooring. This not only results in permanent dents in your floor, but it also makes it hard to move the items later for rearranging or cleaning furniture.

If you have pets at home, scratches from dog and cat claws can be a particularly troublesome problem, especially in the case of heavy, large dogs.

Prone to Water Damage

In times of high humidity, cork floors can plump or curl and this can result in the tiles starting to pop out.

Susceptible to Sun Damage

Sunlight also causes fading of cork flooring, and when cork is exposed to direct sunlight, discolouration frequently occurs, with the affected area of floor taking on a lighter shade than its surrounding areas. Although it’s possible to prevent this problem by blocking sunlight using blinds or curtains, ongoing care and vigilance is necessary.

If you’re interested in finding out more about insulating your home in the most effective way visit Home Logic and discover the latest insulation solutions to keep your energy bills down and your home comfort turned up to the max!

Making A Considered Choice

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of cork flooring, you may be in a better position to make your final decision.

If you’ve come to the conclusion that cork flooring isn’t the right option for you due to worries about damage, you can achieve a similar insulation effect by have spray foam insulation installed to stop heat from escaping from your floors.