ALL FLOORS DESIGN CENTRE

When you compare all the different types of flooring that are available, some are going to leap out at you more than others. For instance carpet is a popular choice, as is laminate flooring. Hardwood flooring is highly desirable but costs more and may not be within your budget.

But what would you say about cork flooring? You’ve probably heard of it but you may not have seriously considered having it in your home before. If you are thinking of changing the flooring in one or more rooms in your home, now is the time to find out more about it.

The advantages of cork flooring

When people think about cork the first thing that comes to mind – perhaps understandably – is the backing on drinks coasters! This is certainly normally made from cork, and it might put you off the idea of installing it as your new flooring. But in truth the cork you will lay down on the floor is a lot different from the cork on those coasters.

For starters cork flooring is actually highly resistant to mold and mildew. This is why you often see cork boards to stand on when you get out of the shower. Cork can provide an excellent flooring choice in bathrooms and in kitchens, as well as other areas of the home. It also dampens down sound levels in a way that laminate and hardwood flooring do not, which is something else to think about.

Another thing that might make you consider cork flooring in more depth is its ability to withstand pretty much everything you throw at it. Cork is incredibly durable and this alone is one reason why many people opt for it.

The disadvantages of cork flooring

While cork can withstand a lot of damage, it does depend on the type of damage caused. If you have a child who decides they’ll pick a chunk out of your cork floor one day, that chunk will notice and you’ll have to try and replace it.

Another major disadvantage is that you won’t be able to mop it. Cork flooring typically has a protective coating but it doesn’t react well to water or spillages. If you do spill anything you should mop it up immediately to restrict the amount of damage done. Even though cork floors can be refinished it isn’t an easy job and you shouldn’t be doing it all the time either.

Is cork flooring the one for you?

Clearly you have to think carefully before you decide to have a cork floor installed in your home. In some circumstances it may not be ideal at all, such as if you have kids or maybe even pets that might scratch it. Just imagine a dog of any size running across it and trying to turn by digging their claws into it. Not good!

So think about your situation and what you want from your floor before you decide whether cork will be the right choice for you.