from a pure specifications standpopint, sutability for a particular use, and use of the right product for the right application, cork is a bad choice for wet and food preparation area(s).

I know of no high durability cork products recommended for use.

As close to cork as I know would be a real linoleum sheet flooring.

I've been round and round and round about cork, in my mind, at least.

We hear stories about it lasting 40, 50, a 100 years... yet the residential grade Wicanders [one of the very best, by all accounts] is only waranteed for 5 years-- even though they make a 25 year commercial floor.

So I've no idea-- I've been planing on cork from the get-go on my top floor bed, library and exercise rooms, but the wicanders with only a 5 year is around $8/ft.: hate to think what the 25 year stuff costs.

Like Larry, I'm concerned that the two rolling chairs in my library will carve the floor like a thanksgiving turkey. Some of the salesmen I've spoken to think I'll be OK with floor pads, others aren't so sure.

Then there's the whole glue down/floating discussion: I have radiant floor, so that argues for floating. So does the possibility that I could switch out planks from high to low use sections.

But glue downs it thicker, 'real' cork; softer under foot, better acoustics in this lofted, vaulted space.

One issue I'm having is that whatever I use there will also be on the stairs, since the main floor will be tile. I want something that won't collect lint [carpet], but it's got to have good grip. I'd prefer matte to semi- gloss, rough to smooth, texture wise.

So right now Kahrs hardwood [a material I never thought I'd use] holds an edge over cork: it's low-gloss, textured, [wire brushed and distressed] refinishable, and carries a much longer waranty.

In exchange, I'd be giving up the resilience of cork and the superior accoustic properties. Worth it?

I have no idea...

Is Wicanders significantly better performing than other cork products? What are the down sides?

Wicanders has been in the cork business since the 1800s, based in Portugal, the center of the cork biz. With a trendy material like cork, there are a lot of fly-by-night organizations putting out product, and with some there is 'no 'there', there': they can offer you a 10 yr. warranty, but the company may have dissappeared in a couple of months...

The only downside I'm aware of is that it's a premium brand of cork, and priced accordingly.

Their 25 year stuff for commercial use has a PVC coating instead of urethane, but I haven't got a price on it yet.

With the 5 yr. residential, they are talking about the urethane coat lasting 5 years. Some companies [like Duro design], say that you can easily wipe on another varnish layer on the traffic areas every few years without re-doing the whole floor, as with wood. Dunno if this applies to wicanders or not...

Here's their website, but don't pay too much attention to the dealer locater. In my area several stores have it that aren't listed.

Here is a link that might be useful: wicanders.com

I need to correct myself: Wicanders offers both UV set urethane and Xtreme WRT [a ceramic] for residential use.

The 100 series floors with the WRT are warrantied for 5 years commercial, 15 years at home. They are only refinishable with a compatible product that must be applied by an approved company.

According to the company, the WRT surface is 3.5 times better at resisting abrasion, 4 times better at resisting scratches.

thx for the onfo on wicanders;i just looked at the plank flooring today. the 100 series did seem a little more, well, "cork-like" than the 1000 -- i guess because of the different finish. i liked the look of it more than i expected and am now deciding between that and porcelain tile. i have parquet floors in my living room and dining room and thought cork might blend better.

any more reviews, experiences, warnings, re: wicanders?

I was looking at cork with a friend who was considering it, and I was all for it until we found a piece in the display that had been damaged, and we were both totally shocked by how easily it peeled apart, and how paper thin the actual cork layer was. It was a highly touted brand, the man who owned the store said his dad had installed it since the 1950's, but I was really astonished by the thinness.

I think worries about cork durability are overstated. About 15 years ago I owned a mid-century house that had an original cork floor in the one main hallway in the house. This hallway was the highest traffic area, and the floor looked fantastic. Over those 40 years it had clearly developed a "patina" for want of a better word, but any dents, dings, etc. only added to the patina rather than detracting from it. I found it to be very durable in the 7 years I lived in that house, and two cats with claws did no damage to it either. When my current hallway and MBR carpet reaches the end of its' life, I'll replace those with cork if my DW agrees.

iinsic, I love hearing those stories, buy I'm never sure whether they apply to modern cork flooring. I have a lot of samples round the house, and the decorative top layer is almost paper thin. The balance is a cork equivalent of particle board that has nice spring to it, but I'm afraid that if the top layer is compromised, the other stuff might degenerate rather quickly.

I have a feeling those classic floors were probably the same material through and through, though I can't prove it.

But hey, a thick, solid layer may not be good over radiant floor anyway... Duro Design says you can use their glue down tile [about 3/16" thick], but most experts in both heating and flooring say to use only engineered.

Have you looked at Expanko? It looks like a durable product. I have been thinking about their floors.
My in-laws 54 year old glued down cork floors are thin, but still look good.

i went to a store today with a few brands and i have to say i was a little disappointed in what i saw. all of the coating put on the cork to make it easy maintenance makes it almost seem like "cork-look" laminate. a very smooth surface, too. i guess that is good to avoid denting, but not sure how comfy it would be.

We have selected Natural Cork Earth Series in "Toledo". I just visited their web site and found a FAQ, which may help others in their decision to cork or not to cork. (see link below).
The cork we've selected is $6.85/sq ft. + $2.25/sq ft. to install. There are added expenses such as end cap & stair nose transitions, and retucking the carpet to the living room and hallway, but the total is $4,279.21 for 440 square feet. We live in Bend, Oregon. No sales tax. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: FAQs on cork flooring

We have had glue down Solida cork in our kitchen for a year now and am loving it. Am considering plank for our family room and have been examining the kitchen to make sure no dings, etc. before we move forward. Although I haven't noticed dings, we now have obvious fading in from of the sliding glass door. Seems like the fading has happened overnight. I am having a company come in and install glass film on the windows and doors.

Hi,

I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth! I installed Natural Cork floating planks in my kitchen at the end of April 2008. I am single, don't wear high heels, and am extremely careful regarding spills or cleaning up any water on the floor.

Given that it is now August 2008, I'm starting to see cracks in the Cork and the top layer of cork in spots is starting to peel off. Natural Cork has a warranty of 15 years. There is no way this will last 15 years. I've cleaned the floor with the cleaner Natural Cork recommends as well as polished the floor with the recommended polish.

When I called the Natural Cork technical assistance, they suggested filing a claim which I'm sure I will. After only a few months of very mild use, I would NOT recommend the purchase of this brand of cork. I love the feel and look of the cork in my kitchen but unless Natural Cork replaces the entire floor at no cost, I'd probably purchase another brand of cork. Sounds like Wiccanders may be worth a try.

Just a word of warning and my experience for anyone considering purchasing Natural Cork flooring.

Karen

I installed Natural Cork planks in our kitchen in March, 2007. To date we have not experienced the problem that karenfromknoxiville has experienced. Looks as good as when I installed it.

Karen, You have not even filed the claim, yet your going to slam Natural Cork.

Every company has it's bad days. We are all human. It is how the company handles the claim, that defines their integrity. File the claim, before you slap them around.

This is what I see in kitchens and karens claim... They recommend a topcoating of waterbased poly in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. The application of the additional coating put on after installation is peeling, because the contractor that did the coating skipped very important steps, in the process.

Hi Floorguy,

Thanks for your comments. If I'm not mistaken you and have had the discussion concerning applying a coat of Poly after the cork is installed. I clearly think in hind sight that was probably the right thing to do. But I didn't because NOWHERE in Natural Cork's installation or maintenance instructions do they ever suggest applying a coat of poly. As I stated previously, I was concerned that if I applied the poly, it would void the warranty.

As for slamming Natural Cork, I disagree and feel that a new cork floor which cost me beaucoup bucks should last without damage (cracks and peels) more then 3 months. I don't think that is unreasonable to expect. Especially when I consider how neurotic I am about cleaning up water spills immediately or preventing dents in the floor (all the kitchen chairs have felt tips with the kitchen table having rubber coasters on the legs). I can't imagine how anyone with a family or toddlers would keep up this floor.

I do agree with you that the integrity of a company is in how they handle a claim. If Natural Cork handles it well and I'm impressed with their good customer service, I'll be the first to sing their praises. Right now I'm not too impressed with their product but am willing to admit it may be an isolated incident based on azbounds experience and comments.

Karen
PS. If you can find in the Natural Cork installation or maintenance information where it says to apply a coat of poly, please show me (i.e. post a link), maybe I missed it. Their web site is www.naturalcork.com

I have the instructions that come with the product, which are a little more detailed then the internet, give you just enough to hang yourself instructions.

I have installed quite a bit of Natural cork gluedown tiles.

It is not required, but highly recommended, to topcoat the tiles with a waterbased finish like Bona Traffic, or Basic Street Shoe.

We chickened out of cork for the kitchen. The kitcen is done and mostly history.

Now we are considering flooring options downstairs and are back to thinking about cork. It is a modestly used secondary living area - a couch, murphy bed (possibly), desk, a little exercise equipment. It is currently carpeted over concrete slab. No water problems, but it is cooler than the rest of the house.

We would like a resilient, fairly warm flooring. I suppose cork and any wood product should be floated. Any satisfactory cork usage in this context?

Hi Floor guy and LarryinSeattle,

My cork was the Natural Cork FLOATING PLANKS NOT the glue down cork. Have you had experience installing Natural Cork FLOATING PLANKS or just the glue down type of cork?

In the installation instructions which come with the FLOATING PLANK CORK, there is NO mention of applying a coat of poly. Again, I was concerned if I applied the poly it would void the warranty since there is NO mention of applying it anywhere. I'd be curious who "highly recommended" adding a coat of poly or where it states to apply a coat of poly. It wasn't in the instructions for installating the FLOATING PLANKS that come with the product that I had.

Larryinseattle: You can read my experience with Natural Cork above. It also seems that azbound didn't have any of the same problems. Personally, I'd check out Wiccanders but that's just my opinion.

Karen

I'm with Karen on this one. We have Natural Cork in the planks. Installed Apr. 2008. We purchased it and had it installed by a local flooring company. Not only were the colors "off" (actually looked like they might've accidentally used one box from another color), but another local flooring company says it was a bad install. That aside, I don't care for it at all. You have to be much too careful with it, and it shows every drop of water and every dog hair and dustball. I didn't realize prior that it would be such a high maintenance floor. Because it was a bad install, the original floor company refunded our money. Well, actually, my husband filed a dispute on our credit card. When the flooring company didn't respond to the dispute, our credit card company refunded us. My guess is that the flooring company realized that they were in the wrong - so they didn't fight it.
I still have not made up my mind what to replace the cork with, but because of my experience - it will not be with cork, regardless of the brand.
I need something tougher, with less maintenance.

No, I have not played with the locking floating Cork. They are highly marketed to the DIYer. Professionals rarely see the products marketed to the DIY crowd, but it does happen occasionally, when a DIYer gets in over their heads.

I have only done the gluedown tiles, from Natural Cork.

Hi Boxiebabe,

Thank you for your comments of support although I am sorry to hear your experience with Cork has been as disappointing as mine. I was beginning to think it was just me and maybe I just got a bad batch of Cork. Your reply made me feel that I wasn't crazy and this type of kitchen floor requires an extraordinary amount of maintenance and care.

I am curious as to what you'll replace your cork with in the kitchen. I haven't filed a claim yet, but unless Natural Cork replaces my floor free of charge, I'm sure I'll be putting in another floor within the year. I do spend a lot of time in the kitchen, cooking and baking. Plus I'm not getting any longer. So some type of floor that is not too hard on my feet or back would be great.

Please post what type of floor you decide on for your kitchen. Thank you again for not your comments of support!

Karen