Hydrocork is a Wicander's product. It is a vinyl surface and vinyl bottom with cork sandwiched in between. The lock system is the CORK...which is a complete reversal of the way the industry has been going since 1998. It is a version of a "drop lock" system rather than a click together system. The wear surface is vinyl....not cork.

The tiles are banged together from the top...and have some curious comments from installers. So far, I've come across several installers who have been MISERABLE while working with this material. And the system itself is NOT being "duplicated" by the other manufacturers. They are waiting a few more years to see if the locking system is going to stand up to 10-15 years of abuse.

Wicander's will tell you it is fine....the installers and the rest of the industry are simply going to shake their head and wait a while. It is a great CONCEPT....but the question remains: how long will it last? No one knows.

If you go this route (and thousands of Europeans have used it in the past 3-4 years) make sure you work with an installer who has DONE IT BEFORE!!! Someone TRAINED by Wicander's (will be more expensive/hard to find...but someone will know something). Trying to get a "flooring guy" to work this product is going to leave everyone VERY upset (I've seen many installers walk away - without pay because of this product).

Because the system is so hard to deal with, expect higher than normal waste (10% waste has barely been enough for some projects) and when it is this expensive, the waste alone will add in $$$ than you thought.

I think it is a cool idea....but the rest of the industry is turning their noses up at it. The proof will be in the pudding....and seen in 15 years time.