Amorim produces Wicanders. Wicanders is the highest level cork product you can find on the market. Are you thinking of using the floating floor or the glue down tiles?

Which is the product you are looking at? I can tell you what finish you have on it and what to expect. I spend 6.5 years selling cork for one of their competitors. I understand cork and what these companies try to 'sell you' versus what is REALLY best for your situation.

You know cork fades? You know it needs occasional maintenance? You know the benefits of a SOFT floor means there are downsides to a 'soft' floor?

Oh and just in case you missed it, cork FADES!!!!!! If a floor that FADES HEAVILY concerns you, then you better make sure you look at the 'stable' colours (natural = unstable).

This is the product I'm looking at: https://www.ghsproducts.com/wise-by-amorim-cork-flooring/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIitOgrpXx6QIVisDACh1tkw57EAAYASAAEgIINfD_BwE I want (need actually) a floating installation.

If I tell you my criteria, could you point me towards something that will work? I was thinking cork would be a good way to go in my bathrooms because it's reasonable to assume I will fall in the bathroom in the coming years. I though a softer floor would leave me less likely to break a hip. Porcelain tile is too hard.

Can you suggest colors that are less likely to show noticeable fading? Like, are darker, artificially dyed colors more likely to hold up? What about "wood look" cork? Does it lose the "wood look?"

Thanks in advance.

The system 'looks' good on first inspection. The rigid core (non-PVC) sounds awesome, until you realize how thin these planks are. They are 7mm thick (0.28 inches). That's roughly 1/4". That is thin by cork floating floor standards.

That in itself isn't too much to worry about because there are vinyl planks that are 7mm thick and they are considered 'thick' by most people. So the total thickness isn't too much of a worry - if you were purchasing vinyl. You are not purchasing vinyl. You are paying for cork. The WISE product doesn't have much of it.

My second concern is the bevelled edge. Traditionally a cork bevelled edge is more susceptible to damage because of it's shape. This *might be negated by the HRT or the SRT coating.

In your situation, I would recommend the SRT coating. It is the TOUGHEST of the tough in the flooring world. It does everything you want and more. It does NOT need refinishing. It will take the abuse for years and years and years.

The plus for this product is the finish. The HRT is the 'good' finish. The SRT is the "Best" finish. The SRT will reduce fading and will accept a HUGE amount of abuse.

If you want 'cork' then work with a cork glue down tile in bathrooms. It is a bit more money for installation, but it is a permanent floor. For the square foot price of WISE, you can have an 8mm thick cork tile (100% cork) glued down in the bathroom.

Bathrooms rarely get enough sunlight to change the colour. Fading in a room such as a bathroom is not something I would worry about. If the 100% glue down cork interests you then check out my colleague's website:

www.icorkfloor.com

Look under 'cork tiles'. You should see some magnificently cork tiles (6mm or 8mm) for the same price/square foot as the WISE.

Do you have anything to say about this product for my living room, kitchen and bedrooms which have to be floated (condo rule).

https://www.icorkfloor.com/store/best-vinyl-plank-flooring-ash-wood/

The Fusion cork is an impressive product. I've sold it many times in situations where TOUGH was required. Just be prepared to use 6mm cork underlayment (which is no problem with this product).

Artemis, we were looking into this type of floor. The situation we face is the same. But I was told that some floors would not work well with wheelchairs if they are floated and that they need to be glued down so they're stable.

I think condos need to allow modifications for those who need wheelchairs, so in our case, I will be bringing up the topic with our Board.

I will also ask the manufacturer whether these Amorim waterproof floors can be glued to another cork acoustic pad, which in turn would be glued to the concrete.

HU....55779 If you want a cork floor, I would recommend using a glue down cork tile that is coated in 2 coats of Loba 2K Supra AT after it is installed.

Cork (non rigid) cannot be glued over cork acoustic underlayment. The underlayment does NOT have the structural integrity to deal with a flexible floor over top (Amorim tiles). A cork floor MUST be glued to a RIGID subfloor = concrete or plywood (not OSB). Your issue with the subfloor being unable to be 'touched' for preparation (you mentioned the Condo Board doesn't allow it) is going to bite you with cork glue down or cork floating flooring.

Hardwood (engineered or solid) are allowed to be glued to cork underlayment (6mm or 12mm). The subfloor still needs to be worked. Again, the issue is the subfloor.

Right now, carpet is your only option for a floor that will lay down over unprepared subfloors. Carpet does VERY well with unprepared subfloors.

Thank you SJ McCarthy. This is such valuable information.

Carpet might have to be an option although it is not great with walkers or wheelchairs that are used outdoors..it will get dirty pretty quickly.

If you can't touch the subfloor then carpet is one of your only options. Sorry but it is the logical choice for a condo that is not allowed to touch the substrate.

I read the rules again and couldn't find anything about the subfloor...will have to write to the board and see what they say.

Ahhh HA! Now we are getting somewhere! You stated earlier that your INSTALLER told you they couldn't touch the subfloor because of the CONDO RULES.....hmmmmm....spidy senses are tingling.

I would CLARIFY with the condo board FIRST...just to make sure the 'reading' of the rules match the board's wishes. Once you clarify that, you can then go after the installer for NOT PREPARING your subfloor!

Not to flog a dead horse, but this is why I suggested to look into the condo rules many weeks back.

@SJ McCarthy thanks for your insight on cork flooring - my daughter had been looking at vinyl plank but couldn't find a product color she loved. It her first home and is worried about making a mistake. She found this and the flooring company highly recommnends, they have it down in their entryway to the showroom. Its not glued down, can you offer an opinion? Thank you. https://www.amorimwise.us/products/wood/inspire-700-srt/mocca-oak-136

Amorim is the 'cheap cousin' of Wicanders. The 'Wood Wise' is a non-cork finish. This is a non-pvc plastic product. The "PE" means polyethylene. Like all 'poly' products it is plastic. It is made from petroleum. They are phthalate free (just like all PE based products). That's the 'clear' finish (should be as thick as a natural finger nail). I've been able to peel this surface back from the plank. It takes ++effort to do it...but it can be peeled off the plank.

The click edge is Valinge 2G. Wicanders has access to (they paid the big bucks) for Valinge 5G. This reinforces the 'cheap cousin' status. The V 2G system is 'fine' but I'm worried about the 'Cork Rigid Core'. There have been issues with this core during installation. I've heard that MANY installers have had issues with the same type of system from Wicanders 'water proof' cork plank. If you get the installation wrong, you will have a floor that never sits flat.

The plank thickness: 9/32" = 7mm thick. If you think the thick PE coating (covering up the wood photograph undereneath) is going to be 0.5mm thick, the rest of the plank will be 6.5mm of cork.

The click edge is cork. And THAT'S the weakest link in this chain.

64090MT_Rev001_INT_AmorimWise2020_web.pdf (amorimflooring.com)

You will find the photo cross-section of the plank on pg 24 (of 44). That's where you find out the make up of this plank.

Just remember: North American Installers have had issues with this type of cork-click edge. Agglomerated cork crumbles. That's not what you want to have when you need it to hold a floor together.

Is it possible to have a glued down cork in the kitchen, hallway and bathroom and then engineered hardwood glued to a thick sound proofing cork undelayment and have all the floors be level so there are no tripping hazards such as transitions?

The hardwood would be for the bedroom and living room

???HU-...1242??? I'm not sure what you are talking about.

To create a floor throughout an entire apartment that is at the same level and without transitions so there are no tiny height differences between the floors.

But hardwood was not mentioned...this is a cork thread.

I meant combining cork in some rooms, entrance hallway, and hardwood in others, living room and bedroom.

I see. Of course cork can be run throughout...glue down in bathroom with floating throughout the rest of the home...

for SJ McCarthy, thoughts on this flooring for the entire downstairs of a house?

https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/All-Products/Waterproof-Cork-Flooring-Wood-Look-Amorim-WISE?faux=100999

@gywatkin I've said it before...and I'll say it again. This 'click' system using CORK as the core layer (very different from traditional cork flooring) is suspicious. How do I know? Because NO ONE other than Amorim and Wicanders (same company...Wicander's is the brand name...like Hugo Boss) use this system.

The WISE is a VINYL floor. You know that right??? Ok. They have VINYL on top and VINYL on the bottom and CORK as the 'core' that holds the planks together. Now that we have that straight, let's look at this thing from a TECHNICAL stand point. Traditional cork floating floors have CORK on the top and CORK on the bottom with HDF (High Density Fibreboard) in the middle. Excellent. That's been going on since 1998 and has worked well.

The VINYL floor with CORK in the middle is new. It's about 5-7 years old. Wicander's came up with it (expensive name = expensive product so they can recoup their Research/Development program). They had the rights to the format for several years. It worked 'ok' in Europe (because they still have cork flooring installers that ONLY do cork). In N. America it has been a gong show.

Now onto Amorim. Amorim is the BIG company (the umbrella company) that will then 'cheapen' the Wicanders stuff and sell product on the cheap side. Amorim/Wicanders realized there are MILLIONS of people who WANT cork but can't afford it. They realized they were missing out on the LOW priced product (where 80% of the N. American market sits). So they 'created' an 'off-brand' called Amorim.

Amorim is the SECOND company to produce the WISE system...Wicanders (their flagship company) being the first. They used the cheaper form of the Valinge edge system ( 2G instead of the expensive 5G that Wicanders uses). They did this a few years ago (probably to get in on the 'low cosst' market AND try to recoup the loss that was Wicanders water proof cork).

The REST of the cork flooring producers have NEVER copied this system (vinyl + cork + vinyl). They have ALL stated it is an unstable system that is going bound to fail....either physically or financially. So far they've been correct about the 'financial' side.

There you have it. The Amorim WISE is a cool sounding product. It is vinyl. It is not a cork floor. If you want the comfort of cork and the softness of cork then purchase cork. If you want vinyl then go with vinyl.

The reason why the WISE product is *probably going to fail (midterm failures should be popping up about now) is the cork core is also the CLICK edge. Have you ever seen a cork board? Looks nice when you first hang it up but what happens after a few years of use? It crumbles. That's what ALL agglomerated cork is going to do when put under HEAVY stress load. The stress load on the click edge is MASSIVE.

And don't be fooled by the WATER PROOF claims. If your basement gets wet, you MUST remove the floor IMMEDIATELY (as in...while the water is pouring into the basement you MUST BE there in your swamp boots pulling up the floor...wear gloves 'cause weird things are always floating in flood water).

Nothing survives immersion in water. Nothing.

STAY AWAY from Amorim cork flooring if your floor will experience direct sunlight and/or temperature fluctuations...here's what mine looks like at 2 pm every day--it pops up about 3 inches and then settles back down in the evening...I'm in west Sonoma county California (80H/40L) and yes, my installer left the standard 1/4" gap under the baseboards...I filed a claim, sent pictures, pulled out the trim to show the 1/4" gap, etc but no resolution...I'll probably end up paying to have it replaced and sue Amorin to try to recover the cost...DO NOT RECOMMEND

I've answered this on the other 'Amorim Cork' thread. The 1/4" inch is NOT enough...you need 1/2" at all walls and vertical obstacles. It cannot be 'pinched' through doorways. It cannot be run longer than 27 linear feet (regardless of plank orientation). It cannot be ANCHORED by anything such as cabinets, islands, baseboards, etc. It cannot be exposed to HEAT that spikes higher than 85F and must not be exposed to temps lower than 55 F.

A floor that over heats in direct sunlight = a floor that needs window coverings or new UV protection glass.

Please load other photos of the install. I am pretty sure this has WAY MORE issues than just 'in sunlight'. And yes...I'm a cork expert. I've sold floors VERY much like these. The 1/4" inch is your SMALLEST issue. It is incorrect and could very likely ruin any warranty issues. That is something you must take up with the installer. Amorim is VERY clear about their installation instructions. I'm already seeing SEVERAL ISSUES with this install and I only have one 2ft x 2ft shot.

Where is the end cap for this floor??? This is not an Amorim issue. It is an installation issue/human error issue.

Help! You sound very knowledgeable. We are leaving a mold toxic home so we need to reduce total toxic load and are chemical sensitive. New house is 2 story with basement. Don't want tile--hate it! Do not want to invest in wood due to maintenance (too busy with active kids) and don't know how long we'll be in the house. The Amorim WP cork seemed like a great option, esp in basement, to glue down (don't want floating floor where mold could grow in air pockets). We are in ND, with extreme temperature changes and moist basements. Wanted the warmth, softness, anntimicrobial, and seemed that this hybrid version would have less fading. I was also debating using it upper level for bedrooms, but not sure about bathrooms. Your post is really making me wonder if it is hardy enough, and will hold up with expansion/contraction temp issues. What would you recommend? Any other good low VOC healthy and durable options? NO ONE in any of the flooring stores in our city seems to know anything about flooring and health! And internet info is CONFUSING! I would be so grateful to hear your expertise!

SJ - Am interested in Wicanders essence with the cork look, not wood look.

I just read through the entire thread and I appreciate your input and expertise. Given what you've said, is there any click lock cork flooring that is durable enough to withstand a few years of even moderate use? I know that Wicanders boasts that it has been installed in numerous commercial applications, but I don't seem to be able to find anyone who has had/used the product for 10 or even 5 years. I love the look, feel, ease of installation, etc. but if there isn't a durable cork option, I may have to go in the direction of engineered hardwood.

I initially wanted to install it in kitchen and bathroom, as well as living room and dining, but it doesn't seem quite as suitable for spaces with the tendency to be moist/wet/spilled on. I've resolved to tiling kitchen and bathroom, but am wondering if wicanders essence will suffice for the rest of the house.

Appreciate any and all feedback. I've looked at the icork flooring but I didn't want to adhere it to the subfloor. Is icork the best option for cork flooring in high traffic areas?

You have to define "durable". What cork does is absorb energy. If the energy is enough to mar the surface of hardwood, vinyl, laminate, then it will be enough to damage cork. Cork is cork. It doesn't change just because a homeowner WANTS it to. Laws of physics do not work that way.

Homeowners must rein in their expectations...for any material they use. Cork is just one of many. If you expect the physicality of tile, but choose hardwood, they are going to be grievously disappointed. So to with cork.

If you want it in the bathroom, you must have glue down. It is the only option that gives more 5 years of service. You can do what you like...but you will be madder'na wet hen!

The floating can go everywhere else. The kitchen floor should be sealed...somehow, someway.

You are the only one who can list your priorities. No one can do that for you. You are the only one who can manage your expectations. If you demand perfection from cork, you will find yourself crying into your pillow every night.

If you like a dynamic, ever changing floor that is moody in different rooms under different lighting and in different seasons...then cork is perfect in its quirkiness.

I love cork because I understand it...and expect it to do precisely what it does. I have no other expectations.

Then again I went to the Vatican to stare at the FLOORS of the Sistine Chapel...Not the ceiling Michael Angelo painted - true story! I'm a little quirky myself...or so I'm told.

Homeowner know thyself.

Makes total sense. i love the texture and feeling of cork, and dont expect it to behave like tile or hardwood. durability for me doesn’t mean scratches or dents, its more of a question of how long i can expect the flooring to remain in tact. i’d like to avoid a product that is prone to chipping or peeling prematurely.

the ever-changing, ”alive” nature of the material is exciting to me, its going to be great in my log cabin living space.

i don’t plan on installing cork in the bathroom and likely not the kitchen either.

i’m in the seattle where the icork showroom is, and plan on visiting the green home solutions showroom to see wicanders products as well.

after a bit of clarity in research, it looks like i won’t need substrate for the icork, correct? theres either a 1mm or a 3mm cork substrate built in to the tiles?

The floating floors (click together) is like laminate. The cork is on top, then the fibre board and then a layer of cork underneath. Whether or not you need more cork is up to you. It is beautiful with or without the underlay. In a mild climate such as yours the planks by themselves are fine...but if you want a more efficient home heating/cooling situation then more cork is 'more better' (...horrible English...I know).

The 'chipping' is part and parcel for cork. The way AROUND that is adding the SUPER TOUGH finish to the cork. The iCork products (almost all of them) are designed to accept the Loba 2K Supra AT. You add THAT to the factory finish on the iCork products and you get a SUPER TOUGH finish. The cost of TWO coats = $1.50/sf (materials only). Add that to the average cost of the cork = $4/sf + $1.50/sf = $5.50/sf

To get the MATCHING finish from Wicanders (right off the factory floor) means $8 - $12/sf....

Their SUPER TOUGH WRT finish is a thick layer of VINYL....yep. Vinyl...clear PVC sitting on top of cork. Sigh...no one tells you that do they? The PVC finish is so thick it can be pealed like an orange. I've done it more times than I care to imagine.

As for visiting the iCork Show room, I believe you still have to make and appointment first. Just give Anne a call and set up your viewing....and tell her Stephanie on Houzz says 'Hi'.

I DO NOT recommend. My Amorim floor is in a new kitchen used by two empty nesters who seldom wear shoes in the kitchen. At first, it got random dents, scratches and holes. I sent pictures to the company who refused to send an inspector. Next, the surface is coming off with cleaning. I sent more pictures to both the manufacturer and the distributor (Green Building Supply) and no one want to take responsibility. The floor is now 3 months old and we will probably need to replace it. AMorim is a cheap product with NO customer service.

Sj McCarthy, seems like you have a lot of experience in cork I have been running in circles for literally 2 years now. I have a rental house with a separate basement apartment. So soundproofing is my priority, durability and no carpet. What would you recommend? Natural cork, with Fading, resealing etc doesn't sound like an option and the look is not mainstream for a rental. I am prepared to buy 6 or 12mm cork underlay but virtually everybody tells me I cannot put vinyl over it, the click system will break. Latest I am seeing is the Amorin stl wood look and with what I read here it does not appear that you have a lot of faith in the long run. And it is expensive! I don't mind expensive to a point but then it needs to last!! Pls help I am so done "shopping" for flooring.. Or is there any similar acoustic underlay that will work the same or better than cork?

Looking for a sample. Would this work on the interior of a boat where moisture is present and occasional salt water.

I would like to install cork flooing over 1/2 inch cork underlay for sound dampening between apartments. Can anyone reccomend the best cork suppliers? I like the look of the Wicanders, but find a lot of abd reviews about their cork coming apart at the joints. Any suggestions? Anyone used Lumber Liquidators cork? Is iCork.com the best? The last thing I want to do is install cork and then have to rip it up after a year. Thanks, Ron

not many suppliers out there so cannot comment to much on that but what flooring are you going to put over top? Unless hardwood just about everybody have been telling me the click-in seem will break because of the flexibility of the cork so be careful. For the same reason I am giving the Amorim SLT700 wood look a try. Thickest layer of built in cork I could find.

Here’s a couple of pics. Btw we also had Wicanders true cork in our old house but I always worried about too much water and sun. This is just as nice.

Looks great. I wonder why mine has been HORRIBLE and continues to get worse with time.

I'm looking at this product https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Waterproof-Cork-Flooring-Cork-Look-Amorim-WISE?faux=100941

I am building a MCM house and one wall in the great room will be all windows floor to ceiling. I am planning on UV glass and sheers for the bottom windows. I want cork but I don't feel I can maintain it. I talked to a salesman at this store above and he said it is very comfortable to walk on. Very durable and I can clean with my swiffer wet jet. I have tried making sense of this thread but there are several products mentioned. My floors will all have radiant heat in the crawl space. I want the cork look without all the hassle of maintaining and and being afraid to have anyone walk on it. According to what is written in the link this fits my requirements. I haven't found a LVT that looks like cork.

I was very happy this product is nontoxic. I bought 2000 sq. Ft. For entire house including bathrooms utility and kitchen. Within 3 weeks it had peaked so it has a rippled look. The problem with this flooring is that if the temperature does not stay between 65 and 82 then it can be damaged. So with all the rolling blackouts we have and air conditioning going out furnace going out heating going out and maybe taking 2 or 3 days to repair if it's in the really cold time of year or the really hot time of year then my guess 90% risk that your floating flooring will be damaged. Attempting to read the installation my opinion you have to be an attorney to understand it. Installers are certainly not going to be able to understand it and dont want to read it. installers want to install this product like they would laminate, Vinyl plank, or wood but that doesn't work. you've got the manufacturer on one side with complicated directions and not honoring the warranty and you've got the installers on the other side saying I did everything right and they're not going to do anything for you so you're stuck with warped floors and out many thousands of dollars. The directions rather than being in several pages of long paragraphs saying one thing and then you have to keep reading further for the exceptions you can't just read it and skim over it and say oh yes this is true because then later they'll say what they just said was true is not true. The basics are you have to use a 6 mil plastic underlament over a concrete slab and then if you want to use quiet walk plus on top of that you can. You cannot use just quiet walk plus if you do the flooring will not be protected from moisture coming up through the concrete.You have to test the concrete for moisture before the floor is installed. Sometimes this can take 72 hours of the installer keeping coming back and they don't like to do that of course. you have to learn how to install this product by calling amorim customer service and technical support and talking to anybody you can think of that has anything to do with this flooring. You have to read and study the long and tedious directions from amorim wise. You have to learn how to install the floor then you have to insist the installers do exactly what you say and you have to be there when the installation is done to make sure they do it. They will argue with you and say it isn't necessary because that's what happened to me so I'm assuming it will happen to others. You have to be strong and insist. I thought maybe they were right and I was wrong so when they argued when they argued vehemently against the 6 mill underlayment I went along with that. I thought well maybe the quiet walk Plus is enough. It isnt. There has to be expansion gaps at thresholds. If there is more than a certain number of linear feet there has to be an extension gap. There has to be 1/4 to 1/2 inch the inch left around the perimeter of the floor between the flooring and the wall for expansion. They cannot caulk the bottom of the baseboard and when the baseboards are nailed the nails have to go straight and not pointing down because if you have the baseboard so tight against the floor that it pinches the floor the floor cannot expand. there's more I'm sure you'll have to read the lengthy directions and I think they should have a summary with bullet points.