Cork Durability?

6 years ago

We're looking at DIY refinishing our basement and we're considering cork floors in our basement to replace the dingy white carpet. We previously had cork and loved the warmth and softness of it but we're concerned because we've gotten a puppy since moving to this house and we don't want to invest in cork to have it torn apart by the newest member of the family... He's a vizsla so he's a high energy midsized dog. This space will be used for the TV room, kids play area, guest bedroom and office. (There's also a kitchenette but we plan on tiling that space in)

We've considered vinyl as well but we have maple floors upstairs and we were trying to coordinate the look of up and down and got a little overwhelmed trying to find a good pairing on the floors. Our vibe is modern casual and I'd like to keep the feel warm and inviting down there.

I'd love to hear from people that have experience with cork with dogs and kids OR I'd really appreciate suggestions on other options that may be better for us. If you know of a nice maple LVT options, I'd be interested in that as well. Pictures are MUCH appreciated. Its hard to get a feel for what any of these options look like installed.

THANK YOU for your collective wisdom in advance.

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Comment (1)

SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
In your situation I would (as a cork professional who is has no affiliation to you or the shops you frequent) use a floating cork floor that is factory finished with regular polyurethane (not urethane; not polyacrylic). That polyurethane can accept 1-2 coats of SUPER TOUGH finish called Loba 2K Supra AT.

This super tough finish does many things:

1. It elongates the life span/expectancy of the cork SURFACE (ie. it takes a HUGE amount of effort to break through this finish to gouge/scratch the cork itself)

2. It SEALS the cork (cork doesn't care about liquids...but the fibre board it is sitting on really hates moisture) to prevent urine from seeping between the planks and soaking the fibre board.

3. Loba 2K Supra AT is a LOW SLIP (high grip) wood finish that is velvety and smooth and supremely beautiful.

In other words you are going to float a cork floor (the inexpensive way to have cork) and then seal it to the point it is AS TOUGH as the commercial installed cork tiles that are site finished. You are going to 'build' your own highly water resistant cork floor.

As for the kitchinette - no need for tile. Simply run the cork into the kitchenette and seal it too. Again...you will create a highly water resistant floor simply by sealing the cork from above.

Remember: corks have been used in wine bottles for several centuries. They are the reason the Champagne found on the Titanic was still 'sweet' (no salt water had reached the liquid inside). Cork is REALLY good with water.

www.icorkfloor.com It is one of the company's that uses regular polyurethane on their cork. And they work hand in hand with Loba to offer these super tough cork finishes.
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