When people visit our showroom for the first time, in many cases, they have a product already in mind. They also have preconceived ideas about certain products, and how they will act once installed.

Let’s talk about cork floors for a minute. The idea of cork is one that many people would consider. Yet it’s also one where there’s a lot of confusion built in. Cork reminds them of the wine bottle stopper or a bulletin board they had in their dorm rooms. And that type of cork was anything but stable. If flaked away, cracked, and broke apart easily. Why would you ever want that in your home?

Yet when we show homeowners today’s cork flooring, they often give it another look.

If you love hardwood, you’ll love cork.

If you want a durable flooring, cork floors might be your answer.

There are so many reasons why new cork floors might be right for your home, it’s worth a second look.

Why install a cork floor?

Remember when carpet was the standard flooring of choice throughout a home? Not anymore.

We love carpet – we sell a lot of it. But here in Colorado, carpet stays popular in the bedrooms, possibly the home office, a family room, or in the basement. The main living space? Not so much.

That’s where we love our hardwood.

And there’s a good reason for that. Hardwood looks great. But hardwood has its own share of problems. And in some cases, cork flooring can be the answer.

Before you decide on your flooring, ask what you want in a floor. For many people, they define their flooring needs like this:

We want a floor that’s durable – especially if you have kids and pets, or entertain on a regular basis, durability might be at the top of your list.

We want a floor that’s pet-proof – if you do have dogs or cats, your floors take extra abuse. They run on it, dig their nails in for traction. They eat off the floor, and have an occasional accident.

We want a floor that looks great – that’s the reason you upgrade and install new flooring in the first place. Why install something if you hate the look?

We want a floor that offers resale value – if you move shortly after you install new flooring, you want to ensure buyers don’t turn around as soon as they enter your home because of ugly flooring. Will it grab attention and hold it? Will it add value to your home?

Is that how you would define your flooring shopping experience? A lot of homeowners do. Yet many remained married to hardwood. Until they dig a little deeper into their needs and desires.

Take a look at your current home environment. If you’ve never had hardwood before, is your home adaptable to installing hardwood? It’s not always as easy as it sounds. If your subfloor isn’t in the right condition, it might be an expensive endeavor to install hardwood.

Which makes some homeowners look for other options. And once again, cork floors can easily come out on top.

What cork flooring is

Cork flooring isn’t hardwood, and yet it is from a tree. Cork is taken from the cork oak tree. It’s sustainably harvested about every ten years, and then grows back again over time. It does not harm the tree, meaning it can produce cork again and again over its lifetime.

You’ll find cork flooring in a variety of choices. Whether you want a DIY project, or want it professionally installed, there’s a cork flooring style you’re going to love.

Floating cork floors are the newest in the marketplace. They simply click together and install easily. If you want something more traditional and more permanent by nature, you can glue the tiles into place. If you glue them down, you will have to ensure a proper subfloor is in place. But this is fairly easy to accomplish.

Cork is an antimicrobial product, meaning it’s a great choice for a healthier home. It’s also a great insulator, it can cut down on the noise that echoes throughout your home. Want a softer surface than hardwood provides? You’ll love your cork floors.

But one of the biggest reasons people love their new cork floors is because of how easy they are to clean.

Cleaning and maintaining your new cork floor

Just like hardwood flooring, with your new cork floors, spills can be your enemy. The faster you wipe it up, the less chance it will create a problem.

Keep dust, dirt, and other debris off your flooring by sweeping regularly. If these particles sit on the surface, you can grind them in, scratching the surface of the cork. Regular cleaning will keep these particles at bay, and be less of a threat to your flooring overall.

While you can use a vacuum, be sure it is set for hardwood floors. Most vacuums have a beater bar, which is perfect for carpet, not so good for wood. If you run a beater bar across your floors, it can scratch and wear through the finish.

At least once per week, run a damp mop over your cork floors to pick up and residue from spills and messes. Repeat based on your family’s needs and lifestyle. Make sure the mop is damp; wring it out, and wring it out again. The surface should never be allowed to sit damp or wet for long periods.

Be careful what cleaners you choose to use on the surface. Most commercial floor cleaners are too harsh for your cork floor surface. They can quickly penetrate through the surface and damage your flooring. Talk with one of our flooring representatives, or look at your manufacturer’s guidance to find a good product.

Vinegar and water isn’t a good daily solution, contrary to what you might find online. While it is a natural cleaner, if you keep the mixture too strong, it can be abrasive to the finish of the floor. Mix the two at a ratio of 10 to 1, if you are going to use it, and rinse several times to ensure there is no residue.

Thinking about installing new cork floors?

Stop by today and see our complete line of cork flooring. We’ll help you find the perfect product for your home.