Cork In The Kitchen: Should You Go There?
What’s the most popular room in your home? The kitchen. Selecting the wrong flooring will be something you have to live with and regret for years. Which is why we see a lot of people hanging back from selecting cork flooring.
Durability is always a concern. But what about comfort?
We love the look of hardwood. But hardwood is exactly that: hard. And when you stand on it for hours, you feel it.
This is your kitchen we’re talking about. The place where you’ll spend the most amount of time standing up. Whether you’re working at the sink, standing by the stove, or leaning by the counter talking with family and friends, you’ll mostly be on your feet.
Cork has unique properties that make it an excellent choice for your kitchen.
First, it’s comfortable. You’re probably most familiar with cork when popping open a bottle of wine, or sticking a tack into a bulletin board in your office. That “give” you feel there also is a part of flooring. Cork compresses slightly under weight and springs back when the weight is removed. This slight give acts as a shock absorber, which helps relieve pressure on your joints. So if you’re standing for extended periods every day, cork flooring makes it easier. Not to mention that dropping dishes or glasses have a better chance of survival too.
Cork is filled with tiny air cells that give it its cushiony qualities. These air cells also hold in warm air. So not only does it feel softer, it feels warmer too. In Colorado’s colder climate, this can be a welcome relief on a cold, snowy day. It’s insulation qualities can also mean it adds to your energy efficiency, allowing warm air to concentrate where you want it most.
Have you ever been awakened by noisy walking or running across hardwood or laminate? Those insulative qualities in cork make that less possible. Cork reduces the impact of sound and gives it less ability to travel. If you have a family with different sleeping patterns, it may even improve your sleep.
The biggest concerns for installing cork in a kitchen is with durability. What happens if something is spilled, or if a busted pipe floods from underneath the sink? For spills, no matter what flooring you have installed, timeliness is key. Cork will do no worse than other types of flooring. And if the worst happens and your flooring has extensive damage from water damage, it is usually covered by a homeowner’s policy.
Don’t be afraid to install cork flooring in your kitchen. It’s the perfect application to add style, warmth, and beauty to your kitchen floors.