Discover the natural charm of cork flooring

You might be wondering, "Why should I choose cork flooring?" Well, here’s the exciting part. Cork is one of those materials that packs a punch with its many benefits, making it ideal for different areas in your home. Here’s why cork might be the perfect fit for your flooring project.

1. Sustainability at its best: We’ve mentioned it already, but cork’s eco-friendly nature deserves another shout-out. Because it’s a renewable resource, using cork helps reduce your environmental footprint. Cork is a top choice if you’re committed to going green in your home.
2. Soft underfoot, but still durable: One of cork’s standout features is its cushiony feel underfoot. When you walk on cork flooring, it gives slightly, which makes it more comfortable than hardwood or tile. This softness doesn’t mean it's fragile, though. Cork is durable and resistant to wear and tear, so it's suitable for high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways.
3. Thermal and sound insulation: Cork has natural insulating properties, both thermal and acoustic. That means cork floors will help keep your home quieter and more energy-efficient. It's like having built-in noise reduction and extra warmth beneath your feet. This makes cork flooring ideal for rooms where you want a quieter, more comfortable space, like bedrooms or home offices.
4. Hypoallergenic and mold-resistant: Cork flooring is a great option for allergy sufferers. Its natural properties make it resistant to mold, mildew, and pests, so you can breathe easier knowing your floors are contributing to a healthier indoor environment. It doesn’t trap dust or pet dander like carpets can, which makes it easier to clean and maintain, too.
5. Easy maintenance: Cork flooring doesn’t require much maintenance to stay looking great. A regular sweep and occasional mop are usually enough to keep it in top condition. Plus, cork is resistant to spills and stains, which is always a plus, especially in areas like the kitchen or dining room.

Cork flooring is versatile enough to be used throughout your home. Its softness and insulating properties make it perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and playrooms, where comfort is key. In high-traffic areas like the kitchen or entryway, cork’s durability will surprise you. Just make sure to choose a high-quality finish if you’re installing it in places prone to moisture, like the bathroom or basement.

Discover Cork Flooring Options in Portland, OR

Cork proves just how beautiful environmentally friendly flooring can be. Able to mimic stone, leather, ceramic, and metal, cork allows you to get a different look in a room while offering a plethora of benefits. Cork floor provides a comfortable cushion underfoot because it “gives” when compressed and is a natural insulator, so your feet are never cold.

Durable, hypoallergenic, and easy to maintain, let our experts help you choose the right cork flooring for your life and style.

Why Cork as a Surface Material?

Cork comes from the outer bark of the cork oak tree, which grows in the Mediterranean basin. Much of this material comes from Portugal, the site of the world’s largest cork oak forest.

Every nine years after a tree turns 25, the cork bark is harvested without harming the tree — making it sustainable and eco-friendly. In fact, harvesting cork helps the oak tree stay healthy and grow new bark, contributing to its longevity (a cork oak tree has an average lifespan of over 200 years!)

The magic of cork comes from its unique makeup. Cork has gas-filled pockets inside that give it its elasticity and compressibility. These properties of cork make it an excellent option for flooring:

• Softness: Cork is very comfortable to stand on.
• Quiet: No need to tiptoe! Cork is quieter to walk on than hardwood or laminate.
• Resilient: Cork’s ability to bounce back means most objects won’t leave dents when they fall.
• Non-slip: Cork keeps your feet on solid ground.
• PVC-free: Cork will not harm the environment.
• Naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial: For better living indoors.

Types of Cork Flooring

Our manufacturers have provided affordable cork-based flooring since 1868, combining innovation with durability and performance to give families flooring for all of life’s real moments.

Cork is available in two installation methods: glue-down and floating click-together formats. Some collections come with a waterproof click system.

Regardless of the installation method, cork flooring is inspired by nature. It comes in a variety of patterns and stains such as stone, whitewashed, rich dark leather, or hardwood to perfectly suit any room.

Stone Essence, for example, is a floating multi-layer cork floor system inspired by stone and tile looks, that offers walking and standing comfort, and thermal and acoustic insulation.

Its multilayered structure offers walking comfort, shock absorption, noise reduction, and perfect floor temperature. Furthermore, cork is highly resistant to wear and is certified for low emissions.

Where to Use Cork Flooring

Cork flooring has a warm and natural look that works anywhere you would use a wood floor.

It can bridge the gap between informal spaces and more modern designs. In fact, it was the material of choice for Frank Lloyd Wright in many of his famous homes. You’ll even find cork floors in the Library of Congress, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and other famous buildings.

Choosing a Style

Cork flooring has a range of options including a variety of stained color choices and patterns. For active families, cork offers noise reduction, keeping the hustle and bustle of kids and pets to a minimum.

Given how super versatile cork flooring is, you’ll want to consider the following when selecting your cork floor:

• Sunlight: Direct sunlight on unstained, natural cork causes fading, so it isn’t a good option for south-facing sunlit rooms.
• Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial: Because it naturally repels dust and is comfortable to walk on with bare feet, cork is a good option for bedrooms.
• Colors: You’ll find a variety of cork colors and textures to choose from – from natural hues to stained options – to match your home’s style.
• Texture: Cork’s texture varies from small-grained to burled. Small-grained has a smooth, sophisticated look while burled cork flooring is strikingly unique. You’ll also find many options in between.

How to Care for Cork Floors

Maintaining a cork floor is similar to caring for wood flooring:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly
• Use only recommended wood floor cleaners

Cork flooring is an excellent surface for bedrooms, great rooms, and family rooms.

Cork Collections You’ll Discover in the Classique Showroom

• Corkwise
• Duro Cork
• Stone Essence
• Wicanders
• WE Cork
• Woodwise
• Zamour

How Selecting Cork Flooring Works

At Classique, our mission is to provide expert guidance and installation services to homeowners from start to finish.

Visit our showroom in southeast Portland, where a Classique Floors + Tile expert will assist you with every step of your cork flooring journey. From selecting the perfect cork style and finish to planning, scheduling, and completing installation, we’re here to make your vision a reality.

Classique is a full-service company, meaning that with us you can:

• Explore the benefits of sustainable cork flooring
• Look through a variety of cork textures and colors that suit your home
• Assess your cork flooring project every step of the way
• Count on us to order all materials and manage full cork installation

Schedule a free consultation to come into our showroom to meet with an expert and start your cork flooring project today!