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The secret to cork’s durability and resilience lies in its softness – it yields to pressure, springing back without leaving dents. As cork neither outgasses nor retains allergens, it is an ideal alternative to carpet or vinyl coverings. A perfect example of sustainability, the Cork Oak tree can survive for hundreds of years as only the bark is harvested.
Evolving to withstand the harsh conditions of the Iberian Peninsula, the Mediterranean Cork Oak (Quercus Suber) developed its thick, spongy bark for protection from the forces of nature. Composed of 200 million air cells per cubic inch, this amazing bark protects its tree from fungus and fire, and insulates it against temperature extremes. The cork oak benefits from having its bark (the cork) harvested every 9-15 years. Since the trees go on living for centuries, this symbiotic relationship between people and nature makes cork the ultimate sustainable material.
The largest pieces of the cork bark are used for wine stoppers. The remaining material is sliced and assembled – sometimes by hand – into patterns with the rest ground up and pressed into blocks. The blocks are then sliced to become the basis of cork flooring.
In the past century, cork has been used in architectural masterpieces such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water and Walter Gropius’ residence (both circa 1937), as well as schools, libraries (including the Library of Congress), and art museums. Warm and resilient, cork flooring is perfect for even the most highly-traveled areas. With a properly maintained finish, your cork floor can last for over a hundred years!
Our cork flooring comes from Portugal and the Italian island of Sardinia. With the largest selection in the Bay Area, Flooring Alternatives showcases over 70 different styles and colors.
Cork is an ideal flooring material because it:
Find out more about this durable and sustainable material in our gallery.
See the swatch samples below for examples of cork flooring we carry. Be sure to visit our showroom to see the new varieties in stock.
Free Form - Combines natural slices of the bark with compressed granules to create natural flowing elements: Granulated, Chunks, Burls.
Geometric - Some linear structure while showcasing natural color and texture variation: Stripes, Brick, Patchwork, Reeds.
Printed - Cork performance with wood or stone appearance. Realistic images printed onto the cork: marble, slate, weathered barnwood, European Oak, and more.
Glue Down - Traditional installation of 100% cork tile typically using contact adhesive.
Floating Click Lock - Interlocking sides and ends form "floating" floor (not attached to subfloor).
Tile - Ground and pressed cork granules, with or without patterned veneer. Typically 1'x 1', other dimensions by special order.
Panel - "Sandwich" of compressed cork wear-layer, fiberboard core, and less dense underlayment grade cork on bottom layer. Interlocking mechanism on edges.
Prefinished - Finish applied in factory (typically 4 - 6 coats). Flooring is ready for use after installation.
Unfinished - Unfinished or stained only. All finish coats to be applied on site at the time of installation.
Not sure what's right for you? GIVE US A CALL so we can help you choose the best floor for your project.
1ft by 1ft Square edged, glue down tiles
Approx. 640 SqFt
Was $7.50/SqFt. Now $5.50/SqFt. TAKE ALL $4.50
Glue down cork tiles. Square edged. 1'X 1'X 8mm
Was $7.00/SqFt. NOW $1.99/SqFt TAKE ALL
Only 24 SqFt left!
Glue down cork flooring. Square edged.
NOW $3.50 Sqft OR $2.50 SqFt Take all!
Only 26 SqFt left!
Square Edged. Floating floor.
Was $6.20 SqFt NOW $2.49 SqFt OR $.99 SqFt Take All
Only 62 SqFt left!
Prefinished Floating Cork Floor - Small Chunk, Natural.
Prefinished Floating Cork Flooring - Chunk, Ash.
Classic original granulated cork pattern in Natural. Available in Glue-down Tile or Floating Panels.
Engineered, floating cork floor with straight edges.
Prefinished floating cork planks with square edges.
Floating pre-finished cork floor with beveled edges.
Floating pre-finished cork flooring. Square edged.
Click lock floating pre-finished cork flooring. Plank dimensions: 12"W x 36"L
Glue down cork floor. Square edged.
NOW $3.50Sqft OR $2.50SqFt Take all
Two thicknesses:
8mm thickness - 110 SqFt
5mm (1/4") - 44 SqFt
Prefinished Cork Floating Floor. Stripes/Brick, Gray (CFP)
Prefinished Floating Cork Floor - Sardinia, Natural.
Prefinished Cork Floating Floor - Linn Blush. Matte finish.
Square edged, pre-finished floating cork plank. Plank dimensions: 12-1/64" W x 48-5/8" L X 7/16" thick.
Pre-finished floating cork floor. Plank dimensions: 12-1/64" W x 48-5/8" L x 7/16" thick.
SOLD OUT
Prefinished Cork Floating Floor. Square edged. 380 SQFT Available
Availability subject to change, please call.
