Cork Flooring - A Wide Variety

One of the many reasons why cork flooring attracts flooring buyers is the wide variety of size, shape, color and pattern it has to offer. Cork is so in demand that manufacturers are now producing a variety of options to choose from when it comes to installation methods, décor, style and appearance. Here is an account of how cork can become a part of your home and office in your desired manner.

Size:
Cork flooring is available in a variety of sizes. The most common is the 12" x 12" square size. But some manufacturers also provide other sizes like 12" x 24" and 12" x 36".

For residential use, a 3/16" thick product is recommended, and for commercial use a 5/16" thick tile or plank is to be selected.

Shape:
The most commonly available shape of cork flooring is the square glue-down tile. It is also the most widely applied shape. Glue-down tiles can be easily cut to the required size and offer uninterrupted floor surface. They are more economical than floating planks (cost per square inch) and provide decorative installation options. You can easily mix-and-match different tiles to create patterns and other visual effects with the help of glue-down tiles. The square tiles are glued down with conventional adhesives.

Cork flooring is also available in planks with tongue and groove interlocking system. The planks mostly have a fiberboard core and are installed through the floating floor installation method just like the new laminate flooring. You simply glue the edges and tap the pieces together. The flooring planks become one giant piece that floats across the sub-floor but is not attached to it.

Finish:
Cork flooring is available in unfinished or pre-finished form. The pre-finished cork comes with either an acrylic, urethane or wax finish. Usually the floating planks come with five coats of polyurethane.

Shade:
Most manufacturers offer cork tiles in shades of light, medium, and dark, but there will always be shade variation from tile to tile.

Color:
Cork flooring tiles are available in a vast range of colors from golden yellow (lighter tone) to nut brown (darker tone). It can also be purchased in a brilliant white color.

Due to technological advancements, many manufacturers are now offering a range of designer colors which can suit formal, casual or contemporary settings as desired.

Pattern:
Cork floor tiles feature diverse patterns in every single tile. Some cork flooring patterns resemble burled lumber. Other cork products display whorls of speckled patterns. In fact every cork floor tile has a unique identity and gives every installed floor an individual look. To achieve an integrated look, a mixture of planks from various packs must be selected.