[Greenbuilding] experience with cork flooring?

[George Tremblay]

Thanks much, Jason, for this thoughtful response.

I'm now leaning toward exploring solid, glue-down cork.  I've seen too much
moisture damage to fiberboard to risk the fiberboard-core planks, and it's
clear that they detract from the green quotient.

Tile is way too cold and hard for our taste, but locally grown hardwood
would be a viable alternative.

George


On Sun, Nov 4, 2012 at 9:55 PM, Jason Holstine <jason at amicusgreen.com>wrote:

>  There are still some “Solid” corks that are glue-down, but they are
> dwindling. Most corks are going the way of the entire flooring industry as
> click-lock tongue-and-groove planks, which have veneer finishes on them.
> This will come (or should) as no surprise: some lines are better and more
> durable than others. Some still use formaldehyde while others are
> form-free. Some use better finishes than others. But the bottom line
> considerations to remember with cork:
>
>    - original cork comes from Portugal and has very high sustainability
>    ratings. Some cheap lines now come from China and are crap (technical
>    term).
>    - simply keep in mind cork’s advantages: soft, energy absorbing (helps
>    the joints), warm...like no other flooring surface. Very durable but does
>    patina and could show age quicker than other hard surface floors. If you
>    like its advantages, you’ll love cork. If you want bomb-proof, especially
>    with very high traffic, big dogs, etc., and you’re nervous it, give your
>    nerves a break and consider other than cork....go right to
>    ceramic/porcelain tile. Of course, it has the opposite attributes. If you
>    like its advantages, you’ll love it.
>    - cork naturally fades in sunlight.
>
>
> Cork is most popular in kitchens, plus playrooms, and theatres (excellent
> sound attenuation), b/c of the comfort.
>
> In terms of getting wet: cork is tree bark, it can get wet. But water
> getting in and underneath, and getting stuck, could be a problem. But
> that’s no unique to cork. So a bit of a moot point.
>
> Here’s another twist: It turns out it depends on who you are and what your
> experiences and eyes tell you. (shocking, I know). Just yesterday had a
> designer come in to our (all-highly-green) showroom and talk about how
> she’s had wonderful experiences with cork and can walk on it with stiletto
> heals just fine, but she had a bad experience with Caribbean Walnut poked
> by stiletto heals—since it’s a hard tropical wood that’s surprising.
>
> HTH, J
>
>
> On 11/2/12 1:16 PM, "Benjamin Pratt" <benjamin.g.pratt at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> The cork flooring I've seen in home centers, is a veeneer of cork,
> with everything below it being the same as any other floor system
> (mostly particle board). I'm sure some manufacturers use more
> sustainable practices than others, but that fact that the floor is
> (partly) made of cork does not necessary make it more green.
> Just one opinion,
> Ben
>
> On Fri, Nov 2, 2012 at 11:43 AM, George Tremblay <gtremblay at antioch.edu>
> wrote:
> > My wife and I are considering cork flooring for a kit/dining/living room.
> > We're drawn to the claimed environmental sustainability of cork, along
> with
> > its comfort and texture/appearance.
> >
> > I'm interested in informed comments about cork's "green" credentials, and
> > especially about its durability in a high traffic area.
> >
> > Potential for spillage has me worried about using the floating planks,
> which
> > are ~.25" of cork glued to a fiberboard (water absorbent!) core - can the
> > seams be sealed well enough to protect against damaging moisture
> intrusion?
> > Alternative appears to be glue-down tiles (on a new Advantech subfloor).
> > How refinishable/replaceable?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > George Tremblay
> > Troy, NH
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