is cork flooring as durable as wood flooring?

Public Comments

1. Yes and No. Cork flooring used to be almost indestructible. In my 30 years as a flooring installer, I have covered some beautiful cork floors that were 50+ years old. Now with more people interested again in cork floors, manufacturers have cheapened it up. The old floors were 1/4" rolls or tiles; today's cork floors are 1/8" or 1/16" (0.080). If you get a cork floor, make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer and retailer. Ask pointed questions about the warranty... what is covered, maintenance requirements, etc. Ask for a copy of the manufacturer's warranty to read before you buy. If the retailer doesn't have a copy then GO SOMEPLACE ELSE! With the right selection and warranty coverage, cork flooring may be a good bet for you. As for "Hardwood" flooring, the same information applies. Engineered hardwood is a much better product. A regular hardwood floor is normally 3/4" thick; engineered is a piece of plywood with a 1/8" veneer of hard wood on it. Why is this better? The plywood gives dimensional stability...especially in damp or high humidity areas. The floor can still be sanded and refinished up to 3 times. But don't forget, hardwood is easily scratched. If you have dogs or little kids with toys, a laminate floor might be a better option. Laminate floors are now made so they look identicle to the real thing; graining, texture, and 3-dimensional look. In the show room at my store, people say they don't want laminate...they want "this floor" and point to the LAMINATE floor we have installed. No matter what you decide to do, buy from a local retailer. DO NOT BY YOUR FLOORING OVER THE INTERNET! All laminated companies, and most hardwood companies, void their warranties if the product is bought over the internet. I hope I helped a little.