Cork Flooring Installation Cost

Cork Flooring Installation

If you are looking to upgrade the look of your home while increasing its value, you may want to consider installing cork flooring. This type of flooring provides a unique look that catches the eye without busting your budget. 

Cork flooring is made from the bark of the cork oak tree, which is harvested, ground into pieces, compressed, and made into sheets that are held together by resin. If you are concerned about your carbon footprint and you want floors that are durable and environmentally friendly, cork is as sustainable as it gets.

Cork floors are a great choice for any room of your house—from the master bedroom to the kitchen to the bathroom—because of their functionality and flexibility. In addition to adding an artistic flavor to a room, this flooring is comfortable, naturally insulating, and easy to maintain.

Are cork floors the right choice for your home? Continue reading to learn more about this versatile and environmentally-friendly type of flooring.

How Much Does Cork Flooring Cost?

Cork Flooring

Cork is a comfortable, low-noise, long-lasting flooring type

• Eco-friendly

• Durable

• Low noise

• Lasts 40+ years

Average Costs per sq. ft:

$5 - $12

Cork flooring can cost between $5 on the low end and $12 on the high end, per square foot. Cost per square foot often depends on the quality of the flooring as well as the length of the product’s warranty. Other factors that determine pricing are the thickness of the cork, color, and type. Types of cork flooring include planks, tiles, and sheets, and they are all comparable in pricing.

Considering cork is a sustainable, durable type of flooring – lasting up to 40 years or more – it is a long-lasting option that can boost your home’s value and earn you a high return on investment.

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Additional Costs

In addition to materials and installation costs, there are a few other costs to keep in mind. While these costs may not pertain to all installation scenarios, it is still important to be aware of them as they can impact your out-the-door flooring installation cost.

• Square footage. The total cost of the flooring project can vary widely depending on how many square feet of cork you need to have installed. Installing cork floors in a 100 square foot room can be a very cost-effective project, while covering 500 or more square feet can cost several thousands of dollars.
• Subflooring. If you are installing cork tiles, you will likely need subflooring to support them. Cork underlay ranges from $0.55 to $1.30 per square foot of subflooring. If you want to avoid this additional cost, you might consider going with cork plank flooring.
• Cork thickness. While this cost is built into the material cost, it is important to know that the thickness of the flooring has the greatest impact on total project cost. Cork tiles that are 4mm tick can cost as little as $3 per square foot for materials, while cork planks that are 12mm think can cost $8 or more per square foot. Generally, the thicker the cork flooring, the more durable, long-lasting, and soundproof it will be.

Among New Flooring Ideas, How Does Cork Rank?

In September of 2023, Modernize surveyed thousands of homeowners pursuing flooring projects. Of the more than 2,500 homeowners who said they planned to install new flooring in the next 12 months, just 0.5% said they were choosing cork.

Of all the homeowners surveyed, just 0.4% indicated they already have cork floors, making this one of the rarer flooring types.

Types of Cork Flooring

Cork flooring comes in both tiles and planks. While these two types of flooring share many similarities, cork planks tend to be slightly thicker and more expensive, while tiles are less thick and more affordable.

At Modernize, we encourage homeowners to work with a trusted flooring contractor who can advise you on the different types of cork flooring materials to determine which one is best for your home. To help you form a basic knowledge of the different types, here are the key differences between cork planks and tiles.

Cork Tile Flooring

Cork Tile Flooring

Cork tiles are typically 4mm to 8mm thick and are glued down to a subflooring

• Slightly cheaper than planks

• Less thickness than planks

• Glue-down installation

Average Costs per sq. ft:

$5 - $9

If you choose cork tiles, they will need to be glued down to subflooring, and you can work with your flooring contractor to determine the best options. In most cases, you can get cork tiles that are 12-by-12-inches, but you may be able to get larger tiles if they are better suited for your room.

On average, glue-down cork tile flooring costs $3 to $7 per square foot. You can expect to pay $2 per square foot for installation and labor. So the total cost to install cork tile flooring ranges between $5 and $9 on average. Keep in mind that the thickness of the tiles impacts cost. Cork tiles that are 4mm thick should cost about $5 to $5.50 per square foot total to install, while tiles that are 8mm thick should cost closer to $7 to $9 per square foot.

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Cork Plank Flooring

Cork Plank Flooring

Cork planks are typically 10mm to 12mm thick and are often clicked together easily to install

• Thicker than tiles

• Better for larger rooms

• Available in click-lock installation

Average Costs per sq. ft:

$6 - $10

For a larger room, you may choose cork floor planks. This type of flooring comes in click-together planks, which easily interlock and are snapped into place during installation. 

Typically, cork floor planks is slightly more expensive than tiles – by just $1 per square foot. This is mainly because cork planks tend to have more thickness than cork tiles. They tend to come in 10mm to 12mm thickness, which gives it added durability. The cost to install cork planks is the same as cork tiles, at $2 per square foot on average.

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Benefits of Cork Flooring

Homeowners enjoy several benefits when choosing cork flooring. Here are are some reasons why you should consider them for your home.

Health

Although this is a benefit that you may not consider, cork floors are actually good for your health because they are anti-microbial and do not produce off-gas that can damage the quality of the air in your home. Additionally, cork does not develop mold or mildew, which is great if someone in your family has allergies or asthma.

Durability

Cork is durable enough to sustain the regular wear and tear of a home, even in areas that have heavy traffic. In fact, although cork is soft, the material is able to maintain its shape and will not succumb to dents or gouges, even when heavy objects are placed on top of it. 

Warmth

Cork is a natural insulator that is able to maintain itself at room temperature, which means that it is warm when you touch it. As a result, you don’t have to worry about feeling uncomfortable when you walk on the floors when it’s cold.

Acoustics

This material absorbs sounds and vibrations and as a result, it can reduce sounds ranging from walking across the room to playing instruments. This can be a particularly useful feature if you have a two-story home and a large family.

Versatile Appearance

Cork allows you to experiment and create a space that is artistic because it can be made into various grain patterns and colors. If you can imagine a certain look, you can find a design for your new flooring that brings it to life.

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How to Best Maintain Your New Flooring

Cork flooring is easy to maintain, since the top coating keeps particles and dirt on its surface. In order to keep your new flooring looking great, all you need to do is regularly sweep or vacuum the surface to remove debris, as well as mop it as needed.

Finding the Best Flooring Contractor

Cork floors can be a great choice for your home because of its versatility and features that make them look and feel great. As with many home renovations, finding and vetting the right contractor will be a big help in choosing the right type of flooring. Let Modernize help you find the right flooring contractor who can help you take the first step of your journey.

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