CORK

Quercus suber

Shown with water-based finish (top), and oil-based finish (bottom)

APPEARANCE

COLOR: Varies from light to dark; many colors available depending on manufacturer.
GRAIN: Distinctive look unlike wood—cork is actually the bark of a type of oak.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Many patterns available depending on manufacturer.

PROPERTIES

HARDNESS (JANKA): Varies.
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Cork reacts quickly, sometimes within hours, to changes in moisture. (Typical dimensional stability measurements do not apply to cork’s composite construction.)

WORKABILITY

SAWING/MACHINING: Cork may be cut with a utility knife.
NAILING: Cork is installed using adhesive.
SANDING: Use the finest grit possible to flatten the floor. The following sequences are recommended for use only with a multi-disc sander or a hardplate on a buffer. If the edger is used, fine sandpaper (100/120/150) should be backed with a maroon pad. Small orbital sanders or hand-sanding are recommended for corners and wall lines, as hand-scrapers
may gouge the cork.

Suggested Sequence
First Cut: 100
Second Cut: 120
Third Cut: Not recommended
Hard Plate: 120 or 150
First Screen: 120
Second Screen: 120

FINISHING: All surface-type finishes are successfully used on cork (choose a finish that will bend as the cork compresses). Oil-and-wax also is used frequently.

COMMENTS: Pay particular attention to subfloor preparation, as cork is very sensitive to moisture, and also transfers any imperfections in the subfloor to the surface appearance.

ORIGIN

Spain and Portugal.

AVAILABILITY

Readily available.