Does Cork Flooring Need an Underlayer?

Environmentally Friendly

• Cork is considered an environmentally friendly choice for floors. The bark of a cork oak tree is harvested about 25 years after it is planted. Then, no more than one-half of the bark is stripped at any one harvest. The trees are not harvested for another nine or 10 years, according to Wentworth Institute of Technology. Then, after 17 harvests, it is left to grow on its own. After harvest, the cork is aged and mixed with other cork products before being made into flooring.

Types of Cork Flooring

• Cork is baked, bleached or tanned to alter the color. You can choose one color or a variety of colors to create an interesting pattern, especially when installing cork tiles. Cork tiles are made in varying shapes and sizes as well so you can create the perfect look for your space. Cork is also made into wood planks, which are typically the floating variety that lock together to form a solid floor that is not glued to any surface.

Need for Underlayment

• In general, cork does not need an underlayment since most cork flooring comes with a backing or underlayment already attached. It can then be directly glued onto a wood subfloor or installed as a free-floating floor. You can also install a floating cork floor on concrete, although some manufacturers recommend laying a plastic moisture barrier between the cork and concrete.

Cork Underlayment

• Cork can also be made into an underlayment. It is installed between the subfloor and new flooring, such as wood planks. It has several benefits, including the ability to absorb sound better than most types of underlayments. It also breathes, which means it is less likely to hold moisture like other underlayments, reducing the chance of mold.