Do It Yourself Cork Flooring for Kitchen

Cork is a sustainable resource that adds warmth and richness to a room when used as flooring. Do-it-yourself cork flooring for kitchen floors comes in many colors and finishes. If you decide to go with cork, you're sure to find a design that adds beauty to your kitchen for years to come. But there are some important things you should know before choosing your cork flooring.

Choosing do-it-yourself cork flooring for kitchen floors is eco-friendly in a couple ways. First, cork naturally insulates a room against temperature fluctuations. Second, cork is a renewable resource. It comes from bark peeled away from the cork oak tree. In nine years the tree will be ready for another harvest.

Cork's honeycomb cellular structure gives it a naturally spongy feel. Because it feels good underfoot, do-it-yourself cork flooring for kitchen floors is a smart idea. You'll appreciate that soft feeling while standing at the sink or standing while cooking. That same puffy cell structure absorbs sound waves, too, which helps lessen noise.

Do-it-yourself cork flooring for kitchen floors is durable. Its natural finish is good for the kitchen because it's nonslip. Its spongy properties will also help cork flooring bounce back if dented. Another plus is that cork contains suberin, a naturally occurring substance that repels molds, mites and insects and helps keep cork from rotting when it's wet. One drawback is that a dropped knife can cut it. However, cork's spongy quality will render the cut barely noticeable.

You'll find cork flooring available mainly in click-and-lock panels or tiles that are glued down. Panels that lock into place and create a floating floor are the easiest to install because they don't require glues. However, experts recommend stick-down tiles for kitchens. For the best water resistance, the floor should be spread with a coat of polyurethane after the tiles are installed so that the joints are sealed. Maintenance is just a matter of sweeping or vacuuming weekly and damp mopping monthly. It's important not to use too much water when mopping---just a damp mop with a mild soap is fine.

The cost varies from about $4 to $10 per square foot. Installation can be costly, so choosing do-it-yourself cork flooring for kitchen floors will save you a lot of money in the end.

Be careful when moving furniture and appliances if you choose to use do-it-yourself cork flooring for kitchen floors. Something heavy like a refrigerator can easily gouge a cork floor. And cork may not be the best choice if you have pets that may scratch at the cork, which can also cause gouges. You'll want to check everyone's high heels before they walk into your kitchen, too. An exposed nail in the bottom of a heel can rip out little pieces of a cork floor. Cork flooring cannot be sanded and refinished over and over again like hardwood flooring. It's fairly thin and can only stand up to light sanding.