Replies

1. 
   CapnMac | Apr 07, 2005 11:29pm | #1

   Welcome to BT, first off.

   There's been several discussions.  You can use the Search function to find similar topics.  You'll likely find a recent one on cork floors searching for "kitchen cork floor" along with several older ones.

   I like cork floors, I see no reason to not use them in a kitchen--they need proper sealing in or out of a kitchen anyway.  Like most other products in a house, it's the preperation work, then the quality of the install that makes or break the product.

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
2. 
   SteveInCleveland | Apr 07, 2005 11:36pm | #2

   I've used a cork floating floor product in a few different kitchens.  It comes in 1' x 3' pieces that interlock together and comes in different colors.  The Manufacturer applies five coats of an acrylic finish at the factory.  I've typically applied two additional coats of satin "StaysClear" by Benjamin Moore after installation which helps to seal the joints.  Without that step, excess water from mopping can soak into the joints and cause them to darken over time. 

   One client has a pretty high-strung dog, and the floor has shown no signs of wear from him running around on it.

   http://www.naturalcork.com/floating_floors/floating.htm

    

    

    

    

    

   "Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words."  - St. Francis of Assisi

3. 
   AndyE | Apr 08, 2005 02:15am | #3

   I put the 1 x 3 T&G in my kitchen and we like it alot. 3+ years and it has held up very well. The only scratches are the ones I put in with the corner of a cabinet during installation. We do alot of cooking and the difference between the cork and the ceramic tile of the old kitchen is extreme. I don't recommend putting chairs on it as the legs will dimple it pretty deep, and I found it necessary to cut out where the fridge's front rollers sit and replaced with a piece of oak. It began to lean forward after about a week. A hole saw did the job nicely. It came pre finished but I had the floor guys do a coat of poly over it when the rest of the flooring was finished. I would do it again. And any extra makes good coasters and trivets for the table.

   Andy

   "It seemed like a good idea at the time"

4. 
   JoanM | Apr 08, 2005 02:55am | #4

   I have cork in my kitchen, the Torlsys product which is uni-click like others that posted.   I love it.  Easy on the feet and knees, and warm by comparison.  We put rubber pads on our chair legs and this helps the little groves that we get, but I don't mind the look at all.  I wish I had a coat of poly on it, the manufacturer didn't recommend it but the cork has faded a bit in the sun, so the poly might have protected from that a bit.  I haven't had any problems with the joints even without the poly.   It cleans up real easy... I don't flood water on it to wash it.. damp mop only.   the other nice thing is that if you drop something... it isn't likely to break, like ceramic, and it is easy on the 1 year old baby girl too.

   You won't be dissappointed!

5. 
   DougR | Apr 08, 2005 03:09am | #5

   I'll add my endorsement to everyone else's. We have a floating plank cork floor in our kitchen and entry hall and we love it. It's warm and comfortable to bare feet, holds up well to wear and tear and it almost never looks dirty (even when it is). There is a very slight puckering of the seams between planks, but it's hardly noticeable. We mop on a coat of thinned out water-base poly once a year.

   Next time I have the opportunity I want to try the glue-down cork tiles. I think you could do some nice-looking borders and mix colors in the field tiles. Didn't do it on our kitchen floor because the underlayment would have required too much leveling and prep work. The floating planks install very fast. My only (very mild) complaint is that you get a slight squishy sound as the floor flexes when you walk across it.

6. 
   hammer1 | Apr 08, 2005 06:28am | #6

   I just asked my distributor about using cork in a possibly wet environment. I was thinking about a bathroom. He advised against it. It can also get cut or damaged in the kitchen. I don't think I'd like to spill something hot and greasy on it.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

7. 
   jrnbj | Apr 09, 2005 06:50am | #7

   I'll add to the yes votes....did 12x12 "black" & "white" (really more like ebony & cream, but has the same look as black & white) tiles...
   Got them from an outfit in Brooklyn, can't remember the name...
   They came pre-coated w/contact cement (water based) on the back....the man. supplied same contact cement + water based final finish coat...
   I wasn't happy with the contact cement (have had to reglue a corner here & there), and when I brushed on the final finish coat I got some bleed-out from the black tiles...PITA to fix, that was...
   BUT....even given all that, I love my floor..it's natural, soft, & warm...I'd do it again any time...

   BTW if you search the archives you will find some interesting rants re using contact cement vs. tile adhesive.....