Cork flooring installation cost

Cork flooring is eco-friendly, an effective insulator and has a lifespan of 15 to 30 years. Considering all that, it’s pretty cost-effective. Here, we’ll break down the average cork flooring installation cost so you can consider it a serious contender for your home.

How much does cork flooring cost per square foot?

Cork flooring ranges hugely in cost based on a number of factors, including:

• Thickness: Thicker cork flooring will typically cost more.
• Pre-sealed vs unsealed:  If your cork flooring is unsealed, it will be cheaper upfront but you’ll then need to arrange for it to be sealed yourself.
• Style: Typically, cork floor tiles cost less than large cork planks or sheets.
• Installation method: You can purchase cork flooring that’s designed to be glued down or you can obtain an interlocking system. Interlocking cork flooring is generally more versatile as well as easier and less expensive to install.

Cork flooring price per square foot

The typical cork flooring price for both materials and installation is between £3.70 – £6.70 per square foot, which works out at around £40 – £70 per square metre. This makes it slightly cheaper than the cost of installing wood flooring (although it will also depend on the cork you’re comparing).

Just bear in mind that this doesn’t take into account other work that might have to be carried out before installing your cork flooring. For example, if your floor needs to be levelled, you might need to budget for screed floor costs.

Is cork flooring worth the cost?

If you’re umming and ahhing about getting cork flooring installed, brush up on these pros and cons to help make a decision:

Pros

• A natural product, in a similar way as timber and bamboo.
• Eco-friendly.
• Bounces back from impact dents (eg. if you’re wearing high heels around the home).
• Minimise breakages and accidents around the home as it’s soft.
• Excellent thermal insulating properties.
• Cool underfoot in summer.
• Reduces noise.
• Cheaper than wood (depending on the cork).
• Easy to install.

Cons

• Less durable than wood (might be better not to use it in high traffic areas).
• Not great with underfloor heating because of its insulating properties.
• Not all cork flooring is waterproof.
• Exposure to direct sunlight can cause UV and expansion problems.

Cork floor cost summary

• Your cork floor cost will depend on the type of cork flooring and its installation method.
• The cost of cork floor tiles is generally less than the cost of large boards or planks.
• Unsealed cork flooring will require sealing.