Cork Flooring (Glue-down)
This information reflects our best understanding of product composition in 2020.
Cork flooring is seen as a green alternative to other types of flooring because it is made from the bark of quercus suber, or cork oak trees, which can be harvested without harming the tree. Cork is an acoustic and thermal insulator, and provides...
Cork flooring is seen as a green alternative to other types of flooring because it is made from the bark of quercus suber, or cork oak trees, which can be harvested without harming the tree. Cork is an acoustic and thermal insulator, and provides a soft and resilient surface for foot traffic. It is also often marketed as being naturally resistant to mold and pests. This Common Product (CP) covers cork sheets or tiles that are glued to the flooring substrate. Adhesives recommended by manufacturers include latex and neoprene-based contact adhesives that are applied using a paint roller or trowel. Some products have a decorative layer that may contain PVC. Such products are beyond the scope of this CP. Cork flooring can either come prefinished with several coats of a polyurethane or wax finish. Unfinished tiles are also available and may be stained or decorated. These tiles are then coated on site with a polyurethane-based finish. Finishes applied on-site can contain isocyanates, which present respiratory hazards, along with VOCs that can present additional hazards. Manufacturers also recommend refinishing floors that show signs of wear after a period of time. This Common Product represents cork flooring with a polyurethane-based factory finish. Any adhesives, primers, and on-site finishes could introduce additional hazards not included in this CP.