Cork Glossary

There are a number of terms that you may hear or read when shopping for or learning about cork floors. Here's a list of some of the most common words, and their definitions, that should make the entire process easier for you.

Cork Oak – The tree from which cork is harvested. Native to the Mediterranean regions, these trees naturally grow a bark that can be removed every 7 to 15 years. This bark is cork.

Decorative Cork Tile – Cork cut into various geometric shapes and stained a variety of colors. These tiles can be combined to create a myriad of different patterns.

Floating Floors – One of the two primary ways to install cork floors. A floating floor is significantly thicker than glue-down. It provides better resistance to radiant-heat transmission, is softer to walk on, and is easier to replace individual tiles if they are damaged.

Glue-Down – One of the two primary ways to install cork floors.

Mosaics – Small round cork tiles sometimes combined with other materials to create often intricate patterns. These cork mosaics are made from recycled wine stoppers, and must be grouted similar to any other type of mosaic tile floor.

Planks – The long narrow strips in which cork flooring is often available. This shape creates an appearance that resembles hardwood.

Suberin – A waxy substance that cork naturally creates. This substance repels insects, including mites and termites, and makes cork water resistant and mold resistant.

Tiles – The normally square shape in which cork flooring is often available. Cork tiles are also available in rectangles, hexagons, and other geometric shapes.