I recently got back from the Surfaces flooring show in Las Vegas and I noticed many of the cork flooring manufacturers have started to add some high performance floor coatings to help prevent high heels and dog nails from scratching the floor. They really seemed to work well but I am sure raise the costs. Either way, its a beautiful option that I plan on putting in my newly built wine cellar.

We are building a vacation house in California Gold Country(Sierra foothills. We are doing 90 percent of all the work ourselves, and boy have we learned a lot.
Right now the flooring has s stumped. We are on a concrete slab (alreadt poured) and plan to put down electric radiant heat. I am having a hard time finding info about putting cork flooring over this type of system. How do we keep the heat from just heating up the thick slab, how do we get it to heat the floor and thus the room? Will the radiant heat warp or harm the cork in any way?
Do you have any information that could help us?
No dogs, no high heels and certainly no electric slide...
Gail

*** Gail,
A quick search found that cork over radiant floor heating is very possible, but you'll want to check with the manufactorer of the system and the cork tile folks to make sure you are using the proper adhesive and installation technique. Mostly be aware that during the heating season you'll likely see the seams between the tiles. - Andrew ***

can you tell me where to get this cork flooring because i have looking for it in pittsburgh and no one has it or they haven't heard about it for floors

***Stacy and I did all our shopping online. Cork is becoming very popular so you can find it at all grades, prices and styles. I would have preferred to buy from a local distributor, but considering the product is made overseas shipping directly is as green as buying local (in this case, though I wish the locals would start to expand their selection!" ***

I didn't notice any info on what they use to bond the cork together. What about the material used to adhere the cork to the floor? Are these products green?

***Mike, the ground cork is usually bonded with a non-toxic resin to help hold it together. I believe you have a choice of adhesives so pick one that is low-VOC and you should be A-OK"***

I have a three season room that has a floor that is insulated but not over a cellar (it is built from an enclosed deck). I live in New England and so, it is very cold in the winter. I am planning on adding heat to convert it to year round but if it becomes to costly to heat would close it off. Would cork flooring work in this application?

***Carol, yes, the durability factor is pretty high for cork. ***

What about cork in a kitchen? I love ceramic tile, but am looking for products that are easier on the legs. I have old feet! Is cork available in a tile format so that it would be relatively easy to replace a damaged piece?

My husband and I had cork flooring installed in out basement. It is for a craft area for the kids. It seems pretty durable so far. The only problem is that it is by a french door leading to the outside and it is fading. A two foot by two foot area by the door is drastically lighter than the rest of the floor. He would like to replace it since it is very noticable. We'll see.

I was to the understanding that cork was not a good product to place over an infloor heating system. Cork is very dense and holds in heat-reducing the radiation of the heat into the air.
**** I understand your concern. From what I've read, a cork floor may take a little longer to heat up, but those insulation properties work both ways, so once warm your cork floor should provide a comfortable feel for an extended period of time. Remember, it has to be a floating floor to help adjust to the expansion with heat, and again, care needs to be taken during installation. ***

I am also considering cork in the kitchen. Could you please discuss the pros and cons of this type of installation? Also, how durable is cork to cats running around on it?
Thanks,
Will

***Will, from everything I've heard and read, cats don't pose much of a problem to cork flooring, as long as they don't decide to use it for a scratching post. We have four cats (yes, we're sucker's for strays) and were a little worried about the dammage they might do to our floors as well. The good news is that your floors should be fine. The bad news is that cats are, well cats. If they want to shred somthing, they will. But the further good news is that if you are getting a "click" style floor, any dammaged tiles could be easily replaced. Of all places to install cork flooring I believe the kitchen is the most ideal. Not only will you have the benefits of a durable surface but the risk of glass ware breaking on impact is greatly reduced.***

We put in a cork floor in our kitchen and family room 8 months ago. We like it for the warmth and sound deadening it has. We have a small dog and he has not done any damage to it. We were told that excessive sun light can damage it, so we keep curtains closed when were not in the rooms. We damp mop it with vinegar and water. It can scratch easily so don't drag furniture on it. Also put pads under furniture legs. I'd like to get the coating that the other person talked about. It was expensive, and I hope it's worth it in the end. But so far we like it over the laminate wood that's in the entry way. The dogs nail clicks on the laminate wood is annoying, but when he steps onto the cork it's definitely quieter.