Cork Tiles/Planks (4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 12mm)
Plant Fiber
ATLAS CODE
ORG-PLA-FLR-001
Category organic
Material Family Plant-Based
Regulatory Status Combustible but self-extinguishing (does not propagate flame)
Density
120-650 (varies with compression) kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
-11.8 (verified negative carbon balance) kg CO2-eq/m2
Fire Class
Combustible but self-extinguishing (does not propagate flame)
Lifespan
25-50 years
Description
Cork flooring is manufactured from the outer bark of cork oak trees (Quercus suber), harvested without harming the tree through a sustainable 9-year cycle. The bark naturally regenerates, making cork one of the most renewable flooring materials available. Cork granules are processed and compressed with natural or synthetic binders to create tiles and planks with exceptional acoustic, thermal, and comfort properties. The unique honeycomb cellular structure — approximately 40 million cells per cubic centimetre — provides natural insulation (thermal conductivity 0.036-0.065 W/mK), vibration dampening, and resilience underfoot, with the ability to withstand 50% compression and recover 95% of original form.
Primary Sectors
[Residential][Commercial][Healthcare]
Typical Uses
- Residential flooring (bedrooms, living areas)
- Commercial flooring (offices, retail)
- Educational facilities and libraries
- Healthcare facilities (quiet environments)
- Recording studios and acoustic spaces
- Underfloor heating compatible applications
- Green building certification projects
- Renovation and retrofit projects
Size
Primary Form [Cork / Tiles: / 300x300mm, / 450x450mm, / 600x600mm, / 600x300mm. / Cork / Planks / (click / Lock): / 1220x185mm, / 1800x190mm / Typical. / Thicknesses: / 4mm, / 6mm, / 8mm, / 10.5mm, / 12mm. / Wicanders / Wise / Planks: / 1220x185x7.3mm / (cork / Core / With / Hdf).]
Dimensional Tol. ± [Manufacturing tolerances: thickness +/-0.3mm, length/width +/-0.5mm. Premium products (Wicanders) tighter tolerances for click-lock fit.] mm
Recycled Content 30-90 (includes recycled cork granulate)
Renewable Content 95-100
Recyclability 80-95
Embodied Carbon -11.8 (verified negative carbon balance) kg CO2-eq/m2
Embodied Energy 10-25 MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
Advantages
100% renewable and sustainable harvest (9-year bark regeneration cycle)Exceptional acoustic absorption (NRC 0.3-0.7 depending on thickness)Outstanding thermal insulation (R-value 3.6-4.2 per inch of thickness)Comfortable and resilient underfoot — 50% compression with 95% recoveryNaturally antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and mould-resistantSelf-extinguishing fire properties — does not propagate flameVerified carbon-negative lifecycle (-11.8 kg CO2-eq/m2 per Amorim LCA)GreenGuard Gold certified — zero VOC, A+ indoor air quality ratingCompatible with hydronic underfloor heating systemsCork oak forests support critically important Montado biodiversity ecosystem
Cautions
Higher cost than conventional vinyl, laminate, or carpet flooring ($45-120 AUD/m2)Susceptible to damage from sharp objects and heavy pointed furniture legsRequires periodic sealing/recoating for moisture protection (every 3-7 years)UV fading possible with prolonged direct sunlight — requires UV-protective blindsLimited Australian supplier network — primarily specialist flooring distributorsProfessional installation recommended for adhesive-down cork tilesNot suitable for permanently wet areas without waterproof core (standard cork tiles)Indentation from heavy static loads (recovers 90-97% but not 100%)
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES ORG-PLA-FLR-001
Density (Dry) 120-650 (varies with compression) kg/m3
Specific Gravity 0.12-0.65
Porosity 80-90 %
Water Absorption 3-12 (sealed 3-8, unsealed higher) %
Hardness 40-60 Shore A Shore A
UV Resistance Moderate (requires UV-protective coating or window coverings)
Chemical Resistance Good (when sealed)
pH Tolerance 4-9 pH
Available Colors
Natural cork (warm golden-brown, most common)Light/bleached cork (pale blonde)Dark cork (carbonised or stained, warm amber to chocolate)White-washed cork (contemporary light finish)Printed reproductions available in full colour range (wood, stone, pattern visuals)
Surface Finishes
UV-cured polyurethane (most common — durable, commercial-grade)High-resistance acrylic UV finish (Amorim Cork Essence range)Natural wax/oil finish (traditional, requires more frequent maintenance)Water-based polyurethane (low VOC option)Unfinished (for on-site custom finishing — specify clearly)
Texture Options
Natural cork texture — soft, warm, tactile surfaceSmooth sanded and sealed finishWire-brushed textured surface (wood-look products)Embossed-in-register texture matching printed visuals
Pattern Options
Natural cork grain — organic, varied cellular texturePrinted wood-look visuals (oak, walnut, pine reproductions)Printed stone-look visuals (marble, slate, concrete reproductions)Geometric and linear pressed cork patternsRandom tile patterns from natural bark variation
Compressive Strength 0.5-2.0 (at 10% deformation) MPa
Tensile Strength 0.5-1.0 MPa
Flexural Strength N/A (flexible material — does not fracture in bending) MPa
Elastic Modulus 13-30 MPa
Impact Resistance Excellent (compresses and recovers rather than fracturing) J/m
Creep Resistance Good (90-97% recovery from sustained compression)
Abrasion Resistance Moderate (requires protective surface coating)
Thermal Conductivity 0.036-0.065 W/mK
Thermal Resistance R0.10-0.30 (4-12mm) m2K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 1800-2100 J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 200 x 10^-6 mm/mK
Ignition Temperature 300-380 degC
Sound Transmission Class (STC) Contributes +5-15 STC improvement to assembly STC
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.30-0.70 NRC
Optical
Light Transmittance 0 %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 25-55 %
Cork has been harvested from cork oak trees (Quercus suber) for over 3,000 years, with traditional uses including wine bottle stoppers, buoyancy aids, and insulation in Mediterranean architecture. The cork oak forests of Portugal and Spain — the Montado ecosystem — represent some of the world's most valuable agroforestry systems. Modern cork flooring development began in the 1970s-1980s as manufacturers adapted traditional cork processing to create engineered flooring products. Amorim, founded in 1868 in Portugal, became the world's largest cork processor and now operates in over 80 countries through its Wicanders flooring brand. Australian adoption of cork flooring began in the 1990s with growing environmental consciousness, distributed through specialist suppliers like Market Timbers and Floor N Decor. Recent developments include waterproof cork (Wicanders WISE range), photographic printing technology for wood and stone visual effects, and improved UV-cured surface finishes for commercial durability. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) verified by IBU confirm cork flooring's negative carbon balance, driving increased specification in green building projects targeting LEED, BREEAM, and Green Star certification.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION ORG-PLA-FLR-001
Flame Spread Index 25-75 FSI
Smoke Developed Index 50-150 SDI
Combustibility Class Combustible but self-extinguishing (does not propagate flame)
Ignition Temperature 300-380 degC
Fire Resistance Rating Assembly dependent (cork layer contributes 5-15 min) minutes
Heat Release Rate 50-120 kW/m2
Toxicity of Combustion Low
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) -11.8 (verified negative carbon balance) kg CO2-eq/m2
Embodied Energy 10-25 MJ/kg
Water Footprint 100-400 L/kg
EPD Available Yes
LEED Points 8-12 points
Circular Economy Score 9.0 /10
VOC Emissions <10 (GreenGuard Gold certified) ug/m3
Skill Level Professional recommended (adhesive-down); Competent DIY (click-lock)
Crew Size 1-2 people
Installation Time 2-5 hours/10m2
Curing Time 24-72 (adhesive-down); 0 (floating click-lock) hours
Temperature Range 15-28 degC
Humidity Range 35-65 % RH
Required Tools
Sharp utility knife or cork cutting blade (replace blade frequently for clean cuts)Straight edge, T-square, and measuring tapeNotched adhesive trowel (3mm V-notch for contact adhesive)Cork roller or weighted roller (for adhesive-down tiles — 68kg minimum)Moisture meter for substrate testingSpacers for perimeter expansion gaps (8-10mm)Pull bar and tapping block for click-lock planksSealant applicator (roller or brush for polyurethane finish)
Certifications Required
Qualified flooring installer (recommended for warranty compliance)Adhesive application experience (for adhesive-down method)Substrate preparation and moisture testing competencyNo specific cork flooring certification exists in Australia — general flooring qualifications apply
Weather Limitations
Indoor installation only — cork is not suitable for exterior applicationsMaintain stable temperature 15-28 degC and humidity 35-65% RH during installationCork must acclimatise unopened in installation room for minimum 48 hoursSubstrate must be dry — no installation on fresh concrete (minimum 28 days cure)Turn off underfloor heating 48 hours before and after installation
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY ORG-PLA-FLR-001
Material Cost 45-150 AUD/m2
Installation Cost 25-55 AUD/m2
Annual Maintenance 3-8 AUD/m2/year
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) 120-280 AUD/m2
Market Availability Moderate — specialist distributors only
Lead Time 14-70 days
Supply & Logistics
Design Life 25-50 years
Warranty Period 10-25 (residential) years
Maintenance Interval 3-7 years
Service Temp Range 5-35 degC
Dimensional Stability 0.5-2.0 % change
Certifications Held
ISO 9001 quality management (Amorim manufacturing)ISO 14001 environmental management (Amorim manufacturing)ISO 26987a stain resistance grade 5 (Cork Essence range)EPD verified by IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt)EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) verified by IBU for Amorim productsLEED contribution — rapidly renewable material, low-emitting, recycled content creditsBREEAM contribution — environmental product declaration, responsible sourcingGBCA Green Star — material credits for renewable, low-VOC, EPD-verified productsFSC certification available for cork oak forestsGreenGuard Gold (Wicanders WISE range — tested >2000 chemicals)A+ VOC emission rating (ISO 16000 French VOC labelling)TUV certified indoor air qualityNaturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial
Fire Code Compliance
AS 1530.1 — Combustibility test (combustible but self-extinguishing)ASTM D2859 — Fire resistance verified for Amorim Cork Essence rangeNCC Volume 1 Specification C1.10 — Floor covering fire hazard properties
Standards Compliance
NCC Volume 1 — Compliant as resilient floor coveringNCC Part F5 — Acoustic performance (cork underlay contributes to IIC compliance)AS/NZS 2455.1 — Textile floor coverings — Installation practice (general flooring reference)ASTM D2859 — Standard test method for flammability of finished textile floor covering materialsASTM F141 — Standard terminology relating to resilient floor coveringsISO 14040/44 — Environmental management — Life cycle assessment (Amorim LCA methodology)ISO 16000 — Indoor air quality — VOC emissions testing (A+ rating achieved)ISO 10581 — Resilient floor coverings specificationsEN 655 — Resilient floor coverings — Tiles of agglomerated composition cork with polyvinyl chloride wear layerEN 12104 — Resilient floor coverings — Agglomerated cork floor tilesEN ISO 10581 — Resilient floor coverings (general)
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.