Get your hands on the next big thing in flooring: cork

22 October 2024

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No, you haven’t time-travelled to the seventies — cork is back. Ticking all the sustainability, durability, and acoustic performance boxes, it's easy to see why Kiwi flooring supplier, Quantum, is passionate about the cork renaissance.

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Amber Suckling

When it comes to flooring materials, cork is an underdog. Though it was a popular choice in the 1970s and 1980s, cork tiles — as we remember them — have largely disappeared from modern specifications.

“Cork is a very misunderstood product — not just cork flooring, but cork in general,” says Quantum Commercial Sales Manager, Shaun Foster. “Most people think of cork as wine bottle stoppers and a few people might think of those retro flooring tiles, but most people don’t realise that 90% of the cork in the world is not visible to the human eye. It’s used in wind turbines, railway carriages to reduce weight, insulation, and more.”

Shaun is passionate about the value of cork, as are Kiwi flooring suppliers, Quantum, for whom Shaun works. Motivated to educate design professionals and homeowners on the benefits of cork flooring, Shaun shares his expertise and insights on two recent cork-spec projects with ArchiPro.

WISE Wood offers a collection of realistic timber visuals paired with the unique cork-rigid-core. The cork is a 100% sustainable material derived from the back of a cork oak tree.

WISE Cork is a cork flooring collection made from 100% natural and sustainable products, designed to be a beautiful addition to any space.

The benefits of cork

Produced by Amorim and supplied by Quantum, the WISE Cork and WISE Wood flooring collections showcase the best that cork has to offer. Grown and produced sustainably, with notable sustainable certifications to back up their claims, Amorim’s WISE range is climate-positive. Highly durable, WISE Cork and Wood flooring is waterproof, surprisingly shock absorbent, and reduces walking sound by up to 53%. The collection also boasts natural thermal insulation and compliance with the strictest air quality standards.

With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why Shaun is such a champion of cork flooring.

“I want people to understand that cork has a place in the market, and it should be a consideration for both commercial and residential projects,” he enthuses.

“The design team selected Quantum's Wise Cork in Original Shell to align with the natural theme of the NZCIS interiors. The cork planks provided a unique aesthetic that distinguished the apartments from other accommodation options. Additionally, the natural properties of cork, such as warmth and acoustic benefits, made it an ideal choice for this high-performance environment.”

The New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport

Designed by Wright Gray Architects and Honour Creative, with construction by Homestead Construction, the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) project specified a five-star athlete accommodation and shared facility that would be distinct from the main site.

The brief requested accommodation for 100 people, achieved through 50 one-bedroom apartments, each with an additional bed in the living space. An amenities building was also included, featuring a small commercial kitchen and a large open area suitable for relaxation, briefing sessions, and non-sporting events.

“The design team selected Quantum's Wise Cork in Original Shell to align with the natural theme of the interiors. The cork planks provided a unique aesthetic that distinguished the apartments from other accommodation options. Additionally, the natural properties of cork, such as warmth and acoustic benefits, made it an ideal choice for this high-performance environment.”

The WISE Cork planks exceeded the design team’s expectations in both quality and aesthetics.

“While cork as a material elicited varied opinions within the team, its overall contribution to the space was undeniable. The product added warmth, comfort and an enhanced acoustic environment, making the apartments feel inviting and luxurious.”

“The clients were keen to use cork right from the outset, it was their idea,” Michelle says. “They had done their research and had come to the conclusion that cork would be a great product fit for their home."

After browsing through a few options, Michelle landed on WISE Wood in Contempo Copper, chosen for its rich colour that would complement the home’s other finishes well.

The SR residence project

“The clients were keen to use cork right from the outset, it was their idea,” Michelle says. “They had done their research and had come to the conclusion that cork would be a great product fit for their home as it has a timber look and feel underfoot, it’s durable and easily used throughout the whole home (including bathrooms), and it has great sound absorption properties, which was super important for their three-level home.”

Before this project, Michelle had never specified cork flooring, so when the clients approached with cork in mind, she knew she had to contact Shaun.

“I had known Shaun for several years, and remembered how passionate he was about cork as a product, so I knew he would be the man for the job and have the right product for my client.”

After browsing through a few options, Michelle landed on WISE Wood in Contempo Copper, chosen for its rich colour that would complement the home’s other finishes well.

Paired with a monochromatic palette of white, black, stone, and concrete, the WISE Wood is an excellent antidote to the cool tones. Its soft grain and balance of honey and ashy hues add warmth to the space in both colour and texture. Knowing the material’s acoustic and thermal benefits, the home is sure to be warm and quiet, too.

If you’re interested in specifying a cork flooring product for your next commercial or residential project, Shaun encourages you to get in touch with the Quantum team.

“If you’re wondering whether cork is the right fit for your project, we’re happy to have the conversation and help you figure it out. All of our successful projects have started with an architect or designer saying, ‘I think this is possible!’”