Cork Tile from Portugal is sustainable for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is rapidly renewable, being that the bark of the tree is peeled from the trunk, and then tree is left to regenerate. This provides an almost limitless supply of cork bark, assuming that once the tree is beyond its’ useful life, replacements are planted (which they are). This heavily protected species also carries with it tremendous mechanical and functional properties, most of which are related to the fact that the cork bark is made almost entirely of cellular pockets of air (200 million cells per cubic inch). These cells of trapped air inhibit the passage of sound (making it one of the best acoustic insulators known), and are known as a thermal insulator, separately an often cold floor from the warmth of your foot. In addition, cork is anti-microbial, has tremendous “bounce-back” properties and forgiveness, and offers one of the greatest slip resistances of any natural material. Despite common wine industry myths, cork availability increases every year (despite minor ups and downs related to weather), and is one of the true really sustainable raw materials in its unaltered state. Post-industrial wine corks are cut into 1/4″ pieces. The resulting discs are affixed to a durable and flexible paper backing, and are then ready for installation. As with tile and stone mosaics, Cork Tile is affixed to the substructure (subfloor or wall), with either a thin set or glue, and is then grouted.

Cork Tile is very versatile. Cork Tile comes either prefinished with 2 coats of a water-based urethane, or unfinished, which can then be stained any color. Not only can the color of the cork be customized to suit any aesthetic, but there are dozens of grout choices to create your unique look. Any standard “sanded” grout can be used with Cork Tile.

Cork Tile can be used in any traditional flooring application, as well as in “wet” applications such as in showers, saunas, and pool surrounds. Due to the stability of cork, its inherent impermeability, and the fact you are taking a resilient product and adding to its stability and durability with grout, the result is a product which is durable and versatile. It can be used in almost any interior finish application, however demanding the environment.

Technical Data:

Manufactured with rapidly renewable raw material

Minimum 30% rapidly renewable material in Coconut Tiles

Coconut Tiles are manufactured using wood from sustainably managed forests.

• Dimensions: 12” x 24”
• Sq. Ft. per tile: 1.82
• LEED Pts:
  • MR 4 (Recycled Content- 30% to 40% recycled, post-industrial)
  • MR 6 (Rapidly Renewable Material)
  • IEQ 4.4 (Low Emitting Material)
• Also achievable with installation:
  • IEQ 4.1 (Low Emitting Materials: Adhesives and Sealants)
  • IEQ 4.2 (Low Emitting Materials: Paints and Coatings)

Cork Mosaic Tile

Cork Mosiac Tile

Cork Mosaic Tile Installation