Cork vs. Foam Underlayment: Which is Right for Me?
Flooring is a key component of any home. It can be the first thing people see when they enter the house, and it can also affect the overall quality of their experience.
However, flooring does require some maintenance to keep it looking its best. One way to do this is by installing underlayment over the top of the existing flooring. It will help protect your flooring from any damage that might occur from spills or other accidents.
There are many types of underlayment available on the market, but the two most popular types are foam and cork underlayment. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
For example, foam is more durable than cork but does not have as many insulation properties. Meanwhile, cork provides better insulation but cannot be used on concrete slabs as it does not provide any cushioning.
Because of the difference between cork and foam underlayment, choosing the appropriate underlayment can be difficult. Thus, to make your choice easier here is a comparison of cork vs. foam underlayment. Keep reading for more information.
Table of Contents
Cork vs. Foam Underlayment: Major Differences
Cork Underlayment
Cork underlayment is produced from the bark of a cork oak tree and offers multiple advantages over other types of flooring materials such as rubber and foam.
In addition to providing soft and comfortable surfaces for your feet, cork underlayment is also environmentally friendly since it uses no chemicals or petroleum products in its production. However, cork underlayment’s disadvantage is that it has a strong smell upon the first installation.
Furthermore, it is suitable for installation on a wide range of surfaces, including concrete, wood subfloors, drywall, ceramic tiles, and even carpet.
Foam Underlayment
Foam underlayment is a type of underlayment that is designed to reduce noise and provide a comfortable walking surface beneath the flooring. It acts as a cushioning layer beneath the flooring to prevent sound transmission and provide a more comfortable walking surface.
Additionally, it is available in many different thicknesses and densities, depending on the project.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons | |
| Cork Underlayment | -Environmentally friendly. -It’s renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable -Absorbs sound better than most underlayments. -A great insulator keeps your floors warm or cool in winter and summer. | -Cork underlayments can be damaged by water. -It is comparatively more expensive than foam. |
| Foam Underlayment | -The most versatile underlayment. -Easy to cut and install. -Resistant to water damage. -It is impervious to moisture and can also be used in humid environments without being affected by mold. -A great shock absorber. | -A furniture or heavy footstep can easily damage the floor. -Installation on uneven surfaces can damage the surface beneath. -Not fire-resistant. |
Recommended Installation Areas
| Installation Areas | Cork | Foam |
| Living Room | Yes | Yes |
| Bedroom | Yes | Maybe |
| Kitchen | No | Yes |
| Dining Room | Yes | Maybe |
| Bathroom | No | Yes |
| Home Office | Yes | Yes |
| Mudroom | No | Yes |
| Guest Room | Yes | Maybe |
| Basement | No | Yes |
| Nursery/Playroom | Maybe | Yes |
| Storage Room | Yes | Maybe |
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing Cork or Foam Underlayment
1. Which room is it, and how will it be used?
To begin with, you need to decide where to install your underlayment. If you are planning to install it in a kitchen, basement, mudroom, or bathroom, I recommend choosing foam underlayment so that your flooring doesn’t get wet or warp.
Even though cork underlayment resists water and mold, it can be damaged by prolonged contact with water. To prevent this, it is better to install foam underlayment.
2. Does Underlayment Compress?
Many factors contribute to the effectiveness of underlayment. One of these factors is compressibility. Compressibility is how easily a material can be compressed and how much it will spring back to its original shape. Some materials are not very compressible, and others are very compressible.
A compression set test measures how much deformation occurs within a sample after being exposed to compressive stress for a set amount of time. It is used to determine whether an elastomeric material can retain its elastic properties after being compressed for a long time.
Moreover, in this situation, a cork underlayment wins since it is purely made from the bark of a cork oak tree and does not compress as a foam underlayment.
Because air gets trapped in the foam underlayment. If you squeeze it and hear a popping noise, the air is coming out. Popping can occur as a result of high traffic or equipment rolling over the underlayment. Once the air is released, it becomes invisible.
3. Does underlayment absorb sound?
It is important to choose underlayment that can absorb sound. Sound waves bounce off hard surfaces to produce new sound waves that are louder than the original sound. This can sometimes make your house look scary.
In this particular case, we believe that both foam and cork underlayment is equally effective at absorbing sound, as they are both able to absorb sound better than any other underlayment on the market.
4. How easy is it to install?
Ease of installation is another important consideration. Since foam underlayment comes in large rolls, you can cut it to any size you need and install it however you like. Some foam underlayment comes with an adhesive strip, so you’ll need to stick it to the subfloor.
5. Budget
It is important to check your budget before any project.
How much are you willing to invest in this project?
If you’re tight on funds, foam underlayment may be the best option because it’s cheaper than cork.
Using the information from these questions, you will know which underlayment is most appropriate for your project.
Why Cork Underlayment Is Usually Better
Cork underlayment is usually better for a variety of reasons. These reasons include:
- Material
- Eco-friendly
- Noise-Reduction
- Great Insulator
- Cost
Material
Cork is a natural material that is renewable and sustainable. This material is used for underlays that provide additional soundproofing, insulation, and fire resistance for floors. Also, cork can be recycled and reused many times to save the environment.
Eco-friendly
Cork underlayment is made from the bark of cork trees, making it environmentally friendly. Moreover, its antimicrobial properties prevent mold and mildew from growing.
Noise-Reduction
Cork’s sound-absorbing properties make it a great underlay; It absorbs sound better than any other underlayment. Like memory foam, cork can compress, release, and regain its original shape; This gives it a great barrier against sound waves.
Great Insulator
Cork is one of the best natural and renewable materials because of its low thermal conductivity. And it is often used as an underlayment because it is an excellent insulator.
When Foam Underlayment Is Better
Cork underlayment is usually a better choice, but there are times when foam underlayment is a better alternative. The reason is:
- Comfortable to Walk
- Easy to Install
- Water and Heat Resistance
- Durable and Low-Maintenance
- Cost
Comfortable to Walk
Both underlayments are comfortable to walk on, but the foam underlayment is softer than the cork. This makes it even better than the cork.
Easy to Install
Foam underlayment is easier to install than other types of underlayment because of its availability in large rolls that can be cut to any size and installed as needed.
Water and Heat Resistance
Foam underlayments are made of polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam with a water-resistant coating. The coating also protects against heat generated by fire or sunlight.
Durable and Low-Maintenance
Foam underlayment provides insulation and soundproofing benefits, along with the assurance of a more comfortable carpet surface.
There are many advantages to using this type of underlayment because it can be used in any room in the house, has high durability, and doesn’t need to be replaced as often. In addition, it does not require much maintenance, making it easy for homeowners to maintain their homes.
Cost
Foam underlayment is also affordable, which is another reason homeowners choose it. And it is comparatively much cheaper than cork and other underlayments.
Which One Should You Consider?
Cork and foam underlayment both have advantages and disadvantages.
However, cork is more durable because it does not absorb moisture, it is fire resistant, does not shrink or deform with temperature changes, and is resistant to insects.
Meanwhile, foam underlayment is inexpensive and easy to install in any part of your home, including basements and bathrooms.
Nevertheless, I’d recommend using cork underlayment in bathrooms, kitchens, and any other place where the potential for water leaks is high.
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