How Much Does Cork Flooring Cost to Install in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Installing cork flooring costs between $1,000 and $5,800 for a 10x10 room, or $5 to $19 per square foot, with materials and labor included. Factors like your location, room size, and material quality influence the total price. By budgeting appropriately and hiring a flooring professional, you can ensure a smooth installation and lasting results.

Cork Flooring Cost Factors

A handful of factors will affect the final price of installing your cork floor, including size, colors, patterns, subfloor preparation, and sealing. 

Size

The size of your space is the most significant factor in the cost of installing cork flooring. Cork flooring materials cost $3 to $10.50 per square foot plus $2 to $4 per square foot for labor.

Installing cork flooring in a larger room or entire house will cost more than in a smaller space due to the greater square footage. Larger projects require more materials and labor to complete the installation.

Colors and Patterns

Cork is available in various colors and patterns, although many materials use cork’s natural brown shading. The most affordable cork flooring material has the color and appearance of a flattened wine stopper. Other neutral, natural-looking colors are costlier, while bright colors are the most expensive. Technology also allows manufacturers to produce cork material with a striated texture, which has the appearance of rough lines.

Subfloor Preparation

Proper subfloor preparation is crucial for a quality cork floor finish, especially for cork tiles, since the surface must be smooth, clean, and free of cracks or bumps.

Preparing the floor may be less expensive when using planks. Cork planks don't need to be glued down, eliminating the need for extensive subfloor prep work as long as it's reasonably level.

Do the necessary prep work before you install cork flooring over tiles and concrete subfloors. Not preparing your subfloor correctly can lead to problems in the future, including bonding issues. The kind of prep work you need to do depends on the subfloor type.

It costs between $3 and $5 per square foot for labor to level a subfloor. If your subfloor needs repairs, expect to pay between $2 and $10 per square foot or $10 to $60 per square foot for joist repair.

Sealing

Sealing helps protect cork flooring from moisture and staining agents. The most common sealant is polyurethane, although you can also use other sealants like acrylic and carnauba wax.

Some manufacturers produce cork floors with pre-applied sealant, especially for planks. If not, you'll need to buy sealant, which can increase the overall cost of your project. You'll need to refinish and reseal every few years for both planks and tiles.

Cork Flooring Cost by Type

Cork products include planks, tiles, and luxury vinyl-clad cork. Each type costs a different amount to install, with the finish quality being the most significant factor in the price per square foot. Here's what you can expect to pay for each type of installation.

Luxury Vinyl Cork

Luxury vinyl cork flooring costs $3 to $7 per square foot. This type of flooring involves the application of a top layer of clear vinyl to a natural cork underlayment. The vinyl layer protects the cork from staining and wear. Luxury vinyl-clad cork might be a good option to save money on future floor repair costs.

Plank

The price of cork planks ranges between $4 and $9 per square foot, depending on the material thickness and finish quality. The most common sizes are four-, eight-, and 12-millimeters thick.

Cork planks have a middle layer that creates a locking system, so self-installing this flooring is easier since it’s like clicking puzzle pieces into place.

Tile

Glue-down cork tiles cost an average of $3 to $7 per square foot. Glue-down tiles sometimes fall on the less costly end, but the total price is about as much as click-together planks after adding the cost of preparing subflooring.

Underlay

Cork underlay lies between the subfloor and floor to provide a more even surface and acoustic insulation. Its prices vary depending on thickness. It’s available in sheets or on a roll and may be less costly if you buy in bulk.

The cork homeowners use for underlayment differs from the ones for primary flooring. Top flooring is more attractive and, therefore, more expensive. Cork underlay also has a lower density than cork finish flooring.

Cork Flooring Pros and Cons

Cork flooring comes with several pros and cons. Consider these to decide if cork floors are right for your home. A local flooring pro can help determine whether cork flooring suits your needs.

Cork vs. Other Flooring Materials

Apart from cork, homeowners have several other flooring options to choose from, like hardwood, bamboo, laminate, and carpet. Each option has its pros and cons. Here’s how different options compare to cork flooring.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors are more expensive than cork floors. Common wood options include pine, hickory, red oak, white oak, and Brazilian walnut. Hardwood floor installation costs are higher, averaging $6 to $25 per square foot.

While hardwood floors are more durable—often lasting up to 100 years, especially with hard species like hickory and Brazilian walnut—they are less eco-friendly than cork. Hardwood lacks the sound-absorbing qualities of cork, making cork floors quieter underfoot.

Bamboo

The average bamboo floor installation cost is between $7 and $20 per square foot, including materials and labor. Like cork flooring, bamboo flooring is a sustainable option as it has a relatively short harvest time, usually five to seven years. In terms of durability, bamboo is closer to hardwood flooring since its materials are strong and can last long.

However, bamboo is noisier than cork flooring. Cork flooring is more moisture- and water-resistant than bamboo and, therefore, is preferable in spaces like bathrooms or kitchens where water spills and buildup are likely to happen.

Laminate

The average cost of installing laminate flooring ranges from $3 to $13 per square foot, making it much less costly than cork. Laminate is durable and mimics the appearance of pricier materials. And unlike cork, it’s harder on the feet and can’t be refinished.

Carpet

The cost of installing carpet ranges from $3.50 to $11 per square foot. Both cork and carpet floors are easy on the feet and may require underlay. However, the carpet gets dirtier faster and takes more work to clean.

Tile

Indoor tile flooring costs between $15 and $20 per square foot for both materials and installation. Tiles are durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. However, tile doesn’t dampen sound and is hard on the feet, unlike cork.

Vinyl or Linoleum

Installing vinyl or linoleum flooring costs between $2 and $14 per square foot. Both are available in several colors and styles. Similar to cork, vinyl and linoleum are softer materials, which makes them easier on the feet. But this also makes them more susceptible to damage.

Vinyl is also not biodegradable since it's made from plastic. You'll need to reseal linoleum yearly to maintain sharp colors and a high luster.

DIY vs. Hiring a Cork Flooring Contractor

While cork flooring, especially cork planks, is known for its ease of installation, achieving a high-quality finish requires experience and precision. Installation of cork tiles involves more preparation, such as adding an underlayment, and mistakes can be challenging to correct.

For the best results, hire a flooring professional to install your cork floors. A skilled installer can handle the process efficiently, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring your cork flooring is placed correctly for long-term durability.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.