Cork you can feel
Cork Essence stacks two cork layers around an HDF core: a decorative cork veneer on top and a cork underlay below. The result is the softest, warmest floor we sell, and a noticeably quieter one. Wicanders states its cork construction can reduce footfall noise by up to 53%.
Where it belongs
Bedrooms, living rooms, home offices and upstairs hallways. Cork Essence is popular in Arlington and Alexandria townhouses where the living space sits over a garage slab, and in the upper floors of DC rowhouses where sound travels through old joists. The HDF core means it is not the right choice for full bathrooms or a laundry room; choose WISE Cork Inspire there.
A finish you do not refinish
Older cork floors were coated with polyurethane and needed periodic recoating. The XtraMatt finish is a ceramic-based varnish applied at the factory, carrying a 15-year residential and 5-year commercial finish warranty. Routine care is vacuuming and a damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner.
See cork flooring installation for subfloor requirements, or step down to Cork GO for a lower price point.
Common questions
Does cork flooring fade?
Cork lightens in strong direct sun over time. Rotating rugs and using window treatments on south-facing rooms keeps color change even.
Where these facts come from
- Wicanders Cork Essence product data (authorized retailers): dimensions, finish warranty, certification
Specifications can change. We confirm them against the current manufacturer data sheet on every order.