Not all cork flooring is the same thickness, and that difference affects how the floor feels, how long it lasts, how well it insulates, and how much subfloor preparation you will need. This guide covers the main things you need to know about cork flooring thickness and walks through the options available at Market Timbers.
If you are new to cork, our complete guide to cork flooring is a good place to start.
Cork thickness directly shapes four aspects of how a floor behaves once it is installed: underfoot cushioning, durability, insulation, and subfloor requirements.
Cork is naturally compressible, which is what gives it a pliable, springy feel underfoot. A thicker tile compresses more, providing a more noticeable cushioning effect that is easier on joints during long periods of standing. For spaces like home offices, kitchens, or design studios where people are on their feet throughout the day, thick cork tiles are a welcome addition.
Thicker cork tiles carry a deeper wear layer, which means surface damage from foot traffic, furniture, or occasional impact has further to go before it compromises the structural integrity of the tile. A thicker profile also gives the floor more resilience over time, which works well in commercial environments or high-footfall areas where a thinner tile would show wear sooner.
Cork is one of the better natural insulators available in flooring, and thickness amplifies this. More material means more dead air cells, which translates to better impact sound reduction and improved thermal resistance. If you are laying cork over a concrete slab, a timber subfloor above an unheated space, or in a multi-storey building where noise transmission is a concern, choosing a thicker tile makes a world of difference.
Thinner tiles are less forgiving of subfloor imperfections. Any unevenness, ridges, or dips in the substrate will telegraph through a thin tile more readily than a thick one. A thicker profile offers slightly more tolerance, though proper subfloor preparation remains important regardless of which thickness you choose. It is also worth considering floor height: if you are matching an existing floor level at a doorway or transition, a thicker tile will require more adjustment.
Most cork flooring on the market ranges between 4mm and 12mm. Thin cork underlays sit at the lower end and are not designed as standalone flooring. Glue-down cork tiles tend to run slightly thicker, with a more stable bond to the subfloor as a result. If you are weighing up which installation method suits your project, this guide covers the key differences.
At Market Timbers, the range runs from 7mm to 10.5mm, covering the most practical options for both residential and commercial applications.
Market Timbers offers three glue-down cork flooring products, each at a different thickness to suit different project requirements.
Cork Wise is the thinnest option in the range at 7mm, making it a practical choice where floor height is a constraint. For example, when laying beneath existing door frames or matching a flush transition with an adjacent floor.
Underfoot comfort and cushioning: Warm and springy underfoot, with the natural comfort characteristic of cork.
Durability and wear resistance: Class 33 commercial durability rating — capable in both residential and light commercial settings.
Sound and thermal insulation: 18dB impact sound reduction. Suited to spaces with lower acoustic and thermal demands.
Subfloor preparation requirements: At 7mm, the profile is less tolerant of subfloor imperfections. A flat, well-prepared substrate is important.
At 8mm, Cork Pure offers a balanced combination of performance and flexibility — a practical choice for most residential and commercial applications.
Underfoot comfort and cushioning: A marginally more cushioned feel than Cork Wise, with the warmth and give that makes cork a popular choice for living areas and workspaces.
Durability and wear resistance: Class 33 commercial durability rating, with reliable long-term performance across a range of subfloor types.
Sound and thermal insulation: 18dB impact sound reduction, with slightly improved thermal resistance over the 7mm option — a meaningful step up for spaces where those qualities matter.
Subfloor preparation requirements: Standard preparation applies. Minor substrate variation should be addressed before installation.
Cork Essence is the thickest glue-down cork flooring in the Market Timbers range and the premium choice when performance across every category matters. Each 10.5mm thick cork sheet delivers the best of:
Underfoot comfort and cushioning: The most pronounced cushioning of the three products — noticeably softer and more responsive underfoot, with a feel that sets it apart from standard hard flooring. Particularly well suited to spaces where people are on their feet for extended periods.
Durability and wear resistance: Class 33 commercial durability rating, with a deeper wear layer that makes it better equipped to handle heavy or sustained use over time. Not limited to residential applications — a strong option for commercial fit-outs where longevity is part of the brief.
Sound and thermal insulation: The strongest acoustic performer in the range. Significantly improved impact sound reduction makes Cork Essence the natural choice for multi-storey residential builds, upper-floor apartments, and open-plan workspaces where noise transmission between floors is a concern. Enhanced thermal resistance is similarly relevant over concrete slabs or unheated spaces.
Subfloor preparation requirements: Proper subfloor preparation remains important, but the 10.5mm profile offers a degree of additional tolerance for minor substrate variation — a practical advantage in new builds or full renovations.
How thick your cork floor tiles are will depend on three things: how the space is used, the condition of the subfloor, and whether floor height is a constraint.
For most residential applications, Cork Pure at 8mm is the practical starting point. If floor height is tight, Cork Wise at 7mm is the more practical call. And for commercial fit-outs, upper-floor apartments, or any space where noise transmission or heavy sustained use are part of the picture, Cork Essence at 10.5mm is worth specifying.
Browse the full cork flooring range or get in touch, and the team can help you work through the details.
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