Cork flooring is installed in one of two ways, and the right choice depends on your subfloor, the traffic the room takes, and whether you may want to lift the floor again later. Both use the same quality of cork wear surface; the difference is what sits underneath and how it is fixed down.

Click (floating) cork

A click floor has the cork bonded to a rigid board with a tongue-and-groove or locking edge. The planks lock to each other and float over a thin underlay rather than being fixed to the subfloor. It installs quickly, can be walked on straight away, and can be lifted and relaid, which makes it ideal for retrofits and leasehold spaces. Our Classic Cork is available as a rigid, waterproof-core click plank that suits kitchens, bathrooms and busy living spaces.

Glue-down cork

Glue-down cork is bonded directly to a prepared subfloor as tiles or planks. Because every part of the floor is fixed, it is the most stable and hard-wearing option, which is why it is the usual choice for commercial spaces, stairs, and very large or high-traffic areas. It also gives the thinnest possible build-up, useful where floor height is tight. It does need a clean, dry, level subfloor and a professional installation.

How to choose

As a rule of thumb: choose click for speed, retrofits, and floors you may want to lift later; choose glue-down for commercial durability, stairs, large areas, and the slimmest build-up. For moisture-prone rooms a rigid waterproof-core click or a bonded floor both work well. For heated floors, either format can be used when the build-up and commissioning follow the guidance in our note on cork flooring with underfloor heating.

Which we supply

The Floor Gallery supplies Classic Cork in both click and glue-down formats. We are a supply-only specifier and merchant rather than an installer, so we help you select the right format and build-up and send samples, then work to your fitter or contractor programme. Classic Cork is PVC-free, carries a Class 33 commercial durability rating, and is carbon-negative. Explore our cork flooring range, our waterproof cork flooring, or commercial cork flooring.

Frequently asked questions

Is click cork waterproof? Our rigid-core Classic Cork click plank has a waterproof core, which suits kitchens and bathrooms; as with any floor, joints and perimeters should be detailed correctly.

Which is better for commercial projects? Glue-down is usually specified for commercial and high-traffic areas because the fully bonded floor is the most stable and durable, though rigid click also carries a Class 33 rating.

Can I use cork over underfloor heating? Yes, both formats can be used with underfloor heating when the build-up and commissioning follow the manufacturer guidance.

Can a click floor be lifted? Yes. A floating click floor can be lifted and relaid, which a glue-down floor cannot.