Cork flooring thickness
How thick is cork flooring?
Cork flooring is typically 7mm to 11mm thick for engineered plank constructions, including the Classic Cork construction waterproof system. The Floor Gallery supplies two ranges: Classic Cork (7mm) for standard residential and commercial briefs, and Cork Styles (11mm) for design-led applications with deeper textured surface options. Both are Class 33 commercial-rated and Bfl-s1 fire-rated.
Cork flooring thickness explained.
Cork flooring thickness varies by construction type. The number a specifier needs depends on the brief: substrate condition, doorway threshold heights, underfloor heating compatibility, and the underlay specification all interact with the floor thickness.
Engineered cork plank (7mm – 11mm)
This is the dominant construction for specifier-grade UK cork. A multi-layer plank with a cork wear layer, an HDF or stable core, a cork base layer for acoustic performance, and a 2G locking joint. Total thickness 7mm to 11mm depending on the range. Classic Cork construction waterproof construction sits in this category.
Cork tile (4mm – 6mm)
Glued-down cork tile, lighter construction. Less common in commercial specifier work because the lighter wear layer doesn’t carry Class 33 ratings as comfortably. Available for residential niche briefs.
Cork underlay (2mm – 6mm)
Pure cork sheet used as acoustic underlay beneath wood, vinyl or laminate. Not a finished floor in itself.
The Floor Gallery ranges, specifications.
Classic Cork, 7mm
The standard specifier cork plank. 7mm total construction, Classic Cork construction waterproof system, FSC/PEFC certified, Bfl-s1 fire rated, -101 kg CO2e/m2 net carbon position. Plank size 1225 x 190mm with 2G click joint. Suitable for residential, commercial, education, hospitality and heritage briefs.
Cork Styles, 11mm
The design-led range. 11mm total construction with more textural variety in the wear layer, including the Original Shell pattern. Same Classic Cork construction waterproof system, same certifications. Specified where the cork is intended to be a visible material choice rather than a pragmatic spec.
How thickness affects the specification.
Underfloor heating
Both 7mm and 11mm cork are UFH-compatible at standard flow temperatures (max surface 27°C). Thinner construction (Classic Cork 7mm) transmits heat marginally faster than 11mm but both are well within UFH design tolerances.
Threshold heights
7mm Classic Cork pairs naturally with engineered wood planks of similar thickness for clean threshold details. 11mm Cork Styles needs a deeper threshold or transition strip when meeting thinner adjacent floors.
Acoustic performance
11mm cork delivers marginally better acoustic improvement than 7mm, IIC values typically run 2-4 dB higher with the thicker construction. For projects where acoustic is the primary specifier driver (apartments, hotels, listed flats), the 11mm range is the closer fit.
Refinishing
Both thicknesses accept a light surface refinish at 15-20 years of service, the refinish removes only the seal layer, not the cork itself, so wear-layer depth doesn’t change the refinish capability.
Thickness FAQ.
What’s the most common cork flooring thickness?
7mm is the most common specifier-grade engineered cork thickness in the UK. The Floor Gallery’s Classic Cork range is 7mm; Quadrant’s Corkform is also 7mm. Both built on Classic Cork waterproof construction.
How thick is waterproof cork?
Classic Cork construction waterproof cork is supplied at 7mm in the Classic Cork range; the Cork Styles range is supplied at 11mm and is not waterproof.
Is thicker cork better?
Not necessarily. 11mm gives marginally better acoustic performance and more textural design options; 7mm is more straightforward for threshold details and slightly faster on UFH response. Brief-led, not thickness-led.
Can I install cork over an existing floor?
The 2G floating-floor installation tolerates installation over most stable existing substrates with an acoustic underlay. Threshold heights are the main planning consideration.
What thickness do I need for an apartment?
For apartments where acoustic transmission to the unit below is a planning condition, the 11mm Cork Styles range tends to be the safer specification, the additional cork mass and underlayer improves IIC by a meaningful 2-4 dB.