Cork flooring options or reviews?

[mkeary]

I am planning on installing a floating floor of cork (laminate) planks in a lower-level room (concrete slab). I was all set to order Stepco planks from FastFloors.com when I went looking at vendor reviews - looks like FastFloors is something of a scam joint. And it appears Stepco products are only available through FastFloors, so I am now wary of them as well.

Further research seems to indicate several of the other online vendors of cork flooring (iFloors, SimpleFloors) are also rip joints. I am now somewhat nervous about anything I find!

Can anyone recommend a product and/or source for a cork floor product? Anyone with experience with APC, Natural, Wicanders, Stepco, DaVinci, etc (manufacturers) or specific suppliers?

Thanks for helping,

Teo

[ransley]

Why order online, if any issues arise such as miscolor or defects you have to wait, if you are lucky. Buy local so you can see and return defects.

[jmeehan]

I bought mine locally from a regional outfit. Frankly I love the results, but I don't think I would be ordering on-line unless I know the product itself and trusted the on-line retailer.

[hrhofmann]

If I did order on-line, it would only be from a company that also has a bricks and mortar store within driving distance in case of any problems.

[mkeary]

Variety of choice, price comparison shopping, and convenience of delivery were all reasons for online shopping, but I agree completely

- these factors pale in comparison to the difficulties that can arise... as testified to by numerous negative reviews.

So I will definitely buy/pick-up locally. Some of my questions remain: does anyone have experience or suggestions regarding cork flooring brands (plank edge locking/ tongue-and-groove features, relative thickness of cork layers, type of surface sealing [choice between polyurethane, acrylic-based?])? Any suggestions for a local vendor in North NJ (live in Passaic County)?

Thanks, Teo

[charlie]

do you have a close outlet of lumber liquidators? they sell cork flooring.

[salty]

Cork laminate is a far cry from soild cork flooring. Other than a similarity in the superficial appearance, they are not the same thing. Don't expect the well known benefits of a real cork floor. You won't be getting them with laminate.

[jmeehan]

.

I would have to disagree, to some degree. The laminate does have a true cork surface. It has most of the same qualities as .. what shall we call it,.. solid cork. It does not have the same sound and soft feel, but it can get most of that with the proper installation.