Specialist service
Cork flooring, supplied & fitted by a specialist
One of the few fitters across London, Essex and the M4 corridor who genuinely specialises in cork. Ben has years of hands-on cork experience and supplies the material through The Floor Gallery — so you get expert fitting and the right product from one place.
A proper cork specialist, not an occasional one
Most flooring companies will fit cork if you ask, but few do it often enough to do it well. Ben has 23 years on the tools and real cork experience across both glue-down tiles and floating click systems — from subfloor preparation and adhesive choice through to sealing and finishing. And because he supplies cork through The Floor Gallery, he can match you to a quality product and stand behind both the material and the fit.
Why people choose cork
Warm underfoot
Cork is a natural insulator, so it feels warm in winter and works well with underfloor heating, within the manufacturer’s thickness limits.
Quiet & soft
Millions of tiny air-filled cells absorb sound and give gently underfoot — ideal for bedrooms, home offices and flats.
Kind to your joints
That cushioning makes cork comfortable to stand on for long periods, which is why it’s a favourite for kitchens and utility rooms.
Naturally hypoallergenic
Cork contains suberin, which naturally resists mould, mildew and pests — a good choice for allergy sufferers.
Genuinely sustainable
Harvested from the bark of living cork oaks without felling the tree. One of the few truly renewable floors you can buy.
Hard-wearing when sealed
Sealed and maintained properly, a cork floor lasts for decades. Ben seals every job to the right standard.
Two ways to lay cork
Most durableGlue-down cork tiles
Bonded directly to a prepared subfloor. The most hard-wearing and water-resistant option, and the best choice for kitchens and busier rooms.
Quick to fitFloating click cork
Planks that lock together over an underlay, often with a wood or stone-effect top layer. Fast to install and easy to lift again if you ever need to.
Where cork works best (and where to be careful)
Cork is brilliant in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, home offices and hallways. In bathrooms and other wet areas it can work, but only as properly sealed cork installed correctly — and it should be re-sealed every few years. It can also lighten in strong, direct sunlight, so in very bright south-facing rooms Ben will talk you through finishes that cope better. You’ll always get the honest version before you commit.
How a cork job runs
Home visit & measure
A free, no-obligation visit to see the room, measure up and understand how you live.
Supply the right cork
Sourced through The Floor Gallery to suit the room, the traffic and your budget.
Prepare the subfloor
Level, dry and sound — the step that makes a cork floor last.
Fit & seal
Laid, finished and sealed to the correct standard, ready to live on.
Cork flooring across London, Essex & the M4
Ben covers London, Essex, the M4 corridor and South Wales for cork supply and fitting — including Romford, Chelmsford, Hornchurch, Reading, Slough and Watford. New to cork? Read our cork flooring buyer’s guide first.
Cork flooring questions
How much does cork flooring cost?
As a rough guide, cork material is around £25–£60 per m², with supplied-and-fitted costs typically £55–£110 per m² for glue-down tiles and a little more for floating click cork. The exact price depends on the product, the subfloor condition and the room size — your home-visit quote will be precise.
Can cork go over underfloor heating?
Yes, most cork is compatible with underfloor heating. Because cork insulates, there is a maximum thickness to keep the heat flowing efficiently, so Ben will match the product to your system.
Is cork OK with pets and children?
It’s warm, soft and forgiving, which families love. It is softer than wood, so sharp claws or trapped grit can mark it — sealing and simple care keep it looking good for years.
Does cork work in kitchens and bathrooms?
Kitchens, yes — sealed glue-down cork is a great fit. Bathrooms can work with properly sealed cork and periodic re-sealing, and Ben will tell you honestly if a different floor would serve you better.
How long does a cork floor last?
Sealed and looked after, decades. Re-sealing roughly every 2–4 years in busier or damp rooms keeps it protected.
Do you supply the cork as well as fit it?
Yes. Ben supplies cork through The Floor Gallery, so you get the product and the installation from one specialist — no sourcing the material yourself.
Thinking about a cork floor?
Book a free home visit and Ben will measure up, talk through your options and give you a clear, no-pressure quote.