- Glad to hear cork's working out so well for you—it's a solid choice for sure.
- I've installed cork underlayment on quite a few jobs, and clients usually give similar feedback: quieter, durable, and feels good underfoot.
- One thing I've noticed though, is that performance can vary depending on how thick the cork is and the quality of installation. Did you go with a thicker option or standard thickness?
- Also curious if you've noticed any difference in room temperature upstairs since switching from foam to cork... some folks mention it helps with insulation quite a bit, others not so much.
- Foam underlayment isn't always terrible, but you're right about the VOCs and environmental impact—cork wins hands down there.
- Had one client who went with recycled rubber underlayment recently; they swear by it for soundproofing, but personally I still lean toward cork for overall balance.
- Have you had any moisture or humidity issues affecting the cork at all? Just wondering since that's sometimes a concern with natural materials.
Good to see cork getting some recognition here. I went with cork underlayment about two years ago, mostly because it seemed like a good compromise between cost and performance. I chose the standard thickness (budget constraints, you know), and honestly, it's held up surprisingly well. Noise reduction was immediately noticeable, especially footsteps and general upstairs noise. Temperature-wise, I haven't noticed a huge difference—maybe slightly warmer in winter, but nothing dramatic.
As for moisture, I was initially worried since our area gets pretty humid in summer. But so far, no issues at all. I did make sure the installation was done carefully, sealing edges properly and all that. I think that's key with natural materials—installation quality really matters.
Rubber underlayment sounds interesting, but from what I've seen, cork still seems like the best overall value when balancing cost, comfort, and environmental factors. Glad it's working out for others too.
Interesting to hear cork's holding up well for you. I've been considering cork myself, mostly because of the eco-friendly angle, but I'm still on the fence. You mentioned humidity hasn't been an issue—did you put down any kind of vapor barrier underneath, or just rely on sealing the edges? My basement tends to get damp in summer, and I'm a bit paranoid about moisture creeping in over time.
Also curious if anyone's tried combining cork with another material, like a thin foam layer or something similar, to boost insulation or noise reduction even more. Wondering if that'd be overkill or actually worth the extra effort and cost...
I've been using cork in my basement for about two years now—no vapor barrier, just sealed edges. Honestly, it's held up surprisingly well, even with some summer dampness. Haven't tried layering foam underneath, but I did throw down a few area rugs to boost insulation and coziness (also hides my questionable DIY skills, haha). Wonder if foam might trap moisture though...anyone had issues with that?
"Wonder if foam might trap moisture though...anyone had issues with that?"
That's a valid concern. Foam insulation can indeed trap moisture if there's no proper vapor management, especially in basements where humidity fluctuates. I've seen cases where moisture got trapped between foam layers and the concrete slab, leading to mold or mildew issues down the line. If your cork setup is working well without foam, I'd probably stick with it. Maybe just keep an eye out during wetter months to catch any issues early.
