Cork or Earthscapes?

[MeganPK]

We're trying to decide between cork and Earthscapes for our open, bright kitchen/family room. We have toddlers, no pets. Looking for something warm, easy on falling kids' bodies, quiet, and natural looking (and preferably Earth-friendly). I've narrowed it to these two options (adjoining living room/dining room is Pergo, and we can't afford to replace that, so wood won't really work visually). Cork costs a lot more than Earthscapes. Is it worth waiting until we can afford cork? Or is Earthscapes a good option?

Also, we have a reputable local flooring place that can do either (Artistic Flooring in Encinitas, CA) or Carpet One. Are we better off going with one of them or trying to find an independent contractor?

Any help much appreciated!! Thank you!

[Jim McClain]

Hi Megan,

Welcome to TFP!

Earthscapes may be more durable than cork, but cork is softer on the head bones of a falling child. And it can last well into your child's teens too, so the difference in longevity may not be a concern. My best advice would be to select the flooring that best suits you aesthetically.

It almost looks like you said you had a reputable dealer, Artistic Flooring, and one that may not be so reputable, Carpet One. That might evoke a response from one of our own Carpet One members. But if either or both of these are reputable and has a skilled installer, it would prob'ly be a good idea to go with the local flavor. If problems arise, they will be easier to get to take care of it. I suggest you at least talk with the installer to ease your mind that he/she is experienced with your product and has what you feel are the qualifications to do a professional job for you.

Many times the installer doing the work for a retailer is also an independent contractor. Although there are some retailers who treat their independents more like employees, it should not effect the quality and professionalism of the work you need done. It might be a good idea to get more than one installation opinion, even an estimate from a couple two or three. But I should caution you that making a decision based on price of labor is not a wise decision.

We love helping people out here, so be sure to keep us up to date on your project and ask any questions you want. No doubt you will get a number of responses - not all of them the same opinion.

Good luck,

Jim

[Roland Thompson]

Welcome Megan.
If you are looking for long term i would go with the cork. The Earthscapes is a good product and if you go with the top of the line it to will give you many years but not as many as cork.
Jim would be upset if i did not ask you why the Carpet One is not reputable? You need to understand that each Carpet One is localy owned. You do how ever have the chance to call the Co-Op and bring them into it from that side if they do not treat you right.

Roland

[rgfloor]

I would suggest that you get an installed price from your local 'reputable' store and also a material only price. Then see if you can get a pro in your area to price the install. Get a couple three prices, make your discision not on price but professionalism.

[kwfloors]

Talk to your friends or neighbors about who is good in your area. Word of mouth advertising is the best.

[Jim McClain]

Roland Thompson said Welcome Megan. If you are looking for long term i would go with the cork. The Earthscapes is a good product and if you go with the top of the line it to will give you many years but not as many as cork.

Really? I thought the life span of the Earthscapes would be a little better. Harder surface an' all. Jeez, I'm outa touch already. I think I hate retirement.

Jim would be upset if i did not ask you why the Carpet One is not reputable? You need to understand that each Carpet One is localy owned. You do how ever have the chance to call the Co-Op and bring them into it from that side if they do not treat you right.

I forgot to mention that about Carpet One's. Hers is prob'ly also reputable, it's just the way she wrote the sentence.

Megan, could you ask the flooring professionals you speak with in Encinitas to look us up on the web? We're always looking to bring in new members.

Thanks,

Jim

[soreknees]

I am a sub contractor for for a high end store in Solana Beach and had the opportunity to install cork in a six year old boys room in Del Mar about six years ago and was concerned how well it would hold up. I have since been back on four different occasions to add wood to different areas and finally more cork in their media room for the kids, foos ball table and all, and every time I go back the original floor in the sons room looks fantastic, exceeding my expectations and the homeowners, which is why she chose more cork in the new media room. I do not have experience with earthscapes, but cork has since become a choice for me for our next house. It's warm and surprisingly resilient to damage. Good luck on your choice, while I am not here to solicit business, I am a licensed, bonded and insured C-15 installer located in Escondido and I do about 90% of my work in Del Mar and Solana Beach areas and if you have any questions, let me know. Scott

[TFP Admin]

Thanks for responding to this topic, Scott. You can use a "signature" that contains your business info if you want. See the signature section of the User CP. Let me know if you need help.

T

[MeganPK]

Thank you all so much for the responses, and I'm eager to hear from anyone else, too!

Oh my, no, I did not mean to insinuate that Carpet One was not reputable; it was just how I wrote it! In fact, we used the San Diego Carpet One for a carpet/Pergo job upstairs a few years ago and had a good experience.

What I meant to say was that we saw ourselves as having three options: a local one-location store, a larger chain store, or finding someone independently. Wondering about general differences is all.

We got bids from the local store and Carpet One last year, and got similar bids, between $4K and $5K for the cork job (the local store guy said it depends what they find when they remove the ceramic tile there now, over concrete slab - if they need to do a moisture seal?) and about $1.5 to $2.5K for the Earthscapes job (I think we may have bid only cork from Carpet One, actually).

Then we put it all aside for a year to see how we felt, how long we could live with the white tile, and it really is making me nuts, so here I am again!

Thanks for the idea on getting a materials price bid. So, my remaining questions:

- Are labor prices generally the same if we used an independent contractor? Where's the markup (if there is one) if we go through a store rather than an indpendent?

- Would removing the tile still be necessary if we went with the Earthscapes? (Our house is on a small hill, so everything is a tad slanted, not a perfectly straight surface. ) I assume so, but just double-checking.

- So I'm clear (obviously learning the ropes here!) -- the cork is actually softer than the Earthscapes? I certainly like it better from a natural point of view, it's just the cost. (sigh)

- For installed Earthscapes jobs, can anyone tell me if it "looks like vinyl", if that makes any sense? We have a very natural-looking house, and my worry is that it will look unnatural.

I agree that it's not worth it to pay less for a not-great job, just trying to weigh our options and goals, and deciding if we should just go with Earthscapes for affordability or hold out for cork. (Assuming that we won't be able to do the cork for less, right?)

This is a great forum, and I will let the local dealer know about it. I appreciate all of your time and assistance.

Best, Megan

[stullis]

What type of cork are you looking at purchasing? Laminate style planks or cork tiles?
When you say " our open, bright kitchen/family room" are you talking about alot of direct sunshine through the windows? Cork will fade quite readily.

Even so, my preference is still cork.

Get references from the actual installer and check them out.

C-1 stores in my area have some fair installers and mostly poor installers.
Poor financially as well as poor quality.