About
In the evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and interior design, material selection serves as the bridge between aesthetic intent and functional longevity. Wicanders® Cork Flooring, a premium brand under the Amorim Revestimentos portfolio, represents a sophisticated convergence of natural material science and advanced floor-covering engineering. For architects, interior designers, and facility managers, Wicanders provides a specification-ready solution that addresses the multifaceted demands of contemporary commercial, hospitality, and residential environments.
The foundation of the Wicanders brand is rooted in the unique cellular structure of cork. Unlike synthetic alternatives, cork is comprised of a honeycomb-like matrix of millions of air-filled cells. Wicanders leverages this natural composition through its proprietary Corktech technology, which optimizes the material’s inherent properties to create a multilayered flooring system. This innovation focuses on five key performance indicators: silence, natural thermal insulation, walking comfort, impact resistance, and indoor air quality.
Wicanders’ mission is centered on the "Walking on Kindness" philosophy, emphasizing a symbiotic relationship between human comfort and environmental stewardship. By utilizing cork harvested from the cork oak (Quercus suber) without ever cutting down the tree, the brand ensures a renewable supply chain that supports biodiversity and carbon sequestration in the Mediterranean cork forests.
Wicanders offers a diverse range of collections tailored to varying traffic requirements and design objectives. Each collection is engineered with specific wear layers and core technologies to ensure dimensional stability and durability.
For interior designers, Wicanders® Cork Flooring serves as a primary tool for biophilic design. The organic textures and warm color palettes inherent to cork create a tactile connection to the natural world, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve productivity in workplace and healthcare settings. Beyond traditional cork visuals, modern digital printing technologies allow Wicanders to offer sophisticated patterns that mimic timber and mineral surfaces while retaining the "give" and warmth of cork.
The aesthetic versatility of these collections allows for seamless integration across various architectural styles, from minimalist modernism to rustic biophilia. The availability of different formats—including planks and tiles—enables designers to create custom patterns, zoning, and wayfinding elements within a unified floor plate.
From a facility management and engineering perspective, the technical data supporting Wicanders products is critical for long-term value and compliance.
The air-filled cells of cork act as a natural acoustic insulator. Wicanders floors can reduce impact noise by up to 53%, a vital metric for multi-family residential projects and open-plan offices where sound transmission class (STC) ratings are a priority. Furthermore, the natural thermal resistance of cork reduces energy loss through the floor, maintaining a stable surface temperature that contributes to overall building efficiency.
Wicanders employs advanced protective finishes, such as the High Performance Surface (HPS) and Superior Wear Resistance (SRT), to protect against scratches, stains, and UV degradation. The material's natural elasticity provides high impact resistance; unlike hard surfaces that may crack or dent permanently, cork possesses "shape memory," allowing it to recover from compression caused by furniture or heavy footfall.
Sustainability is not merely an attribute but the core identity of Wicanders. The products are Greenguard Gold certified, ensuring low VOC emissions and a healthy indoor environment for schools and healthcare facilities. Many collections are also TUV-certified and hold the Blue Angel eco-label. The negative carbon balance of many Wicanders products allows specifiers to contribute significantly to LEED, BREEAM, and WELL certification credits.
In practice, Wicanders® Cork Flooring is frequently specified in environments where human wellness is paramount. In Education, the acoustic dampening creates a quieter learning environment. In Healthcare, the walking comfort reduces fatigue for staff on long shifts while the antimicrobial properties of cork support hygiene protocols. In Hospitality, the thermal warmth and unique aesthetic provide a premium guest experience in hotel rooms and lounges.
For facility managers, the ease of maintenance—typically requiring only pH-neutral cleaners and damp mopping—ensures low lifecycle costs. The durability of the commercial-grade wear layers ensures that the flooring maintains its visual integrity even under the rigors of high-traffic public spaces.
Wicanders® Cork Flooring stands as a premier choice for professionals who refuse to compromise between high-end design and environmental responsibility. By combining the ancient benefits of cork with contemporary manufacturing precision, Wicanders delivers a flooring system that is as resilient as it is beautiful. Whether the goal is to achieve carbon neutrality, improve acoustic privacy, or create a visually stunning biophilic space, Wicanders provides the technical foundation necessary for successful project delivery.
To further explore the integration of cork into your next project, professional specifiers are encouraged to review detailed technical data sheets and environmental product declarations (EPDs). You may also request physical samples to experience the unique tactile properties of Corktech or contact a dedicated specification representative to discuss custom solutions for large-scale commercial developments.
