Had a similar situation with cork flooring in a small office project. Client loved the eco-friendly angle, and honestly, it wasn't a bad choice for low-traffic areas. But kitchens... yeah, that's tough. Moisture, spills, heavy foot traffic—it just doesn't hold up as well as you'd hope. You're right though, sometimes clients need to experience it firsthand before they really get it. At least you gave them a heads-up beforehand; that's about all you can do. Good call on pointing out that cork still has its place—it's all about matching the material to the right application.
"it's all about matching the material to the right application."
Exactly. Cork has its moments, but kitchens? Not convinced. Had a client insist on bamboo flooring once—similar eco-friendly pitch, looked great initially—but after a year of spills and humidity swings, the warping was pretty noticeable. Sometimes cutting expenses upfront means paying double later on repairs or replacements. Curious if anyone's found budget-friendly materials that genuinely hold up in moisture-heavy areas without sacrificing durability...
Had a similar experience with bamboo flooring myself—looked fantastic at first, but after a couple humid summers, it was a bit of a mess. I've heard good things about luxury vinyl plank lately, though. Friend of mine installed it in her kitchen about three years ago, and even with kids and pets running around, it's held up surprisingly well. Might not have the same eco-friendly appeal, but durability-wise, seems worth considering...
Have you looked into engineered hardwood at all? I know luxury vinyl plank is pretty popular right now, but engineered hardwood can sometimes strike a nice balance between durability and aesthetics. Installed some in my living room about five years ago, and it's held up surprisingly well—even with humidity swings and a dog running around. Might be worth checking out if you're still weighing options... Have you set a specific budget per square foot yet, or are you just exploring possibilities for now?
"Installed some in my living room about five years ago, and it's held up surprisingly well—even with humidity swings and a dog running around."
Good to hear it's holding up! Did you find engineered hardwood pretty DIY-friendly for installation, or was it a bit tricky? I'm decent with tools but definitely no pro...
