Why do cork tiles absorb sound and feel resilient underfoot?

Cork tiles are effective at absorbing sound and providing a resilient feel due to their unique composition. When ground cork granules are heated, they adhere to one another to create a material that is naturally flexible and cushioning. This structural resilience is what gives the tiles their comfortable feel underfoot and allows them to dampen noise effectively.1

While these properties make cork a practical choice for comfort and acoustics, it is worth noting that its overall durability and aesthetic appeal are generally considered only fair compared to other types of floor covering.1