My wife and I are also researching various flooring possibilities.
From what I gather, it'll cost about $5.35/sq.ft. to install cork. Compare that to $4/sq.ft. for ceramic or slate tile (thin-set); thick set costs about $.50 more per sq.ft. Hardwood will run you about $7.50 per sq.ft.
I have ruled out hardwood due to its relatively high cost, not to mention its tendency to expand/shrink with the climate, as well as, its vulnerability to scratching.
I like slate because of its natural pattern variations, durability, texture (not slippery), and price. However, I do not like the excessive hardness, loudness, and coldness. The again, I figure you could simply throw down some rugs in strategic places around the house.
With cork, you get softness, quite steps, and warmth. However, I am skeptical about the durability. European Quality Cork Flooring, a Canadian-based cork tile / floating floor distributor, applies 3 coats of polyurethane on their cork (and recommmends that you add 2 more coats upon installation) to prevent wear and tear. Their website:
www.europeanquality.com/index.html-ssi. I am not fully convinced that coats of polyurethane will be enough to withstand common everyday mishaps: falling sharp objects, ink spills, muddy/sandy shoes, etc.
