Cork, answered straight.
What cork actually does, what it does not do, and where we would tell you to use something else. We make cork for a living, and these pages are written to be useful before they are persuasive.
Does cork get slippery when wet?
No, and it is worth being precise about this, because cork does the opposite of what most materials do. Cork's cell walls are about 53% suberin, a waxy water-repelling polyester, and cork's coefficient of friction rises as the surface gets damp. Rubber, PVC and TPE all lose grip when wet. Cork gains it.
Is cork waterproof?
No. Cork is water resistant, not waterproof, and the difference matters. It shrugs off splashes, condensation and damp hands indefinitely. Prolonged standing water is a different thing, and it causes swelling, warping, staining and eventually mould.
Why we publish the limits too
Most cork suppliers publish what cork is good at. The more useful half is where it stops, and it is much harder to find. Cork is not waterproof. Strong sun fades it. It dents under a stiletto heel. A buyer who knows all of that before ordering is a buyer who is happy with what arrives.
Who is telling you this
Green Haven is a cork manufacturer and exporter, and a brand of Kapson Globex. We produce FSC-certified cork in India and ship worldwide, to hotels, restaurants, brands and importers. Made in India.
That matters here for one reason only: we are describing a material we make rather than one we read about. If you want a price instead of an explanation, the coaster packs are priced and delivered, or talk to us about anything bespoke.