The Wonders of Cork Flooring

Cork is one of the most environmentally friendly materials.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of cork is the little plug that you use as a wine bottle stopper. It’s no wonder why, considering that the main commercial use for cork is the wine bottle stopper. The question is, can cork be used for other things? With its useful properties, the potential for other commercial uses of cork is wide and varied.

Check out these interesting facts about cork:

1. Cork is a renewable resource.
2. Cork can be harvested without damaging the environment. (Note: Bamboo, hemp, rattan, and water hyacinth also can be sustainably grown and managed, but the advantage of cork is that it can be harvested without killing plants or trees)
3. Cork comes from the cork oak tree.
4. Cork is made of a honeycomb structure that contains an air-like substance.
5. Cork is long lasting.
6. Ancient cork oak forests spread over two and a half million hectares in Italy, Spain, France, Algeria, Portugal, Morocco, and Tunisia.
7. Cork oak takes twenty-five years to reach maturity. Once it does, the bark can be peeled off the tree. When professionals execute this process, no harm is done to the trees. The cork bark grows back in nine years.
8. People have been living off the income generated from peeling cork oaks and selling cork for hundreds of years.
9. Cork oak forests have been protected by royal decrees and government legislation for hundreds of years.
10. Cork is one of the most environmentally friendly materials.

One unique use for cork is cork flooring. Cork flooring is light in weight but the material is strong and flexible. As far as using it for flooring goes, it is easy to stain and add patterns so it can be made to fit in with any style of interior decorating. It’s honeycomb structure gives cork flooring its soft and springy quality. When weight is removed from the cork flooring, it regains its original shape making cork flooring suitable for high traffic situations and heavy furniture. With proper care, it can last for many years.

Cork flooring contains suberin, which is a waxy substance that seals the flooring and makes it water and mold resistant, in addition to fire retardant. Cork flooring is also allergen free so it is perfect for people with dust and mold allergies.

Cork flooring is a much more affordable alternative compared to hardwood flooring for many reasons. The price of hardwood floors to purchase is higher. Cork happens to be a great natural insulator that can absorb heat in the cold winter months, thereby keeping the home warmer and requiring less energy. Another great quality of cork is that it is an acoustic insulator so it’s very quiet. It really is a wonder for anybody coming home late at night and not wanting to wake up the rest of the house.

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