Cork Flooring

Are you looking for a durable flooring material for your home? Ever thought about installing cork flooring in your home? The raw material used for cork floors is the bark of the cork oak tree. It is made by processing the bark into sheets that are then baked in a kiln for producing decorative tiles or planks for flooring. Since this procedure doesn't involve cutting of trees, it is surely a great environment-friendly alternative to other flooring materials, such as hardwood floors. Not only is this flooring material environment-friendly, it is visually appealing as well.

When it comes to weighing the pros and cons of cork as a flooring option, the visual appeal, resilience and durability must be appreciated but one thing that might go against it is the price. It is relatively expensive. If you are looking for a flooring material for your home, you must check out this flooring option.

Advantages of Using Cork as a Flooring Material

The concept of using the bark of cork oak tree for flooring is not new. This flooring material has been in use since the 19th century. Cork oak is basically grown in Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Morocco and France. Once the bark of the tree is harvested, it takes about 9-10 years for a new layer of bark to grow back. The tree is not affected in any manner and thus, it is a renewable resource. Though its popularity declined over the years due to the introduction of new flooring options, natural cork floors are now back with a bang. Wondering what makes it a great flooring material? Go through some of the facts about cork floors to find that out.

The most amazing quality of cork as a flooring option is its durability. If maintained well, it will surely last for a lifetime. Sound absorption is one of its greatest attributes. Its cellular make up is such that facilitates the reduction of sounds. The air trapped in its cellular structure works as a sound barrier. Some other flooring options such as hardwood floors are generally unable to absorb sounds and don't make a great choice for floors that are above other living spaces. Vibrations and sounds that are created with people walking are not really absorbed. Since cork floors are acoustically sound, these can be safely used for second floors. When you walk on these floors, the sounds are considerably reduced, it's almost like walking on a carpeted surface.

If you are keen on using hardwood flooring for your home, you can lay the cork floor underneath the surface flooring. When used as a sub-flooring, it will effectively absorb noise. Though this type of flooring is tough, but that doesn't mean it is hard or uncomfortable. These are very comfortable and are a great choice for those who live in cold areas. Due to its great insulation properties, cork floors are preferred by many. Walking on cork floors is a pleasure during the winter months as these are so warm and comfortable underfoot. Moreover, these floors are also moisture resistant. The presence of a substance called suberin protects it from moisture and to add to that, this waxy substance will also keep the mites and insects away. You also don't have to worry about mold or mildew infestation. Isn't that great!

Many people go for wood flooring because of the richness of its texture. Are cork floors as decorative as wood? Well, cork floors come in various textures and patterns. Besides durability and a host of other qualities that make it so popular, another aspect that needs to be mentioned is its easy installation procedure. Cork comes in planks or tiles. You can either use an adhesive or a no-glue interlocking system for installing it. Since some people might find glue-down installation to be somewhat messy, they can go for the floating floor installations.

You can buy pre-finished cork floors and turn the installation into a DIY home improvement project. As I mentioned earlier, the only disadvantage is the cost factor. It is not exactly an inexpensive flooring material, but by installing the cork floor on your own, you can save a lot of money as well. If you still have any doubts, you can check out the reviews. These will surely help you in making a decision.

Cork flooring is visually appealing, acoustically sound, resilient and durable, and to add to all that, it is a renewable resource. If you are looking for a flooring material, do your bit to protect the environment. Go green with this type of flooring!