Cork _________________________ |
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| It’s hard to think that after all those
bottles of wine and champagne, there would still be enough cork left
over to cover whole floors, but that is the beauty of this amazing,
environmentally friendly product. Used for centuries, cork can add
beauty and durability to your flooring.
As a flooring product, cork’s resiliency is unmatched. Cork’s structure is composed of millions of tiny, completely enclosed air cells. It is these air cells that allow cork to be compressed, and then spring back to its original form. Properly maintained, cork flooring will provide decades of beautiful, reliable service in your home. Cork has a highly frictional, non-slip surface that makes it ideal for kitchen or bathroom floors. In addition, it is highly resistant to liquid penetration, especially with the special finish layer applied by manufacturers. Cork also has outstanding insulating properties, which help to reduce heating and cooling costs, and a strong ability to absorb vibration. This makes it perfect for dampening sound in a room, or for reducing sound transfer between floors. Cork is also a logical choice for families that suffer from allergies or asthma. Cork flooring is naturally hypoallergenic, resisting the growth of mold and mildew. And because it is antistatic, it won’t attract and accumulate dust and pollen particles. Cork does not give off any gases or shed fibers of any kind, making it ideal for those with respiratory problems. And cork flooring can be applied over any subflooring, or existing flooring except carpet. It can be glued down or floated, and comes in planks or tiles with tongue-and-groove joiners. As with so many other flooring products, modern manufacturing technology now offers many coloration options, in both finished and unfinished varieties. Cork, which has been in use since 2,500 BC, is actually the bark of an evergreen oak tree variety that grows only near the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, the vast majority of cork production is centered in Portugal and Spain. The cork is first harvested from the tree when it is 20 years old using a specially designed hatchet that strips the outer bark, but leaves a thin, protective layer of inner bark. By using care in the stripping process, the living tree will be protected, and can continue to grow new cork bark. In fact, cork can be harvested from the same tree every six to nine years, and the trees live for over 150 years. A renewable resource that provides stability, durability and beauty to your home, cork just might be the best choice for your new floor. |
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