Cork Flooring - The Modern Home Floor Option

Cork flooring has seen a boom in popularity in the residential market, providing both durability and comfort. Although a slightly pricey option when it comes to flooring, cork has many benefits that make it a great investment. It should be noted though that there are disadvantages of cork flooring. Cork is harvested from cork trees in several Mediterranean countries, and it can only be harvested once every nine years. This creates a limited supply for a material in high demand. Cork flooring is comparable in price to ceramic tile. The many advantages of a cork floor, however, make cork an attractive option.

As the bark of a long lasting tree, cork has natural properties that make it resistant to moisture, insects, and wear and tear. Cork is also comprised of over 90% air, allowing it to take shocks gently, while also quickly coming back to its former shape. This ability gives cork flooring great resiliency, allowing it to cushion those standing on it while also maintaining stability. As tree bark, cork flooring is also very resistant to moisture. Unlike a normal hardwood floor that may lose its shape when wet for extended periods, cork flooring can retain its shape without cracking. Easy maintenance and clean up of spills will maintain cork flooring in prime condition for many years.

A cork floor will retain its beautiful finish for generations, given simple maintenance such as sweeping and mopping. Suberin, a natural compound within cork, works to keep the cork intact. Suberin is also fire resistant, and does not emit any toxic emissions when burnt. The springiness of the cork structure also allows for great noise absorption, absorbing noise instead of reflecting it as hardwood is prone to do.

With just a little upkeep, cork flooring is known to last for many years, just as it has in a variety of commercial and government buildings. As cork flooring has become more and more popular, the options associated with it have also multiplied. Cork flooring today can be bought in a wide variety of colors, shades, and patterns. Cork flooring can usually be installed by either gluing down portions, or using interlocking sections called a “floating floor.” Interlocking panels are a little more expensive, but will cut down on the associated installation expenses, as well as improved general reliability. Cork flooring is a great alternative to the usual wood and vinyl floors, and is available today in many affordable models.

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