Cork Flooring
Cork flooring enriches any interior with a classy touch of durability, temperature control, and noise reduction. Cork flooring is a natural product that is harvested from live cork trees once every few years. A cork oak tree lives for more than 150 years and yields cork once every 9 to 10 years. Cork also comes in rich and varied colors such as green, red, brown, and black.
Cork flooring has a noise reduction mechanism. Because of this, most libraries choose cork flooring. It is able to absorb sound because of the millions of tiny air sacs present throughout the cork. These air sacs also make it smooth to step on the cork flooring. It also has the highest resistance to high-heel abuse.
Cork flooring comes in different qualities and the upper grades are resistant to mildew and microbial activity. Today's technology also makes it possible to have a choice of colors, gradients, and patterns. This makes cork flooring a versatile option for home builders and public building planners.
Cork flooring is available for kitchens and bathrooms, and the water resistant cork tiles or panels come with a great finish too. As you can expect, cork flooring for the bathroom is specially treated to make it resistant to moisture. The cork also has a wax coating that prevents water from penetrating it. This makes cork flooring a more durable choice than regular hardwood flooring. However, not all cork flooring is resistant to moisture and it is susceptible to deformities and swellings.
Cork flooring is available in 12 inch tiles or as planks. Planks have a special interlocking design with a tongue and a groove at the sides. This allows for floated flooring and rests pretty on almost any sub-floor whether it’s wood or concrete. It also comes with a vinyl finish that makes it smoother to walk on and to touch. Floating cork floors are better able to resist noise than other types of smooth flooring.
Cork is imported from Europe. Portugal is the leading producer of cork, followed by Algeria (in Africa), Spain, and Morocco (in Africa). Cork comes from the bark of a cork oak tree, Quercus suber, which has its natural habitat in the Mediterranean countries. The bark is stripped from the tree once every 9 to 10 years. Bottle cork is also made from the same material. To prepare as cork flooring, the bark is finely grinded, chemically treated and then baked to shape and harden the tiles and planks. Since it is harvested without cutting down trees, cork flooring is an environmentally friendly building material.
Cork flooring is a fantastic choice for homes and offices because it is durable and financially viable. Plus, it absorbs sound and prevents echoes, making your room silent. You also can be proud because you made an environmentally sustainable choice. It is available in a variety of colors and finishes giving you style, elegance, and comfort.
Cork flooring is not very popular yet, though the prices are cheap. Kitchen cork flooring that lasts for more than 40 years is not rare in the United States. When deciding on building materials, cork flooring is a good choice.