Why You Should Buy Cork Flooring

21stCenturyHippy | Jul 22, 2010 |

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Cork is a renewable resource like bamboo, rattan, water hyacinth, coconut, hemp and jute. It is different to other renewable resources in that it can be harvested without damaging the tree and with minimal disturbance to the ecology of the region. This makes cork one of the best renewable resources. Not only this, but cork has a number of properties that make it especially suitable for a flooring material.

Cork oak forests spread over 2.5 million hectares in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. In Europe alone cork oak forests employ 30,000 people mostly harvesting cork bark, or cork cambium as it is called, for the wine bottle stopper industry. It is an industry that dates back to medieval times when Royal decrees protected the trees. Nowadays these ancient forests provide not only huge amounts of oxygen but also valuable natural habitat for a diverse range of animals including the endangered Iberian lynx. Cork oaks live between 150 and 250 years and are ready to harvest after 25 years. Thereafter the cork cambium can be peeled from the tree without damaging either the tree or the surrounding wildlife every 9 years. This is a great example of sustainability, and a great example of man's economic activity working in harmony with nature.

The cork that is harvested has several useful properties. It is strong, flexible and lightweight. Although many people only think about wine bottle stoppers when they think of cork it has a variety of commercial uses not the least of which is making cork flooring.

Cork has a honeycomb structure that is 85% comprised of an air-like gas. This gives the cork its lightness but also its strength. Cork flooring has an elastic quality because of this honeycomb structure. In other words it can withstand heavy pressure applied to it and when the pressure is removed it 'springs back' to its original shape. This is the strength of cork flooring. The oldest cork floor on record is in a church near Chicago in the States which was laid in 1898. This springiness of cork flooring makes it feel completely different to hardwood or bamboo flooring: rather than being hard it is soft underfoot.

The structure of cork also makes it a natural thermal and acoustic insulator. It absorbs sound and heat. Thus in the cold winter months a cork floor will retain heat and save you money on energy bills. And also, the sound of footsteps are muffled by cork flooring making it easier for people to sleep while others are still up and moving around.

The Latin name for cork oak is quercus suber. Cork contains the substance called suberin which is a waxy substance that seals the cork. This makes the honeycomb structure impermeable. The result is that cork floats and is resistant to moisture. It also makes cork flooring mold and mildew resistant. Cork flooring is also allergen free. These characteristics of cork flooring make it ideal for people suffering from allergies and asthma as mold and dust mites are major causes of allergic rhinitis. Another important benefit of the suberin in cork flooring is that it makes the flooring fire retardant.

Finally, it is possible to buy cheap cork flooring with water based stains and non-VOC finishes. It is also possible to lay cork flooring in a floating and glue-less installation. This makes cork flooring a perfect material for green interior design.

For all these reasons cork flooring is a cheap and ideal alternative to hardwood flooring.