Cork – The Poster Boy of Green Flooring
With the ever growing interest in Cork as a flooring option I decided to spend some time going beyond the basics to find out why it’s become such a popular consideration as a home interior design choice.
So, let’s get started!
Now, I have known cork has been used for flooring for over 100 years serving a more behind the scenes role of under layments for floors, linoleum and is a common material used in baseboards and moldings.
And, we’ve all enjoyed the benefits of cork boards, wine sealing cork and the various puncture fun pragmatism of of its nature.
But, what is it about cork makes it such a valuable “green” product?
Well, here is where it gets interesting.
Cork is simply, the outer bark of tree. A special Oak Tree to be exact -Quercus Suber, for all you horticultural types! This bark grows thick and once it reaches harvesting size it’s literally peeled off, by hand, in slabs – then cleaned, boiled and stripped of its “rough” outer surface.
I was always under the assumption that cork was a type of by product left over from every cut down tree. After all targeted parts of the tree were taken the remaining left overs were then chipped, pressed and then glued together to form cork – thus, allowing no portion of any tree to be wasted. Boy was I wrong. And then I was right.
Cork, is the only product gleaned from this tree.
The cork used for wine bottles are punched out – like a huge hole punch from the thick bark sheet taken directly from the tree.
The chips and scraps are then collected, ground into small granules, mixed with a binder and then molded into large blocks to be baked. The end product being – strong, hard wood flooring.
Corks impact on the environment is impressively low due to the fact there is no damage done to the tree itself when the cork is peeled off at harvest. The only risk to the tree is its open exposure to potential injury due to the sheer nakedness of its condition. Similar to you and I venturing outside without clothes.
The largest cork producing nations are: Portugal, Algeria, Spain, Morocco, France and Italy. Each have developed strict protective regulations to limit the frequency of this peeling to approximately (once every 10 years). This schedule assures the health of the tree, and guarantees a sustainable supply throughout the life span of this oak species: 150 – 250 years.
As a Flooring Choice – Cork Goes Beyond the call of Duty.
It contains Hypo Allergenic and Anti Static properties. Producing fewer allergic producing elements. It does not “off-gas” or shed microfibers and limits the static one gets when walking on a floor on a dry winter day. Less pops and better breathing!
Insulating – Cork flooring has the ability to maintain a comfortable floor temperature despite the outside temperature. It’s perfect for basements or homes with crawl spaces to take off that chilly edge.
Sound Absorbing – Institutions such as hospitals, schools and office buildings have been using cork for under layment between floors creating a superior sound barrier for years.
Shock Absorbing – Cork is considered a hardwood yet it provides some “give” due to it’s literally millions of comfort creating air cells, that naturally grow in honey comb type formation throughout the bark. It’s a great flooring choice for kitchens and other stand up a lot – rooms.
Mildew, Rot and Fire Resistant – Considering the fact that is is the protective bark of the tree it’s easy to understand how it naturally protects against the more corrosive elements.
Insect Repellent – Suberin is found naturally in the fibers of the cork which is a natural insect repellent – helps to ward off those pesky, destructive termites and annoying sugar ants. To see the beautiful cork floor options offered today visit: http://frugalhomedesign.com/flooring.html
If your not shopping for cork…visit the site anyway to enjoy the beauty of what is being offered in cork flooring.
You may change your mind.
Sue Krippner is a Free Lance Artist, Home Staging and Redesign Professional. She is attracted to “all things beautiful, especially as it relates to interior decorating and design. Visit http://frugalhomedesign.com to see samples of her art and find plenty of professional design, tips hints and secrets to help facilitate your personal interior design goals with money saving frugal flair!
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