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Features
and Benefits of Cork Flooring
Besides great looks, cork has a convincing list
of features and benefits that most folks shopping for flooring
may not be aware of. Here are some of facts that make cork flooring
a great choice when considering a new floor for your home or business.
Outstanding Looks
Few will deny that cork looks beautiful on the floor. There are a wide array
of patterns and colors available for all tastes and styles.
Durability
Cork has been around for thousands of years. Just to name a few commercial
installations, there is a church in Chicago that had cork flooring in 1890
and is still in use today. The Library of Congress has cork flooring installed.
Because of its cellular structure, cork is extremely durable and resilient.
It is much less affected by impact or friction than hard surface floors such
as wood, laminate or tile.
Sealed From the Get Go
Cork flooring contains Suberin. This is an innate waxy substance that makes
the cork impervious to liquids and gasses. Hence, it will not rot and is
one of the best seals available. This is obvious when you consider that cork
has been used to seal wine bottles for hundreds of years. Recall, also, that
cork floats.
Insect Resistant and Antimicrobial
Most common insects including termites are deterred by a cork floor. Because
of its composition, cork acts as a natural barrier against insects. Microbe
colonies cannot survive in or on a cork floor so you can also say the floor
is germ resistant.
Acoustic, Resilient & Insulating
Again, due to the cellular composition of cork, its acoustical properties are
remarkable. As a perfect example, cork is installed under many other types
of flooring (ceramic tile, hardwood, laminate, etc.) as a sound barrier when
those floors are installed on a second floor or higher. This would be typical
in a condo installation where the unit is on the second floor or higher.
The resilience or ability to "bounce
back" is also second to none. In simple terms, when the cork floor is subject to pressure,
for example a high heel shoe, the cells are compressed. When the
pressure is released, the cork snaps back to its original shape
very quickly. This is a property manufacturers of other floors
and underlayments work very hard to imitate.
While those properties are without a doubt remarkable,
cork flooring also acts as excellent insulation. If your home is
on the ground level, and you live in an area that gets cold in
the winter, cork flooring or cork underlayment will block that
cold from reaching your feet.
Hypoallergenic
Cork flooring does not produce any particulate irritants nor does it contain
any harmful chemicals, it’s all natural. Also, cork does not absorb dust
so it does not cause or contribute to allergies.
Value
Cork floors are an excellent value versus other floors such as hardwood flooring,
ceramic tile, marble etc. Depending on the style, pattern, color etc., cork
flooring can run as little as half the price of some other floors. With the
added benefits and the ecological aspect, cork is an excellent all around
flooring choice.
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