The Benefits of Cork Flooring
Cork flooring offers a wide range of impressive benefits and these arise mainly from the unique structure of cork.
Cork is a natural material, harvested from the bark of the living cork oak tree. The bark is carefully stripped off the tree by hand, leaving the tree unharmed and uninjured in the process. The tree is then left alone for the next 9 years so that it can regenerate a new layer of bark.
The cork itself is comprised of dead cells, just like human skin where the aged or dead cells are pushed to the surface; the cells of cork make up the bark of the tree. Each of these cells has an average of fourteen sides. These cells are packed together in a honeycomb like structure, and because of their irregular shape they have a lot of air-tight chambers in the cells. These air chambers give the cork its cushioning properties as well as its noise and heat insulating properties. Because of the large number of cells, cork is also very light. Another distinctive property of cork is that it is resistant to fire. When in contact with an open flame only the surface area will get charred, also no toxic fumes are generated. Its moisture and heat resistance make it a great option for use in kitchens.
Comfort & Softness
The air trapped inside the cellular structure of cork provides natural shock absorption for the floor and protects the joints of the knees and ankles while walking. It is also particularly great for areas where you spend a lot of time standing, such as a Kitchen, providing relief for your feet, back and legs.
Beauty
Cork has a natural beauty rivaled by few other natural materials. It is available in many colors and different manufacturers provide various tile shapes and patterns as well.
Noise Reduction
The same cellular structure that makes the floor comfortable also reduces noise and vibration. Unlike hard materials like tile, wood or vinylthat resonate sound, cork reduces impact noise, such as footsteps or a dropped item.
Healthy and Safe
Cork has natural properties that are anti-allergenic and resistant to insects. A naturally occurring waxy substance in cork called suberin repels insects, mites and mold and protects cork from rotting even when wet for a long time. In addition, suberin is naturally fire resistant. Cork also doesn’t release any toxic off-gassing when it burns. These natural properties plus the coatings used to seal cork flooring make it healthy and safe for adults, pets and baby.
Durability and Ease of Maintenance
Durability is a strong trait of cork. Cork floors have been used in public buildings like churches and libraries since 1898, long before residential applications. Think durability with the cork floors in the Library of Congress, more than a hundred years and still going.
Environmentally friendly
The parent tree is not injured or damaged when harvesting cork. Only the bark is peeled off. The trees are left to regenerate new bark and are next harvested only after a 9 year period. Cork flooring is a great option for anyone looking for an environmentally friendly alternative.
Find out cork flooring at unbeatable prices at iCork Floor
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Cork Flooring offers homeowners several benefits from comfort, beauty and noise reduction to durability and ease of maintenance. If you are looking for a cork floor for your home, check out iCorkFloor.
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