|
|
CORK, THE 'SOFT' HARDWOOD
Flooring has been made of cork for over one hundred years because of its many outstanding qualities
The cork which is used to produce cork flooring is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree (Querus Suber). These trees grow primarily in Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia. Cork bark is harvested approximately every nine years, and the cork bark grows back with no harm to the tree. |  |
|
 | Cork flooring is used extensively in equatorial regions, because of its natural resistance to moisture and high humidity.
The bark was designed by Mother Nature specifically to protect the tree during its average 500 year lifespan. Not only is the bark inherently fire retardant to protect the tree from forest fires, but it is also resistant to the extreme temperature changes prevailing in those regions, as well as resistant to more than 38 species of insects including the termite, and to the development of microbes.
Cork carries no static charge, so dust doesn't readily cling to the surface.
Cork's unique cellular structure is 50% air cells, which act as thousands of little shock absorbers, providing real comfort underfoot. |
Cork provides excellent acoustical insulation; rooms with cork flooring are unusually quiet
Cork provides thermal insulation; rooms with cork flooring feel warmer underfoot
Cork is very durable. The SOFTNESS of cork allows it to yield to foot traffic, rather than resist, which is the cause of most floor damage
|  |
 | Cork has a high friction coefficient so there is limited slipping
Cork is a natural fire retardant; it does not spread flames and does not release toxic gases during combustion
Cork is hypoallergenic; it does not absorb dust and does not cause allergies nor pose a risk to asthma sufferers.
Because of its lack of grain, cork flooring offers a unique look.
Cork flooring is made by grinding up the bark into small pieces. These pieces are then coated with a non-toxic resin binder. The flooring is produced in sheets of different thickness and often cut into precision 12 inch by 12 inch pieces. When installed, the floor has a very attractive smooth 'pebbled' appearance. Or a veneer of cork pattern can be applied over the basic 'pebble' for a look that is distinctively 'cork'.
Though cork flooring can be purchased pre-finished, finishing the material on site results in a virtually seamless floor. Because of its porosity, cork floor, finished on site, require several coats of urethane, depending on the room in which the cork is installed. Bathrooms, for instance should have four coats of urethane, whereas three coats will do in living rooms.
|
