cork flooring

When it comes to green flooring, cork floors are one of the most eco-friendly.

It is:

• made from organic, harvested materials
• pest resistant because it naturally contains a substance called Suberin that repels insects, including termites
• fire resistant
• great at absorbing sound
• relatively hypoallergenic

One of cork's chief claims to (green) fame is that it's harvested without harming the tree. The cork oak tree, or Quercus Suber, grows throughout the Mediterranean Basin. By law, each tree has to be 25 years old and more than 23.6 inches (60 cm) in diameter before its initial harvest. When the cork is ready –about every 9 years afterward – the bark is stripped off, and the cycle begins again.

After the cork is stripped, it's cut into planks and left in the forest for about 6 months. During this time, exposure to sun, wind, and rain create chemical changes that improve the quality of the cork. Eventually, the cork is ground, mixed with resin, processed, baked and compressed. The result: cork flooring.

Some manufacturers use waste from the production of wine corks in their cork flooring products. That makes the flooring twice as nice – harvested without hurting the tree and recycled.

Like any other flooring product, the benefits aren't the whole story. Here are some drawbacks to consider:

• The color of cork tends to fade and the surface can yellow. Many manufacturers recommend that you move furniture and rugs periodically so the color changes evenly.
• The surface has to be sealed periodically. Some manufacturers advise applying sealer as often as every 9 months, but most recommend once a year.
• Heavy objects can permanently compress cork. (This can be solved by placing wide coasters beneath the legs of heavy furniture.)
• Manufacturer's warranties range from 10 to 15 years, which is not as long as some other flooring products.

Before you get too discouraged about its durability, you should know that cork flooring has survived in the First Congregational Church in Chicago since 1898 and in Fallingwater (a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) since 1937.

There are many benefits of cork flooring. If cork floors sounds good to you, let Green.FindAnyFloor.com™ help you learn more. Get more information on cork flooring in our cork section at FindAnyFloor.com™.

Alternatives to Cork Flooring – Other Green Flooring Options

Cork is an excellent resilient flooring for a moderate– to high–traffic area. Other green options for such areas include:

• Recycled rubber. With up to 87% recycled tire rubber, this flooring is durable and comfortable to walk on. It contains low VOCs* and can be recycled at the end of its useful life.
• Natural linoleum. Made from natural materials, linoleum is extremely durable, easy to maintain, and naturally resistant to bacteria.
• Sustainably harvested hardwood. If your interest in cork is based on its warm, natural appearance, check out sustainable hardwood, too. Yes, hardwood flooring can be green. Some hardwood flooring products are manufactured from salvaged wood. Others are made from trees being harvested at the same rate that nature replenishes them.

*VOCs (short for volatile organic compounds) are carbon-based chemical compounds that can be found in certain flooring materials, adhesives and cleaners.