Cork flooring

Cork flooring is cool again. Cork flooring is a natural product and it’s environmentally friendly because it’s harvested from the renewable bark of the cork tree without cutting the trees down. Thus, not only is it ecologically sound, but also it’s practical and it’s affordable..

Its practical properties include being durable, anti-static, sound absorbent, slip resistant, shock absorbent, scratch and stain resistant. It is also naturally hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial so it is resistant to moulds and mildews. It also feels warm underfoot and is a good heat insulator.

Cork flooring now comes in many different patterns and colors – so it can enhance or complement most deco styles. It is suitable in commercial and domestic use, but avoid using it in ares of high humidity such as bathrooms and kitchens. Cork doesn’t like temperature over 30 degrees (85 degrees Fahrenheit) so don’t use it in areas that are exposed to that kind of heat.

If you don’t like the look of cork, consider using it as an underlayment or underlay because of its insulating properties – it’s an excellent insulator for sound, heat and vibration so it could be an ideal choice for gyms, dance floors, hospitals and heavy trafficked areas of your home.

Cork flooring Installation

Installing cork flooring is an easy DIY job. It can be glued onto a sub-floor or can be floated. The floating flooring uses a tongue-and groove type interlocking system (similar to laminated flooring) which does not require toxic gluing. Before installing cork flooring the tiles or planks must be acclimatised for at least 72 hours in the room where they are going to be put down.
Most flooring come prefinished with industrial standard varnish, but you can buy unfinished tiles that you yourself can treat with non-toxic oil.

Maintenance

Given its resilience, cork flooring requires low maintenance. However, given that it is a natural product, it will yellow with age. Also, please do remember that cork doesn’t like humidity and heat.