Earth Friendly Flooring and Green Construction.
Cork is an environmentally sound flooring option:
- The cork oak tree is not destroyed and then replanted – the bark is harvested from the tree every 9 years, leaving the forest undamaged.
- It’s not unusual to have a 200 year old tree still producing cork bark.
- Only the bark is harvested from the tree, causing no damage to the tree which re-grows new bark.
- Cork flooring is actually made from the waste of the cork wine stopper manufacturing process – so cork flooring is a recycled product.
WHY CHOOSE CORK?
Cork flooring is extremely durable and is popular in public buildings such as court houses, churches, banks and libraries. Cork flooring has a very long life and can be repaired if damaged.
The air contained in the millions of cork cells provides a cushioned feel underfoot. It is not so soft that it feels spongy, but it does provide noticeable relief for those who stand on their feet for many hours.
Cork reduces the transmission of sound, vibration and heat and is a great insulator. The tiny cellular compartments seal air in, insulating each cell with a moisture resistant, waxy-like substance. This makes cork a great material for recording studios, entertainment rooms, and any other places where sound needs to be reduced. Cork has long been used in commercial buildings between floors and on roofs under heavy machinery for sound and vibration reduction. Cork reduces impact sound (IIC) as well as sound transmission (STC).
Cork reduces heat loss in rooms and even body heat loss through the feet. Cork naturally maintains a comfortable median temperature, never getting very hot or very cool. Walk barefoot on a cork floor and the warmth is immediately apparent.
Bugs, mould, mites and even termites are repelled by cork due to a naturally occurring substance called Suberin. This waxy substance also prevents cork from rotting, even when completely submerged under water for long periods of time.
