Cork Flooring Varieties

The majority of cork used for flooring as well as wine bottle corks actually comes from the bark of the cork oak tree or quercus suber native to the mediterranean sources.

Cork flooring varieties.

Cork flooring is prized for its natural wood look and its cushiony warm feel underfoot. It s also largely made with natural materials and is one of the more versatile flooring options suitable for most areas of a home like many types of flooring cork is available in easy to install planks that click together to create a floating floor that needs no fasteners or glue. Offering easy maintenance sound absorption warmth and comfort underfoot cork is a smart eco friendly flooring choice for many of today s homeowners. Depending on the different cork flooring manufacturers the flooring typically ranges from 7 to 18 inches in width.

Cork is an impermeable buoyant material the phellem layer of bark tissue that is harvested for commercial use primarily from quercus suber the cork oak which is endemic to southwest europe and northwest africa cork is composed of suberin a hydrophobic substance. World wildlife fund and royal botanic gardens kew the bark is hand harvested every nine years leaving a protective inner layer of bark that allows the tree to continue to grow and regenerate new bark sources. Cork floors are. The traditional cork flooring consists of solid cork tiles that are applied to the floor with glue down.

Cork flooring is an excellent option for a household with pets. Cork flooring is a great choice for play areas or commercial spaces where there is a desire for a comfortable walking and standing surface. Since the product is removed from the tree s bark the tree is not harmed or cut down cork is one of the most environmentally sustainable types of flooring on the market. Suberin a natural substance in cork works as a mold inhibitor and prevents cork flooring from rotting besides that it has natural insulation properties that can help reduce heating costs.

Cork flooring planks would be the ideal choice if you want your floor to give a laminate or hardwood flooring effect especially if you get digitally printed wood images on it. The flooring material can be solid cork throughout the thickness or laminated around a fiberboard core. While the most popular varieties have a hardwood like appearance cork floors can also look like natural stone tiles vinyl tiles and more. Cork is harvested from the quercus suber or cork oak tree.

Cork flooring is available in several different forms made from either slices of cork or from granulated cork mixed with resin binders.