Cork is a naturally occurring material that is harvested from a tree that populates most of Europe and Northern Africa. It is a light, buoyant material, and it is excellent for use in all kinds of different industries. The many applications for cork include flooring, wine stoppers, woodwind instruments, and different types of balls for sports. Installing a cork floor is an environmentally friendly way to have a beautiful wood floor.
Cork is becoming more popular because of its many great properties. A cork floor is a great insulator of both heat and cold, meaning that it helps keep a room or area cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It is also much easier on an individual’s legs and feet than a hardwood floor; cork has much more give and spring to it.
Installing a cork floor is a good way to protect the environment as well as installing a beautiful floor. Cork flooring is generally less expensive than hard wood flooring, as well, so it is a good choice for families that do not have the money or the time to put in hard wood floors. Installing hard wood floors can be very time consuming, and the staining process can take anywhere from days to weeks to dry. Cork floors are much easier to install.
A cork floor can be installed using one of two different processes. Cork can come in both panel and tile form. The panel form is generally larger, while the tile form comes in smaller squares and is easier to install. Ideally, a family or individual should look at the space they want to use before choosing which type of flooring to use. If the space is large and relatively square, cork panels may be an excellent choice. If there are many cabinets or other things that the floor needs to go around, tiles may be a better option for the cork floor.
Like a wooden floor, a cork floor needs to be sealed. However, many different kinds of commercial cork tiles and panels come already sealed. This helps installation go faster and easier, and cuts down on the amount of noxious fumes that the family or individual is exposed to while the floor seals.
Cork provides a solution to many of the problems that are offered by hard wood flooring. In addition to being pretty, it provides an environmentally friendly option for people who do not want to contribute to deforestation.
