Published by Green by Design under Building Supplies, Green Building, LEED

Image source: www.Duro-design.com

Great floors do not just serve a function. Natural cork happens to be a floor covering option that substantially enhances the ecological sensibility of the space. Cork is a renewable resource that is harvested from the bark of the tree every nine years, causing no damage to the tree.

The cork oak tree primarily grows around the Mediterranean basin and Portugal is the largest producer of cork. The benefit of cork is derived from its honey-comb cellular structure where each cubic centimeter comprises of over 40 million hexagonal cells. 90% of the cork tissue contains an air-like gas that makes it lightweight and low density.

Durability is an essential factor for a floor material to be effective. Cork satisfies the criteria. It is therefore, extensively used in public buildings like courthouses, churches, libraries and banks. The grinding action due to the normal foot traffic at these places is minimized due to its softness.

Cork flooring offers a very long life and is easily repairable. The air compressed in the millions of cork cells give a cushioned feeling under foot. It offers great relief when you are on your feet all day in your kitchen or you have your children playing on the floor.

The air reduces the transmission of sound, vibration and heat making it a great insulator. Cork thus makes good material for recording studios and entertainment rooms. Cork not only reduces heat loss in rooms but also checks the body heat loss through the feet. It helps to maintain a comfortable median temperature making it neither too hot nor very cold. The waxy substance called Suberin present in cork makes it termite, bug and mold resistant. Even if the floor is submerged in water for a long period, this substance prevents it from rotting. It is also a natural fire inhibitor.

Clean, quiet, comfortable and tough, this is how cork flooring can be defined as.

Image source: www.Duro-design.com