Over the past two years bamboo flooring has been gaining in popularity. Not only is it sustainable, but it is also relatively cheap (roughly the same price as other woods). However, there is another flooring solution which is just as sustainable but longer lasting and contains many natural benefits other woods don’t offer. What is this secret flooring? Cork.
Cork is grown on trees. It is harvested by ’shaving’ the tree, thus the tree lives to see another day. Then in a few years it is shaved again. Cork Oak is the most popular cork-tree, and it is shaved roughly 12 times during its lifespan, but often more. Cork is shaved in 9-year spans after the tree reaches 25-years of age. They live anywhere from 120-200 years old. So now you know why it is sustainable, but why is it a great option for flooring?
Cork flooring is the world’s best kept secret. It is used in almost every public building in the United States where wood flooring is asked to be installed with its use dating back to the 1890s. Why is this? Because it is the perfect high-traffic flooring solution:
- It helps control humidity.
- It is naturally insect resisitant.
- It is sound-proof.
- It is naturally anti-allergic.
- It is extremely durable.
- It is naturally fire-resistant.
- It is soft, making the floor more comfortable to stand and walk on compared to other woods.
Of course, with all the benefits of cork there has to be a downfall, right? Sadly, yes. Cork is roughly $8/sq. ft compared to bamboo’s $2-$4/sq. ft. In most cases, this puts itself out of range for most customers. Nonetheless, if you can afford the comfort of cork, you’ll have one of the best flooring options available in the world. And don’t forget, it’s green!
Written: Mar 30, 2009
BorgataHotelAtlanticCity
March 31, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
Cork to rule them all!!!
Carol
April 1, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
I have a feeling that my husband and I are going to go round and round about what kind of floor to put in our bathroom when we remodel it. I wouldn’t mind using cork because it’s a small room (5 X 7 ft) but he gets it in his mind that he doesn’t want something on the floor that would absorb water. Bamboo and cork would probably do neither. Thanks for the good article about cork. I know more and more people are using it for the reasons you cited.
Sonny Jelinek
April 13, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Great article on cork! Cork is definitely one of the world’s most renewable materials. In fact, by using cork products you’re helping maintain the cork forest habitat. Since the trees are never cut down, the only thing required for farmers to keep their lands is that there is a demand for cork. Therefore, by using cork products you’re ensuring this demand and the future of the cork tree. The WWF is running a program to try to get people to use real cork so to preserve the cork forest habitat (since many winemakers are switching from real cork to a cheaper synthetic cork or a screw cap).
The other good news is that you should be able to find cork flooring in the $4-$5 range. Our online store (link to it by clicking my name) has a number of patterns in that price range.
P.S. Love the photo that goes with the story!.
Marty
April 21, 2009 @ 8:30 am
Thinking of installing cork flooring in our 540sq ft addition. We are a home of 2 small children, 2 college students, 2 adults, 1 small dog. The addition (long hall, 1/2 bath, laundry, kitchen & FR) serve as my primary day care area for my home day care business (5-6 kids Mondays-Thursdays). The softness, warmth, waterproof-ness (word?), and especially the acoustical properties of cork are very appealing. And while I can train the kids not to drag/scoot non-wheeled toys across the floor, and don’t mind a “no stilletos or other hard soled shoes zone” (darn, I’ll have to give up doing day care in my 6 inch heels! LOL) – I am still worried about the finish. We are looking at Lisbon Cork Click with an extra quieting layer of Quiet Walk. Any ideas on finishes? The manufacturer’s installation guide says 3 coats of recommended finish for “heavy residential” – I think we are tougher than that! What do you think??? Anyone?
Team Wicanders
April 29, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
Hi Marty,
Sound like you have a really busy household. Did you know that there are some cork flooring products that do not require any on-site finishing? Wicanders Corkcomfort Floating WRT is finished out of the box and never needs to be recoated. This should be good news for you, especially because that would mean that you do not have to close the day care to install and maintain the floor! The finish on this flooring is a patented ceramic micro-bead layer which acts as a shield over the cork protecting it from scratches! Additionally, the surface is slip resistant, so the kids can run in their socks without having to put their brakes on! This flooring comes with a 5 year light commercial warranty (which should be tough enough for your family).