When it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home or commercial space there are many options, each with their own unique features. Among the myriad of choices available, cork flooring stands out as a superior material, offering a unique combination of benefits that make it an ideal flooring solution for any space.
Let’s delve into the top 10 reasons why cork flooring deserves the spotlight and why it might just be the perfect fit for your home or project.
1. Natural Beauty and Character
Cork’s natural beauty and versatility is one of its standout features. It can be used in any room, including kitchens and bathrooms, thanks to its moisture-resistant properties. From natural cork’s light, honey-like shades to the earthy and the stone-like hues of our coloured tiles, there is a cork tile to fit every style. Additionally, every cork tile has a unique grain and pattern making every project truly one-of-a-kind. Whether you prefer the distinctive look of cork’s natural grain or gravitate towards the more subtle texture and hues of our coloured tiles, cork is a great choice for both traditional and contemporary interior designs.
2. Unparalleled Comfort Underfoot
One of the most distinct characteristics of cork flooring is its exceptional comfort. Cork has a natural elasticity that provides a soft, cushioned surface underfoot, offering relief to feet and joints. Sometimes compared to memory foam, as it absorbs impact and pressure, cork flooring makes an excellent choice for homes with active families or spaces where individuals spend a lot of time on their feet.
3. Noise Reduction and Thermal Insulation
If you're looking to reduce noise within your space, cork flooring is an ideal choice. Cork's cellular structure contains millions of air-filled pockets that act as sound absorbers and reduce sound transmission and echoes. As such, it is a favourite among those seeking a quieter, more peaceful living space, and is an ideal flooring solution for active households, commercial spaces and buildings with multiple floors.
Cork’s unique cellular structure also provides natural insulating properties that help maintain a consistent temperature, making it an energy-efficient choice. With cork flooring, you’ll enjoy a cosy atmosphere in winter and cooler spaces in summer, while also reducing heating and cooling costs.
4. Natural Fire and Water Resistance
Cork possesses natural fire-retardant and water-resistant properties, making it a safer and more durable flooring choice. Suberin, a natural waxy substance found in the cell walls of cork, helps to protect the cork oak tree from damage due to fire. This feature is transferred to cork flooring, providing a level of fire resistance. In the event of a fire, cork will tend to char rather than readily ignite or contribute to the spread of flames, providing vital time for evacuation and to potentially mitigate fire damage. It will also release fewer toxic gases compared to other flooring materials. This natural fire resistance adds an additional layer of safety to any living space.
Suberin also repels liquids and moisture, making cork more resistant to water than other flooring options like hardwood, laminate, or carpet. This means that spills and minor amounts of water won’t cause immediate damage.
While cork flooring has inherent fire and water-resistant properties, it is important to note that no flooring product is entirely fireproof or waterproof. Adhering to installation and maintenance instructions is critical to keeping your floors in good condition for many years.
5. Exemplary Durability
Despite its soft and cushioned texture, cork flooring is exceptionally durable. Its cellular structure is comprised of millions of air-filled cells that act as shock absorbers, making it resilient against impacts, scratches, and indentations caused by heavy furniture. Additionally, the suberin in cork, that waxy substance found in the cell walls, acts as a natural insect repellent and makes cork flooring resistant to mould, mildew, and rot. This inherent robustness ensures that cork flooring maintains its structural integrity and appearance even in high-traffic areas, making it an ideal choice for busy homes or commercial spaces.
6. Hypoallergenic and Clean
Cork’s hypoallergenic and anti-static properties make it naturally resistant to mould, mildew and pests, and means it won’t attract dander, pollen or dust. Unlike carpets or other flooring materials which can trap allergens, cork is an easy-to-clean surface, promoting better indoor air quality. For those prone to allergies or respiratory issues, cork flooring offers a cleaner and healthier living environment.
7. Easy Installation and Maintenance
Cork flooring comes in various sizes, including tiles and planks, making it relatively easy to install. New Generation Cork tiles are pre-finished and pre-glued resulting in a quick, clean installation compared to traditional raw cork or other flooring options. Maintaining a cork floor is a breeze. A regular sweep or vacuum is usually all that's required to keep your floors clean, with an occasional damp mop for deeper cleaning. Unlike many other flooring options, cork does not require extensive maintenance or expensive treatments. The hassle-free upkeep and straightforward installation processes make cork flooring an attractive choice for those seeking convenience without compromising on quality.
8. Sustainability without Sacrifice
The epitome of sustainability, cork is derived from the bark of cork oak trees primarily found in Portugal and Spain. Unlike traditional hardwood flooring, cork doesn’t require cutting down trees. Instead, the bark is harvested every 9-12 years which does not cause harm to the tree. Harvesting actually promotes healthy regrowth and tree health and allows the tree to capture more CO2. Cork’s unique extraction process makes it a truly renewable and eco-friendly resource. By choosing cork, you’re actively participating in sustainable practices and contributing positively to the environment.
9. Eco-Friendly from Beginning to End
Beyond its sustainable origin, the cork manufacturing process is energy-efficient and produces minimal waste, making it a greener choice compared to many other flooring materials. After bark is harvested, wine bottle stoppers are punched from the raw cork then the remaining bark is sliced and granulated for use in other cork products such as flooring. Any offcuts or defective cork tiles are re-granulated then recycled, and cork dust is burned by the factories to reduce energy consumption.
All our cork flooring products, including our specially engineered water-based primer and adhesive, is green certified, thus reducing the number of harmful chemicals in your living areas. When properly maintained, a cork floor can last for decades; however, when a cork tile does reach the end of its life you can rest easy knowing it will naturally breakdown when disposed of. From beginning to end, cork’s inherent versatility and resiliance contributes to waste reduction and promotes a sustainable economy.
10. Adding Value
Due to its many
benefits, choosing cork flooring not only enhances the comfort and serenity of your living space but can also add significant value to your property. Its durable nature, beauty and appeal to eco-conscious buyers contribute to increasing the resale value of your property. As a result, installing cork flooring becomes a prudent decision that pays off in the long term.
Of the numerous flooring options available, cork flooring stands out as a naturally elegant, comfortable and sustainable flooring option. Whether you're looking for more eco-friendly solutions, wish to improve indoor air quality and noise, or simply want a warm and inviting flooring option, cork is an ideal choice. Its unique combination of features and benefits make it an attractive option for those seeking a flooring solution that goes beyond aesthetics. So if you're looking at flooring options or considering a flooring upgrade, don't overlook the character and advantages of cork flooring – it may just be the perfect fit.
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