Perks of Installing Cork Flooring in Your Home

Compared to the other flooring types, it is an inexpensive option but gives just as much beautiful finish as the others. As the name suggests, cork flooring is made of cork.

The bark of the Quercus Suber, (the cork old tree) is where the cork is extracted from. It should however not be confused with the Phellondendron, otherwise known as the cork tree. The bark of the cork tree is not thick enough for production and as such, it is not often used. Africa and South Western Europe has the cork oak tree as a native tree. The top manufacturer of cork is Portugal and it accounts for fifty percent of its overall production. Cork is considered a great option given the fact that it is a renewable natural resource and hence, has no negative impacts on the environment. The methods used in harvesting cork are also simple. A decade or so after the maturity of the tree, its bark is stripped off. This is a process that can go on and on for up to two centuries. The tree or the surrounding habitat is not in any way harmed by the process and the tree can continue growing.

These are examples of the good features of cork flooring. A substance known as the suberin is contained in cork. The substance is naturally occurring from the cork oak tree and therefore, does not need to be added during the production. This waxy substance has a number of advantages on the floor. It facilitates dislodging of water thereby thwarting moisture seepage into the floor. Besides being inedible for insects and rodents, it is also considered a natural insect repellent. The substance is also hypo-allergenic as a result of the fact that it does not hold static charges thereby preventing dust that would have otherwise been trapped inside. The cork floor is also rather easy to clean. In order to clean, all that will be needed is a moist mop and pH balanced detergent. You can also either sweep the cork floor as necessary or at least once on a monthly basis.

Cork flooring has quite a number of options making it possible to decorate any room you have it installed in. Its colors and tones vary from bright to light colors to its natural tone, all of which can be used to decorate the bathroom or kitchen. Several pattern options are available and can be used in both the family and the living room to enhance luxury and depth and make it a striking entertainment area at the same time. Regardless of the kind of cork flooring you use, you can be certain that it will add the aesthetic value and display your sense of style.