Why Cork Floating Flooring Is The Best Option

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9694
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Cork as a material, is a very robust and versatile one. This environmentally sustainable material provides sound and heat insulation, is available in numerous shades and colors, is moisture-resistant, mildew, mold, insect and fire-resistant. Its properties are so numerous that it ends up sounding like a man-made material but its not, it’s a natural material that is extracted from the oak tree bark and one that has been used as flooring for centuries. Somehow, it has managed to stay in the shadows and work on floors and on walls and various other applications, steadily and quietly.

Today, flooring made of this material has gained in popularity. Cork is used, not just in wine bottles. The properties that make it an ideal material for preserving wines make it an excellent flooring material as well. Cork is moisture-resistant, does not lose its shape, and is highly durable. Interior designers and homeowners alike opt for this material due to the warmth and versatility that it offers. Cork harvesting is carried out in countries such as Italy, Portugal and Spain and the bark of the tree is harvested only every 15 years. ...
... Apart from this, cork flooring is also recycled from cork waste as well.

This material is available in plank and tile form. It may be pre-finished or unfinished. Some types need to be glued-down while some others do not. The finished tiles are very convenient and easy to install but tend to be less moisture-resistant. When unfinished tiles are installed they are then coated with a moisture-resistant application. It is not just the tiles that get treated but the joints and edges also get sealed in the process. This adds to its durability. When cork is being installed, care must be taken to ensure that the sub-floor is free of bumps and irregularities.

The latest in cork flooring are the tongue-and-groove plank. These fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and create a seamless cork floating flooring. This needs no adhesive and the installation is very fast. DIY homeowners tend to choose this type of cork flooring as it is hassle-free. Not only is this material moisture-proof but it has acoustic and thermal properties as well. It resists dings and scratches and provides a cushioning effect. Cork floating flooring is largely maintenance free as it doesn’t attract dust and moisture. All it takes is the occasional vacuuming and a damp mop with a neutral floor cleaner designed for wood floor.

Dependant on the floor that you have picked, it might have to be re-sealed or refreshed occasionally and the company that supplied it to you will be able to tell you how often this needs to be done. Though it is moisture resistant, ensure that no water collects on it and it is best that you keep the floor dry and clean. Natural aging and direct sunlight will affect its color and that is one thing you will have to keep in mind. Use coasters under the legs of heavy furniture as they tend to cause indentations in the cork floor over a period of time. Maintain your floor well and see it last for years and years.

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Cork Floor Sales has a variety of Cork floating flooring options on offer. This durable flooring is available in plank and Tile form.