Cork Flooring: Everything You Should Know
The skin of the cork oak tree, also known as Quercus suber, is the source of cork, which is periodically taken from trees in plantations that were established to conduct business. Because of this, cork is an entirely natural, ever-present, and simple-to-regrow substance.
When making cork flooring, the cork is first crushed into a powder, then compressed, and then molded into sheets that are bound together using resins.
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Why is cork flooring so popular?
Cork flooring is becoming increasingly popular due to its numerous desirable qualities, and as a result, it is now being installed in practically every room of the house.
However, in comparison to other types of flooring materials, this one is not as long-lasting, and it is vulnerable to several different types of damage. To make an educated decision regarding the application of cork in a particular area, it is necessary to have a solid foundational knowledge of the material’s fundamental properties.
Cork flooring is also very easy to install. There are many DIY techniques to help you get it done by yourself. But if you have enough money to spend, contacting hardwood installers for optimum installation would be the right thing to do.
How is Cork Flooring Made?
Following the removal of the bark from the tree using a specialized hatchet and the subsequent drying of the bark in the surrounding forest for several months, the skin is then brought to a plant where it is processed into corks for wine bottles. After being boiled and mashed up, the residual material, also known as post-industrial waste, is compacted with the help of adhesive resins.
This powdered material can be cut and utilized as a final floor component or for some unusual designs, such as bits of shaved bark made into a veneer with the powdered material functioning as the backing. Alternatively, this ground-up material can be used as a backing for some distinctive patterns. Some cork flooring pieces additionally consist of high-density fiberboard on the inside.
Cork floors are available in a plethora of designs, which opens up a wide range of choices for interior design. There are over forty distinct colors to choose from, and the available forms range from rectangles and squares to hexagons.
Benefits of Cork Flooring
Now let us look at some of the many benefits that come associated with cork flooring->
● Ease of installation
No matter what kind of cork flooring you choose, the installation will be a breeze.
In addition, you can get cork tiles that you just peel and put together, right? DIY newbies will have no trouble at all with these. It’s as simple as wiping off the subfloor, locating the middle line, and getting to work.
You can also find cork flooring in the shape of click-together planks that can be installed quickly and easily. The distinctive grooves in these planks make them a viable alternative to glue and nails for do-it-yourselfers.
If you are still less confident to do such stuff for yourself, do not hesitate to contact hardwood flooring companies in California to get it done efficiently.
● Fungus and mold-resistant
The natural anti-microbial properties of cork make it immune to fungi and mildew. A cork floor that has been properly sealed is free of pollutants that come from dust and mites.
Furthermore, in contrast to other flooring options, such as those that have been known to produce chemicals including formaldehyde, cork does have very low to nil emissions. When comparing the benefits of cork flooring to its drawbacks, this feature unequivocally belongs in the “positive” category.
● It traps heat
Because cork has inherent qualities that allow it to absorb heat, it is an excellent material to use for flooring in playrooms, bedrooms, and any other areas of your property that could gain from having a warmer surface.
During the chillier winter months, these heat-absorbing characteristics also serve to lower the costs associated with heating a home. It has been discovered that cork floors have higher levels of insulation than the majority of other forms of flooring.
Drawbacks of cork flooring
When there are benefits, drawbacks are meant to be! So here are some of the drawbacks of installing cork flooring at your place-
● Not water resistant
There are a few rooms in your house where you’ll need flooring that won’t get damaged by water. You won’t find any cork products here. It is possible to increase the water resistance of cork flooring by sealing it with polyurethane or wax (or purchasing a pre-sealed floor), but the surface will never be completely waterproof. And if water does find its way under the cover and into the cork, well, let’s just say it’s not going to end well.
Cork flooring must be properly sealed no matter what room they are installed in. Since cork is indeed a natural product, it requires care much like any other natural flooring.
Also, cork flooring is not even scratch-resistant, and cannot also be repaired by employing wood flooring scratches repair services.
● Gets faded
Cork flooring, depending on the sheen, might fade in direct sunlight. A fading floor may not sound terrible, but keep in mind that it will only fade in the direct path of sunlight. After a few years, the spots where your couches and throw rugs once stood may be permanently etched in stone.
When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of cork flooring, it’s important to remember that fading is a potential issue, even for darker cork flooring or those with a synthetic finish.
This is one of the reasons why people often prefer high-quality laminate flooring over cork flooring at their places.
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