The history of Cork Flooring

Cork flooring has been a very popular choice for commercial settings for over 100 years. Many public buildings throughout America used cork in the early 1900′s and the floors have still never been replaced. This clearly proves cork’s durability and long-lasting characteristics. Cork has also has a practical application for many other everyday uses besides flooring. It has been used as a bottle stopper for wine and other beverages, fishermen use cork as fishing net floats, and cork is used as sound absorption in music studios and movie theaters. But compared to those uses which have been around for centuries, cork has been used as flooring for about a century.

During the 1950s, consumers were interested in flooring that was easy to maintain, affordable, and offered more qualities than just a floor to walk on. Materials like linoleum and vinyl were very popular because of the many bright colors that were offered and also the use of quick installations. But it was in 1970 was cork made its first breakthrough into the residential market. Cork was marketed as an easy to install tile product which offered sound and heat insulation properties. It was also just as easy, if not easier, to install than vinyl or linoleum.

How Cork is Used Today

Today, consumers ask for cork flooring because of its environmental and eco-firendly qualities as much as its nostalgic flare. Cork seems to be the best choice to use as a GREEN flooring material. Cork comes form the Cork Oak Tree which grows in Portugal and Spain. Cork is harvested form the bark of the tree and this actually helps the tree live a sustainable and healthy life. The cork is first used as bottle stoppers than the left-overs from that process is converted into cork flooring. Cork flooring is also 100% biodegradable and has a very low impact when it is recycled. on the planet when it is recycledThe concerns for limiting the damage to the environment and preserving the natural resources are priorities for many today. Using cork flooring for their homes is definitely a better option than to go for hardwood flooring. Cork is made from the bark of cork oak tree, which is renewable. Since it’s renewable, hence it’s not causing any harm to the tree and there is virtually a limitless supply of the material. There are trees over two centuries old that still produce the bark, which can be used to make cork. So it can be classified as a ‘green’ product.

Beyond being environmentally friendly, cork has other attributes that make it a very good option for flooring. It is non-toxic, resists mold, mildew and insects and is anti-microbial. As flooring it is hypo-allergic, flame retardant and does not produce static electricity. Care and maintenance of cork floors is also much easier today. This can mainly be attributed to the newer techniques of manufacturing.

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