Cork Flooring, The New Style.

Cork flooring is an alternative to the "norm". Cork is both soft and durable, if the proper care is taken it can last for a long time, and there are many advantages to cork.

Cork is harvested from the Cork Oak tree. The tree is shaved of it's bark (the cork) without irreparable damage to the tree. It can be harvested every 10-12 years and is done completely by hand. A Cork Oak tree can live up to 250 years.

Cork is a good insulator and also good for sound deadening, and is soft on the feet. If your kitchen is above a usable room, cork is a great way to lessen the foot traffic noise.

Cork flooring is often sealed with a UV inhibiting finish. Cork can also be stained which greatly increases it's appeal to more people. From white to black and everything in between.

It's easy to maintain and very durable. Cleaning is the same as laminate, sweep regularly and a damp cloth once a week is all that is needed.

This flooring commonly comes in 1 foot by 3 foot planks and has underlayment already applied to the backing. It interlocks the same way as laminate and has the same installation techniques. Other sizes and shapes are available to add some more detail to this great flooring. Easy for the DIYer with laminate installation experience.

It is recommended, but not necessary, that for kitchen installations the glue down flooring is used. It's more stable and more resistant to moisture and spills.

It retails from $2.50 per sq ft to $10.00 per sq ft. An affordable alternative to the usual flooring. It also adds a lot of character and texture.

It's environmentally friendly too, because it's a renewable resource!

Photo courtesy of www.CorkFloor.com