Cork flooring is a classic flooring concept that has been here for more than a century. What makes it more appealing is that it is rare and you don’t come across it as often as other classic floors. Its acoustic capabilities have always made it a preferred flooring option for spaces like churches and libraries. Among other benefits, if you want a floor with excellent acoustic absorption capabilities, this can be the perfect floor for your home.
So what are these benefits that make cork flooring such an excellent option?
Cork Flooring is Comfortable
There are many other benefits of installing cork flooring, but the amount of comfort it can offer is the most noticeable of them. Cork is nice to walk on. It naturally compresses and provides a kind of comfort that is almost not possible with any other flooring. It is a different feel than walking on carpet flooring, which is more yielding, but it can still yield and feels pleasant under your toes. In fact, its softness increases as its thickness increases.
If you have to spend a lot of your time on your feet, this can be just the perfect flooring material for optimal comfort. The cork cells contain air which creates a cushioned feeling. It is a different feeling than sponginess and provides just the required amount of comfort if you stand on your feet for long periods of time. If you have kids or elderly in your home, having high risk of falls, cork makes a safer alternative to most other floors.
Durable & Long Lasting
When well maintained, this floor can last for four decades or even more. It is ideally suited for areas where you have high foot traffic. This is why cork flooring is seen so commonly in public buildings like churches, libraries and banks. Besides, it is also easier and cost-effective to repair. It is also resistant to a wide range of problems which can damage other floors, including:
- Scratches
- Cracks
- Scuffs
In fact, the flooring is also impermeable to liquids. The material can even retain its original form if left under heavy furniture.
Cork Flooring is an Eco-Friendly Option
Cork flooring is made using a product that doesn’t cause any damages to trees. It uses the bark of a cork oak tree and doesn’t leave any waste. It is considered as one of the fastest renewable resources. The tree takes 25 years to mature and is re-harvestable every 14 years.
Elegant & Versatile
Cork can be found in a wide range of styles, colors, and sizes. The flooring material is available in tiles and planks so that you can create a custom look and feel. You can choose a floor color, shape and style that blends in with any decor.
- Dining & Living Rooms: Dark tones can be perfect for your dining and living rooms.
- Bedrooms: Lighter colors create a casual look in your bedroom or family room.
- Kitchens: You can choose cork tiles in different colors or tones for your kitchen or hallway.
The material is also available in a wide range of stain options. The patterns are naturally different and each cork floor is different from another one.
Safe for Your Family
There are many ways in which cork flooring makes a safe choice for your family’s health.
- Cork has antimicrobial properties and also offers resistance to mildew, mold, and insects.
- There is no release of volatile compounds
- It has very high fire-resistance. It can combust only at extremely high temperatures.
Among other benefits, cork flooring offers excellent thermal and sound insulation. The air-filled structure provides excellent cushioning and absorbs most of the vibrations. Thus, there are many reasons why cork makes an excellent flooring option for your home. Whatever your needs, you can never go wrong with it.
Author Bio:
The author is an experienced commercial and residential flooring professional with over two decades of experience in Calgary. Having completed more than a million residential flooring installations, he recommends choosing a material that best suits your needs and aesthetic preferences.