Cork flooring as a natural flooring option has been around for quite some time now. But today with an increased awareness about saving the environment and going green, the popularity of cork as an alternative flooring option has become quite popular.
The advantages and benefits which endear cork flooring to people and make it a cutting edge flooring option are:
Unique surface: Cork has a very soft and cushiony feel underfoot since it is by nature a very yielding substance. This makes it an ideal option for rooms where standing and working go hand in hand. Another advantage of this soft surface is its ability to provide a certain amount of insulation which tends to reduce the impact of accidental falls and trips. Thus cork floor makes for a good option for rooms made either for kids or the elderly.
Insulation: Cork is made up of millions and millions of tiny chambers filled with air. This makes it an ideal option for rooms which need a barrier against transmission of sound. On the other hand, this property of insulation is extremely useful for places which witness extremes of climate both in the summer and winter. During the hot summer months, the cork flooring acts as a barrier preventing the transmission of heat into the room while in winters it effectively prevents the room heat from escaping outside. This makes a room with cork flooring cool during the hot summers and warm during the cold winters thereby saving a lot of money by way of a reduced monthly electricity bill.
Refinishing: Just like hardwood, cork floors too can be periodically refinished to ensure that it keeps looking good and new. Thus any dents, dinks, scratches and stains can be easily removed by sanding the cork floor, then staining it and re-applying the finishing sealer if and when required.
Hypoallergic: Cork has the unique ability of being resistant to dust, dirt, hair and all other small particles which have a tendency of sticking to floors. Coupled with the fact that cork floors are very easy to clean, the installation of a cork floor actually improves the quality of the indoor air thereby promoting a healthier environment internally. This is of great help to people suffering from dust allergies or breathing problems and they get relief from the same with the installation of the cork flooring.
Antimicrobial: The presence of the naturally occurring waxy substance Suberin helps the cork flooring become resistant to small insects, vermin, bacteria and other micro-organisms which have a tendency of growing and colonising on the installed floors. This is a very important property since this makes cork the ideal choice for promoting healthy and disease-free living.
Ease of installation: Most cork tiles come with a self-adhesive bottom which makes it easy to install over the subfloor in a peel and stick operation. After installation, they can be finished with a sealer. In fact when a cork tile gets damaged, it can be easily replaced by simply peeling it from the subfloor and replacing it with a new cork tile.
Maintenance: These floors only require regular vacuuming or sweeping in order to remove any dust and dirt present on its surface. Wiping away spills immediately also helps to prevent cork floors from getting stained. Hence cork floors are actually easy to maintain and can be water-proofed effectively by the application of multiple layers of a good quality sealer.
The benefits of cork as a flooring option have only just begun to be discovered. There are many more benefits still left to be discovered thereby making cork flooring the flooring option for tomorrow.
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