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Only
the bark is used for flooring. Once a tree reaches 20 years old,
its bark is ready to be harvested. Then it takes about 9 years
to regenerate the bark for the next harvest. Each new harvest
seems to have a better quality than the last.
 Cork
is an excellent sound and thermal insulator. It is durable and
suitable even for gym floors. It is resilient, comes in a variety
of shades and finishes and is fire resistant. It is naturally
anti-bacterial and known to be chemically benign. However, most
cork flooring is made by grinding the cork and mixing it with
a binder, which can be natural or synthetic resins and/or glues.
Be aware that newer cork flooring products include tongue-and-grooved
products with a top layer glued over a pressboard backing or vinyl-cork-hybrid
tiles, which are not considered sustainable products.
Cork is usually long lasting and is moisture resistant. However, Cork is not recommended for bathrooms or other places where water contact may regularly occur. Unless pre-finished, a sealant and protective finish
must be applied periodically since cork can retain water and stain.
Cork flooring is best for those with chemical sensitivities when
water-based adhesives and top finishes are used.
Cork
flooring is an abundant, renewable and sustainable product, when
harvested and produced appropriately. Manufacturing generates
little waste, recycling it back into the product. Some manufacturers
fabricate their product from recycled bottle-cork industry waste.
Installation: Cork-tiles are available in an interlocking glueless configuration. Other tiles are glued to the subfloor. There are many water-based adhesives and sealants to choose from. We recommend that only qualified professionals install cork and then seal it for you to add protection against moisture. If you do attempt this job by yourself, be sure you have adequate ventilation and wear a cartridge-type respirator mask.
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