Why? Cork Flooring
USES AND ADVANTAGES
Origins and Development
Historically, cork was used primarily to make bottle stoppers. Manufacturers soon learned that the resulting excess shavings could be turned into other products. In 1892 a process was patented, by which intense heat melted the resin in the cork, thereby providing a natural binder to hold the cork particles together. This breakthrough was the foundation for the production of cork tile flooring.
Cork tiles were probably first manufactured in the United States about 1899. The Armstrong Cork Company, which became one of the largest manufacturers of cork tile, began production in 1904. Before 1920 the production of cork tile was limited. In the mid-1920's, when the U.S. was enjoying a period of prosperity and an accompanying building boom, cork tile gradually gained acceptance as a floor covering for new construction. The increased popularity of cork flooring materials was also due in part to the use of additives that made the tile more impervious to moisture, dirt, food, grease, ink, and mild acids.
Cork tile was notable as one of the most resilient hard-surface flooring materials. For this reason, although moderately expensive, cork tiles were often used in libraries and schools. Cork tiles were also promoted as natural products distinctive for their comfort and sound-deadening qualities and the physical as well as visual warmth imparted by their natural colors. The material was popular for lobbies, churches, auditoriums, libraries, hospitals, and museums. In 1941, for example, more than 25,000 square feet of cork tile flooring was installed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Cork floors were known for their sanitary qualities and their ease of cleaning and maintenance. Probably for these reasons, cork tiles were used extensively in many buildings at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. All these features were significant in cork's being used as both a residential and a commercial flooring material.
Cork tile's peak production years were prior to World War II. Afterwards the limited supply of raw material, and new competition from other flooring materials such as rubber and asphalt, with the variety of styles and colors these products offered, resulted in a reduction of cork flooring used. Cork as a flooring material was mainly overlooked during the latter years of the 20th century. The current revival of natural building materials has given new life to this traditional flooring.
A Unique Combination
CHARACTERISTICS OF CORK FLOORING
Sustainable Natural Resource
Cork is a natural wood product from the outer bark of the cork oak, a species of tree native to the Mediterranean region. The bark is harvested from the trees without felling the trees. About one third of the trunk is stripped, approximately every nine years. The trees live-on until reaching full maturity about 150 years and is then replaced by a young tree.
The Quiet Wood
Cork has a cellular structure that absorbs sound waves. The bouncing of sound waves called reverberation is much less than it is with solid wood, wood laminate, and imitation wood flooring. Sound transfer from adjacent upper levels of the building is also reduced, especially if a cork underlayment is added to the cork flooring installation.
The Warm Floor in Winter
The numerous, tiny air pockets retains more surface heat and is more effective for saving energy in the winter than it is with other types of hard surfaces such as ceramic, stone and vinyl. With its low thermal conductivity, cork flooring is also desirable for providing thermal insulation when installed over slab.
The Comfortable Floor in Summer
When airborne humidity levels rise, cork flooring like all nature fibers or hard surface flooring is preferred over the sticky, unpleasant feeling of carpets made of man-made fibers. This is because cork flooring does not trap humidity like the heavy pile surface of carpet will.
A Long Life Span
Cork is an excellent flooring material because, although it feels hard when you touch it, it is slightly resilient. This ability to bounce back after walk on it increases the life span of the flooring. In residential settings cork flooring is a lifetime investment if cleaned and maintained properly.
Easy to Care For
Our cork flooring has an acrylic matte finish applied to its surface. Normal sweeping or vacuuming, wiping up spills and excess moisture immediately, and the use of walk-on mats at entrance doors is all that is needed for daily care. For overall cleaning a damp mopping will remove built up dirt without harming the cork floor.