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Cork is the name given to the bark of the cork oak, a tree from the beech family, characteristic of western Mediterranean countries.
The bark acts as a protective shell to the harsh climate changes and numerous fires affecting the region.
Cork trees are stripped of their bark every nine to fourteen years, the tree is never cut and the habitat remains undisturbed.
The properties of cork are derived naturally from the structure and chemical composition of the inner cells. Each cubic centimeter of cork's honeycomb structure contains between 30 and 40 million air cells. Hence cork provides:
INSULATION
- Because 90% of the tissue consists of gaseous matter, the density of the cork is extremely low giving the materials wonderful insulating properties, thermal as well as acoustical.
RESILENCY
- When cork is subjected to pressure, the gas in the cells is compressed and volume reduces considerably. When released from pressure, cork recovers very rapidly to its original shape.
IMPERMEABILITY
- The presence of suberin, an inherent waxy substance, renders cork impervious to both liquid and gases. As a result, it does not leak and may therefore may be considered the best seal available.
HYPOALLERGENIC
- Cork does not absorb dust and consequently does not cause allergies.
DURABILITY
- Cork is remarkably resistant to wear, as it is less affected by impact and friction than other hard surfaces because of the cellular composition.
FIRE RETARDENT
- A natural fire retardant, cork does not spread flames and does not release toxic gases during combustion.
Cork waste from the stopper industry (wine corks) and low quality bark are used to produce cork granules. These are classified according to density and grain sizes.
Flooring tiles are produced from cork granules bound with resin and molded to obtain the desired density under pressure and heat.
Cork wear layers can be waxed, varnished, urethane or acrylic coated.
This past decade the floating floor technology has been successfully adapted to cork flooring to produce one of the highest quality floor coverings.
Cork flooring parquets and floating floors are quiet, warm, comfortable and easy to maintain, still remaining reasonably priced.
Cork flooring has been used around the world and in this country for over a century.
Yesterday's prestigious applications include:
- The First Congressional Church in Chicago, Illinois - installed in 1890
- The Mayo Clinic & Plummer Building - installed in original building in 1912 (adding some additional cork flooring in 1940 for a total of 300,000 square feet)
- Falling Water, Western PA - residence designed with cork floors by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1937
Cork flooring is coming back strongly as architects and designers are very enthusiastic about the distinctive look of the material, the need for better indoor air quality and overall comfort as well as related environmental issues.
Cork underlayment, a lower density material is becoming more and more accepted as an economical and well performing alternative for the sound insulation in building construction.
Cork composition material in rolls or sheets is also the ideal underlayment for laminate flooring as it absorbs sound and provides resiliency.
Cork, a unique material, combines more benefits than any other floor covering.
