Cork Flooring, Benefits, Care and Maintenance Cork: A Flooring Trend…Again Trends come and go. Some, however, make such a strong impression that future generations bring them back again and again. Such is the case with cork flooring. Cork has been used for a variety of purposes for thousands of years, from bottle stoppers to fishing net floats. But it wasn’t until the end of the nineteenth century that the demand for cork as a resilient floor covering began to grow. The popularity of cork flooring continued for approximately half a century. It was installed not only in homes, but in churches, banks, educational institutions, and government buildings. Some of these installations included Chicago’s First Congressional Church, Lafayette College in Easton, PA, and the Library of Congress in Washington, DC – and they’re still walked on today. Even one of the world’s most famous architects, Frank Lloyd Wright, incorporated cork flooring in several of his housing designs. The interest in cork flooring faded during the 1950s, when easier-to-maintain floor coverings like linoleum and vinyl were developed. The new materials also offered a wide variety of colors and patterns with which to create colorful new rooms. However, in the late 1960s the public’s ongoing desire for new design ideas led to nostalgic concepts, and cork was back in favor until the early 70s. Nowadays, with ever-increasing concerns over protecting the environment and preserving natural resources, cork is once again back in the spotlight. The main reason for this is because cork is a “green” product. In other words, it’s environmentally friendly. Cork flooring is made from the renewable bark of the cork oak tree. Its supply is virtually endless. In fact, there are trees still reproducing bark that are estimated to be two hundred years old. Besides its remarkable regenerative capability, cork bark has other outstanding attributes. It is non-toxic, anti-microbial, and it resists mold, mildew and insects. As a floor covering, it’s also hypo allergenic, does not produce static electricity, and it’s flame retardant. It’s even easier to care for than its early versions, thanks to new finishing techniques now used during manufacturing. During cork’s first two trend periods its appeal was much different than it is today. Initially, it was desired for its unique appearance and for its sound deadening properties. During its comeback in the late 60s, its appeal was part of the nostalgic design trend. Today, cork appeals for the many practical reasons mentioned above, in addition to its aesthetic appeal. Hopefully, these reasons will prevent cork from ever being a trend again, and instead make it a standard for a “greener” future. Cork Flooring Features and Benefits Aside from looking great on the floor, cork has an impressive list of features and benefits that most people shopping for flooring aren’t aware of. Here are some of facts that make cork flooring a great choice when considering a new floor for your home or business. Beautiful Appearance – No one can deny that cork looks fantastic on the floor. There are a wide array of patterns and colors available to suit any taste or style. Cork is so durable! – Cork has been around for thousands of years. Just to name a few commercial installations, there is a church in Chicago that had cork flooring in 1890 and is still in use today! The Library of Congress has cork flooring installed. Because of its cellular composition, cork is extremely durable and resilient. It is much less affected by impact or friction than hard surface floors such as wood, laminate or tile. It’s all sealed up – Cork flooring contains Suberin. This is an intrinsic waxy substance that makes the cork impervious to liquids and gasses. Because of this, it will not rot and is one of the best seals available. This is obvious when you consider that cork has been used to seal wine bottles for hundreds of years. Also, cork floats! Insect Resistant and Antimicrobial – Most common insects including termites won’t go near a cork floor. Because of its composition, cork acts as a natural barrier against insects. Microbe colonies cannot survive in or on a cork floor so you can also say the floor is germ resistant. Acoustic, Resilient & Insulating – Again, due to the cellular composition of cork, its acoustical properties are remarkable. As a perfect example, cork is installed under many other types of flooring (ceramic tile, hardwood, laminate, etc.) as a sound barrier when those floors are installed on a second floor or higher. This would be typical in a condo installation where the unit is on the second floor or higher. The resilience or ability to “bounce back” is also second to none. In simple terms, when the cork floor is subject to pressure, for example a high heel shoe, the cells are compressed. When the pressure is released, the cork snaps back to its original shape very quickly. This is a property manufacturers of other floors and underlayments work very hard to imitate. While those properties are without a doubt remarkable, cork flooring also acts as excellent insulation. If your home is on the ground level, and you live in an area that gets cold in the winter, cork flooring or cork underlayment will block that cold from reaching your feet. Hypoallergenic – Cork flooring does not produce any particulate irritants nor does it contain any harmful chemicals, it’s all natural. Also, cork does not absorb dust so it does not cause or contribute to allergies. Value – Cork floors are an excellent value versus other floors such as hardwood flooring, ceramic tile, marble etc. Depending on the style, pattern, color etc., cork flooring can run as little as half the price of some other floors. With the added benefits and the ecological aspect, cork is an excellent all around flooring choice. Cork Floor Care and Maintenance  There could be any number of reasons why cork was your choice for a new floor, but certainly durability was at the top of your list. After all, if it is sturdy enough for the Library of Congress, it should be able to handle your family’s use. Of course, the Library of Congress has a crew to keep their floor clean and maintain its beauty…but actually, that’s not difficult to do. Cork is one of the easiest floor coverings to maintain. With a little common sense and regular light cleaning, your floor should outlast the one in Chicago’s First Congregational Church – and it’s been in use since 1890! The advice listed below is generic and is provided to illustrate the ease of caring and maintaining a cork floor. However, you should always refer to your flooring manufacturer’s recommendations for specific details. To help your cork floor keep its “just installed” look, try these preventive maintenance suggestions: Place breathable mats in front of sinks and in doorways Note: do not use mats with rubber or other non-porous backings since these could trap moisture and affect the finish Put felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scuffs When moving furniture; lift it, don’t drag it Place a drip pan under potted plants to catch water seepage Prevent fading from excessive sunlight with window treatments, like curtains, drapes, blinds, or with window tint When it comes to cleaning, cork flooring requires no special equipment or harsh chemicals. The basic steps are as follows: Wipe up spills immediately Note: cork is a wood product and therefore will absorb moisture To reduce scratches, sweep or vacuum regularly to remove abrasive debris To clean a heavier soiled area, use only a cleaner formulated for pre-finished hardwood floors If your cork flooring should loose its luster due to high traffic, check with the flooring manufacturer for refinishing recommendations. By using the preceding information and always following your flooring manufacturer’s instructions, you’ll have a beautiful and long-lasting floor that will rival the cork floors of big libraries and old churches everywhere.