Jerry Work asked:


Despite what some environmentalists preach about the evils of using wood for purposes such as wood flooring, purchasing cork wood flooring can actually be very beneficial to you and this planet.

Cork is prized for its use in flooring for a variety of reasons, the foremost being that is a very attractive flooring surface available in many colors and patterns. Cork is also durable and can be installed on almost any floor. It provides excellent insulation for both thermal and acoustic purposes. Cork flooring is also easy to keep clean, requiring only vacuuming or damp mopping.

Cork flooring is also mold-resistant and hypoallergenic. It is easy to clean and sheds no dust. In fact, cork contains a substance called suberin that repels mold and insects. Cork’s softness makes it a very comfortable surface on which to stand, which is ideal for people with back or leg problems. In other words, cork can actually help make your home a more beautiful, pleasant and healthy environment.
Cork flooring can actually be produced without doing any damage to the cork oak trees from which it is derived. This may seem impossible, but it’s actually quite a simple phenomenon. If only the outer bark of a cork oak tree is used to produce the flooring, then the tree will live on and its outer bark will grow back in about nine years. Then the cycle can be repeated. So every nine years, a cork tree can be harvested for its beautiful wood and still live on.

Contrast this with man-made flooring products and you can see another of cork’s big advantages. Flooring products created from man-made materials are manufactured in a factory, which results in great environmental damage due to the large amounts of fossil fuels required to run those factories. There is no substitute for wood that is renewable and that requires only sunlight to produce.

Cork flooring lasts decades and is biodegradable upon being removed. As opposed to man-made flooring such as linoleum, once it is no longer useful, cork can be returned to the earth without doing any damage.

Another advantage of the harvesting of cork is that the process provides financial opportunities for the inhabitants of areas where cork wood grows. Employment opportunities are limited in some of these areas, so cork is a valuable resource for the people who live there. And no factory is required.

Environmentally managed cork oak forests aid in soil conservation as well as acting as a buffer against desertification, water table recharge and run-off control.

Cork wood flooring is an environmentally-friendly option for your home that will make your home a better place to live. It is good for your health (it is a low-dust flooring option that actually reduces air pollutants), it has low impact on the environment (cork can be harvested every nine years without killing the tree), and it definitely adds to the beauty of a home. So save the earth and save yourself - use cork wood flooring in your home.



ZACHARY

Jerry Work asked:


I love cork wood flooring. It is good for the environment, and so, so beautiful. I may be biased, but I don’t think there are many people who have seen true cord wood flooring who would disagree. But like most beautiful things in life, you need to take care of it. You need to be aware of the responsibilities involved in taking care of cork wood before you decide to make the investment. The tips below will help you maintain your cork wood flooring for years to come.

Tiny particles of dirt can scratch your cork flooring, so be sure to vacuum or sweep your floor often. This should be done weekly to keep it looking smooth and shiny. One tip that can reduce the amount of vacuuming or sweeping you have to do is to place a mat at any doors that lead to a room with cork flooring. It’s not too much to ask to have visitors wipe their feet before stepping on your floor.

Use only cleaners made specifically for hardwood. Never use just water on your floor. Wipe up spills immediately, lest you risk damaging your floor. Use a well wrung, damp mop to do your mopping - not one that is saturated with liquid. Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners, oil, or ammonia-based cleaners. Lightly damp mop the floor monthly to maintain its luster.

Avoid furniture that can scratch your floor. Place floor protectors on the feet of your furniture so that they are not coming in direct contact with the floor. Use mats and wide wheels on furniture that is movable. When moving furniture, never drag it. Sorry, but you need to lift it up and carefully set it in place.
Place a rug or mat on areas of the floor that will be walked on often, such as in certain parts of a kitchen. This will prevent premature wear and keep your flooring surface looking even. However, it is best to avoid mats with rubber or non-porous backings since they can trap moisture. You want your floor to stay dry.

Try not to have too much weight on any one area of your floor. Even weight distribution will prevent indentations and help keep the surface looking shiny and even.

Aim for 50% humidity in rooms that have cork flooring. As the humidity in a room declines, wood begins to release moisture, and eventually shrink. This is bad news for your floor. You may want to invest in a humidifier to make sure your rooms stay humid enough to keep your cork flooring healthy. Cork is not as susceptible to this problem as other types of wood, but don’t take the chance.

Do not expose your cork flooring to excessive sunlight. It will make your flooring fade much more quickly. Maintain adequate shading in rooms that have cork flooring with drapes, curtains, or other sun-blocking items.

Watch out for water seepage from plants or any other entity that holds water. If your plants are seeping water, place something underneath them to catch the water before it hits your floor.

If you follow the above tips, your cork wood flooring will stay beautiful for years to come.



MAURICIO