If you’re in the process of remodeling your home, or building your dream home, putting a new floor in might be at the top of your to do list. If you are considering installing new flooring why not go with an eco-friendly flooring material. Cork flooring is one option that’s both ecologically friendly and attractive.
Conventional flooring products are neither attractive nor eco-friendly. The majority of floor covering in the US is nylon carpet. This flooring wears badly and tends to off gas volatile organic compounds, which are hazardous to our health. Once nylon carpet wears out it’s disposed of in a landfill, since it’s not biodegradable.
Vinyl flooring which is used in many bathrooms and kitchens is also bad for our health. Vinyl flooring gives off Pthalates which has been blamed for child development problems. Synthetic laminate woods aren’t much better. They are made from recycled lumber waste which comes from fiber board, a short lived product that contains a lot of formaldehyde. Hardwood floors are healthier and fully natural, but may not have been produced sustainably. You should also pay attention to the finish that’s used on any hardwood floors – most are petroleum based.
Cork as a flooring is solid, sustainable, and long lasting. This material comes from the bark of the Mediterranean cork oak, harvested by hand about once every ten years. Cork grows back without harming the tree and the tree itself can live for over two centuries. That makes cork one of the greenest possible options, since even the excess material gets used in bottle corks. You can get different colors and textures, depending on how the cork has been treated, and the material is naturally resistant to insect damage, moisture, and fire.
Cork flooring is both elegant and beautiful. Cork is a natural shock absorber. Cork flooring works especially well in areas where you stand a lot like the kitchen. Cork also acts as a sound insulator. Cork flooring is also extremely durable and requires only periodic vacuuming and damp mopping. It can be installed by gluing and floating.
There are many reasons to install environmentally friendly flooring such as cork. Green flooring lasts longer than carpet or vinyl flooring. It is safe for your family and the environment. Green flooring is recyclable. So why not install green flooring when you need to replace the carpet or vinyl floors in your house. You’ll be glad you did!
