Of all the different types of green flooring materials which are available today, cork flooring may be the best option. Cork confers a significant number of advantages and has very few disadvantages. If you are about to replace your current floors, you should consider using cork flooring.
Benefits of Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is a completely natural and renewable product. Even though it is manufactured from trees, the process does not harm the trees. This is a significant advantage cork has over hardwood floors. Since it is a natural product, cork does not bring with it the health concerns that come with carpet and other engineered flooring materials. There are no toxic chemicals used in the production of cork flooring.
The unique cellular structure of cork makes it a natural shock absorber. This means that it is extremely comfortable to walk upon. It also has sound deadening properties. Both of these qualities are two of the reasons cork flooring is used in so many commercial applications. In addition, cork is an extremely durable flooring material. If you put cork floors in your home and maintain them right, you may never have to buy flooring again.
Cork floors are also easy to install. They can be installed just like a tile floor system, which means that any handy homeowner can put a cork floor down and save on installation costs. These floors can be used over a radiant barrier heating system or as an underlayment to another flooring system, such as tile.
The natural softness of cork floors make them good for families with small children. A child is not likely to get injured by falling on a cork floor. Finally, cork floors are beautiful. What more could you ask from a floor?
Disadvantages of Cork Flooring
Like any other material, cork does have its downsides. The primary disadvantage of cork floors is their cost. A cork floor will cost much more than traditional floors. Cork floors must also be resealed every few years to remain waterproof.
Unlike other flooring options, cork flooring has a limited number of color options. Most of the colors you will find in cork floors are earth tones. Some of the additives a few manufacturers add to their cork flooring may not be eco-friendly; you will have to check out a manufacturer thoroughly if this is a concern for you. Cork floors can also be damaged by sharp objects.
Sources of Cork Flooring
It was hard to find cork flooring until just a few years ago. Only a few manufacturers were making cork floors and they had a limited distribution network. Now cork floors have gotten to be so popular that you can find them at most local hardware stores and all the national chains. The selection in these stores is quite limited, however, so you may still have to contact a local flooring supplier.
The best way to find the right cork flooring for your home is to start looking at the websites of the various manufacturers. There are nearly a dozen big manufacturers making cork flooring today and almost all of them post extensive information about their products online. This information will include the type(s) of cork flooring systems offered, the colors available, the additives, installation instructions and even maintenance directions. Some manufacturers will send you samples for a small fee. Once you have identified the flooring you prefer, you can find the nearest distributer who sells it.
Cork floors are a great choice for your home. You should look into this revolutionary material before deciding what type of floors you want to install.
Ben Sawyer moved from his old house after few months of a searching for new which fits his budget. He saw many new homes for sale in New York before he decided to buy one. Unfortunately, floors were bad. He was asking around for a while about best option for the floor, and finally he decided to put a cork floor, because of many of its benefits. Here in this article are some of them, and disadvantages as well.
