Cork Floors - An Environmentally Friendly Flooring

Cork floors are often called a 'green' alternative to traditional flooring. They have proved to be among the best floor covering for those who are looking for an environmentally-friendly flooring product. The main reason of this feature is amazing; nothing is harmed to manufacture cork flooring.

Cork floors are manufactured from the bark of cork oak trees grown in the Mediterranean, largely in Portugal and Spain. In cork oak plantations, the first cork bark is not harvested until a tree is 25 to 30 years old. It is harvested carefully by hand to ensure the health of individual trees. The bark grows back, ready to be harvested in the next nine years. The texture turns out to become smoother after every harvest.

This standard of the cork harvest procedure is strictly observed. It also makes every cork tree a renewable and sustainable source of raw material. Furthermore, cork is recyclable as well as biodegradable because cork floors and other applications are produced through a process whereby none of the harvested cork is discarded. No man-made or synthetic material can be compared with cork in terms of purpose or aesthetics. It is a unique material, worthy for use in many applications, particularly for flooring.

This process of harvest also certifies cork flooring as a perfect environmentally friendly product. It is fire and moisture resistant and also does not release any toxic gases on combustion.

Flooring suppliers and manufacturers say that buyers select cork floors not only due to their durability and attractive look but also because of their environmentally friendly nature.

Cork floors are a great solution for keeping your residential or commercial environment healthier. Molds, insects and micro-organisms cannot prosper on cork floors. And apart from creating a very hygienic and healthy atmosphere, they provide excellent environment for the allergy sufferers too. Additionally, the sound insulation feature adds up to a better atmosphere by reducing unnecessary noise from wherever it is installed.