There are many types of flooring, and each of the most popular types has its particular strengths and weaknesses. Cork flooring, for example, is one of the best flooring options if you’re looking for something eco-friendly and cost-effective, among many other factors.
What to Know About Cork Flooring
What Is Cork Flooring?
Cork flooring is a flooring material made from the cork tree. Unlike most other hardwood flooring materials, such as oak or pine, the material used to make cork flooring isn’t harvested by cutting the tree down. The material is harvested by drilling directly into the core of the tree, leaving it alive and growing, and ready for harvesting in no time. This makes it the best flooring material to use if you’re concerned about the environment. It’s the only natural flooring material you can get that doesn’t involve killing trees. Cork flooring isn’t like the kind of material you find on a bulletin board, either. Yes, it is soft, but it’s not so soft that it will tear and crumble as easily as all that.
Pros of Cork Flooring
Beyond how eco-friendly and green the cork flooring is, the main selling point of the material is how cost-effective it is. Cork flooring is one of the cheapest flooring materials available on the market, several dollars cheaper per square foot than most other natural materials, like hardwood flooring and different types of laminate flooring. Cork flooring is also one of the most comfortable flooring materials you can get, outside of something like luxury plush residential carpeting, which is more expensive and takes more effort to maintain. In addition to its comfort, cork flooring does not require a lot of maintenance. Regularly sweeping it will take care of the majority of dirt particles and dander that gets collected over time, while a semi-regular vacuuming will take care of the rest.
Cons of Cork Flooring
Like many flooring materials on the market, the main thing to be concerned about is how cork flooring interacts with moisture, water, and humidity. Since Nashville is a pretty humid place in general (especially in the summertime), this is something to be aware of. Related to this is the polyurethane covering that is on the surface of all cork flooring. It’s what keeps the moisture out, and the floor from crumbling under repeated foot traffic and heavy equipment. This coating can be damaged by improper maintenance, or just through time, as cork flooring isn’t the best at sustaining repeated damage. Cork flooring is a great option for rooms that don’t see a lot of attention or foot traffic, but it doesn’t handle moisture very well, so be careful about which room it is installed in.
If your main concern is about the impact the flooring you choose will have on the environment or your budget, then cork flooring is the best option for you, simply because it handles both better than most other flooring materials. But be wary about where you install it, since cork flooring doesn’t handle moisture all that well. If you have any other questions, then be sure to contact the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey today!
