While cork is a wonderful product, perfectly fit for flooring and a myriad of other household applications, not all cork flooring is created equally. There are things you have to do as a consumer to make sure you’re receiving the best quality product possible. Chief among them is to make sure that you’re purchasing from a skilled and state of the art manufacturer. And that is exactly what you have in Wicanders Cork.

Wicanders is a brand produced by Amorin, which is a company with over 130 years worth of experience in the cork flooring market. In this time they’ve concentrated on taking the natural attributes that make cork a great material for flooring and enhancing them. They’ve produced patented noise reduction, wear resistance, and high performance surface technologies. They offer flooring collections which are warm, beautiful and highly advanced. I think it is especially important when producing green flooring that you have products which give nothing away in the ways of performance, quality or durability. That’s why Wicanders is a great choice for anyone shopping for cork flooring.

The natural properties of cork make it great for flooring. Cork is naturally resilient, resistant to molds, insects and even fire. Cork is also regularly used for soundproofing purposes. Natural Cork’s Classic Series takes all of the natural benefits of corks and molds it into a unique set of flooring. The cork flooring in this series is coated with five layers of durable UV cured acrylic finish. This advanced coating protects the flooring against damage from walking and regularly wear. It also provides protection against harmful UV rays which play a large role in the color of any type of flooring.

Cork is a natural choice for flooring and one that I hope you look into if you’re considering purchasing a new set of flooring.

Same as other popular types of natural wood flooring, cork flooring has a way of bringing a touch of class, warmth, and elegance to any room where it is featured. Its availability in various colors means you can match it with pretty well any fabric designs or furnishings you choose. If you are into ‘green’ awareness then cork is just the ticket since no trees are destroyed in the harvesting of cork, stripped of its bark with hand tools, the cork oak tree is left to regenerate, and the process renews itself every nine years.

A base chemical is natural to cork called Suberin that makes it very resistant to water, which is why cork acts as a great float for fishing line and nets. This same chemical assures that the cork will likely remain resistant to deterioration caused by age and decomposition. This wax like substance is a perfect natural sealant in this flooring material.

Cork has a certain elasticity and is really quite durable and hard wearing for such an innocuous type of material. It is comprised of a low-density cellular structure, which makes it resistant to blunt force damage, and abrasions that means it will stand up to whatever your family will throw at it in daily activity. This low density cork will also deter sound and is widely used as a sound proofing component as well as an air sealant in some musical instruments.

If soundproofing rooms on different levels of your home is a requisite condition of sanity in your home, you will want to consider cork flooring. This same flooring can be utilized on some walls as well. Basement walls have been covered to enhance warmth and repel dampness and many folks have used cork to improve acoustics in certain rooms in their home.

One of the little known facts about Cork flooring is it is hypoallergenic. This means that if you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies than cork flooring can alleviate their symptoms. The density and molecular structure of cork also is known to make it insect resistant since the creepy little nuisances like termites and burrowing bugs cannot infiltrate it. And if that is not enough to make you run to your computer and order cork flooring it has also been revealed that this flooring material is also resistant to certain bacteria and microorganisms, this means it’s germ resistant as well!

Now that you have learned that cork flooring can do some amazing things for your personal well-being it should also be reiterated that cork floors underfoot in your home will make it comfortable to walk on and beautiful to look at. The durability of a cork floor solution to any room in your house means years of trouble free use.

The versatility and beauty of cork flooring combined with its natural durability and strength ensures that if you decide to purchase cork flooring for your home, you will not be disappointed. The price of this type of flooring is also very reasonable and impressive savings can be found if you do your shopping well and educate yourself about the product.

Cork flooring is a beautiful alternative to standard more expensive wood flooring and has many qualities the more traditional expensive flooring lack. Being moisture resistant and tough, durability is an important consideration when choosing cork floors. More importantly for frugal tastes is that cork flooring can be had for a fraction of the price of expensive hardwood varieties without sacrificing classic beauty and elegance.

Interestingly enough, cork flooring is installed in areas of the actual Library of Congress and has been known to maintain its longevity for up to one hundred years or more which is amazing. How is that for a vote of confidence for a very well priced flooring material that has yet to reach its true value based on its past obscurity in the flooring market? When more people realize the truly amazing attributes of cork flooring the price will surely rise for this exotic and durable flooring product.

Cultivated from the cork oak trees in the western Mediterranean, the harvesting programs from cork manufacturers is regenerative and eco-friendly. Cork has insulation properties and a natural elasticity that makes it very comfortable and healthy to walk upon and suitable for soundproofing. One would think that not only is this strikingly practical flooring material expensive but difficult to install, this is far from the truth.

Cork flooring can be purchased reasonably over the Internet through both wholesalers and retailers of flooring products. Research will guarantee an educated buying decision so do your homework and get at least 3 estimates and work the seller for a great deal. The price of cork flooring will vary from Internet sources to brick and mortar retailers. Prices average anywhere between $2.00 - $5.00 per square foot. Installation is something you can attempt on your own but the money you will save over regular hardwood flooring could be put into professional installation to play it safe and ensure the job is done correctly.

Once the cork bark has been reaped it is boiled and baked then developed into cork based products such as stoppers for wine bottles [its main use], and office boards. Only in the recent past has the residue from this process been used to make cork floor tiles, which are starting to increase in demand as it gains in popularity worldwide. Once formed and sealed it is ready for market. Cork flooring is still relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of flooring.

Cork flooring is perfect for the environmentally conscious flooring buyer because of the sensitivity placed in its harvesting and regeneration. It is perfect as an inexpensive alternative to other natural wood flooring on the market and with so many features going for it may soon overtake hardwood flooring as a dictator of style and elegance in the floor design world.

Cork flooring is relatively simple to install and is a perfect choice for DIY inclined purchasers. It is durable and longevity is assured with proper care and maintenance. Because of the density of cork, it has certain water resistant capabilities built in and is quite comfortable to walk on but it’s stylish and modern look is what is garnishing all the attention to cork flooring. Some designers are even mixing different colors of cork floor tiles to add a unique dimension to a room.

Because cork flooring is so long lasting, it is perfect for high traffic areas whether in your home or commercial space. The low density of cork has been known to salvage breakable items because of slight spongy give in the tile. Cork flooring comes in tile or tongue and groove and makes for a simple install process, even for the neophyte handyperson.

Since most cork flooring comes from European manufacturers it would seem to be pricey but this is not the case as cork with all its uniqueness and subtle elegance is still priced well under $10.00 a square foot. Cork flooring can be purchased over the Internet but before you purchase any flooring remember to do your homework and understand exactly what it is you are buying and how to best care for it, so it will last you for years to come.

Cork flooring is a fine choice for the environment because the cork oak tree actually just has its bark harvested to make the flooring. The tree continues to thrive until the next harvest years later. No harm done to the tree, just like shearing a sheep for your woolies; where other hardwood trees suffer the consequence of sacrifice themselves for the vanity of those natural flooring enthusiasts. Sure its just flooring you may say but if an alternative exists that is just as beautiful and probably more functional why not investigate it.

Cork flooring comes with many advantages to ones health and well-being for example it is hypoallergenic meaning it will not deteriorate and give off harmful particulates into the air. Being a natural product there are no man made chemicals that could pose a health risk to family members such as children who play on floors. Since it has a particular composition the flooring is dust repellent, a simple light dusting or damp mopping will eliminate the allergens.

Cork flooring has a soft feel to it and the material has a certain give when pressure is applied to it, like walking on it or standing. When this is done on cork flooring, the products natural elasticity will provide a spring action that alleviates pressure on joints that lessens the pain and discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis or other inflammatory health condition.

Cork is used in some commercial environments where employees stand for a great deal of the time while at work. They tend to protest less about sore and aching backs, legs, and feet. This can increase production for those employers thoughtful enough to consider their employees well-being while at work. Many health conditions have seen improvement due to the use of Cork flooring in homes. Certain nerve ailments that can be quite painful like neuralgia caused by among other things diabetes settle in the lower legs and it becomes painful just to walk. Having a flooring like cork in the home has proven to help these situations.

Because of the resiliency of cork flooring, there will always be detractors who think that cork is just to flimsy a product to be considered a durable and tough flooring choice but they would be quite wrong. Cork is known to be one of the toughest and hardwearing materials used in flooring today and the composition and cellular structure of cork is responsible for this. It will take quite a bit of abuse and its resiliency and elasticity will help it to stand up well to this.

Purchasing cork flooring for your home could just be the wisest home design decision you will make and it is a healthy choice for your family as well.

Cork flooring can certainly be installed in your kitchen or bathroom but because of the moisture, some precautions need to be taken. If there is moisture in the subfloor, this will affect the adhesive when installing cork tiles. Special moisture meters are available and should be used along with instructions for calculating levels of dampness and how to proceed. If there is moisture present, you need to install a moisture barrier. Cork flooring is suitable for basements but again moisture must be checked and it’s recommended that only a floating cork floor should be installed.

When installing cork tiles it is prudent to caulk along the edges of the floor along the base of walls before any moldings are put into place. Some installers also like to seal the flanking joints between the tiles as if using grout but instead a waterproof resin, specifically if water poses a potential threat. Two coats minimum of sealant should also be applied overall after grouting dries. Use a compatible polyurethane finish [up to four coats] to maximize protection against scratching and dents. This step is only necessary if the cork flooring requires finishing since it may come pre-finished.

It is recommended that you install the floors from wall to wall but take your dimensions starting from the middle of the floor to make certain your floors are lined up when they reach the walls.
Properly prepared and installed cork flooring will stand firm against heavy furniture and all types of foot traffic. The heavy finish will withstand damage but also make it easier to refinish if scratching occurs.

Points to Remember
• Be sure to follow all manufacturer instructions to avoid poor or conflicting DIY ideas
• Cork flooring adhesives are tricky so follow the recommended procedures carefully
• Do not use adhesive floor tiles where radiant heat is being used
• Always use the proper flooring tools for either type of cork flooring, i.e. adhesive trowel, tape measure and pencil, circular saw or reliable cutting tools, some type of mineral spirit, hammer and small pry bar for molding, medium size paint brush, cleaning rags, level, roller, nail gun. Use the appropriate tool floor the type of cork flooring you are installing.
• Compress the cork flooring firmly into the adhesive, regularly inspecting to be sure it is level.
• Do not walk on or place anything on adhesive based cork flooring for at least 48 hours to allow the adhesive to cure and to keep the drying cork floor level.

Your choice of installing cork flooring is a sound and ‘green’ choice that will be a conversation piece in your home for years to come. Its popularity is only now beginning to take hold.