Pliable and Practical

Cork flooring is incredibly durable since it resists cracks and is impermeable to gases and liquids. It’s also quite flexible, which means that indentations caused by furniture will quickly bounce back. If you don’t like the way a room is arranged, just change it around without worrying about sunken marks!
Additionally, cork is practical in the long run since its colour penetrates the whole way through. This means that it won’t change as it becomes worn down, unlike wood and vinyl, substantially extending its life. Its millions of air-filled chambers will even act as barriers against both sound and heat-loss.

Sanitary and Safe

Cork is also resistant to mould and termites, so you won’t have to worry about your flooring damaging either the health of your house or its inhabitants. Cork is actually anti-microbial, meaning that it either kills off microorganisms or stops them from growing.
It’s also safer under more threatening situations. Incredibly resistant to fire, cork will only ever ignite or melt if subjected to extraordinarily high temperatures. Even if it does combust, cork only releases a very small amount of smoke, as well as far fewer toxic chemicals than vinyl.

Comfy and Cool

Okay, cork is practical, but you’re probably more concerned with how it looks and feels than how it reacts to fire. Well, good news – cork is also pretty cool. Essentially, people tend to use it because of its ability to provide a natural look which is reminiscent of wood but doesn’t involve tearing down trees.
It’s also lovely to walk on. The fact that cork has a slight give to it means that each footfall is pleasantly cushioned, and it tends to stay far warmer than other types of flooring.

Taking the benefits into account, it isn’t hard to see why cork is becoming the next big thing in interior design.

More and more homes and business premises are turning to cork for their flooring, and it is fast becoming one of the preferred choices in the flooring industry. Why so?

Eco-Friendly
When the cork is stripped from the cork oak tree, it causes no harm to the tree, so it can continue producing material for many years, very sustainable. Cork flooring can also be made from cork granulate, for example from reusing old wine bottle corks. In addition, cork is naturally insulating, helping to reduce energy use in heating, at the same time keeping bills down. When it breaks down, cork releases no unpleasant chemicals into fragile ecosystems.

Healthy
Cork is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, making it ideal for the bathroom or the kitchen where you are most likely to see a build-up of germs. It is a soft material, with plenty of “give”, so it is better for the joints, which is why it is suitable for areas that see heavy traffic. It’s also regularly installed in kids’ playgrounds, where it helps minimise injuries in falls.

Durable
Cork has a substance called Suberin inside it, which is a natural mould inhibitor, meaning it’s less likely to rot. It does need to be treated every few years though to maintain its waterproof qualities. It is also fire resistant.

Functionality
It’s not difficult to lay down, and in fact many flooring specialists are used to dealing with cork. It can be placed over linoleum or wood to save removing them, and can also go underneath ceramic, stone and wood flooring as an additional layer for soundproofing, comfort and warmth. Cork resists very well when placed under heavy furniture, and can go over uneven surfaces.

It’s not all good news with cork though. It can be quite costly, and it is also susceptible to staining unless you protect it well. Also remember that because it is quite soft, if you put or drop something sharp on it, like a knife in the kitchen, you’re likely to puncture it leaving an unsightly hole.