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• Easy to be Green
  8160 Jason ct
  Caledonia, Mi 49316


• E-mail:
  sue@easytobegreen.com


• Phone:
  616-299-3847

General Information

Cork is obtained form the bark of the cork oak tree which grows in the Mediterranean. Cork Oak plantations first harvest the bark from trees that are 25-30 years old. This stripping of the bark is not harmful to the trees. Cork flooring is available in tile, mosaic, and floating planks.

Product Qualities

Cork flooring is naturally elastic, giving it a soft and forgiving feeling underfoot with a resistance to indentation. It is also a good shock, sound, and thermal insulator. The tiny cells inherent in the cork give it these positive attributes.

Sustainability

Positives: Cork is a bio based rapidly renewable resource. The harvesting of the bark does not harm the trees.

Concerns: Cork is harvested in the Mediterannean, sometimes a long distance from the point of purchase and use. The cork oak tree is grown in the Mediterranean and most flooring products are manufactured outside the United States. The importing of any product adds an energy related transportation burden to the environmental impact of its use. Somtimes a PVC or laminate coating is added to the surface. In terms of sustainability, PVC is a controversial product.

Applications

Cork flooring is suitable for a wide range of commercial or residential applications. It can last from 10-50 years. It should not be used below grade where moisture levels may be a problem. Other cork products can be used for tackable and acoustical surfaces.

Care and Maintenance

Vacuuming and damp mopping with a mild detergent are the basic requirements for the care of cork flooring. Depending upon application, original finish, and specific product specified, it may require refinishing over time.