That is surely a brilliant thing. With bamboo forests it is necessary to chop down the bamboo to turn it into furniture and flooring. In contrast there are 25,000 square kilometers of ancient cork forests in the Mediterranean region that provide habitat for a great diversity of wildlife including the endangered Iberian lynx and also supply an income for many rural communities. Cork oaks have been protected by royal decrees since the medieval period. They are fundamental to both the ecology and the economy of the region.

The harvested cork bark or cork cambium has a number of properties that make it ideal as a flooring material. Cork is composed of a honeycomb structure that is 85% air-like gas. Although it is mostly gas, the structure is strong and elastic. This accounts for cork flooring’s ability to ‘spring back’ after pressure is applied to it. And it also accounts for the good thermal and acoustic properties of cork. Cork is a great thermal insulator that makes warm flooring under foot that will retain heat in the cold winter months and save you money on heating costs. The padding afforded by cork flooring also muffles the sound of footsteps and makes for quiet flooring.

Finally, cork flooring contains a waxy natural substance called suberin which makes cork flooring mold and mildew resistant. Cork flooring is also allergen free and the suberin acts as a fire retardant. Thus, cork flooring is recommended for allergy and asthma sufferers and is not a fire risk. Add all of these benefits together and consider that cork flooring is long lasting and a fraction of the price of hardwood flooring and it is hard not to want to rip up your dust mite ridden carpets and install cork flooring.

Cork has a number of natural properties that make it very ideal for use without the need for excessive processing. Cork is naturally resistant to rotting and insects due to a waxy substance called suberin. Cork is also made up of a large number of small air-filled cells, which makes it very light and low-density. The structure of cork allows it to give under pressure, and then return to its former state, making a much smaller impact on joints when walking. Cork is ideal for people suffering from joint pain or who spend a lot of time on their feet. Another health benefit of cork is its natural anti-static and anti-allergenic properties. The waxy suberin deters pests that can spark allergies, such as mites, and the natural anti-static properties of cork prevent it from gathering excessive amounts of dust. Cork is also very fire-resistant, and when burning it does not release toxic fumes that may cause further damage. Cork has a very unique appearance as well, similar to wood but without the grain, that offers a natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional hardwood floors

Cork flooring generally is manufactured in one of two ways: panels or tiles. Cork flooring panels are made of large cork veneers laid over a fiberboard core that provides stability to the paneling and a way to interlock the panels together. These panels are then covered with a sealant, and are left fairly intact in terms of natural state of the cork. Tiles, in contrast, are often made of cork waste that has been processed into small pieces and then bound together with synthetic resins. While the cork retains most of its properties, this type of tile is not completely natural and may not impart the full benefits of a natural cork floor. There are no completely synthetic alternatives to cork, however, though some materials are made to imitate the unique appearance of cork

With proper installation and care, natural cork flooring can last an extremely long time, and is a very durable and resilient choice that can be used either in homes or commercial buildings. The famous Mayo Clinic has over 70,000 square feet of cork flooring to provide a comfortable environment for those who work and stay there, and many libraries and churches have implemented cork flooring into their design to minimize noise and maximize comfort as well.