CORK FLOORING a sustainable choice Alicia Westgerdes HCIA 302 Professor Matthew Ziff March 2, 2009

What is cork? Cork is the outer bark of the trunk of cork oak trees, which typically live for 200 years Cork is often used for wine bottle stoppers, a fairly lucrative industry; the cast-offs make up sheets of cork used in flooring

What are the characteristics of cork flooring? Cork is durable, light, elastic, and has low conductivity Cork can be installed on almost any floor Cork is easy to clean, requiring only damp mopping

What are the benefits of cork flooring? Cork is naturally hypoallergenic Cork is naturally mold-resistant Cork contains a naturally-occurring waxy substance called suberin, which repels insects, mold, and fire Cork is soft and more comfortable to stand/walk on than other flooring choices

What are the benefits of cork flooring? The air trapped inside the cellular structure of cork provides natural noise reduction and thermal insulation

What are the benefits of cork flooring? Cork is 100% biodegradable Once installed, cork lasts for decades Cork is naturally flame-retardant and non-combustible

How is cork harvested? Cork is harvested from cork oak trees, usually growing in the Mediterranean, without killing them The outer bark can be harvested and will grow back every nine years

How is cork harvested? Environmentally- managed cork oak forests aid in soil conservation, reduce desertification and water table recharge Cork oak trees are immune to forest fires

Where is cork harvested? Cork oak trees only grow in a very specific microclimate in Portugal, southern France and Spain Attempts to grow cork elsewhere, including North America, have been unsuccessful

What design choices do cork provide? Cork can be produced to appear fine- grained, marbleized, or wood grained Various shades and colors are available, from light honey to dark walnut; some manufacturers even offer brightly colored-cork

What design choices do cork provide? A variety of patterns can be created with colored or natural cork tiles

What design choice do cork provide? Jelinek Cork Group sells cork mosaic “tiles”, made from recycled wine corks, cut into discs, then glued down and grouted

Other benefits of cork The cork industry, a true cottage industry, provides financial viability for countless families in small villages in Portugal, Spain, and southern France Colorings and adhesives are water-based, and therefore healthier for humans and the environment Specifying cork flooring can be an easy way to accrue LEED certification points

Installation Cork can be installed as a floating floor, in sheets, or as adhesive-backed tiles

Works cited en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork