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Cork is not only natural, and durable, but it’s also 100% sustainable. TCF Editor Sarah Robinson explains why the versatile material is a strong candidate for a number of projects.


WHAT A CORKER!


When choosing flooring the key considerations have always been functionality, durability, cost, and ease of cleaning. However, these days more and more people are also demanding that their homes and work spaces are eco-friendly and built with responsibly sourced materials. With that in mind, designers and architects have started to look towards nature for answers regarding insulation and energy efficiency. As one of the ‘greenest’ options available, cork offers fantastic functionality combined with a chic fashion-forward aesthetic.


Cork is a highly sustainable material; bark is harvested from the cork oak around every nine years with no damage to the tree itself. Not a single tree is cut down in the process and the harvesting is carried out with minimal impact to the environment, the trees regenerate in nine-year cycles throughout the lifespan, which can run to 250 years. Floor tiles are actually created from the waste material left over from the production of cork stoppers, making it an even greener solution.


Put simply, cork is a biodegradable, energy-efficient material. There are over 40million tiny ‘cushion-cells’ or air-filled chambers within every cubic centimeter, all providing natural insulating properties. This makes it ideal for regulating temperatures - absorbing warmth in the winter and remaining cool in the summer - meaning that cork flooring will cut energy bills. As well as absorbing heat, the cushion cells also absorb noise and can act as a sound barrier between different levels.


One of the major advantages to a cork floor is the soft and springy feel it provides underfoot, making it ideal for use in an


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office kitchen or breakaway space where a lot of time is spent standing, or in children’s bedrooms where they will be able to play safely. Even more reassuring, is the fact that it’s also hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. Cork cells contain a waxy substance called suberin that naturally repels dust, small vermin, and insects.


Interior designer, Candice Olsen believes that there is not a room in the home that cork floor can’t go into. She says: “What thrills me is the variety of design options, there’s a vast array of colour choice, patterns, textures, offering infinite possibilities.”


The material may have been dismissed in the past for its limiting design options but new printing technologies mean that its now possible to create any colour, or shade. From traditional earthy tones to bold brights, the look can be adapted to suit any interior style.


It’s so versatile that it can be made to look like any other material, which is perfect if you desire the look of a stone or marble floor but want warmth, safety and comfort, along with peace of mind that it’s stain and mildew resistant.


Some of the drawbacks associated with cork are that it can absorb water if sealed incorrectly. It may be scratched, torn or dented by heavy furniture, children or pets, and can be vulnerable to fading from sunlight.


To maintain the quality of the flooring, it should be sealed periodically to prevent stains and can also be sanded down and re-stained every few years to freshen up the appearance.


NATURAL FLOORING | 25


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