Need a New Floor? Put a Cork in it!

Your laminate flooring is looking scratched and dull. You'd love to get it refinished, but laminate can't stand up to being sanded or treated. If there are spot scratches, you can replace the boards that are affected, or use a special laminate paste for small marks. If you want to freshen up the whole room, you should consider installing a new floor. Instead of expensive wood, plain plastic laminate, or linoleum, consider installing the latest evolution in flooring: cork.

Cork flooring has been used for many years in hospitals in schools, and has long been a popular decorating option in Europe. Now the U.S. is beginning to appreciate the many benefits of cork, and manufacturers are responding by creating a greater variety of colors and designs than ever before.

Perhaps the greatest feature of cork flooring is that using it is better for the environment than many other flooring options. Cork can be harvested without having to kill the tree it grows on. There are regulations in place that govern how often cork trees can be stripped of their bark in order to make sure that the trees remain healthy. The bark is then used for many things including making wine stoppers .


Cork flooring is made out of recycled champagne corks, and during the manufacturing process, there is no waste. Cork is an all natural renewable resource, which makes it a very smart choice for our homes.

Another benefit of using cork is that is has a naturally occurring waxy substance inside that repels bugs, germs, and mold spores. This is a great feature for homeowners with allergies. It is also relatively rot-resistant, meaning that minor spills won't damage it.

Cork makes an ideal flooring material. It absorbs sound, which makes it perfect for media rooms or recording studios.

These floors are also warm and comfortable, which is part of the reason that so many hospitals have it. Cork provides a cushion surface for medical personnel who spend long hours on their feet. Cork also is a natural insulator, meaning that heat loss is reduced in the winter months, and the area stays cool in the summer.

Cork is also a durable surface that stands up to the rigors of daily living. Heavy furniture will compress the area, but thanks to cork's built in memory, once the furniture is moved, the floor surface returns to normal.

Cork flooring has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Colors and designs are able to mimic the most expensive tile or linoleum. No longer just a practical flooring option for recreation rooms, you can find a design that will match the most elegant of decor.
About the Author

Provided by the writing team of Melissa O'Connell. Melissa is a broker who works in the Scottsdale Arizona real estate market. Search for your ideal property on the Scottsdale MLS, and enjoy all the perks of Arizona living.