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Cork Kitchen Flooring - Starter Information

Cork kitchen flooring is an environmentally friendly flooring material that is natural. Made from the bark of the cork oak tree, cork tiles are available in a wide choice in colors and patterns. This sturdy material is appreciated for its strength and durability. The chances of any thing breaking when dropped on a cork floor are highly reduced because of its cushioning effect.

Rather than go for a uniform look, a lot of people mix and match the versatile cork flooring to get a distinctive appearance that can transform the kitchen. Baking cork results in interesting shades. The longer it is baked, the darker it gets. This is also stained to get a huge range of colors to match different types of décor.

The cork flooring we get today is well sealed to make it water resistant. The best thing about cork is the feeling of practically walking on air because of its millions of air cells. Most cork floors used to be installed with one square foot sized tiles that were 5/10 inches thick. Today, you can get cork planks, tiles as well as moldings that are easy to install.

The best time to install cork flooring especially in places where the climate is humid is to do it at the time of the year when it is driest. Once installed, the cork flooring must be well treated with sealants. The finishes most commonly used for cork flooring are water based polyurethane and wax. Cleaning the cork floor is easy.

Cork is also wonderful for your family as it resistant to different types of molds and fungus. Also another trait of cork is that is naturally resistant to over 40 different types of bugs, including termites. One last positive for your family is due to the process involved in making cork it actually takes longer to burn then many other flooring material.

Pros and Cons of Cork Flooring

Cork’s biggest advantage is its strength. It is affordable and feels good under your feet. It absorbs heat and sound and stays warm. It repels allergens and does not involve any major maintenance Imagine dropping something on the floor and you discover that it didn’t break! Cork can be fire resistant thanks to a waxy substance called Suberin in it which inhibits the fire. It is also water resistant.

Among cork’s shortcomings is its typical smell, the likelihood of fading, denting and not much color choice. You will need to make sure that you provide padding wherever there’s a heavy impact on the floor through your appliances, furniture, etc. as it can cause dents. The effect of sunlight on cork results in fading.

Associated Cost of Cork Flooring

Among reasonably priced flooring options, cork kitchen flooring tiles will only cost you $ 4 per square foot for the basic tiles. If you are looking for the stained variety and cork planks, then the price goes up.

Cork flooring can be installed over an existing floor or a concrete base. The latest kind of cork flooring is glue less. This mold-resistant antimicrobial flooring choice is a great choice for its various benefits. I highly recommend FastFloors.com as a wonderful place to purchase cork flooring.