My father-in-law is an information nut. No matter the project, he always does extensive research to make sure he's getting exactly what he needs. So when my in-laws decided to remodel their home, I wasn't surprised to see him with various books and magazines, intent on finding the perfect flooring. After weeks of careful research, he finally decided on cork flooring. That's right, cork.
When most people - myself included - think of cork, things like wine bottles and cork boards come to mind. In these applications, cork seems unfinished and plain. My father-in-law showed me that cork floors are quite the contrary. Cork flooring comes in a variety of designs and colors and is stronger than I ever imagined they could be. I soon found myself sharing my father-in-law's wonder for all of cork's unique looks.
Why should you try cork flooring in your home? In addition to resisting household allergens like dust and mites, cork is also eco-friendly, a sustainable resource, and resilient. Just like the cork stoppers in your wine, the cork in cork flooring is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree. The bark is removed without harming either the trees or their environment. From there the harvested cork is cleaned, boiled and made into a variety of different items, including flooring.
To top it off, cork can be recycled and can contain less harmful chemicals than many other flooring options. Even the production of cork flooring can be good for the environment: The leftover cork "waste" from the stopper industry is recycled and used in the flooring sheets. With the minimal use of adhesive (non-toxic adhesive recommended), cork flooring is not only sustainable it can also emit less harmful chemicals than floors such as some carpet and vinyl types.
Need more reasons to try cork? Take a look at these cork flooring types: http://www.findanyfloor.com/cork/CorkFloorTypes.xhtml
Once you've made the decision to utilize cork floors in your home, consult FindAnyFloor.com's handy cork flooring installation guide to insure proper installation. Of course, having a professional install your cork flooring can make the experience a bit easier as well.
