Cork Flooring in the Kitchen
It is sexy enough that cork is the guardian for our cherished wines, but this marvelous material does not stop there. Cork is a fabulous flooring material that even your kitchen will love. The cellular structure of cork is comprised of millions of air sacs essentially meaning 50% of this kitchen flooring material consists of air!! Cork is another excellent consideration for your kitchen space.
How much does cork flooring Cost?
Cork tiles and planks are priced reasonably starting at $4 for basic tiles where price increases with planks and stains.
Color & Design opportunities with cork flooring
Cork tiles and planks are available in many colors and patterns. Cork is baked resulting in various degrees of natural color. Darker natural hues are achieved through a longer baking process. In order to satisfy a new demand for cork flooring products, manufacturers today are using stain to improve color versatility. Now almost any color can be found to suit your needs. Cork is an extremely versatile product regarding design. Instead of choosing a single color throughout your space, get creative and choose a few and personally create your own pattern for your kitchen floor. Cork flooring has the ability to truly transform any kitchen space.
The Durability of cork flooring
Durability of cork flooring is generally related to the type of product used to finish the floor. Water-based polyurethane and wax finishes are the most common finishes used today which both have certain advantages and disadvantages.
- Scratch Resistance - Like all natural flooring products, scratching can occur, however it is usually caused by dirt and sand particles when left un-swept.
- Strength - There are some distinct advantages for having cork in your kitchen, yet there are some downfalls as well which may affect your decision.
Pros for using cork flooring in the kitchen
- Due to the resilient nature of cork, if and most likely when an object is dropped, the floor will absorb the fall and then return to its original state rather than scratch and helps reduce breakage.
- The cellular structure of cork makes cork flooring a natural insulator. Not only will these floors be warm under foot they will also absorb sound.
- Pet-friendly. The soft resilient surface and insulation qualities of cork flooring stand chance to the pitter pattering of little paws and claws while reducing noise for neighbors below!!
Cons of using cork flooring
- The resilience of cork flooring is also its weakness. There is great risk in permanently damaging your floor with sharp and heavy objects if left on your floor for long periods of time. Items such as furniture and appliances will of course be the culprits so protect your floor by using padding under the pressure points of your heavy necessities.
- Beware that sunlight also plays hazard to cork flooring. Since cork is a natural product direct sunlight will cause color to fade over time. Age will affect change in color as well.
- Fire resistance - Corks natural structure contains a substance called suberin. This naturally occurring substance is a waxy material with many beneficial qualities. Suberin acts as a fire inhibitor which will not spread flames or release toxic fumes if combustion occurs.
- Water resistance - Suberin along with the cellular structure of cork make this product water resistant. Again it is recommended to protect your floor from obvious danger regions in your kitchen with area rugs or mats. Natural products will have a negative reaction to water when left standing for longer periods.
- Maintenance - Depending on the type of finish you have chosen for your floor maintenance will vary. Wax finishes generally require waxing at least once a year certainly something to maintain. Polyurethane will scratch if those floors aren't swept. So keep those floors clean with regular sweeping and dry mopping and the results will be less wear of your finish.
Construction & Installation of Cork Kitchen Flooring
Cork floors can be installed over concrete sub-floors and even over your current floor depending on the material. Again if ever there is a problem with your floor once installed, in most cases it is not due to the product rather it is due to improper installation. It is always advisable to have a professional install your floor, especially where moisture may linger!
The original cork floor is created using cork tiles. This process is trickier and requires adhesive in order to be secured to your floor. Tiles can either be unfinished or pre-finished.
Unfinished - These tiles are in a natural state which can be stained, painted and finished. These tiles have not been sealed which is necessary. It is also possible to obtain tiles that have been stained in the factory but have not yet received any finishing. The advantage of this is that a sealer would go all over the floor covering all seams and edges resulting in a much stronger and moisture resistant floor.
Pre finished- These cork tiles were finished in a factory and do not require sealing after installation. Less work and more susceptible to moisture penetration.
Click flooring has also been applied to cork flooring today. Click technology allows for floors to be installed over existing floors depending on the material. Click cork flooring does not require any adhesive.
Cork Flooring and its impact on the environment & your health
Unlike other natural wood flooring products, cork is obtained from the bark of oak trees generally located in the Mediterranean. The cork oak tree is remarkable as its bark can be harvested every 9 years without cause of any damage to its existence or that of its environment. The best cork is reserved for our other partner in the kitchen as our beloved wine bottles require stoppers. Bottle stoppers account for 60% of the cork market but where there is demand for perfect corks there must be waist. Cork flooring is made from that unwanted material making this flooring product another fabulously environmentally conscious choice for your kitchen floor.
Cork also holds many benefits with respect to a healthy environment in any home. Suberin, the waxy, natural substance found in cork also plays a role in corks resistance to mold and mildew. Cork flooring is anti microbial and has been proven to be insect resistant as well.
thesexykitchen opinion
Love, love, love it!! Soft and supple, rich and gorgeous this is a scrumptiously hot item. Who doesn't want a beautiful and creative flooring material which naturally takes on insects and bacteria while being environmentally sensitive?
The Martini factor
Well entertainers, behold your new best friend! This is a terrific product to have as your support! Little unexpected stemware accidents have a great chance at survival but if your party theme involves anything Greek, you re on your own!!
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