Cork Flooring

In the above picture which flooring is cork?

That is a trick question! Both are! This picture shows the variety of this material! Instead of just using the material in its natural state, it can be stained to look like real wooden floors.

 Cork is an impermeable piece of bark that can be transformed into everything including wine bottle stopper, to pillow and of course flooring. Cork Flooring is new and innovative flooring that is becoming more and more of a trend in residential flooring.  Cork Flooring is a great substitute for wooden floors. It is a strong, durable substance that comes from the bark of a tree.  Cork floors come in a different variety of shapes and sizes. They come in planks and square tiles.

But of course, cork does have its downfalls. Because it is a natural element, when lying down a cork floor room must be left because the flooring does expand and contract in certain environments. Much like the gentleman who gave us a tour of the Leftwich Chapman Flooring store located in Lubbock, TX, said that they typically bring the floors to the house a few days before they install it, in order for the material to breathe and get accustomed to its new environment.   Cork floors will also fade with natural sunlight over time because it does have natural pigments that are sensitive to light. Cork floors and wooden floors are both natural materials therefore they do have very similar care instructions.  Natural floors require sweeping, mopping and occasionally vacuuming. Natural floors also seem to look better with age, after a few years of having cork floors they look will change looks.

Source:

http://www.efloors.com/cork-flooring.asp