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Cork Flooring - Why is it green? How is it made?
Why is cork flooring considered to be a green product? Where does cork come from?  How is cork made?  Have you ever wondered?
 
Where does cork come from? First, let me clarify that to some extent, virtually every tree has an outer layer of cork bark, but the cork that is used for cork flooring, as well as cork wine stoppers, primarily comes from the cork oak (Quercus suber).  Most of these are grown in countries around teh Mediterranean Sea where the climate is ideal for them - plenty of sunshine, high humidity and low rainfall.  The primary exporter of cork is Portugal, but other counties such as Algeria, Spain, France, Morocco and Tunisia grow these trees as well.
 
The cork oak has a thicker layer of cork than other trees.  So, the next logical question is Why?  And, of course the answer is evolution - these trees evolved to survive the harsh condidtions of the Mediterranean forests which have frequent droughts and as a result brush fires.  In addition, there are large temperature fluctuations.  Well cork is a rather unique substance - its made with water-resistant-cells that separate the exterior bark with the interior of the tree.  it's ... more

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