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Cork, an environmentally good flooring choice.

By
Real Estate Agent with Maui Earth Realty LLC

In my search for a flooring that had the least impact on the environment, I think cork is my best choice.  What an amazing product!  Cork is harvested from the Cork Oak trees mostly grown in the Mediterranean.  The bark of the tree is peeled off every 9 years or so and the tree grows a new layer.  These trees are so cherished in Portugal, where 50% of the worlds cork supply comes from that they are managed closely by the government.

                                  

Cork floors are actually made from the waste of the cork bottle stopper industry, so it is a recycled product.  In producing the flooring there is almost zero waste. Cork has an antimicrobial in it that deters pests, molds and mildews.  It is comfortable on the feet and joints to walk on, a great sound barrier and elegant to the touch. If cared for properly, cork will last as long as hardwood flooring. Many large businesses are turning to cork as the environmental, long lasting choice for flooring.   

                                

Don't you wish all the building material available were so environmentally sound? 

Here are some online sources for cork flooring:   http://www.sustainableflooring.com/  http://www.igreenbuild.com/_coreModules/common/categoryDetail.aspx?categoryID=503 http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/wicanders_lush.php

Contact Karen Williamson R(s) for all your Maui real estate needs.

808-281-5253 

Visit my website and search the Maui mls at www.mauipropertysearch.com

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Bonnie & Terry Westbrook
Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI
Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Karen, I know that cork flooring is popular again. My parents put it in their dream house in 1953 and we had it for at least 20 years. The floor wasn't worn out but stained because it wasn't sealed well (this was before polyesters). We loved it - it was always warm, and quite quiet. I would do it again.
Jan 11, 2008 10:50 AM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Karen:

Great Article! Thanks for the information very interesting reading. Have a great weekend.

Jan 11, 2008 10:56 AM
Matt Ratcliffe
Keller Williams Realty Brazos Valley - College Station, TX
pop a cork again, was that not a song...oh no that was pop a top again, my bad lol
Jan 11, 2008 11:12 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
Karen, I'm not familiar with cork flooring but it sounds great!  Gee maybe we should be recycling our wine corks?  A very informative post!
Jan 11, 2008 11:16 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area
Who would have thought it....Cork...not me. I'll need to keep that in mind!
Jan 11, 2008 12:22 PM
Mark Horan
Resident Team Realty, LLC & Toni's Property Management LLC - Saint Cloud, FL
"The Resident Chef" - Resident Team Realty LLC &
Karen- Great informative post. I did not know that. Thank You
Jan 11, 2008 01:12 PM
Michael Eisenberg
eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Real Estate Guy
Karen- Great post cork flooring sounds great! Thank You always looking for the green
Jan 11, 2008 01:34 PM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Karen - I just leaned about the qualities of bamboo flooring not all that long ago, and now this cork flooring sounds like it might be better than that, from what you wrote.  I like that it's easy on the body and quiet - I'll have to keep this in mind for future flooring.  I have hardwood throughout my house now, and love it.  I bet I would love cork, too.  Do you have any pictures of cork flooring?  I'd love to see what it looks like.

Thanks for a new lesson!
Ann

Jan 11, 2008 01:43 PM
Janet Guilbault
Platinum Home Mortgage Company - Walnut Creek, CA
San Francisco Bay Area Direct Mortgage Lender
I just thought you should know that my "cutting edge" architect daughter who lives in LA put cork flooring in a bungalow she rehabbed. Never again. It was way too soft and did not look good after a couple of years of wear.
Jan 11, 2008 01:45 PM
Karl Burger
ERA Beach Ball Realty - Pensacola, FL
Pensacola Real Estate News
Great article. I am amazed at how many people have not heard of cork flooring, but it is not that big of surprise, since so many environmentally friendly options are not marketed strongly enough. My wife has a bad back and cork flooring is what she wants more than anything. We tiled way back when we upgraded the kitchen, and now wish we had done cork.
Jan 11, 2008 11:56 PM
John MacArthur
Century 21 Redwood - Washington, DC
Licensed Maryland/DC Realtor, Metro DC Homes

Karen - Whether it becomes fasionable or not. I now know more than every before about cork flooring. It may become the only use for cork (well, dart boards use it too) in the future. It seems many of the major wine makers have determined that they can keep their wine fresher using a different type of screw top.

All floors stain or have problems. I am glad I got to see your smiling face and learn something new.

You see, I am now smarter because of you.

Jan 12, 2008 01:12 AM
Elaine Hanson
Coldwell Banker Realty - Malibu | Topanga - Malibu, CA
REALTOR - Topanga, CA Real Estate Agent
I really like cork flooring, Karen.  It does have to be in the proper area and properly sealed.  There are many new looks and color treatments coming out.  It helps with sound dampening as well.  I think the manufacturers have been working hard on improving the quality and wearability of the product.  Thanks for the photos. I always wondered how they cut the cork.
Jan 12, 2008 03:39 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
You do just fine Karen!  Hope you're having an awesome New Year!
Jan 12, 2008 04:37 AM
Yasha Lange
Olinger Insurance Group LLC - Lee's Summit, MO
Excellent information. Soft - Hardwood!
Jan 15, 2008 05:21 AM
Andrew Pace
Degree of Green - Brookfield, WI

I'm glad to give an opinion of cork for my first post in this forum.  I developed a green building product rating system called Degree of Green, specifically to lend assistance in these types of discussions. 

Cork flooring has been used in the US for about 100 years, predominantly in municipal buildings, banks and upscale homes.  Cork is softer and warmer than wood, but just as durable.  The fact that it comes from a  renewable resource make it somewhat eco-friendly.  The down sides are, it all has to be shipped from Portugal and Spain, plus, it is typically finished with a high-toxin content polyurethane.

I hope to provide you all with unbiased opinions about green building products, so you'll always get the pros and cons. Contrary to popular belief, there is no perfect green product or perfect green project...just varying Degrees of Green.

Jan 15, 2008 01:43 PM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Karen, great post, both interesting and informative.  I learned something new today.  Thanks.

 

Mar 18, 2008 09:19 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Very informative.  I especially liked the pictures showing the cork production and waste product - I always wondered about that.  I would like to try cork flooring one day.  It would be great when you drop a dish or (wine)glass on the floor, very forgiving 
Apr 01, 2008 08:49 AM
Sylvia Barry
Coldwell Banker Previews International (#1 Marin_Sonoma_San Francisco_North_Bay) - San Rafael, CA
Marin and Sonoma Real Estate Leading Expert

My husband's best friend's father built his house in Brentwood, CA.  A famous physics professor in UCLA< he was very forward in his thinking.  He designed and built this Eichler inspired home and used cork flooring and floor heating.  40 years later, it still shows great; after that wear and tear, the floor has a natural shine to it.  Beautiful and durable product. 

Sylvia

Apr 01, 2008 01:26 PM
Christina Cavins
Irongate Inc. REALTORS - Centerville, OH
www.BuySellOH.com Search Ohio Homes For Sale

Informative post. I wrote a post on Bamboo Flooring that you may want to check out.

Have a great day!

Christina

Jul 09, 2008 04:09 PM
Anonymous
Steve

You've got to love the use of <a href="Http://www.corkflooringpros.com">cork flooring</a>, it's eco-friendly, durable and lasts a life time. Why else would they use it in the library of congress :)

Oct 19, 2009 11:26 AM
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