These days it seems as if everyone is trying to do their part to be more environmentally conscious. There are things you can do when considering flooring for your own home that help not only the environment but can also make your home more energy efficient. With cork flooring you won’t have to give up style to achieve these results and below we will go through all of the benefits cork flooring would provide you.

One of the eco-friendlier options for flooring is cork. It is actually what is known as a harvested resource and therefore doesn’t necessitate the cutting down of trees. Instead it is harvested from the bark of the tree and there are strict laws around how this process is handled so that the trees are protected. Throughout this process the tree is not destroyed or damaged meaning that the environmental impact is very minimal.

In addition to being helpful to the environment, there are other benefits to cork flooring that might surprise you. Cork has sound control properties – it absorbs noise produced by footfalls and noise. It is also fire-resistant, meaning it requires a very high temperature before ignition and emits less toxins and smoke once ignited. Cork is a healthier option for you and your family—it is mold and mildew resistant and even works well against termites and microbes.

You might also be interested to learn that cork flooring is incredibly durable. It is resistant to cracking and surface damage because of its ability to bounce back from pressure. This also means that when properly maintained cork flooring can be incredibly durable and last up to 40 years.

There are many reasons to choose cork flooring and you might think that style isn’t one of them. But when you look closer you will find that cork flooring is incredibly versatile and you can achieve almost any look with it. You can have a natural look or you can have the cork colored for a tiled or patterned look. But you don’t have to give up style for economy.

Cork flooring offers real environmental and practical benefits along with versatility when it comes to design opportunities. When considering your options, cork is not one to be overlooked!

To learn more head to our site to see the benefits cork flooring may have for your home.

The trends for flooring in 2015 are exciting and fresh, boasting surprising materials and new takes on old ones. It can be hard to determine if a new trend is right for your house when you don’t know much about the material like one of this years biggest trends—bamboo. Here we will go over the pros and potential cons of this exciting flooring material.

As we mentioned before, bamboo is a trend that is quickly on the rise. It might surprise you to learn that bamboo is very hard, even harder than most other hardwood floors. Bamboo gives your room a look similar to traditional hardwood flooring, however it does have a distinct appearance that can add a modern look to any room. Generally it comes in wider planks, and you can find it in various shades.

One strong argument for bamboo flooring is that it is a natural and renewable material. While it can take the trees used for hardwood floors 20 years or more until they can be harvested, bamboo is mature enough to be harvested in only 5 years. This faster growth means that the harvesting and use of bamboo as flooring does not deplete the bamboo population with the same effect that it has with hardwood. Don’t worry about pandas going hungry, either!  Bamboo grown for floors is not edible by our fuzzy friends.

There are some considerations when deciding if bamboo floors are right for your space. Bamboo is best installed in areas that tend to be dry rather than humid. Avoid bathrooms and kitchens and instead use bamboo in areas such as your bedroom or living room where there is no threat of humidity. This will ensure that the planks do not expand. 

Finally, cleaning bamboo flooring is convenient and incredibly easy. Make sure that you keep it well swept with a dry mop or broom. No harsh or special cleaning treatments are necessary. If you really need to clean more deeply, you only need to use warm water and a mild soap to mop the floor. Wring the mop thoroughly so no excess moisture is left behind.

Bamboo is a great option when considering what type of floor you want for your home. There are many pros and with an informed decision you will be able to find the floor that is right for you. If you have any questions, check out our bamboo information page or stop by one of our stores!