So, you’re having a baby! Preparing your little bundle of joy’s nursery is undoubtedly one of the most exciting activities that you will undertake prior to the birth. Parents who are expecting the arrival of a new baby have many options to weigh when designing a nursery, and the choice of a safe and eco-friendly flooring material may be one of the most important considerations.
With the emergence of the green living phenomenon, parents are now going the extra mile to design using products that are both environmentally-friendly, and also safe. Within just a few short months, your baby will be crawling and exploring his or her environment, so you want to be sure that you choose flooring that is easy to clean, and contains little or no VOCs (volitile organic compounds).
One flooring material that has both environmental and health benefits, and is also widely recognized as great choice for use in nurseries and children’s rooms, is cork. Earth conscious parents will be pleased to know that cork is a 100% renewable resource, harvested from the bark of living cork oak trees. No trees are cut down to produce cork flooring.
In addition to being a renewable resource, cork flooring also boasts many other benefits relevant to use in your baby’s nursery. One notable feature is its moisture resistance, thanks to a naturally occurring substance found in cork called suberin. Suberin is a waxy material that is a key component in the makeup of the cells found in cork. Suberin is also insect-resistant, and adds a level of fire resistance. Hypoallergenic cork flooring decreases the chance of mold and mildew formation, promoting a clean and healthy environment for you and your family.
Finally, new parents will be happy to know that the soft quality of cork can both help muffle noise in a nursery or children’s bedroom, as well as provide a bit of a cushion for your little one’s inevitable trips and tumbles. Cork’s unique cellular structure is made up of millions of tiny, sealed air-filled pockets which provide a soft feel underfoot.
Whether you are designing a nursery for your new baby, or remodeling your child’s bedroom, quality cork flooring offers a plethora of health and environmental benefits for discerning parents.
