In today’s day and age we are constantly trying to figure out ways to become more environmentally friendly, or “green”. Many people utilize tactics such as recycling or using energy efficient light-bulbs. There are plenty of ways for an individual to become eco-friendly; helping to preserve our environment. Noting this change in consumer behavior, businesses and corporations alike have begun to practice alternative “Green” business ethics. This allows companies to still appear appealing to those consumers who are making the transaction to living a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
One industry which has also begun to turn green is the flooring industry. Offering a variety of earth-friendly options, they’re goal is to appeal to those who are interested in healthy living. One type of eco-friendly flooring can be found in the installation of cork flooring. There are many ways in which cork flooring can be seen as a “green-building” material. One of the biggest ways in which cork is a green-building material is found in its ability to regenerate. These trees are grown with the intention of the bark being harvested. Using age-old techniques, so as not to harm the trees or the environment surrounding them, the bark is gently separated from the tree and harvested.
Frequently, the harvested bark is sent to a factory in order to craft stoppers for wine-bottles. During the production of these stoppers there is a waste product that emerges. This waste is then gathered and condensed into sheets which are in turn utilized in the natural cork flooring. This process also reinforces the fact that cork is indeed a renewable green-building material. After being used to create the cork-stoppers, the waste by-product is reused to help create flooring. Other types of wood which are commonly used in hardwood flooring, specifically certain species of oak, can take approximately 120 years before it is strong enough to harvest for building or flooring.
The Cork flooring industry is closely regulated, maintaining that a tree must be at least 25 years of age before its bark can be harvested. This ensures that cork is not harvested prematurely, possibly causing harm to the tree. Cork bark not only regenerates fully approximately every seven years, but the entirety of the tree need not suffer during the harvest. Cork can be seen as a highly resourceful product. Utilizing a natural occurring substance known as Suberin, cork is able to repel insects and mold, and is also able to protect against rotting caused by moisture. Also this waxy substance is fire-retardant. These qualities, once sealed into the cork flooring boards, provide a healthy and eco-friendly solution for providing interior hardwood flooring.
