Which type of flooring is made from a renewable resource, is soft and warm underfoot and has natural sound-deadening and insulation characteristics? - Cork Floors! Most North American homeowners are not familiar with all the benefits of cork floors. For instance, do you know that cork is antimicrobial, resistant to mold and mildew and is a naturally sustainable resource?

With the help from today's manufacturing technology, cork flooring is now offered in many colorations in both planks and tiles. Cork floors can be glue-downed and/or floated over a wide variety of sub-floors, including wood, concrete slabs and some types of existing floors. Cork floors are also offered with a glueless interlocking system for faster, no-mess installations.

Although you can buy cork floors unfinished that require finishing at the jobsite, many cork floors are offered with a special vinyl topcoat to help protect the cork and make easier to clean. The newest development is a non-toxic oil finish that can be walked on immediately and can still be refinished.

The majority of cork planks and tiles have a specially designed, tongue-and-grooved, moisture-resistant inner core to secure the planks or tiles together, similar to laminate floors. Cork floors are used both residentially as well as in many commercial applications. Cork floors have been used in many commercial facilities where they have lasted under heavy traffic for many years.

It is important to remember that cork is a natural product and will fade in direct sunlight. Cork will generally yellow with age and cork floors will react to changes in relative humidity and heat. Wet mopping is never recommended and may cause the seams to swell.