| Despite what some environmentalists preach about | | | | you can see another of cork's big advantages. |
| the evils of using wood for purposes such as wood | | | | Flooring products created from man-made materials |
| flooring, purchasing cork wood flooring can actually be | | | | are manufactured in a factory, which results in great |
| very beneficial to you and this planet. | | | | environmental damage due to the large amounts of |
| Cork is prized for its use in flooring for a variety of | | | | fossil fuels required to run those factories. There is |
| reasons, the foremost being that is a very attractive | | | | no substitute for wood that is renewable and that |
| flooring surface available in many colors and patterns. | | | | requires only sunlight to produce. |
| Cork is also durable and can be installed on almost | | | | Cork flooring lasts decades and is biodegradable upon |
| any floor. It provides excellent insulation for both | | | | being removed. As opposed to man-made flooring |
| thermal and acoustic purposes. Cork flooring is also | | | | such as linoleum, once it is no longer useful, cork can |
| easy to keep clean, requiring only vacuuming or damp | | | | be returned to the earth without doing any damage. |
| mopping. | | | | Another advantage of the harvesting of cork is that |
| Cork flooring is also mold-resistant and hypoallergenic. | | | | the process provides financial opportunities for the |
| It is easy to clean and sheds no dust. In fact, cork | | | | inhabitants of areas where cork wood grows. |
| contains a substance called suberin that repels mold | | | | Employment opportunities are limited in some of |
| and insects. Cork's softness makes it a very | | | | these areas, so cork is a valuable resource for the |
| comfortable surface on which to stand, which is ideal | | | | people who live there. And no factory is required. |
| for people with back or leg problems. In other words, | | | | Environmentally managed cork oak forests aid in soil |
| cork can actually help make your home a more | | | | conservation as well as acting as a buffer against |
| beautiful, pleasant and healthy environment. | | | | desertification, water table recharge and run-off |
| Cork flooring can actually be produced without doing | | | | control. |
| any damage to the cork oak trees from which it is | | | | Cork wood flooring is an environmentally-friendly |
| derived. This may seem impossible, but it's actually | | | | option for your home that will make your home a |
| quite a simple phenomenon. If only the outer bark of | | | | better place to live. It is good for your health (it is a |
| a cork oak tree is used to produce the flooring, then | | | | low-dust flooring option that actually reduces air |
| the tree will live on and its outer bark will grow back | | | | pollutants), it has low impact on the environment |
| in about nine years. Then the cycle can be repeated. | | | | (cork can be harvested every nine years without |
| So every nine years, a cork tree can be harvested | | | | killing the tree), and it definitely adds to the beauty |
| for its beautiful wood and still live on. | | | | of a home. So save the earth and save yourself - |
| Contrast this with man-made flooring products and | | | | use cork wood flooring in your home. |