<p>Using cork for flooring and furnishing adds lots of charm and earthiness to one’s home. Give this natural material a chance and enjoy the change, writesA Dyuti.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Do you prefer eco-friendly materials for home decor? Then, be a part of the cork trend! Yes, today, furniture and floors are being fashioned out of this bottle-stopper material. Cork sheets are being used to make bulletin boards and floor and wall tiles. Cork material is also being designed for use in lampshades, umbrellas, drapes and shower curtains. <br /><br />Despite the long innings of having covered floors in libraries, museums, churches and hotels in the 20th century, cork flooring’s popularity had waned with the emergence of alternatives like vinyl. But today, cork is undergoing a contemporary makeover. So, how ‘green’ is this design option? Derived from the evergreen oak tree, the quercus suber, or more commonly, the cork oak, cork is sustainable, recyclable and abundant. Cork is extracted without chopping trees, sans any machinery and using solely human labour, from the cork tree bark. <br /><br />No harm is caused to the tree and a new layer grows back, ready to be harvested in another 9-12 years. This renewable resource is claimed to have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. Its recyclability translates into reduced disposal in landfills. <br /><br />Perfect material<br /><br />Since cork resists mould or mildew growth, it makes for good furniture material. Waterproof sheets of this strong and flexible material are bent and pressed into curvaceous shapes to create aesthetic and lightweight chairs, stools and tables of contemporary design. <br /><br />Besides, cork fabrics can be employed to upholster furniture pieces. Cork can also be used in combination with metal, wood and bamboo to produce pieces that are stylish, functional and comfortable. Innovative designs coupled with warm and soft textures render cork furniture a wonderful means for creating a unique decor. <br /><br />Now, if you’re looking for flooring with an unconventional look that’s trendy, warm and easy to maintain, but durable and rugged enough to withstand foot traffic of high proportions, the answer’s cork flooring. Proper maintenance can provide a long lifespan. It comes in two kinds of finishes – wax finish, that requires fresh coating annually, and polyurethane finish, that demands regular cleaning. <br /><br />Choose between matte and glossy <br /><br />finishes. Go for either small or large granules in natural, stained or painted forms. Cork tiles can be stained with natural hues like yellow and brown. <br /><br />Available in a substantial range of patterns, styles and sizes, like floating floors, glue-down ones, cork mosaic floors and an alliance of cork and vinyl, this honey-toned flooring is simply amazing. <br /><br />User-friendly<br /><br />If you can’t afford hardwood flooring despite your longing for a warm ambience, then cork flooring is a perfect option. It is a little expensive, but in comparison to other kinds of natural flooring, it’s still worth your buck. <br /><br />Moreover, installation is easy and if you’re up to it, it can be a DIY job! However, while some designers employ it to deck up floors in not just the living room, but the kids’ room, bedroom and even the kitchen and bathroom, others bar it from the bathroom despite its water-resistant nature.<br /><br />Any other merits, you’re wondering? Claimed to be a hypoallergenic material, cork is free from irritants and chemicals. Its antistatic nature keeps it free from dust and pollen. It doesn’t attract termites too. <br /><br />You’ve always crinkled your nose at the permanent impressions heavy furniture leaves on most floor-coverings like carpets. This needn’t be a source of worry in the case of cork. Since it harbours numerous air-pockets (in fact, more than half of it is air and hence it’s lightweight), the surface of the cork flooring springs back to its original shape once the weight is removed! <br /><br />The air-pockets also help ward off sound (a veritable boon for apartment-dwellers) and prevent the house-heat from seeping into the floor, a quality that’s bound to be appreciated, especially during chilly winter months! <br /><br />Owing to the presence of the wax-like substance, suberin, cork refuses to rot when in contact with water or other liquids. Since dust particles tend to settle on the cork surface, leading to scratches, regular cleaning is essential. <br /><br />However, shun the mops, for, they are too wet and can damage your cork floor. The polyurethane coating that enhances the flooring’s durability can be reapplied once it wears off. Though touted to be fire-resistant, infernal fires will nullify its resistance. Still, one thing’s certain – though it may burn, it won’t emit toxic fumes.<br /><br />The downside is that once chunks of the flooring are chipped off, there’s little you can do about it. Though it can resist pressure, placing immense weights can indeed damage the cork flooring. <br /><br />Plus, applying the protective coating isn’t a cakewalk. Avoid this flooring in a room exposed to prolonged sunlight as it fades away quickly. <br /><br />Still can’t weigh the pros and cons of using this decor option? Then, do seek professional help.<br /></p>
<p>Using cork for flooring and furnishing adds lots of charm and earthiness to one’s home. Give this natural material a chance and enjoy the change, writesA Dyuti.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Do you prefer eco-friendly materials for home decor? Then, be a part of the cork trend! Yes, today, furniture and floors are being fashioned out of this bottle-stopper material. Cork sheets are being used to make bulletin boards and floor and wall tiles. Cork material is also being designed for use in lampshades, umbrellas, drapes and shower curtains. <br /><br />Despite the long innings of having covered floors in libraries, museums, churches and hotels in the 20th century, cork flooring’s popularity had waned with the emergence of alternatives like vinyl. But today, cork is undergoing a contemporary makeover. So, how ‘green’ is this design option? Derived from the evergreen oak tree, the quercus suber, or more commonly, the cork oak, cork is sustainable, recyclable and abundant. Cork is extracted without chopping trees, sans any machinery and using solely human labour, from the cork tree bark. <br /><br />No harm is caused to the tree and a new layer grows back, ready to be harvested in another 9-12 years. This renewable resource is claimed to have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. Its recyclability translates into reduced disposal in landfills. <br /><br />Perfect material<br /><br />Since cork resists mould or mildew growth, it makes for good furniture material. Waterproof sheets of this strong and flexible material are bent and pressed into curvaceous shapes to create aesthetic and lightweight chairs, stools and tables of contemporary design. <br /><br />Besides, cork fabrics can be employed to upholster furniture pieces. Cork can also be used in combination with metal, wood and bamboo to produce pieces that are stylish, functional and comfortable. Innovative designs coupled with warm and soft textures render cork furniture a wonderful means for creating a unique decor. <br /><br />Now, if you’re looking for flooring with an unconventional look that’s trendy, warm and easy to maintain, but durable and rugged enough to withstand foot traffic of high proportions, the answer’s cork flooring. Proper maintenance can provide a long lifespan. It comes in two kinds of finishes – wax finish, that requires fresh coating annually, and polyurethane finish, that demands regular cleaning. <br /><br />Choose between matte and glossy <br /><br />finishes. Go for either small or large granules in natural, stained or painted forms. Cork tiles can be stained with natural hues like yellow and brown. <br /><br />Available in a substantial range of patterns, styles and sizes, like floating floors, glue-down ones, cork mosaic floors and an alliance of cork and vinyl, this honey-toned flooring is simply amazing. <br /><br />User-friendly<br /><br />If you can’t afford hardwood flooring despite your longing for a warm ambience, then cork flooring is a perfect option. It is a little expensive, but in comparison to other kinds of natural flooring, it’s still worth your buck. <br /><br />Moreover, installation is easy and if you’re up to it, it can be a DIY job! However, while some designers employ it to deck up floors in not just the living room, but the kids’ room, bedroom and even the kitchen and bathroom, others bar it from the bathroom despite its water-resistant nature.<br /><br />Any other merits, you’re wondering? Claimed to be a hypoallergenic material, cork is free from irritants and chemicals. Its antistatic nature keeps it free from dust and pollen. It doesn’t attract termites too. <br /><br />You’ve always crinkled your nose at the permanent impressions heavy furniture leaves on most floor-coverings like carpets. This needn’t be a source of worry in the case of cork. Since it harbours numerous air-pockets (in fact, more than half of it is air and hence it’s lightweight), the surface of the cork flooring springs back to its original shape once the weight is removed! <br /><br />The air-pockets also help ward off sound (a veritable boon for apartment-dwellers) and prevent the house-heat from seeping into the floor, a quality that’s bound to be appreciated, especially during chilly winter months! <br /><br />Owing to the presence of the wax-like substance, suberin, cork refuses to rot when in contact with water or other liquids. Since dust particles tend to settle on the cork surface, leading to scratches, regular cleaning is essential. <br /><br />However, shun the mops, for, they are too wet and can damage your cork floor. The polyurethane coating that enhances the flooring’s durability can be reapplied once it wears off. Though touted to be fire-resistant, infernal fires will nullify its resistance. Still, one thing’s certain – though it may burn, it won’t emit toxic fumes.<br /><br />The downside is that once chunks of the flooring are chipped off, there’s little you can do about it. Though it can resist pressure, placing immense weights can indeed damage the cork flooring. <br /><br />Plus, applying the protective coating isn’t a cakewalk. Avoid this flooring in a room exposed to prolonged sunlight as it fades away quickly. <br /><br />Still can’t weigh the pros and cons of using this decor option? Then, do seek professional help.<br /></p>
