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cork floors are quickly becoming the flooring of choice amongst homeowners everywhere. You can find a wide range of cork floor options at iCork Floor. ">Cork is sourced from the bark of the cork tree. Cork oak forests cover approximately 2.5 million hectares primarily in seven countries: Portugal, Algeria, Spain, Morocco, France, Italy and Tunisia. This tree has a life span of 250 - 350 years. Each cork tree must be 20 to 25 years old before it can provide its first harvest of cork bark. This first harvest is called "virgin". This type of cork typically has a hard and irregular structure. After the virgin cork is extracted, a new layer of cork starts generating. The first of these layers, extracted after 9 years is given the name "secondary cork" and the ones produced from subsequent extractions are called "amadia". A typical tree produces several hundred kilograms of cork at each harvesting and will survive for many generations. The cork harvesting is made in a sustainable manner and does not harm the tree in any way. This is because, unlike other wood products, the entire tree is not cut down to produce cork. Instead, only a layer of the bark is slowly and carefully peeled away without injuring or causing any damage to the whole tree. After the layer of bark has been harvested, the tree is left alone for a few years to re-generate or grow new bark. Considering every tree lives for about 250 years to 350 years, and can be harvested several times during its life span, this makes cork a renewable resource. Cork production is assured with new plantations every year. Trees are never cut down or removed without strong government intervention, which prohibits this activity. Portugal, which produces more than 50% of the world’s cork, has been particularly careful with this resource. The first Portuguese regulations protecting cork oak trees date to 14th century. In the beginning of the 20th century, it became illegal to cut down the trees, other than for essential thinning and removal of old, non-productive trees. With the increasing concern for the environment, cork remains the only tree whose bark can regenerate itself after harvest - leaving the tree unharmed. It is truly a renewable, environmentally friendly resource. Cork Trees occupy vast areas and are constantly reproducing. The areas occupied by cork trees are situated west of the Mediterranean basin and on the Atlantic coast, always close to vineyards. The cork tree needs a lot of light, relatively little rain, a degree of humidity, and thrives in altitudes up to 1,400 meters. In today’s scenario where concern for the environment has reached its peak, more and more people are looking for environmentally friendly alternatives in all spheres of life, from construction materials to transportation, books and everything else. This is one of the reasons why cork has become so popular not only for flooring but even for wall décor. In addition to being environmentally friendly, cork is also durable, easy to maintain, resistant to heat and moisture, anti-allergenic and insect resistant. Another property of cork is that is offers thermal insulation so it maintains a comfortable temperature. You can even walk barefoot over your cork flooring in winter because it does not get too cold. Resource Box Good looking, environmentally friendly and durable, cork floors are quickly becoming the flooring of choice amongst homeowners everywhere. You can find a wide range of cork floor options at iCork Floor.
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