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When any material gains popularity and widespread acceptance at the pace at which cork flooring is, it is but natural to wonder whether this material just surfaced all of a sudden and took the flooring market by storm. This cannot be any further from the truth. Cork has been around for a long time and has a noteworthy history as well. There are a few interesting cork facts that are worth a mention. Cork oak forests are primarily found in Algeria, France, Tunisia, Morocco Portugal, Spain and Italy. The Asian, or Chinese, Cork Oak is found in many Asian counties. They cover close to a total of 2.5 million hectares across these seven countries. Every cork tree reaches maturity levels after 20-25 years and can be harvested only after this age. The first harvest is called the “virgin” harvest and tends to have an irregular and hard structure. Once the virgin cork has been extracted the tree starts generating a new layer of cork. The next layer will be harvested only after 9 years and is called “secondary cork”. All subsequent extractions are called ‘amadia”. Typically a healthy tree can produce several hundred kilograms in each harvest and it also survives for close to three hundred years. What this means is that every tree is capable of producing up to 12 - 15 harvests in its lifetime. Cork harvesting is very contained and is conducted in a sustainable manner so as to ensure that the tree comes to no harm. New plantations are added every year and this keeps the cork production cycle going. There are staunch laws that protect cork tree plantations from being removed or cut down. Portugal is one country that is very particular in this aspect and over 50% of the worlds cork is produced here. It is interesting to note that the first cork oak tree protecting regulations were passed as early as the 14th century. Through the centuries these regulations become more stringent and by the beginning of the 20th century cutting down cork trees was declared illegal. The only exception being the essential removal of old and dead trees and the annual thinning that takes place to ensure healthy growth of these trees. By this time cork floors were gaining recognition and thus the demand for the material had also increased. Environmental concern is increasing and cork trees have the capacity to regenerate themselves harvest after harvest. These regulations ensure that this amazing Oak stays unharmed. It is a truly eco-friendly, renewable resource and cork floors are becoming more and more popular with every passing year. Cork underlay is a commonly used base material for bamboo, ceramic, wood or cork flooring. Its insulation and resilient properties create cushioning and a sound barrier irrespective of the flooring that it supports. In some cases multiple layers of cork are laid under the top layer material to level the floors between rooms. Cork underlay is fast replacing foam as an underlay material for floors of all types. It adds to the life of your flooring, provides cushioning, comfort stability and a smooth finish. cork underlay and cork floors are expertly installed by Icorkfloor. This cork specialty company provides you the custom cork flooring for residential and commercial areas
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