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cork floors and Cork Tile , check out iCork Floor today. ">One of the reasons why cork flooring is currently enjoying such high popularity is because it is an environmentally friendly product. Cork is basically made from the bark of the cork oak tree. The tree is not cut down nor is it injured in the process of manufacturing cork. The bark is simply stripped off and the tree then regrows another layer of bark. Cork oak orchards and forests cover approximately 2.5 million hectares in the world. The main cork exporting countries are: Portugal, Algeria, Spain, Morocco, France, Italy, Tunisia and China. The cork tree has a life span of 200 - 350 years. Each cork tree must be at least 20 to 25 years old before it can provide its first harvest of cork bark. This first harvest is referred to as “virgin cork”. This type of cork is known for its hard and irregular structure. Once the first peel has occurred, a new layer of cork bark starts to regenerate. The first of these layers, extracted about every 9-12 years after the first harvest, is given the name "secondary cork" and the layers of bark harvested from subsequent extractions are named "amadia". A typical tree produces several hundred kilograms of cork during each harvest and can survive unharmed, for many, many years. Among the many unique properties of a cork tree is its ability to “shed” its bark after a fire. This natural ability to regenerate damaged bark and branches makes the cork oak the ideal choice as a sustainable natural resource. Because of this unique property, cork harvesting by man does not harm the tree. The same tree can then be harvested an average of 12 times in its life time. That’s a lot of cork from one single tree.Because of the nature of the tree as well as the way the bark is stripped off, cork harvesting is considered one of the most ecologically and economically sound practices in the renewable resource sector. Cork production is assured with continuous planting. Trees are never cut down or removed without governmental approval. Portugal, which produces more than 50% of the world’s cork, has been particularly careful with this resource. The first cork protection measures in Portugal date back to the 14th century. Today, cork is finding more and more use in the building industry. This is because of the many beneficial properties of cork. Cork contains a substance called suberin, this is a waxy substance which makes cork flooring resistant to moisture. While this does not make it completely impermeable, it makes it resistant enough to prevent long term damage and deterioration from water. The presence of suberin also makes cork flooring resistant to high heat and reduces its chances of catching fire. Moreover, cork flooring is durable and comfortable and is ideal in rooms where you need to stand for long periods of time. It also offers insulation against noise and is great for places such as libraries and museums where silence is a necessity. Resource Box Good looking, durable and environmentally friendly, cork flooring is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with property developers and home owners everywhere. For a fabulous range of cork floors and Cork Tile , check out iCork Floor today.
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