Janet Thompson 
Are you bored with the floor in the living room and you want to change it? Think about the cork floor. It’s warm, safe, and, most importantly, durable.
Floor lined with cork is an interesting and noteworthy alternative to traditional panels, parquet or tiles. This material is becoming more and more popular due to the many advantages of flooring made of it. Interiors are no longer cold and become cozier. Cork is a natural material, which makes it perfect for both modern and traditional interiors. Not everyone knows that it has properties similar to those of wood. It retains heat in the room, absorbs excess moisture and suppresses both external and domestic noise. Until now, it has been used mainly on the walls of the house in the form of wainscoting. However, it is becoming increasingly popular on the floors. This type of surface can be treated as a carpet or as an alternative to conventional PVC. A cork floor can be laid in place of an old PVC surface or a broken parquet floor.
The advantages of cork flooring
The cork is obtained from cork oak and is recyclable. It is harmless to health and does not react to chemicals. This type of floor is recommended for allergy sufferers and people sensitive to natural wood elements, mold and fur carpets. This is because the cork is actually resistant to mold and fungi.
Due to its electrostatic properties, it does not attract dust and dirt. The cork is an excellent thermal insulator, which is the result of its porous structure. This feature makes it warm and pleasant to the touch, and walking barefoot on a cork floor will not leave your feet feeling cold. It also suppresses any noise if used on walls. Floors covered with cork reduces the intensity of sounds coming from rooms below. It also absorbs the sounds produced by walking by shortening the reverberation time.
Although it works in the living room, it is also recommended for the bedroom and children’s room. Half of the cork is air, so it is soft and flexible. Cork floors are designed to carry heavy loads without losing quality. Thanks to this, they are strong and resistant to damage. Even after a long dent, they return to their original shape. They significantly increase walking comfort because they reduce pressure on the spine and joints.
It also acts as a cushion, which makes it much safer for a child to play on than on a normal floor. They are also anti-slip and very easy to keep clean. They don’t need any complicated treatments or detergents. For proper care, a vacuum cleaner and occasional rinsing with water and a care product are sufficient.
Disadvantages of cork flooring
These are really few. First of all, cork floors that are exposed to strong sunlight may become discolored. In order to prevent this, curtains or roller blinds should be pulled down at the time of the greatest sunshine. In simpler terms, just remember to limit the amount of light entering the apartment. The cork is also not suitable for rooms with underfloor heating because it insulates very well. It reduces heating efficiency. It may also start to shrink and show ugly slits in areas where the corks are connected. This usually happens when the room is too dry.
Panels or parquet
Cork floors are available on the market in two variants – as cork panels and as cork parquet, i.e., tiles.
A floor made of cork panels is warm and looks great. The multitude of colors and patterns allows you to match it to the interior. The effect is therefore similar to that of a floor made of wooden panels.
Cork panels are not difficult to install. It is best to prepare the substrate in advance by removing dirt and unevenness from it. Most often they are connected by a latch so that the assembly does not cause any additional problems.
Cork parquet is nothing more than cork tiles. The only difference is that they are mounted in a different manner. The cork tiles are glued to the substrate using a contact adhesive. The panels are supported by low floor preparation costs, easy installation, and the possibility of immediate use of the floor after its installation. The tiles can be combined with other floor coverings. Cork tiles are especially recommended where furniture or other equipment is permanently fixed to the floor.