Cork flooring has become a very popular choice in the home,

providing both durability and comfort. Although a slightly pricey option when it comes to flooring, cork has many advantages that make it a great investment. Cork is harvested from cork trees in several Mediterranean countries, and it can only be harvested once every nine years. This creates a limited supply for a material in high demand. Cork flooring is about the same in expense to ceramic tile. The many benefits of a cork floor, however, make it worthwhile to invest in cork.

As the bark of a long lasting tree, cork has natural properties that make it resistant to moisture, insects, and wear and tear. Cork is also comprised of over 90% air, allowing it to absorb shocks gently, while also quickly returning to its original form. This property gives cork flooring excellent durability, allowing it to support those standing on it while also maintaining stability. As tree bark, cork flooring is also very tough against moisture. Unlike a normal hardwood floor that may warp or buckle when exposed to moisture, cork flooring can maintain its shape without splitting. Simple maintenance and clean up of spills will maintain cork flooring in prime condition for many years.

A cork floor will maintain its beautiful finish for several years, given simple maintenance such as sweeping and mopping. Suberin, a natural compound within cork, repels insects and prevents water damage. Suberin is also fire resistant, and does not emit any toxic emissions when burnt. The springiness of the cork structure also provides great noise cancellation, absorbing noise instead of reflecting it as hardwood is prone to do.

With just a little upkeep, cork flooring is known to last for many years, just as it has in a variety of commercial and government buildings. As cork flooring has become more and more popular, the styles available have also grown. Cork flooring today can be bought in a wide variety of colors, shades, and patterns. Cork flooring can normally be installed by either gluing down sections, or using interlocking sections known as a "floating floor." Interlocking panels are slightly more expensive, but will cut down on the associated installation expenses, as well as improved general reliability. Cork flooring is a wonderful alternative to hardwood, and is available today in many affordable styles.