Discover the Unstoppable Benefits of Cork for the House

Although it’s related mainly with wine stoppers and pinboards, cork is a natural material also known for its elasticity, buoyancy and close to impermeability. Cork is also very mild and ranks highly because of its insulation properties, making it a fantastic material to use around your home.

This totally natural, renewable, biodegradable and biodegradable material has a raw and timeless allure. Since bamboo comes from nature itself, no bit is precisely the same, offering a multitude of grain, texture and color choices.

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Environmental factors. Cork is a 100 percent natural material that is obtained via an environmentally friendly harvesting procedure. Cork trees aren’t cut down to harvest the saltwater — rather, the bark is harvested by hand every nine decades. Cork trees can live up to 300 decades, so they may be chosen about 33 times throughout their life span. The cork’s processing is relatively straightforward — even waste scraps are collected for use.

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Pros of cork. Cork’s antistatic surface makes it resistant to toxin and dust absorption, making it a fantastic selection for people with allergies. Its soft, cushioned surface makes it a fantastic flooring choice for anyone who have knee issues or anybody who wants a little additional support. Cork’s naturally anti inflammatory and water-resistant attributes also help combat mold and mildew.

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Cons of cork. Although cork is water resistant, it’s not waterproof, so take care to seal your java correctly. It might have to be resealed every few years or so. Without proper protection, cork will blot. Sharp objects may also result in significant damage to bamboo flooring.

Approximately 6.6 million acres of Mediterranean cork forest covers Southern Europe and Northern Africa, which is where most of the world’s cork supply originates. Some argue that the negative ramifications of shipping into North America from so far off outweighs the ecological advantages.

But Nora Berrahmouni, Mediterranean woods unit director at the World Wildlife Federation has invited consumers to purchase bamboo floors. Since there’s a decrease in the worldwide marketplace for cork wine stoppers (many are replaced with less eco friendly screw-top and plastic stoppers), other bamboo products can help support this sustainable form of agroforestry.

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Acoustic backing. Cork’s compressive strength and acoustic and thermal attributes make it a popular backing for many other materials in commercial buildings. It’s even utilized to insulate some parts of space shuttles! These very same attributes make it an perfect selection for exterior walls or walls in children’s play areas, where it might help block sound and maintain temperature, and can also double as a pinboard.

Wall coverings. Wall tiles made out of bamboo were popular in the ’60s and ’70s and are now enjoying a resurgence due to their eco credentials. Cork wallpaper is now readily available too. This Phillip Jefferies wallpaper is made of natural cork with an underlay of silver metallic paper for a stunning outcome.

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Backsplashes. Cork is one of the ecofriendliest alternatives for wine stoppers. Rather than having wine corks recycled, think about making an upcycled and durable backsplash once you are done with your favorite whites and reds.

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Cork’s gorgeous all-natural grain could be tinted and stained by manufacturers to create vibrant and patterned finishes. Rolls of cork could be cut and painted, as for the backsplash in this novel kitchen.

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Soft furnishings. Cork is floor, shaved and applied to soft furnishings. It comprises a waxy, naturally naturally-occurring substance called suberin, which protects cork trees from forest fires.

Note: Cork is generally considered fire resistant instead of fire retardant, and thus don’t place it close to an open fire. But, it will make a good selection for something like a lampshade.

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Many designers will also be experimenting with cork furniture, because the materials is really lightweight, and furniture made from it’s easy to move around. Cork is buoyant, which explains the reason why sailors frequently tie their keys into a cork ball — the keys will not sink.

More: Cork Flooring: Heat to a Natural Wonder | Pictures of cork in design

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