Natural Cork Flooring: A Growing Trend In Today's Green Homebuilding Industry

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I made a return visit to the English cottage that I've featured in recent months and was greeted by homeowner and custom homebuilder Jerry Bonner, of Bonner Custom Homes. English_cottage_homeowner_Jerry_Bonner.JPGWith Jerry's permission, I was allowed to tour his home and snap a few photos of the finished product. It was truly an honor!

One feature inside his house that caught my eye (among many) were the stained cork flooring tiles he had installed in the basement. It's no ordinary basement but I'll save that for upcoming posts.

Natural cork flooring tiles are fast becoming the hottest trend in today's homebuilding market for good reason.

Here's why...


Quercus_suber_aka_cork_oak.jpg

If you click on the photo above (courtesy Wikipedia), you'll see a closeup of the cork oak (Quercus suber) which is a renewable resource that is harvested for wine corks and, of course, to make cork floor tiles amongst other uses.

closeup_of_cork_flooring_tiles.JPGcork_tile_is_a_beautiful_economical_eco-friendly_flooring_option.JPG


stained_cork_floor_tiles_used_in%20English_cottage_tavern_room.JPG

Here are some of the reasons you should consider cork floor tiles in your homebuilding plans:

  • Versatility: Cork can be stained in a variety of color options.
  • Cork is a renewable resource (green homebuilding product) because you don't fell the cork oak tree, you harvest the bark from it.
  • Cork floor tiles are quick and easy to install. The area of the basement living area that the cork flooring is installed on is approximately 1200 sq. ft. (by my guesstimation) and was finished by 4 installers in a single day.
  • Cork, as it turns out, is a very cost effective flooring option according to Mr. Bonner.
  • Cork makes for a more acoustically sound room - it deadens sound.
  • Cork is soft underfoot.
  • Cork is antimicrobial, resistant to mold and mildew.
  • Cork is water-resistant and will last forever when installed properly

Quercus_suber_algarve.jpg
Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Related

Bonner Custom Homes

Where does cork come from?

DIY cork floor installation

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2 Comments

Randy said:

I've heard about using cork panels on walls with the side benefit of sound insulation. Both of you were ahead of your time since that was probably back in the mid-70's when you had a teenage music problem...it's purely a guess...Mom!

Rosalie said:

Yes, you know we had a personal experience with cork, insulating the sound from the teenage music coming from their bedroom by installing it on the wall!

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Photos

  • Notice the deep shadow lines that 3/4" lap siding creates.
  • More pre-primed cypress lap siding ready to be put to use.
  • This cypress lap siding is planed smooth for this Victorian application.
  • It's very important to fill all of the nail holes and caulk all gaps prior to painting.
  • You can see the raw edge of the siding from this angle.
  • A quarter dollar is 15/16" in diameter, used here for scale, to show the 3/4" thickness of the siding.
  • The is the three-car garage with the cypress clapboard painted in a classic white
  • Solid 3/4" cypress lap siding is used throughout the exterior of this Victorian Home
  • master bathroom suite
  • furniture sink vanity in bathroom
  • Palmdale entry with side lights and transom window
  • Palmdale foyer with alcove

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