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| The Center for Green Building, LLC 3380 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605 Phone: 203-382-0774 Fax: 203-382-0764 Email Us |
| Earth Friendly Flooring and Green Construction Cork is the environmentally sound choice for flooring. |
The cork oak tree is not destroyed and then
replanted but rather the bark is harvested from the
tree every 9 years, leaving the forest undamaged.
Its not unusual to have a 200 year old tree still
producing cork bark. Even better than a renewable
resource, Cork is a Harvested Resource. Only the
bark is harvested from the tree, causing no damage
to the tree which re-grows new bark.
replanted but rather the bark is harvested from the
tree every 9 years, leaving the forest undamaged.
Its not unusual to have a 200 year old tree still
producing cork bark. Even better than a renewable
resource, Cork is a Harvested Resource. Only the
bark is harvested from the tree, causing no damage
to the tree which re-grows new bark.
Cork flooring is actually made from the waste of the cork wine stopper manufacturing process so
cork flooring is a recycled product. All pigments, varnishes and adhesives that Globus Cork uses in
producing its tiles are water-based, solvent-free and have no VOCs.
cork flooring is a recycled product. All pigments, varnishes and adhesives that Globus Cork uses in
producing its tiles are water-based, solvent-free and have no VOCs.
History of Cork
Cork is harvested from the Cork Oak tree that is grown primarily around
the Mediterranean basin. Portugal is the largest producer of cork today.
The benefits of cork were known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians
who used it for bottle stoppers for olive oil and wine, floats for fishing
nets, sandals, insulation on shipping vessels and even roofing in
Northern Africa. By the 1300s, cork was a major export of Portugal and
royal decrees established regulations over the harvesting and protection
of this valuable national resource. In the 1930s, the "9 Year" law was
passed which forbid the harvesting of cork bark at any interval less than
9 years. Harvesting of virgin growth cork trees is outlawed until the trees
reach 60 centimeters in circumference. Cork bark is still harvested from
the tree in a centuries old tradition with hand tools.
Cork is harvested from the Cork Oak tree that is grown primarily around
the Mediterranean basin. Portugal is the largest producer of cork today.
The benefits of cork were known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians
who used it for bottle stoppers for olive oil and wine, floats for fishing
nets, sandals, insulation on shipping vessels and even roofing in
Northern Africa. By the 1300s, cork was a major export of Portugal and
royal decrees established regulations over the harvesting and protection
of this valuable national resource. In the 1930s, the "9 Year" law was
passed which forbid the harvesting of cork bark at any interval less than
9 years. Harvesting of virgin growth cork trees is outlawed until the trees
reach 60 centimeters in circumference. Cork bark is still harvested from
the tree in a centuries old tradition with hand tools.
Natural Benefits of Cork
Most of the benefits of cork are derived from its specialized cellular structure. Cork has a honeycomb
cellular structure and each cubic centimeter contains roughly 40 million hexagonal cells. The cork tissue is
nearly 90% comprised of an air-like gas that makes the material very lightweight and low density.
Beauty
Durability
Sound & Vibration Reduction
Thermal Insulation
Anti-Allergenic and Insect Resistant
Easy Installation
Fire Resistant
Most of the benefits of cork are derived from its specialized cellular structure. Cork has a honeycomb
cellular structure and each cubic centimeter contains roughly 40 million hexagonal cells. The cork tissue is
nearly 90% comprised of an air-like gas that makes the material very lightweight and low density.
Beauty
- Cork is a beautiful natural product and now with Globus Cork's proprietary colouring process, there
are so many design options available. Nearly any design that can be done in ceramic tiles can now be
done in cork. Globus Cork is unique in its tile size and shape offerings. More than 20 sizes are
available as well as custom designs and colours.
Durability
- Cork flooring is a very durable choice. Its been popular for use in public buildings such as court
houses, churches, banks and libraries. The softness and give of the floor causes less of a grinding
action to occur with normal foot traffic than on harder surfaces such as hardwood floors. Cork
flooring has a very long life and can be repaired if damaged. The oldest cork floor installation in the
US is in a church near Chicago dating from 1898.
- The air contained in the millions of cork cells provides a cushioned feel underfoot. It is not so soft
that it feels spongy, but it does provide noticeable relief for those who stand on their feet for many
hours. Whether standing on your feet at work all day, working in your kitchen, or if you have small
children that play on the floor, you'll appreciate the soft quality of cork floors.
Sound & Vibration Reduction
- Cork reduces the transmission of sound, vibration, heat and thus is a great insulator. The tiny cellular
compartments seal air in each compartment insulating each from the other with a moisture resistant,
waxy-like substance. This makes cork a great material for recording studios, entertainment rooms,
and any other places where sound needs to be reduced. Cork has long been used in commercial
buildings between floors and on roofs under heavy machinery for sound and vibration reduction. Cork
reduces impact sound (IIC) as well as sound transmission (STC).
Thermal Insulation
- Cork reduces heat loss in rooms and even body heat loss through the feet. Cork naturally maintains
a comfortable median temperature, never getting very hot or very cool. Walk barefoot on a cork floor
and the warmth is immediately apparent. In tests its been shown that less heat is lost through the
feet with a cork floor than with hardwood, vinyl or ceramic floors. Cork is a natural thermal insulator
because of the encapsulated cells containing mostly air.
Anti-Allergenic and Insect Resistant
- Bugs, mold, mites and even termites are repelled by cork due to a naturally occurring substance in
cork called Suberin. This waxy substance also prevents cork from rotting even when completely
submerged under water for long periods of time.
Easy Installation
- Globus Cork tiles are pre-finished and pre-glued. This means that your flooring installer will spend far
less time installing your floor and if you like to tackle home improvement projects, you can do this job
yourself. Globus Cork tiles have a micro beveled edge that allows tiles to expand and contract as all
natural products do without the edges of a tile peaking above another.
- Cork cell membranes are very flexible allowing cork to be both compressible and elastic. When cork is
subjected to pressure or heavy weights, the air in the cells is compressed. An example would be
when a cork stopper is pressed into a bottle opening. Once the pressure is released (or in the
example, the cork is removed from the bottle), cork returns to its original shape. In cork flooring, this
means that although its possible to make a dent in cork with a heavy object or high-heeled shoes,
the cork will recover to its original shape, unlike hardwood floors.
Fire Resistant
- The natural waxy substance Suberin makes cork a natural fire inhibitor. Cork is fire resistant and also
does not release any toxic gases on combustion.
Why Globus Cork?
- Tiles are pre-finished with specialized high-
grade cork finish
- More than 20 patterns in various sized tiles
- Tile edges are micro-beveled allowing for
expansion and "peak" prevention
- Custom colouring and custom cuts available
- Rich textured appearance
- Exclusive colours and unique colouring
process gives vibrant & transparent colours
- Green construction product: Colours, finish
and adhesive are all water-based
- More than 30 colours in 20 different sizes
- Tiles are pre-glued saving labor, installation
time or an easy D-I-Y project
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