June 06, 2008
Cork flooring is made up of millions of these 14-sided cells, each one serving as a cushion to protect the surface of the cork flooring, and making cork flooring the perfect natural solution in keeping sound to a minimum. Because of this cellular structure, cork flooring is impact resistant as well, which not only lends to its durability, but also adds another dimension to its sound reducing benefits; items dropped on a cork floor will be less likely to draw attention from noise, or from breaking (a kitchen item, such as a plate, is more likely to bounce!).[13] Cork flooring is actually a recycled by-product of cork bottle stopper manufacture and there is no shortage of supply. This ground up by product is densified three times with steam and pressure to make flooring tiles and plank wear layers and then 3-5 coats of long lasting acrylic (planks) or plant based curable oil (tiles) is applied.[14]
Reference materials:
[13] http://flooring.builddirect.com/cork-flooring/cork-floors-bdu/cork_flooring_silence_is_golden.aspx
Cork Flooring Tips
What You Need to Know About Cork Floors
