Cork Flooring in the Kitchen

If your kitchen is a haven for cooking and entertaining, a durable, long-lasting, comfortable, and stylish floor is a must. Cork flooring in a kitchen is a great choice for homeowners who spend most of their time in the kitchen. Why? We'll tell you now!

Durability

A cork kitchen floor is an ideal choice because of its durability and water resistance. Cork contains a naturally occurring substance called suberin, which responsible for the moisture-resistant nature of cork and cork flooring. Suberin is also insect, mold, and mildew-resistant; while also adding an element of fire resistance. If things often get out of hand in the kitchen, cork may be a good idea.

While you should never leave pools of moisture on your floor, cork can be easily cleaned with a a dry or damp rag with a mild cleaner. Also, a  polyurethane finish on your kitchen cork flooring can add an extra layer of protection. 

Soft Underfoot

Passionate cooks have been known to spend hours in the kitchen preparing elaborate dishes (and cleaning up their subsequent mess). Forget buying cushiony rugs to keep your feet from cramping - cork is a naturally soft and bouncy material that can support your marathon cooking sessions.

Additionally, cork material is known for its soft flexibility, which absorbs the impact of many items that can be dropped in your kitchen. Not only does this protect your kitchen cork floors, it also protects many objects that you may drop while cooking and entertaining.

Natural Insulator

One of the most desirable things about cork floors is that it is naturally insulated. The cellular nature of this material allows warmth to be trapped in, keeping your kitchen floor warm at all times. The benefits of this naturally insulative material doesn't stop there - the sound level in your kitchen will also be kept to a minimum as the sound waves are trapped into this porous material.

A Sustainable Product

Cork flooring is environmentally friendly because it is a renewable natural resource. Cork, sourced from the bark of oak trees, is typically stripped by hand, mixed with resins, and then crafted into flooring planks or tiles. Unlike hardwood floors which requires a full tree to be cut down, stripped bark grows back easily and the tree is maintained.

Your Design Options

Typically known for its neutral color scheme, cork kitchen floors are also available in rich browns and deep reds. Cork flooring planks and tiles come in varieties like high gloss, matte, and textured; while shapes include planked, rectangle, squared, stripped, or tiled.

Kitchen cork flooring is a natural choice for families and anyone who loves to cook and entertain. The resilient material is attractive and functional, making it a great choice for your next kitchen renovation.

More Reading: HGTV, "Cork Flooring in Your Kitchen"