It is so encouraging today to see more and more things moving towards sustainable designs.  As we go about our everyday lives, each American creates a surprising amount of waste.  In one day an average American will create over 4 pounds of waste.  In 2012 America created over 250 million tons of garbage.  The majority of that waste is organic materials that we simply throw away.  For more information about the amount of trash America creates and what it is comprised of you can read the EPA’s report on municipal solid waste.

As Americans we have taken significant leaps in the amount of material we recycle in past years.  In 2012 we recycled almost one third of the garbage generated and have significantly increased our recycling of paper, plastics and metals since the 1980s.  For more statistics on recycling in the US you can read this article with US recycling statistics.

It is important to recycle materials whenever possible, but don’t forget to think sustainably when purchasing new products as well.  There are some products that are made from raw materials that are extremely difficult to extract from the Earth, or are very rare.  These materials are often expensive, but also come in a limited supply and will one day run out.  Sustainable materials, on the other hand, are those that can be easily replenished as quickly as we are using them leading to an infinite supply of natural resources for that product.

Cork is one of the best sustainable flooring options available today.  Cork flooring is made from a sustainable natural resource; the cork oak tree.  These trees provide the wood for making cork of all kinds, from wine corks to cork boards and flooring.  These cork oak trees are replanted after harvesting and can be planted and grow quickly enough to be a sustainable resource.  Also, the cork used for many cork floors is derived from the waste stream of wine cork manufacturing and can easily be made from other recycled woods.  Cork flooring is sustainable flooring at its best and is a great product for anyone wanting to reduce their impact on the environment!

Besides being a sustainable flooring, cork is also a wonderful flooring option for many rooms in your home.  Since cork is not a solid wood flooring, but rather a wood composite, it is a great insulator.  Cork floors can help keep sound down in your home, as well as keep a warmer feel.  Cork is also an extremely soft wood so it has a great underfoot feel.  It can bring a certain amount of cushioning for walking barefoot or lounging on your new floor and can really make your space feel warm and cozy.  Cork flooring is also hypoallergenic and easy to clean and maintain.  Cork flooring does need to be regularly sealed to ensure moisture is not absorbed into the floor causing stains.  It also is softer than hardwood flooring so it can be susceptible to scratching or denting over time.

If you are considering cork floors in your home because you are interested in sustainable flooring, you are making a great choice!  As you try to decide if cork is right for you, let the professionals at Caroline Flooring Services help you decide based on the facts and their experience.  You can even stop by our showroom at 3830 Dorchester Rd. in North Charleston to experience the warmth and ambience of cork flooring for yourself!  Our staff knows all the pros and cons of cork and can help you determine if it is the best material for your new floors.

Once you’ve decided on your floors, we offer free onsite measurements, removal of your old flooring and technicians skilled in cork floor installation to make sure your new floors look perfect!  We also have a cash and carry program for the handy man’s next project.  For more information give us a call at 843-225-0700 or visit our website to learn more about our cork flooring options.

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Recycle – By Nicolas Raymond – Licensed by Creative Commons Share Alike 3.0 Via Flikr – Original Link
Cork Flooring – By Pbroks13 – Licensed by Creative Commons Share Alike 3.0 Via Wikimedia Original Link