Cork

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Contents

Origin and History

Cork material comes from the bark of the Quercus suber (commonly called cork oak). It grows naturally throughout the Mediterranean region predominately in Portugal and Spain but also in Algeria, Morocco, Southern France, Tunisia and Italy. Currently there are more than 1.4 million hectares and 0.85 million hectares in Europe and Northern Africa respectively that are covered in cork oak.1

Cork is a product that has been used since the beginning of human civilization, as far back as 3000 BC. Fishermen in China appreciated the exceptional qualities of cork and were using it in their tackle and floats.3 The ancient Egyptians used corks in their bottles as stoppers and cork was also being used in Ancient Greece as crowns, sandals and as buoys for the fleet of Greek ships. It was also used for footwear, cask stoppers, roofing material in Italy as early as 300 BC. During Roman times amphorae were sealed with corks as found in the ruins of Pompeii. The Greeks and Romans also mentioned “the tree with renewable bark” in written works. In Greece, cork was so highly regarded that only a priest was allowed to cut them.4

In 1209 Portugal enacted agrarian laws that became some of the first examples of environmental legislation. These laws prohibited the banging of sticks against the cork oak trees, thus protecting the tree’s acorns. Eventually more legislation was implemented which provided regulation regarding the pruning, thinning and stripping of the bark.5

In the 1700s several milestones in the cork industry occurred. It was during this century that the French monk Dom Perignon started to seal his bottles of champagne with cork, a tradition that has carried on to the present. This was also when the first microscopic views of cork were obtained and its chemical composition started to be studied. The end of the 18th century saw the industrialization of cork stopper production, which led to the beginning of the “systematic cultivation” of Portugal’s cork oak forests.6

It was the late 1800’s when cork was introduced as a flooring material and by the 20th century it was being used as flooring in a wide variety of buildings such as libraries, banks, churches and private residences, most of which still have the original cork.7 Some prominent buildings featuring cork include The First Congregational Church (1890) in Chicago, IL, the U.S. Library of Congress, the Mayo Clinic and Plumber Building (1912)8, and the Manitoba Legislative Building (1920)9. Frank Lloyd Wright also specified cork, installing it in many of his project including his iconic Falling Water residence in 1937.10

After WWII other flooring options became more popular. This along with the discovery of new materials such as vinyl eventually led to a steep decline in the use of cork in interiors.11

Recently the cork industry has seen a decline in its market share of wine stoppers, the industry’s main profiting product. This has lead the industry to actively promote its product and allocate more money to research and development.13 This public relations campaign has coincided with the growing global concern for the environment and the search for sustainable building materials, thus causing resurgence in cork’s popularity as a material of choice for interior applications.


Harvesting and Manufacturing

Once a cork oak is 25 years old and has a circumference of more than 70 cm at a height of 1.5 m, it is ready to be harvested. Before the tree reaches the sufficient circumference, the cork that the tree produces is not profitable or of sufficient quality. After this, the tree can be harvested every 9 years for an average of 175 years. The first harvest produces “virgin cork” which is not yet of high enough quality for cork stoppers but can be made into flooring or insulation. The second harvest produces “secondary cork” which is of better quality but is still not good enough for cork stoppers. It is the third and subsequent harvests which produce the best quality cork which is harvested every 9 years up to 15-16 times on average throughout the lifespan of the tree. Specialists with hand tools continue the ancient practice of stripping the cork oak of its bark. It takes a lot of experience and great skill to rid the tree of its bark without harming it.14

The harvesting of the cork oak occurs during the summer when the tree is going through its most active growth phase, this is usually from mid-May until the end of August. First a cut is made vertically into the bark’s deepest crack, and is then pried to lift the bark from the tree.15 Great care is taken to ensure that the axe does not penetrate the thin membrane that separates the bark from the inner trunk as it could severely damage, if not kill the tree. Cuts are then made to divide the plank, and it is taken off the tree carefully so that it does not break. This then continues around the circumference of the tree trunk. After all the pieces have been removed any residual bark is knocked off to keep the tree free of possible parasites.16 Finally the tree is then painted with the last number of the year in which it was harvested to ensure that it is not touched again for another 9 years.17

Planks are then stacked and stored outside to expose them to the elements for at least six months according to industry standards. This stabilizes the cork and allows it to season. After this period the planks are cleaned, stripped of its tough outer layer, stacked and boiled. The boiling process expands the cork cells creating planks which are smoother, flatter and have up to 20% more volume.18 This also removes any impurities from the cork. The planks are then left for 2-3 weeks to stabilize, after which it is sliced into strips to make wine stoppers.19 It is the waste from this primary process of making wine stoppers that is used to make flooring and other construction materials.20 Using every piece of leftover cork, or material from recycled wine corks, the scraps are ground up into small pieces and held together by a non-toxic binder. This mixture is then compressed, molded into slabs and baked. Baking strengthens the cork and allows for it to be cut into planks and tiles in standardized sizes with no waste. After this the tiles and planks are sorted by colour, which depends on how long it was baked for, and coated with a wax or polyurethane. This finish helps provide increased protection against dirt, moisture, cleaning chemicals and anything else that may wear on the cork.21

While harvesting occurs all over the Mediterranean, the majority of the manufacturing takes place in two regions of Portugal, Aveiro (Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira) and Setbal. These two regions account for 86% of the cork manufacturing workforce.22


Properties and Composition

Cork is a unique material unmatched by any human invention or other natural substance. Cork is: • resilient • acts as a thermal insulator • impermeable • acoustical • light • buoyant • resistant to abrasion, mold and fire (in its natural state)

Since cork is a natural product it will vary in shades and has a distinct granular variation and will fade from direct sunlight.23 It can be stained in various colours just like hardwood.

At 45%, the main component of cork is suberin, a hydrophobic substance, with the rest being a mixture of ligin (27%), polsaccharides, ceroids and tannins. Suberin is insoluble in most liquids and is the substance that covers the cell walls, making them impenetrable. This is the main contributor to cork’s impermeability. Cork’s small irregular prism-shaped cells are filled with a gaseous mixture with properties similar to air. In fact, 60% of cork is gas which is why it is so light and buoyant. Suberin makes the cells impenetrable so the gas in the air pockets cannot escape, instead they are compressed making them into cushion-like pockets.24 It is this characteristic that makes cork so resilient and great for acoustical and insulation purposes. Suberin also prevents rot from occurring in the cork as it repels water.25


Installation and Maintenance

Cork flooring can be installed either as direct glue down tiles or as floating planks depending on the condition of the subfloor. Tiles can be glued down directly to a clean, dry sub-floor that is free of anything which would hinder glue bonds. Floating planks, on the other hand, can be installed over almost any flooring provided that it is level. If moisture is present, a properly installed vapor barrier must be used or swelling can occur.32 Most problems with cork flooring are directly related to poor installation, so it is important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines or have a professional install it.

It is always good practice to make sure to keep left over material in case future repairs need to be made. See Appendix 1 for detailed installation information. If installed correctly most cork flooring requires little maintenance, besides some refinishing. • The floor can be washed with a damp mop but care should be taken to avoid large amounts of pooled water and harsh chemical cleaners. • Entrance mats and furniture pads are recommended. • To fix a spot in a cork application, shavings from a spare cork tile can be taken and mixed with polyurethane to create a putty which can then be used as filler. • Re-coating and screening of the cork can be performed as much as one likes. Completely refinishing or sanding is possible but can only be done a limited amount.36


Interior Uses

Interior For interior applications cork is predominately used as resilient flooring material, but can also be used on the ceiling or as wall tiles or as underlay for other flooring material. Cork is also a beautiful and comfortable material for furniture and cork fabric can be used for upholstery.

Construction Because of its honeycomb-like air pockets cork works well for building materials because it acts as a sound and thermal insulator as well as a vibration dampener all in one. It is also used for expansion and compression joints.37

Cork’s ecological footprint is quite minimal. The bark from the cork oak is harvested or “peeled” from the tree, allowing new and thicker bark to regenerate in its place.41 Once harvested, a tree will produce 250% - 400% more cork bark than if the bark were left on the tree.42 This process is not damaging to the rest of the tree nor does it require any expensive machinery. As a result, every cork oak tree can be considered a “renewable resource of raw material”.43 Although the bark cannot be harvested until 20 years after the sapling has been planted, every 9 to 10 years after that the bark can be re-harvested until the tree is approximately 200 years old. A tree at its peak age of about 80 years can produce 440 lbs (200 kg) of cork in one harvest. The cork tree naturally reproduces new saplings, and in addition, whenever a cork tree dies and is removed, two new saplings are planted in its place.44

In addition to the ecologically sound harvesting process, the trees themselves contribute greatly to the ecology around them. Cork oak forests of the Mediterranean ecosystem are the second largest bio-gem in the world , second only to3 the Amazonian Rainforest.46 These forests protect rich biodiversity, including 15 to 25 thousand species.47 One of the largest sections of the forest is in the Portuguese Montado, with 730,000 hectares of trees that provide defense against desertification of the area as well as consume great amounts of carbon dioxide emissions.48 As important as these trees are to the surrounding ecology and economy, the forests find themselves in jeopardy. The main market for cork is the production and distribution of cork wine stoppers, accounting for almost 70% of the cork market. Over 15 billion stoppers are sold yearly worldwide. Cork stoppers represent the highest cork market value, and can sometimes be 25 times the worth of other cork products such as underlayment or tiles.


Size and Cost

Cork flooring tiles are available in sizes ranging from 1/8 to 2 inches thick in varying dimensions. Cork “planks” are also available from some manufacturers.55 See Appendix 2 examples of cork floor tile sizes and the variety of options that are available.

Cork flooring is comparable price-wise to mid or high-end hardwood flooring. Uninstalled cork usually ranges from about $3 to $7 per square foot.57 If the cork surface is maintained properly, it has been known to last more than 40 years (comparable to hardwood floors) in high-traffic areas such as in retail stores or schools. Contrary to most flooring options, cork actually increases in strength over time. If treated properly, cork resists cracks and abrasions and will self-heal extending the life of the tiles. Compared to vinyl, the natural colors and patterns inherent in the cork tiles remain visible as the tiles wear whereas colors and patterns in vinyl are surface treatments and once they wear, they require replacement.58 Similarly, long-term costs of installing cork are significantly lower than vinyl flooring due to its natural and characteristic durability and, if maintained properly, can outlast vinyl flooring by 4 or 5 times.59

The total cost over 20 years for cork is significantly lower than other resilient flooring options. It is also significant that cork is one of the longest lasting options at 30 – 40 years with one of the lowest yearly maintenance costs.

In comparison, refinishing with water based polyurethane is required only every 3 to 4 years60 whereas wax finished cork must be refinished once every year and requires continuous maintenance including mopping, sweeping and buffing to maintain the finished look of the tiles.61 It would appear that considering environmental factors and life span costs, water-based polyurethane finish is the ideal choice for cork.


Environmental Impact

According to the World Wildlife Fund’s “Cork Screwed?” report survey, cork stopper sales in the wine industry suffered a fall of about 20% worldwide between 2000 and 2005 due to the often cheaper and more readily available plastic or metal closures. As a result, as the WWF’s survey indicates, in the next decade “1-2m hectares of cork oak forests could be lost” and shortly following possibly two thirds of the entire cork oak forest area due to low demand and neglect. This change of markets, in a worst-case scenario, may also result in the loss of an estimated 60, 000 jobs.49 Promotion and preservation of this ecologically sound raw natural product appears to be crucial to its long-term survival.

The process of making cork and cork itself also leave behind a minimal ecological footprint. Agglomerating, or combining the small pieces of the cork requires “binders” to affix the granules together.50 The binders are based on natural cork resins and only hot steam from water boilers is needed for production. The production process involves only cork products and as a result is completely natural and ecological. The factories themselves are also partially fuelled by cork: the waste cork residue from the manufacturing process has a high-energy content and is burned to create the steam or fuel other machines.51

Once processed, cork does not shed microfibers or off-gas and is naturally resistant to fire, rot, bacteria, mold and moisture, ensuring that no volatile additives or preservatives need to be applied to extend the cork’s life. If the cork were to be set on fire, it releases little smoke and minimal Volatile Organic Compounds (whereas vinyl releases VOCs such as dioxin and hydrochloric acid) into the atmosphere. With these personal health and environmental factors considered, cork is gaining popularity.52

There is actually no VOC content in the natural cork itself. The main sources of VOCs are in the cork finishes and adhesives. There are two main finishes for cork: polyurethane and wax. Water based polyurethane, natural or beeswax wax and water based adhesives all have a low VOC content making them ideal choices.53 For example, finishing product company Loba’s WS 2K Supra Extra Matte Finish has a VOC content <100 grams/liter, which is one of the lowest on the market.54

Recycle

Natural cork is recyclable, renewable, biodegradable and completely natural. During the cork production process, none of the bark is wasted: the waste bits are granulated and used for other cork items and even the dust produced is used for fuel in the factories. Perhaps most importantly, even though cork is completely biodegradable, cork doesn’t have to end up in a landfill. Cork can be collected, sorted, cleaned and sent to local manufacturers for reuse as memo boards, tiles, underlayment, and acoustical panels among many other things.62 Expanco’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) qualification document highlights their cork’s biodegradable and recyclable nature, illustrating its relevance to environmental and sustainable design. It signifies cork as a “100% sustainable and renewable resource”.63

A Canadian company out of Oakville, Ontario has exclusive rights to a new innovative use for recycled wine stoppers: mosaic cork floor. It is made by slicing the stoppers into discs and arranging them into tiles similar to mosaic ceramic tiles. These tiles are glued down and coated with sealer to create a durable finish.64

There are a number of organizations striving to raise awareness and educate the public about the sustainable/renewable qualities of cork and how to take part in the preservation and recycling processes. Two major organizations are Cork ReHarvest and ReCork. Cork ReHarvest began in 2008 and has led the cork recycling movement throughout Canada and the USA. Each Year they are able to collect and recycle a portion of the 13 billion corks produced annually. In addition to recycling programs, they also educate the public about the cork forests in the Mediterranean and they great biodiversity they protect. They are also calling attention to the thousands of jobs that may be lost if the cork industry collapses.55

ReCORK by Amorim (previously ReCORK America) also is a recycling program in Canada and the USA and is sponsored by Portugal’s Amorim and SOLE footwear as well as sales affiliates in the US. They also recycle millions of corks each year (they have a ticker counter on their website) and educate the public about the cork forests. SOLE footwear is beginning to replace petroleum-based plastic soles with a unique recycled cork blend.66

LEED

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Life Safety & Rating Standards

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 09700

Traditional uses

  • Flooring
  • Wall covering
  • Furniture
  • Veneer
  • Underlayment for resiliency or acoustics
  • Wine bottle stoppers
  • Bulletin boards

Emerging uses / trends

  • Use on walls
  • Laser cut inlaid designs
  • Vibrant colors

Finish and aesthetic qualities

  • Cork is very lightweight, resilient, compressible and impermeable
  • It is available in a variety of natural colors as well as dyed colors
  • Varied texture with no definite pattern or design

Surface forms / shapes

  • Tiles are usually square, although custom options are available.
  • Sheets can be cut into custom made designs.

Cost analysis

  • Tile from $5.00 to $6.00 per square foot.
  • Plank from $6.50 to $8.00 per square foot.


Material properties

Primary structural use

  • Cork is an applied finish material; it is not structural.

Material performance

  • Because cork's tissue is made of 90% gaseous matter, the density is very low which makes it an efficient insulator for acoustics, heat, and mechanical vibration.
  • It is a resilient material because after being subjected to pressure, cork recovers quickly to it's original shape.
  • Cork is impermeable; The presence of Suberin, an inherent waxy substance, renders cork impervious to both liquids and gases, and therefore doesn't rot.
  • It is anti-microbial and is inherently resistant to molds, mildews, and common pests such as termites.
  • It is hypoallergenic because it does not absorb dust that causes allergies.
  • Cork is extremely resistant to ear, because it's less affected by impact and friction than other hard surfaces, due to it's cellular composition.
  • Cork is a natural flame retardent and will not spread flame or release toxic gases during combustion.

Dimensional and opening restriction

  • Tile – 3/8” - 3/16” thick, 12”x12” tiles (custom options available)
  • Plank – maximum dimension is 30’ in either direction
  • Underlayment -- available in 4’ x 50’ rolls in thicknesses of 5/64”, 1/8”, and 1/4“,
  • Also available in 2’ x 3’ sheets in thicknesses of 1/4” and 1/2”.

Acoustic property

  • Cork has very good sound absorption, and is often used for this reason.

Manufacturing process and assembly

  • Cork is the outer bark of the evergreen cork oak, a tree from the beech family, which grows mainly in Western Mediterranean countries, such as Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy, and the Maghreb.
  • Cork is made from agglomerated cork granules. These are bound together with resins, baked in a mold, and then sliced, rested, split, and sanded.
  • It is finished with either a polyurethane acrylic or a water-based finish, which can be applied before or after installation.
  • Regarding installation:
    • Sheets or tiles should be left unwrapped in space for 24 hours prior to installation to prevent warping.
    • Use manufacturer- recommended adhesive on well-prepared sub-surface.
    • Tiles should be laid in staggered pattern for easier installation.
    • Not usually recommended for wet areas.

Environment and Life Safety

Environmental impact

  • Cork is sustainable. It is harvested by stripping the bark of the cork oak tree every 9-14 years.
  • Each cork oak tree provides an average 16 harvests over its 150-200 year lifespan.
  • Cork tiles are biodegradable, non-allergenic, sound and thermal insulating, and nontoxic.

Flammability rating

  • Very good, as long as appropriate adhesives and sealants are used.
  • Fire rating: ASTM E648: Class II
  • Smoke density: ASTM E662: Flaming 103, Non-Flaming 109

Coefficient of friction

  • Good, as long as appropriate sealants are used.
  • 0.74 +/- 0.04
    • Dry: .7048
    • Wet: .7293

References

Notes


Student contributions

  • Abigail Joyce, Fall 2005
  • Christina Gerke, Spring 2007
  • Janna Frapart, Spring 2008
  • Janet Lasher, Spring 2010

See also

Similar materials

Building references

  • The Daily Grille, Georgetown Inn, Washington, DC
  • The Lenox Hotel, Boston, MA
  • First Congregational Church, Chicago, IL: Entire church area installed in 1890. Still in use.
  • Falling Waters House, Mill Run, PA; Frank Lloyd Wright, 1937

External links

Additional resources

Bibliography

1 Portuguese Cork Association, Cork Oak to Cork: A Sustainable System [PDF], 8. Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/userfiles/File/Publicacoes/From%20the%20Cork%20Oak%20to%20Cork%20a%20sustainable%20system.pdf (accessed 10 14, 2010).

2 APCOR, Information Sources: Cork Production, Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 15, 2010).

3 APCOR, History of Cork, Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 14, 2010).

4 Build Direct, Natural Cork Flooring: Easy Bein’ Green, Build Direct, http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors- BDU/Natural_Cork_Flooring_Easy_Bein_Green.aspx (accessed 10 16, 2010).

5 APCOR, History of Cork, Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 14, 2010).

6 Wicanders, Creating Shared Value, Wicanders Cork Oak Blog, http://wicanderscorkoakblog.com/sharedvalue/ (accessed 10 14, 2010).

7 APCOR, History of Cork, Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 14, 2010).

8 Build Direct, Natural Cork Flooring: Easy Bein’ Green,” http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors- BDU/Natural_Cork_Flooring_Easy_Bein_Green.aspx (accessed 10 16, 2010).

9 Eco Choices, Natural Cork Flooring, ecobydesign, http://www.ecobydesign.com/shop/cork/index.html (accessed 10 14, 2010).

10 Tip Top Flooring Inc., Cork: Toronto Eco-Friendly Flooring, http://www.tiptopflooring.ca/cork_flooring.html (accessed 10 14, 2010).

11 Ibid.

12 Ibid.

13 Jelinek Cork Group, Cork Harvest, http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm# (accessed 10 13, 2010).

14 WWF, Cork Oak, http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cork_oak/ (accessed 10 15, 2010).

15 APCOR, Overview - From Bark to Bottle: Harvesting, Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 14, 2010).

16 Jelinek Cork Group, Cork Harvest, http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm# (accessed 10 13, 2010).

17 APCOR, “Overview - From Bark to Bottle: Harvesting,” Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 14, 2010).

18 Jelinek Cork Group, Cork Harvest, http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm# (accessed 10 13, 2010).

19 Cork Quality Council, Cork Production, http://www.corkqc.com/production/production.htm (accessed 10 14, 2010).

20 APCOR, Overview - From Bark to Bottle: Harvesting, Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 14, 2010).

21 Cork Quality Council, Cork Production, http://www.corkqc.com/production/production.htm (accessed 10 14, 2010).

22 Jelinek Cork Group, Cork Harvest, http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm# (accessed 10 13, 2010).

23 APCOR, Information Resources- The Manufacturing Industry, Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 14, 2010).

24 Green Floors, Protection and Maintenance of GreenFloors Cork Floors, http://www.greenfloors.com/HP_CF_Float_Maintenance.htm (accessed 10 17, 2010).

25 APCOR, Cork Properties, Real Cork, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1 (accessed 10 14, 2010).

26 Jelinek Cork Group, About Cork, http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm# (accessed 10 14, 2010).

27 WWF/MEDPO, Cork Screwed? environmental and economic impacts of the cork stoppers market, [PDF], 15. WWF, http://assets.panda.org/downloads /cork_rev12_print.pdf (accessed 10 17, 2010).

28Ibid, 4

29Ibid,17

30Ibid, 7

31 Wicanders, Creating Shared Value, Wicanders Cork Oak Blog, http://wicanderscorkoakblog.com/sharedvalue/ (accessed 10 16, 2010).

32 WWF/MEDPO, Cork Screwed? environmental and economic impacts of the cork stoppers market, [PDF], 16. WWF, http://assets.panda.org/downloads /cork_rev12_print.pdf (accessed 10 17, 2010).

33 Jelinek Cork Group, FAQ:Cork Flooring, Jelinek Group, http://www.jelinek.com/faqs_floorsA.htm#faq10# (accessed 10 14, 2010).

34 Jelinek Cork Group, Cork Décor Tile Installation, Cork and Floor, http://corkandfloor.com/decorinstal.htm (accessed 10 17, 2010).

35 Jelinek Cork Group, Cork Floating Floor Installation, Cork and Floor, http://corkandfloor.com/floatinginstal.htm (accessed 10 17, 2010).

36 Jelinek Cork Group, FAQ:Cork Flooring, http://www.jelinek.com/faqs_floorsA.htm#faq10# (accessed 10 14, 2010).

37 Build Direct, The Manufacturing Process for Cork Flooring, http://www.builddirect.com/Cork-Flooring/Cork-Floors-Articles /The_Manufacturing_Process_of_Cork_Flooring.aspx (accessed 10 15, 2010).

38 Link Cork Corp, Applications of Cork, Link Cork Cork Flooring http://www.linkcork.com/content/content_detail.jsp?cgid=13&number=39 (accessed 10 17, 2010).

39 Parque Expo, The Portugal Pavillion, Portugal Expo 2010, http://www.portugalexpo2010.com.pt/vEN/pavPortugal.html (accessed 10 14, 2010).

40 Link Cork Corp, Applications of Cork, Link Cork Cork Flooring http://www.linkcork.com/content/content_detail.jsp?cgid=13&number=39 (accessed 10 17, 2010).

41 Ibid.

42 Jelinek Cork Group, jelinekcorkgroup: About Cork, 2010, http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm (accessed 10 16, 2010).

43 Real Cork, Ecological, Recyclable and Reusable, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=31 (accessed 10 17, 2010).

44 Jelinek Cork Group, jelinekcorkgroup: About Cork, 2010, http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm (accessed 10 16, 2010).

45 Ibid.

46 100% Cork, 100% Cork: Approved by Nature, http://100percentcork.org/ (accessed 10 16, 2010).

47 Cork Reharvest, CorkReharvest.org: Cork Facts, 2009, http://www.corkreharvest.org/cork_facts.php (accessed 10 16, 2010).

48 100% Cork, 100% Cork: Approved by Nature, http://100percentcork.org/ (accessed 10 16, 2010).

49 Planet Ark Environmental Foundation, National Recycling Week: Cork Recycling, http://recyclingweek.planetark.org/documents/doc-151-corks- factsheet.pdf (accessed 10 15, 2010).

50 WWF, Cork Oaks: Changing Environment, http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/mediterranean/about/forests/cork/cork_threats /changing_markets/ (accessed 10 17, 2010).

51 Green Resource Center, Green Resource Center: Cork Flooring, 7 22, 2004, http://www.greenresourcecenter.org/MaterialSheetsWord /CorkFlooring.pdf (accessed 10 17, 2010).

52 Real Cork, Ecological, Recyclable and Reusable, http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=31 (accessed 10 17, 2010).

53 Green Resource Center, Green Resource Center: Cork Flooring, 7 22, 2004, http://www.greenresourcecenter.org/MaterialSheetsWord /CorkFlooring.pdf (accessed 10 17, 2010).

54 Expanco Resilient Flooring , http://www.expanko.com/CORK/products-CORK-ASpecs-TD.html (accessed 10 17, 2010).

55 Loba, Waterborne Finishes for Hardwood and Cork Floors, 10 2008, http://www.loba-wakol.com/fileadmin/user_upload /pdf/USA_Brochure_10-2008.pdf (accessed 10 17, 2010).

56 Lisa Godsey, Interior Design Materials and Specifications (New York: Fairchild Publications Inc., 2008).

57 Globus Cork, Globus Cork: Any Color/Any Size, http://www.corkfloor.com/tiles.html (accessed 10 18, 2010).

58 Green Resource Center, Green Resource Center: Cork Flooring, 7 22, 2004, http://www.greenresourcecenter.org/MaterialSheetsWord /CorkFlooring.pdf (accessed 10 17, 2010).

59 Green Resource Center, Green Resource Center: Cork Flooring, 7 22, 2004, http://www.greenresourcecenter.org/MaterialSheetsWord /CorkFlooring.pdf (accessed 10 17, 2010).

60 Ibid.

61 Center for Health, Environment and Justice, PVC Flooring & Toxic Cleaning Products in Schools, http://www.besafenet.com /pvc/PVC_Flooring_and_Toxic_Cleaning_Products_in_Schools.html (accessed 10 17, 2010).

62 Expanco Resilient Flooring , http://www.expanko.com/CORK/products-CORK-ASpecs-TD.html (accessed 10 17, 2010).

63 Planet Ark Environmental Foundation, National Recycling Week: Cork Recycling, http://recyclingweek.planetark.org/documents/doc-151-corks- factsheet.pdf (accessed 10 15, 2010).

64 Jelinek Cork Group, jelinekcorkgroup: About Cork, 2010, http://www.jelinek.com/about_cork.htm (accessed 10 16, 2010).

65 Jelinek Cork Group, Cork Flooring, http://www.jelinek.com/flooring.htm#4 (accessed 10 17, 2010).

66 Cork ReHarvest, Cork ReHarvest.org: About Us, 2009, http://www.corkreharvest.org/about_us.php (accessed 10 17, 2010).

67 ReCork by Amorim, ReCork by Amorim: About, 2010, http://recork.org/about/ (accessed 10 18, 2010).


Leading manufacturers

  • APC Cork Floors
  • BHK Glueless Cork Flooring
  • Dodge Cork Tile
  • Cork Concepts
  • Eurocork Cork Floor
  • Expanko
  • Globus Cork
  • NovaCork Flooring
  • Parador Cork Floor
  • Westhollow Cork Flooring
  • Woodstock Cork


Retrieved from "http://www.materialproject.org/wiki/Cork"
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