By Eva Finkelstein
Cork has a rich sustainable history. Sustainability is actually an ancient concept. Cork was used for centuries in ancient Egypt, China and Babylon and cork floors have a great track record in modern commercial venues. Most customers that visit our showroom at GDE are impressed by the historically “green” and durable option for flooring, walls and insulation. Homogenous cork can be sanded or screened like a wood floor! Except cork has warmth, cushioning and incredible sound attenuation.
What makes cork sustainable? Every nine to twelve years, the outer bark of the cork oak tree is harvested without harming the tree. After 25 years of growth, the cork tree is ready to provide flooring, insulation and wine closures, and it will provide a harvest for around 200 years!
The Western Mediterranean is home to about 5.4 million acres in seven different countries that enjoy the carbon fixing, wildlife-loving, soil-conserving growth of the fascinating cork forests. A cork oak tree stores carbon in order to regenerate the bark, and a harvested tree absorbs up to five times more carbon than a non-harvested tree.
While the average oak tree takes around 120 years to renew, the cork alternative is not only a viable renewable wood option, it is genius!
