If you binge watch any series of design shows, it’s easy to see what’s popular to today’s consumers. Modern trends are constantly changing, and there is enough variety of must-have looks for everyone to choose a style that feels current, yet fits their personality and requirements for functionality. Yet, there are some products and designs that are undeniably having their moment (or years!) in the spotlight. Open layouts, granite countertops and shiplap walls are design options of choice for many home-hunters and house-fixers alike.

Another popular design option is hard flooring, either in part or throughout your house. There are many choices for hard flooring—each with its own benefits. Linoleum and luxury vinyl products offer beautiful designs, high durability and low maintenance. Yet, for many—the choice is clear. They want the beauty and uniqueness of real hardwood.

While species such as maple and oak remain popular, many consumers are gravitating towards other options, such as natural cork. Sustainable, durable and uniquely beautiful, natural cork is a practical and stylish choice to consider for your hard floors.

What is cork?

Cork comes from trees which grows predominantly in forests throughout areas of the Mediterranean, including Portugal and Spain. They are a robust tree, and can survive severe conditions for hundreds of years. Their unique properties make them a precious resource.

Cork differs from most wood in that it comes from the bark of the tree instead of the trunk. After the tree is harvested, the bark grows back and is ready to be harvested again every ten years or so—making cork a sustainable wood flooring option. Natural cork is stripped by hand, lowering the impact on the environment, since no machines are used for this process. Plus, responsible harvesting can even significantly prolong life of cork trees.

Why is cork flooring so popular?

Natural cork floors are having a moment from the pages of design magazines to home makeover shows. Yet, this “hot product” isn’t exactly new. There are actually cork floors that are more than 100 years old that are still in use today. (We’re looking at you, Library of Congress!) However, these older cork floors required more maintenance, causing them to fall out of popularity until more recently.

Today, there are many technology advancements that have led to a resurgence in the popularity of these floors. Cork flooring that is on the market now is typically made from the byproducts of bottle-stoppers. One industry’s waste is now a high-value product! Add high-pressure and some adhesive to the leftover cork, and wood sheets are formed.

What are the benefits of cork flooring?

With today’s finishing techniques and treatments, such as UV-cured finishes and advanced generation abrasion resistance, cork flooring offers benefits over many other types of flooring. It’s warm and comfortable underfoot—even if you are standing for a long period of time. (Think of how soft and pliable the cork from a wine bottle is to pressure from your hand.) Cork is also quieter to walk on than most hardwood, luxury vinyl and laminate flooring products. Yet, cork is also a durable flooring choice. It’s resilient and scratch resistant, making it a good hard flooring choice—even for high-traffic areas.

Is cork flooring good for the environment?

For many people, the greatest advantage of cork is that it is a natural flooring product. It’s good for the environment, and it’s specifically good for the environment inside your home. Look for Greenguard Gold Certified products for Indoor Air Quality, to ensure your floor does not introduce harmful VOC’s into your family’s home.

Cork flooring is available in planks that are easy to install. It’s offered in a variety of stains, allowing you to choose from light to dark hues, or even more colorful options. You can also choose from different size planks, which offer different looks for your home.

If you are looking for a wide range of benefits from your flooring, including comfort, durability, style and sustainability, you may want to consider natural cork flooring for your home.