By Sarah Zimmerman
Cork is an environmentally friendly flooring option gaining popularity in retail, commercial, residential and corporate environments. Harvested approximately every 10 years from the renewable bark of the cork oak tree, natural cork products provide a plethora of benefits as well as beautifully crafted flooring. Whether installing glue down cork tiles or floating cork floor planks, both offer the following advantages:
• Durability and resilience
• Comfort and shock absorbent
• Sound absorbent and noise reducing
• Naturally antimicrobial and mold and mildew
resistant
• Anti-static
• Scuff resistant
• Slip resistant
• Green friendly
With cork taking center stage, especially in the green initiative,
FCNews took the opportunity to showcase the latest products available.
Capri CorkBelieving cork to be one of the best flooring options for sustainability, the company provides three cork collections: Mediterra gluedown cork tile, Cor-Terra rubber/cork blend tile and Eco-Clicks glueless floating floor. Each offers unique colors and patterns specific to Capri and is made from high-quality raw materials. Capri, a U.S. Green Building Council (US-GBC) member, also contributes to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits through each collection.
The company has basic light, medium and dark selections in its Mediterra collection partnered with a few unique patterned assortments. Its Cable Dark features alternating dark cork on a familiar veneer and gives a dramatic look to any room when installed quartered. Another company exclusive is Checker, made by reusing cut waste from the light and medium cork shades. Capri’s Fresco, Mulch and Stucco patterns bring much more surface interest to floors while maintaining subtle organic designs. And finally, the rubber/cork collections offer bright and versatile neutrals, jewel tones and fashion forward colors.
For more information, call 800.492.2613 or visit www. capricork.com.
Design MaterialsDesign Materials started importing cork flooring about six years ago in both 12-inch tiles and 12 x 36 floating floor planks and carried six styles of floating floor and only two tile. Today the line has grown to include 12 floating floor designs and seven styles of tile. It also provides cork underlayment.
Over the past year Design Materials’ cork line has undergone some changes. It recently introduced a much more durable finish. Now all floating floor styles are finished with a ceramic-based coating, which is up to four times stronger than its previous acrylic urethane. The company has also started using the patented Uniclic glueless locking system for easy installation. And the latest additions include cork reducers and cork t-molds that coordinate with the company’s color line.
For more information, call 800.654.6451 or visit www. dmikc.com.
DuroDesignDuroDesign claims to be the only manufacturer in the world to offer its products in more than 50 colors. Opening in 1995, the company strives to create natural flooring products that are stylish, ultra-resistant, easy to maintain, rich and vibrant in color and suitable for commercial and residential use.
DuroDesign adds its own MP765 finishing system to state-of-the-art dyeing and tinting technology to produce tough yet aesthetically pleasing floors. Its floors are durable with a commercial-grade, low-VOC, water-based urethane finish, which is clear, non-yellowing, wear-resistant, thick and flexible. DuroDesign prides itself on its refined color palette, and it is continuously working with designers and architects to meet specific, one-of-a-kind needs for original custom floors.
For more information, call 888.528.8518 or visit www. duro-design.com.
Expanko CorkThe largest supplier of homogenous cork flooring in North America, Expanko Cork focuses on products that maintain the highest levels of environmental acceptance, and each of its products qualify for up to four credits toward Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED) certification.
Expanko offers XCR4 Cork Rubber Flooring, which offers a combination of rubber and cork granules and makes a visually pleasing floor that hides dirt and damage. It also provides cork tiles that can be sanded and refinished up to five times and come in a variety of unique patterns.
For more information, call 800.345.6202 or visit www. expanko.com.
Gerbert LimitedGerbert is a family-owned and operated importer and distributor of environmentally friendly flooring headquartered in Lancaster, Pa. Founded in 1979, Gerbert recently solidified its leadership in the cork flooring market by acquiring the Dodge Cork brand from its sister company,
Dodge-Regupol.
Gerbert’s cork flooring is available in traditional glue down cork tiles and floating cork floor planks and offers a range of styles, colors, forms and finishes. It recently introduced the Verte line of floating cork floor planks. The planks consist of three layers, are earth friendly and come in an assortment of patterns and colors. They are pre-finished with a UV-cured acrylic finish or an environmentally friendly hot-oil-wax. Verte Natural and Verte Classico are manufactured in Gerbert’s patented Uniclic system.
For more information, call 800.828.9461 or visit www.gerbertltd.com.
Natural CorkRecognized as the leading supplier of cork in North America, Natural Cork specializes in environmentally friendly specialty flooring under the brand name Natural Cork & More. The company works closely with its factory on product development. An example of this is its unique upgrade features—superior finish, sealed edges and Microban treatment against mold and bacteria.
Natural Cork offers an assortment of products, including: cork underlayment of various thickness in rolls and sheets; cork tiles, pre-finished, unfinished and in different sizes; cork floating floors in planks and tiles; and even cork wall tiles and wallpaper. Its Flag line of cork floating floors bears a high-density wearlayer and all three upgrade features. The company offers 22 styles of floating floors, six square floating tiles, seven different styles of cork tile and an economy line of cork floating floors that come in 10 standard fashions.
For more information, call 800.404.2675 or visit www.naturalcork.com.
Nova Distinctive FloorsNova Distinctive Floors is focused on FSC-certified and environmentally friendly products. It targets consumers, designers, architects and builders with its Switzerland-made lines and was recognized by the industry in 2005 as one of the top cork and linoleum flooring suppliers in the U.S.
Nova offers both cork floating floors and glue down tiles as well as cork underlayment. Its flooring comes in a variety of color and pattern options. One of the company’s newest patterns is Crème Marmo, which resembles a marble stone floor but still provides all the benefits of cork.
For more information, call 866.576.2458 or visit www. novafloorings.com.
Qu-CorkThe Qu-Cork product line is manufactured in Portugal and is made from high-quality ISO-9001-certified cork. To ensure its products meet Qu-Cork’s North American standards, it has trained employees in Portugal supervising the manufacturing and packaging process. Its cork flooring features the Uniclic glueless system, moisture-resistant HDF core with joint impregnation to improve moisture resistance and is finished with a durable UV protectant. Qu-Cork provides distributors, dealers and designers with hand-selected displays, chain sets, presentation booklets and brochures.
For more information, call 877.649.5289 or visit www.qu-cork.com.
TorlysTorlys specializes in easy-to-maintain and install floors with 100% of its products designed using the Uniclic joint. Torlys’ cork flooring is manufactured in Portugal, warehoused in North America and available through a network of worldwide specialized dealers.
Torlys cork products provide all the advantages of the Uniclic joint, including: gap resistance, easy repairs, re-usability, high-performance and hard-wearing. Its new Florence Planks reflect narrow and elegant plank dimensions with micro-beveling, and its water-based polyurethane finish is guaranteed for 25 years.
For more information, call 800.461.2573 or visit www. torlys.com.
WE CorkWE Cork provides cork flooring, underlayment and wall covering for both residential and commercial applications. The company is dedicated to green building and maintaining the Earth’s natural resources and promotes this through its earth-friendly products.
Recently WE Cork launched a new collection, Avant Garde, which uses a
Unilin click system and features greenshield, a finish four times stronger than traditional wood floor finishes, WE Cork claims. This allows the company to now offer a five-year light commercial warranty and 20-year residential warranty. Within this collection, WE Cork offers 13 design options using several varying shades and patterns to produce traditional and unique flooring. The Avant Garde collection is also VOC compliant.
For more information, call 800.666.2675 or visit www. wecork.com.
WicandersManufactured by
Amorim Revestimentos—the world leader in cork for more than 130 years—Wicanders has produced patented Noise Reduction Technology (NRT) and Wear Resistance Technology (WRT), which have enhanced the natural benefits of cork flooring. Made in Portugal, Wicanders extends decades of dedication to its flooring from seedling to installation to preservation.
At
Surfaces 2007, Wicanders Cork unveiled its newest product, Wicanders’ patented High Performance Surface finish (HPS), which is tougher than any other high-resistance finishes in it class, the company said. It is based on the strength of nano-bead technology and is specifically designed for high-traffic areas. This innovation shields the surface layer to preserve and protect floors from damage. It also comes with a 15-year commercial warranty.
For more information, call 410.553.6062 or visit www. wicanders.com.
