Cork flooring is certainly worth researching and learning more about. Cork originates from the bark of an oak tree, botanically known as quercus suber. Cork is grown only in areas bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Portugal is one of the world's most important cork-producing countries. It produces 50% of the world's population of cork and Spain 25% with the balance divided among Algeria, France, Morocco, Tunisia and Italy. Cork was being used for fishing boats in ancient Egypt as early as 2,500 BC; in 400 BC cork was used as stoppers for containers as well as soles for shoes. Alexander the Great was a famous cork user, and a piece of cork actually saved him from drowning when he was crossing a turbulent river.

Cork is the only tree that can actually regenerate itself after each harvest even after two-thirds of the cork has been stripped off the tree. Cork trees have to mature to an age of 20 years before they are harvestable. After the cork is harvested, that is during the debarking process, a thin layer of protective inner bark remains giving the core of the tree its unique ability to survive. Specially-designed hatchets are used for the stripping process.

The first bark that is taken from the cork tree is called virgin bark. Grayish in color, the bark is suitable for grinding into various minute sizes. This is ideal for cork insulation and composition cork flooring. Cork has also become very popular when it comes to manufacturing different decorative items. In addition to its remarkable insulating qualities, cork is a natural product with unique qualities unmatched by any other natural material. There are actually 200-million completely enclosed air cells in one cubic inch of cork. Each air cell measures 1/1000 in diameter. That is why cork flooring is remarkably quiet and has awesome insulating qualities. It is definitely worth looking into for any type of flooring project.