Cork Floors
- Advantages:
- Distinctive look
- Warm feel - very good thermal insulation
- Low noise level
- Does not break china when it accidentally falls on the floor
- Environmentally sustainable
- Maintenance: Low level of maintenace. Re-varnishing required every 5-7 years for residential applications
- Installation: Easy to install, ready to use within 24 hours
- Cost: Inexpensive to moderate
- Variety/Availability: Not as much variety when compared to tiles
- Disadvantages: Building over an existing floor is usually not recommended. A new subfloor will be needed.
- Online Resources:
- A listing of major manufacturers with links to websites
- WE Cork - a manufacturer of Cork Floor Tiles
- A very good site with information on Cork Flooring
- DIY Advice for laying a Cork Floor
Bamboo Floors
- Advantages:
- Longlasting and durable
- Warm look, similar to wood floors
- Environmentally friendly
- Does not stain easily
- Maintenance: Easy to maintain.
- Installation: Very similar to wood flooring
- Cost: moderate
- Variety/Availability: Only a few stains are available
- Disadvantages:
- Not many color and stain options are available
- Can be scratched by sharp, pointed objects
- Should not be cleaned with water
- Needs to be imported to North America
- Online Resources
- Some technical information - very good site, with links to major manufacturers and information about all aspects of bamboo flooring including the square foot cost.
- Images of bamboo products and their care.
- Installation details for Bamboo floors
- List of manufacturers
- China Bamboo Flooring
Natural Alternative Flooring
There are many options available which use natural products. Here is a listing of some such products that can be used to generate distinctive flooring designs.
- Natural Floors - flooring materials made of natural fibres which can replace carpets
- Marmoleum Flooring - A flooring material made from natural and harvetsable raw materials such as linseed oil, chalk, wood flour, and pine resin.
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