Floors
Love that it can be stained any color If you’ve ever noticed how fast a wine cork pops back into shape when it’s released from the bottle, you have a good idea of how springy and flexible cork is. Its shock-absorbent structure translates to comfort underfoot—a real boon in spots where you spend long periods standing, such as in a kitchen or home gym. (That also means dropped glassware or china has less chance of shattering.) Plus, it holds warmth and muffles sound like a champ. Cork also has serious green cred. The trees gradually regenerate their bark after it’s harvested, and the harvesting process itself is strictly regulated in order to keep damage minimal. Because the trees can live between one and two centuries, cork is a long-term renewable resource. And if there’s an allergy sufferer in your home, it’s a dream material: It doesn’t accrue dust and contains suberin, a natural substance that fends off mold, mildew, rot and pests. Fans of cork adore its natural variations in tone and texture, which create a richness and depth that even the best manufacturers can’t replicate. If you’d rather go bold, cork can be dyed or stained any shade that suits your fancy.
Tile: Fondovalle by Mariana Pickering (Emu Architects) Mariana Pickering (Emu Architects) Now that the ceramic industry has tackled wood, stone, metal and cement, I think we're going to start to see more creative textures like this one. Especially as the large-format technology grows, so does the opportunity to treat the tile itself as a piece of art or a painting. The individuality of each tile also becomes more important, and we'll see more variation and less repetition in each collection. I spoke with one company that now has 36 different texture images for each format of each style of tile. In small spaces it will appear as if each one is unique. Tile: Cisa
Not only do these new surface technologies allow for more slip resistance, but they also address easier ways to clean ceramic tiles. Many companies this year are boasting new coating products or treated tiles with all kinds of associated benefits. This one boasts antibacterial cleanliness and stain removal with only water. Tile: Hydrotect Self-Cleaning Ceramics by Casalgrande
Installation - GET A PRO Most cork flooring comes in one of two forms: planks or tiles. Planks can either be solid cork or engineered laminate-style (cork veneer with a fiberboard core). They’re available in glue-down or “floating” applications—the latter locks together at the edges and sits right on top of any smooth surface, which makes it especially DIY-friendly. Avoid engineered planks in moisture-prone areas; they’re likely to warp. Tiles, made from solid cork, generally are glued to a subfloor. Installation isn’t difficult, but it can take a fair amount of prep work to get the underlying surface in shape. If you’re opposed to the look of seams, or you want custom-cut shapes and designs, cork is also sold in sheets. However, installation gets much trickier, so you may need the help of a pro.
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