Thermal Properties Of Cork Flooring

Suberin a natural substance in cork works as a mold inhibitor and prevents cork flooring from rotting besides that it has natural insulation properties that can help reduce heating costs.

Thermal properties of cork flooring.

Cork floors are. The thermal conductivity of this material is 0 037 0 040 w mk. Cork is noted for the following properties. The material is easy to use durable and versatile.

Cork flooring is a great choice for play areas or commercial spaces where there is a desire for a comfortable walking and standing surface. Also the cork has excellent soundproofing properties reducing noise coming from the street. It also does not dent easily and it won t be affected by changes in temperature. Cork is also a natural thermal and acoustic insulator which means rooms with cork flooring are naturally warm and quiet.

This value translates into high thermal inertia of cork. Cork flooring is available in tiles and planks in many styles colors and sizes. Cork flooring costs. In addition to this advantage it is worth noting the very high specific heat capacity.

Some 50 of cork is captive air which results in excellent buoyancy compressibility elasticity a high degree of imperviousness to both air and water penetration and low thermal conductivity. A one inch cube of natural cork contains more than 200 million tiny air filled pockets. Its natural thermal insulation properties allow cork floors to provide an optimal floor temperature all year round even without underfloor heating. Flooring materials need to be able to hold up to heavy traffic.

Professional installation is fairly economical adding 1 to 2 per square foot. The denser the cork is the stronger the resulting material will be. Because of its low thermal conductivity cork flooring is ideal for applications over cement subfloors. Its properties and low density given by millions of air filled cells can make cork flooring an advantageous option for thermal insulation or for acoustic purposes but it also makes cork flooring prone to scratching indentation yellowing water problems and wear.

Cork is extremely strong so it will provide you with a resilient and lasting material for your floor. In contrast to other materials it retains its insulation properties over a very large temperature range.