Other Names and Species: Cork
Oak
The product commonly referred to as cork
is actually the bark of the Cork Oak tree. Once removed, the tree
regrows the bark with no lasting damage to the plant. About every 8 to
10 years the bark can be harvested again, making this product a
renewable resource.
Origin: Portugal, Spain, Morocco,
Algeria, Tunisia, and the Mediterranean Europe Basin and nearby Atlantic
Coastal area. Appearance:
Comprised of a nearly-countless number of individual air-filled cells,
cork offers a very unique appearance. Depending upon how the flattened
bark is cut, cork can reveal any of a number of distinctive surface
designs.
Properties: Cork is
impervious to water due to the interconnected nature of its
"honeycombed" and airtight cells. The product has strong elastic
properties making it a lower-impact flooring option. Cork is light in
weight and is also a good heat insulator. The product is naturally
resistant to insect attack and fire when untreated.
Workability: Because it is a
softer product, cork does not offer much resistance to cutting tools.
Principal Uses: Cork's most predominant
use over the centuries has been as a stopper for bottling due to its
water-resistant properties. Other uses include life jackets, buoys,
gaskets, flooring, sound proofing products, bulletin boards, paneling,
wainscoting, and sub-flooring.
Scientific Name: Quercus suber
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