Musicians have special needs when it comes to flooring in their home, especially if they live in an apartment or other form of multiple housing unit where neighbors might be on the other side of a thin wall. To practice most effectively at home, musicians need the right acoustics as well as insulation to protect them from the wrath of neighbors. Carpet has been used by many, but cork flooring might offer a more attractive and long-term solution.
Cork Flooring and Insulation
Cork flooring is made from the bark of tree from the Mediterranean, Quercus suber. Every nine or ten years, the bark is harvested from carefully preserved trees grown especially for this purpose in forests in this region. The cork is used to make stoppers for wine bottles as well as cork floor tiles.
The attribute of cork that makes it terrific both underfoot and as insulation is the special shape of the cells within the material. Cork is comprised of fourteen-sided cells that are extremely strong yet very flexible. The cell walls are also airtight and waterproof. Joined together in a honeycomb pattern, these cells make up the perfect material for the homes of practicing musicians.
Cork not only insulates your home from extreme temperatures, but is also dampens noise considerably - more so than many carpets. Cork flooring tiles are attractive and can be finished to make a unique and fashionable floor, or cork can be used as underlayment for other flooring options. In addition to an attractive flooring option, cork is also designed for use on the walls and ceilings. This can effectively make a completely insulated room for practice, or if you prefer to practice in the living room, a cork floor installation might be enough to keep neighbors from complaining.
Cork Flooring and Acoustics
The design elements of a natural flooring option other than carpet are easy to see. Large expanses of natural wood and the ease and practicality of laminate flooring make it hard to settle for carpet if you're interested in the material only for acoustics. Unfortunately, both laminate and hardwood flooring create very poor acoustics with sound waves bouncing and echoing off the hard surfaces.
Many musicians think carpet, however undesired for aesthetic reasons, is the only option when it comes to creating the right acoustics for quality practice. This is simply not the case when you expand your flooring options to include cork flooring. Cork might not be the most common flooring option, but it has been used commercially and residentially for well over a century. It also comes in a wide variety of hues and patterns which means anyone that has it mind to buy cork flooring will have no trouble finding something that suits their preferences.
A warm honey tone from a natural material is easy to have installed and lasts as long as most hardwood floorings, especially with a protective finish. Cork flooring is durable, cost effective and attractive. It is especially suited to individuals seeking a flooring material as beautiful as hardwood or bamboo flooring, but with the insulating and acoustic benefits of carpet.
For more information on all types and brands of cork flooring visit Cork Flooring Biz
Cork Flooring for Musicians
