• Home
  • About Cork | Bangor Cork

About Cork


WHAT IS CORK?

The material cork is the bark of the Quercus Suber, otherwise known as the cork oak tree. The trees grow a thick bark consisting of high level of suberin, which can be harvested every 9 to 12 years for cork production. Cork harvesting is most commonly found in Portugal and Spain, as their regions have ideal climate and soil conditions for cork oak forests.

HOW IS CORK HARVESTED?

Cork is harvested, by hand, during spring and summer months, as the cork trees experience the most rapid growth during this period. Harvesters gently strip and separate the outer cork bark from the trees with traditional tools, initiating the corks next regenerative growth cycle for the following 9 – 12 years. As long as harvesting is done correctly, this process is not damaging to the life of the cork trees and the cork tree will produce cork for approximately 200 years. Highly sustainable, cork forests are some of the most environmentally harvested forests in the world.

WHAT MAKES CORK SO SPECIAL?

Cork is an extremely unique material, due primarily to its unmatched cellular structure. Due to its minuscule air-filled cell pockets, cork is a lightweight, low-density material that has incredible buoyancy. In fact, 50% of cork is air. The durable material is one of the most insulate of any natural material, due to the low conductivity of heat, vibrations, or sound.

Cork is impermeable to moisture, resisting rot, making it perfect for wine stoppers or home items such as coasters or placemats. Given its elasticity, cork has a tolerance to a multitude of temperature, making the material reliable in changing temperatures and pressure.

Even more amazing is cork’s compressibility and ability to maintain its shape given any circumstances. Cork is the only solid material that retains its width while compressed vertically. The capability for the material to rebound to its original shape makes it incredibly resistant to wear and tear, increasing longevity.

WHAT DO WE USE CORK FOR?

Here at Bangor Cork, we use the amazing material in a range of our products, including our most common products, our cork rolls and sheets. We also use cork in our bulletin boards in addition to a line of products for your home and office. We use a fine grain, resilient cork to assure your products a long, durable life.