Cork is a natural product and it has been used in the building industry for centuries. It was first used as an insulation material in the 16th century. The process to produce cork is called "corking". The most common method of corking is by hand. The cork is removed from the tree, cleaned, dried and then cut into small pieces. These pieces are then compressed and molded into blocks. This process can take several days to complete. The blocks are then pressed together and glued together with resin. The process is repeated until the required thickness is achieved. The final product is then cut to size and polished to provide a smooth finish. Cork has many uses in the building industry. It is commonly used as a floor covering. It is also used as a sound deadening material in walls. It is also used as an insulator and a fire retardant. In order to protect the cork flooring from damage it must be installed properly. The floor should be prepared with a layer of sand or other suitable material to provide a level base. This layer is then covered with a layer of underlayment. The underlayment is usually made from fiberglass matting. The next step is to lay the cork flooring. The best way to do this is to use a floating system. This means that the cork is laid without using any nails or glue. The cork is then floated onto the prepared base. The cork is allowed to settle down for about 24 hours before it is moved. The final step is to apply the top surface finishing. The top surface may be finished with a variety of materials including wood, stone, tile or carpet. It is important that the top surface is compatible with the cork flooring. For example if you are laying cork on a wooden floor then the top surface must be a wood floor. If you have followed these steps correctly then your cork flooring will last for many years.