Synthetic turf is only as good as what sits between the blades. Infill carries the load. It holds fibers upright, absorbs impact, controls ball roll and bounce, and, more than any other component, shapes how a field feels and how hot it gets. For decades, the default answer was crumb rubber. Today, however, increasing environmental scrutiny, regulatory change, and demand for cooler, more natural playing surfaces are driving the search for alternatives. Among the materials gaining the most attention is cork.

When it comes to flooring systems, most people focus on what they can see: hardwood, tile, vinyl, cork, or laminate flooring. But what lies beneath these finished surfaces can play an equally critical role in long-term performance.

One of the most overlooked factors is vapor permeability.

Cork may be best known for its use in flooring, wall coverings, and closures, but it also plays a role in one of the most demanding engineering environments in the world: spaceflight.

In aerospace, engineered cork-based materials are used as part of thermal protection systems (TPS) - materials designed to protect rockets and spacecraft from extreme temperatures. These systems must withstand both the intense heat generated during launch and the cryogenic cold of stored propellants.

Most people open a bottle of wine and never think twice about the cork. At Jelinek Cork Group, that small stopper represents something bigger: the opportunity to keep a natural, renewable material in use as long as possible. Since 2005, Jelinek Cork Group has been a founding force in North America's natural cork recycling initiative, collecting and repurposing upwards of 100 million corks. What was once destined for landfill is now raw material for a remarkable range of products ranging from handmade home decor to commercial flooring, from schoolroom crafts to large-scale construction.

This guide covers everything you need to know for QuietCork™ Underlayment installation: subfloor preparation, floating and glue-down hardwood installation, perimeter acoustic detailing, and ceramic tile applications.

Cork underlayment is a natural acoustic and insulating layer installed between the structural subfloor and finished flooring to reduce noise, improve comfort, and enhance flooring performance.

Interior design trends continue to shift toward warmth, texture, and genuine sustainability in 2026, with one natural flooring material really standing out: cork. Far from being a throwback choice, today's cork floors represent a modern solution perfectly aligned with how we want to live. Cork flooring prioritizes comfort, environmental responsibility, and a sensory connection to nature.

As we move deeper into 2026, the interior design world is witnessing a remarkable shift toward sustainable, eco-friendly materials that don't compromise on style or performance. Leading this green revolution is an age-old material that's experiencing a modern renaissance: cork wall tiles. At Jelinek Cork Group, with over 170 years of expertise in cork manufacturing, we've seen firsthand how cork wall coverings are transforming residential and commercial spaces across North America.

As construction professionals and homeowners search for ways to reduce their environmental impact, one natural material is experiencing a remarkable comeback. Cork insulation, which has been used for centuries in cold storage, is now leading the charge in carbon-negative building practices. As the construction industry accounts for a substantial portion of global carbon emissions, moving toward materials that actively sequester carbon instead of emitting it marks a fundamental shift in how we build.

When it comes to set design - whether for theater, retail merchandising, interior staging, or seasonal décor - materials matter. Set designers often look for something lightweight, visually interesting, eco-friendly, and easy to shape or repurpose. That is why cork has become a favorite in creative set & display design and construction.

Cork flooring offers countless benefits, making it an excellent choice for homes, offices, exercise studios … almost any indoor space. It is a stylish, comfortable, and naturally sustainable flooring solution that offers a variety of design possibilities.

Learn how cork can be used to create interesting design elements in a space, like a curved edge. The final result was a stunning floor that complements the space with its durability, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal. This project not only reinforced my appreciation for cork as a material but also highlighted how easy and enjoyable it is to work with.

In our 2nd installment on using cork for science, we investigate how to use cork to build a stable boat. In this case, we are referring to a small, toy boat - not one someone would actually sit in. Try building your boat in various configurations and decide which build you think makes it the most stable. Do you have other ideas? If so, build them and see if they are as stable as you had expected.

Cork is one of the most buoyant natural materials on earth, but just how buoyant is it? In this experiment, our goal is to determine how much weight a wine cork can hold while still floating. Our secondary question is whether natural and agglomerated wine corks have different results. 

The cork harvest, a fascinating process, has deep roots in tradition and family. It involves the careful removal of bark from the cork oak tree which, when done with the necessary care and precision, does not harm the tree. In fact, the bark grows back time and time again throughout the tree’s lifespan. This careful process wouldn’t be possible without the highly skilled individuals in the cork harvesting industry. The precision and experience of the cork cutters make this process so successful.

Cork bark harvesting occurs in the summer months (May-August), taking advantage of the high heat and dry weather of Mediterranean summers. The timing of the harvest is crucial as it allows the bark to regrow as the outer layers are harvested during the tree's growth period.

Cork is one of the earth's most adaptable natural materials and has made countless contributions to human history, from traditional applications to new and innovative solutions to modern-day concerns. Unlike many other versatile materials, cork is a natural product that does not involve petroleum in its manufacturing, making it an appealing material for future development.

When exploring a zoo or museum, you are likely to see cork bark in various exhibits. Its natural texture and remarkable qualities make it a creative and sustainable choice for designing displays that mimic the natural environment.

What do you think of when you think of cork? Probably opening a bottle of wine or popping the cork off a bottle of champagne. Maybe you think of the bulletin board hanging in your office. Some of you will even think of cork flooring. These are all great uses for cork, of course, but have you ever thought of how cork is used in film and theater?

Cork saw its most significant increase in use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At the time, almost every home contained some form of cork. Cork residential uses ranged from seals and gaskets to soda bottles, corkboards, and more! Outside of the home, cork had an even more outsized role in shaping the modern world through its industrial and military uses.

Since the dawn of space exploration, cork has been a trailblazing material, celebrated for its exceptional thermal insulation. Its versatile use across a wide spectrum of applications has been a pivotal force in our advancements in spaceflight, exploration, and satellite technology. The innate properties of cork have been the driving force behind many of our groundbreaking achievements in these fields. 

Thinking of the life jackets and personal flotation devices we know today, we wouldn’t typically think of cork. But did you know, back in the 1800s and early 1900s cork was actually the main component used in life jackets?

As we transition from spring to summer, it's interesting to reflect on the role of cork in the advancement of food preservation and storage. The earliest food preservation methods involved cave and pit storage, leveraging cooler underground temperatures to extend the lifespan of fruits, vegetables, and meats. Over time, ice was incorporated into these storage systems, further lowering the temperature. One notable example is the ice pit at the Jamestown settlement. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that technological progress led to an invention that laid the foundation for a common household appliance we rely on today.

The cork oak tree (Quercus suber) is a fascinating species that thrives in the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Europe and Western Africa. It's not just its ability to flourish in regions with ample sunshine but limited rainfall that's intriguing. The cork oak tree has a unique bark structure, allowing the outer two layers of bark to be harvested while the inner layer regrows, a process that protects the tree and makes it a sustainable resource.

One of nature’s marvels, the cork oak tree, flourishes in the Mediterranean region, home to most of the world’s cork trees. These remarkable trees provide significant benefits to their native land. But can cork oaks thrive beyond the Mediterranean, and what impact do they have on their non-native landscape?

Unlike many North American and northern European forests, cork forests are characterized by widely spaced trees, which often leave plains-like grassy areas between them. This makes these forests ideal for other agricultural uses while also allowing for the growth of other indigenous vegetation. These additional agricultural uses can be seen when you take a winding road trip through southern Portugal's Montados.

We know the cork oak tree is amazing for many reasons, the most popular probably being its ability to grow back its bark after each harvest. What may not be known is the crucial role the cork oaks play in both CO₂ sequestration and oxygen production. Cork trees, like all trees, absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, storing carbon in their roots and branches while releasing oxygen back into the environment. So, what makes this tree different from other trees?