Cork floors for the kitchen floor: laying an adhesive coating and care

Repairs in the kitchen - quite a time-consuming process, as this specific space that needs careful choice of finishing materials. One of the main tasks that need to be addressed at the stage of repair work - the choice of flooring. This issue should be taken seriously, because the kitchen floor has to be durable, easy-cleaning and also environmentally friendly. Among the wide choice of materials can be distinguished cork flooring. It fully complies with the above requirements and looks great in the interior.

Cork: material characteristic

The cork floor is not as common as a coating, like tile or wood block flooring, although it has enough advantages. For example, the surface is pleasant to touch and is perfect for those who have small children. Walk on cork is good for health because it reduces the load on the spine. In addition, the laying of cork floor - a simple process that can be done with their own hands.

Stopper - small chips from oak bark, compressed under high pressure, which is covered by resin and wood dust. This high-quality material is extracted from the special cork oaks, the life of which - more than a hundred years. See below photos of the interiors with the floor.

With his collection there is no need to destroy the trees: for the production of floor coverings of cork bark is only necessary, which has the property over time to recover. Remove the bark can be an interval of nine years, and not before the age of twenty-five years of the tree.

species

adhesive cork

Adhesive cork layer consists of pressed material - base and outer layer - veneer coatings of the cortex. The surface of the decorative layer can be processed wax, lacquer or oily substance. Cork tile has standard dimensions, typically 300 x 600, 300 x 300, 450 x 450 mm. The tiles are glued together with glue, intended for such material. After the adhesive coating laid, its surface to be lacquered for sealing.

The thickness of the coating on the floor cork is typically 6 mm, but there are also more subtle patterns - 4 mm. However, their installation more complicated and requires more care.

To facilitate the process of placing the plug in the interior, you can purchase a tile with the special chamfer which allows you to perfectly combine the two parts together, and thus avoid elevation changes on junction.

floating cork

Alternatively a stopper on the floor can be called cork laminate or parquet. Its lower plate consists of wood-fiber material with increased density. Next is a layer of pressed cork, and it rests on top of the cork veneered coating thickness of 3 mm. Sizes of parts are usually 300 x 900 and 210 x 1200 mm, and attached parts-strips with each other by means of the tool joint.

Such a floor is quite easy to packing, if necessary can be easily disassembled, so as compounds splines do not require additional adhesive fixation.

Lacquer layer is applied to the production stage, which makes it much stronger than if it would have to cover the plug after mounting to the floor.

Technical cork

It is produced in the form of rolls, sheets or pellets and not suitable for finishing. Such coating is used as a substrate for laminate flooring, the board itself or even plug. Its functions include soundproofing and additional insulation. Granules suitable for filling different niches slits.

Locking cork on the floor, in spite of its advantages, is not suitable for damp rooms: kitchen and bathroom. Lock connection in such a floor - a weak spot, it is easy to absorb water. From one spilled cup of woes will not happen if react quickly and wipe dry the floor. But if a burst pipe, the coating will be hopelessly spoiled.

The interior of the kitchen is best to use adhesive cork. It is more stable when exposed to moisture, in which case it is not cracked and does not swell.

Only it should be considered an important point - the concrete base floor must be perfectly leveled before paving.

Pros and cons of cork

Like all finishing materials, flooring stopper has positive and negative qualities.

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly. Cork floor - one of the most environmentally friendly materials, as it has a natural origin. He is non-toxic, that is, it does not emit harmful substances, and are not able to collect them in yourself. This material does not infest insects.
• Long service life. Cork floor coverings are guaranteed for up to fifteen years. This means that the quality of the floor is high enough.
• Resistance to chemicals. On the cork will not have a negative influence various agents such as: various liquid caustic, dyes, detergents.
• Resistance to mechanical damage. Cork on the floor does not deform under the influence of heavy objects. It does not remain fingerprints on the heels, legs of tables and chairs, as well as from fallen objects.

• You can not be afraid to use cork flooring in the room is constantly illuminated by the sun, because the coating is not exposed to UV-rays and does not fade with time.
• It reduces the risk of injury. The plug has a non-slip surface, therefore there is less likely to fall. In addition, if you drop a cup, it is likely to remain intact.
• Fire resistance and antistatic. A cork floor - a non-combustible material, and its surface does not accumulate dust and static electricity.
• It does not absorb odors. Cork flooring in the kitchen - an ideal option, as it will not absorb the smell in the cooking process.

The advantage is also sound and heat insulation. Cork is one of the best materials in this respect, which is especially important for those who have a child and animals. In addition, the cork will replace underfloor heating, as copes with this role. On it comfortable to walk barefoot and can not be afraid of drafts.

Minuses:

• Poor resistance to scratching. From accidentally falling knife or other sharp object visible defects can not be, but if purposefully scratch the floor while not avoid spoiled appearance of the coating. This applies to families with small children or pets.
• Expensiveness. Cork flooring is much superior in price and laminate, especially linoleum. In addition to the purchase of the coating, additional expenses for special glue, varnish and work on the base alignment.

Rules of operation cork

To cork kitchen floor feast for the eyes and adorned interior quite a long time, you should properly care for them. At least once every six months should be applied to the surface of special funds for the wax-based. They bring not only the apparent brightness and more vivid effect texture, but also prevent the attraction of dirt and dust.

The spots are left as a consequence of cooking can be removed by grinding the surface with fine sandpaper or detergents followed by coating with lacquer.

The quality of the appearance of the cork in the kitchen can be stored for a long time, if you do not use aggressive cleaning agents, brushes and sponges with metal bristles.

Stopper as a suitable material in the interior of the kitchen

Floor made of cork - universal coverage for the kitchen in any style of interior. With a wide range of material, you can choose an option that is most suitable in color and texture. These floors are always relevant and appealing.

Add comfort in the interior, you can use warm shades of the floor: honey, brown, ocher. Moreover shades can be both bright and dark, it all depends on the desired effect and harmonious combination with other furniture and decoration. Some manufacturers are experimenting with decor surfaces and represent samples with unusual textures and vivid colors.

If you want to add variety to the situation, the cork floors for kitchens, you can choose a decor printing. These effects allow you to choose any liked wood decor, even the most exotic species.

How to put your own stuff?

For the kitchen facilities is best to use adhesive cork. should carefully align the base surface before laying it. Each, even the smallest irregularities should be removed, since left bumps and dents may affect the appearance of the floor as the adhesive type.

It is important to make a preliminary layout. Laying cork floor should start from the center of the kitchen, using the whole plate. Next to the wall tile can be divided into pieces of the desired size. Stitches from the inside should be sealed thoroughly.

For cork floor, use a special glue, which immediately grasped. The final bonding occurs usually after 30 minutes, this process can sometimes last several days. After complete drying of the cork should apply varnish to the floor. Such a process, as the styling cork floor with your hands does not require special knowledge and skills. It is only important to adhere to the manufacturer's instructions.

As for the comments about the traffic jam on the floor, they for the most part positive. The quality of cork is good, and its environmentally friendly and attractive appearance suitable for use in any room - especially in the kitchen interior.

Negative comments about a traffic jam on the floor are caused by improper installation, an error in the choice of the type of material, or the improper care of cork flooring.

If you want to make a kitchen interior really cozy, stylish and attractive, you should use the plug on the floor as a finishing material. Its environmental friendliness, heat and sound insulation properties, non-slip surface and a variety of textures can compete with other popular types of floor coverings.