Cork covering to the floor types, properties, application features

The text details the type of material such as cork to the floor. From the article, you can find out what constitutes this type of finish, what qualities and characteristics he has, as well as to evaluate the feasibility of using natural cover in the interior by studying its advantages and disadvantages, consumer reviews, and average prices other factors.

Characteristics of cork flooring pros and cons

Cork floor covering is made based on porous oak bark. Extraction of this material does not carry the negative impact on nature. The place where the bark had been cut off, continues to grow and update that allows you to perform this procedure every 9 years without the threat of a tree. For the production of floor coverings used raw materials with 25-year-old oaks. Younger trees are not suitable for this purpose. The most valuable is considered to bark, cut off from the 150-year-old oaks.

As the coating base, a mixture composed of compressed cortex. As a result, special handling of the material within the furnace is saturated with air. It uses natural juice contained in the micropores. He called suberin. In the next step the material is given strength. For the so-called reinforcing resin used and wood dust, which is added in several layers.

The finishing layer is made of cork or other material, e.g., veneer, or polyvinyl chloride. From the properties and characteristics of the overcoat depends on the scope of floors, as well as their durability.

To protect the coating from wear and tear, as well as give it a specific design manufacturers use veneer in combination with other materials lining:

• Veneer - layer thickness is only 0.5 mm. The coating is applied on top of the foundations on the adhesive composition;

• veneer, lacquered for cork floor - lacquered composition prolongs finishing service which is ideal for living rooms, including a bedroom;
• veneer, vinyl-coated protective film - it prevents scratches and also prevents ingress of moisture into the material. Thanks to this manufacturer's warranty extended to 10 years;
• veneer made of fine wood and coated vinyl film - the material is a veneer of natural origin made of luxury wood. In order to protect it is covered with a layer of vinyl.

Note!Thanks to modern technology, consumers can buy cork flooring with any design. printing method allows you to put on the surface of the material realistic simulation grass, wood, sand, stone, etc.

Cork covering to the floor material advantages

Stopper used as floor coverings, has many useful properties. This finishing material has the light weight as compared with other types of coatings. The plug is characterized by sound impermeability. The material does not pass the noise, so it is suitable even for recording studios. In this decoration has low thermal conductivity, whereby heat the room does not go to the floor, and is stored inside.

The surface of the elastic tube and soft. Orthopedic specialists recommend the use of this type of finish people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as coverage in children's rooms. Cork is safe and environmentally friendly. Its non-slip surface, does not absorb the liquid and does not emit harmful substances. In addition, the material has antistatic properties. The plug does not require complex care and perfectly repels dust.

The coating exhibits resistance to liquids, and chemical agents. Exceptions are solutions of caustic alkali origin. Cork does not prevent natural circulation of air. Thanks to this material does not promote the growth of bacteria and exacerbation of allergic reactions in tenants. Cork does not rot. She is not afraid of moisture. If the floors in the building will become wet as a result of flooding, the coating does not deteriorate under the influence of the liquid, but provided that has a protective surface treatment.

Cork is not afraid to temperature changes, and is not subject to burn in the sun. Unlike laminates, this material can be placed on the balcony and balconies open type. This type of coverage is very strong and durable. Due to its porous structure material reduces friction, thus reduced aggressiveness vernal impacts.

Cons cork floors

As with any other kind of coating, cork floors also have advantages and disadvantages. Because of its soft cover over time is pressed under the weight of the furniture. Especially for bathrooms manufacturers produce slabs with a thickness of 1-1.2 cm. The size of such products is 14,8h14,8 cm. If the coating bath will have a smaller thickness, it is likely that it will strike bath through.

Should not walk in the room in shoes with rubber soles or high heels, otherwise marks will remain on the surface of the coating. Also, do not be laid on the floor mats made of latex or rubber. Trace of these products almost removed after a prolonged stay.

Useful advice!The pits left by the legs of chairs and furniture, light, align themselves. For heavy pieces of furniture, it is desirable to buy pads made of felt, which will reduce the pressure.

The essential disadvantage is the price of cork floor. Moreover, the adhesive type of coverage would cost considerably more expensive than laminate, cork. On the other hand, due to the simplified mounting system the locking plates to purchase material costs are partially compensated. As a result, the total cost of coverage is lower than that of natural parquet.

Another disadvantage of cork - flammability. The material itself is not flammable. Component of the floors are flammable its protective coating, such as paint, lacquer, glue. Natural coating has low resistance to moisture. This disadvantage can be eliminated with the help of a varnish, a sealant or wax impregnation.

Some embodiments of coatings (e.g. of the adhesive type floors) have a complicated mounting system. Quality execution of these works will be able to provide only the experts. In addition, it is impossible to carry out installation of floor heating system under the cork flooring. The material has a high degree of thermal insulation, therefore heat flows can not get into the room.

Pros and cons of cork flooring, photos, prices of different types of coatings

Manufacturers produce three types of tubes, which are used as floor coverings:

• veneer piece - the material consists of continuous pieces of bark (this type of finish has a high price and is used to decorate the ceiling and wall surfaces and recesses);
• glomerat - the material has the form of sheets, consisting of ground bark connected together by gluing (this type of finish and is available in practical low);
• composite cork - consists of agglomerate and veneer are glued together under high pressure.

For the production of the combined tube is used veneer, which did not fit for the manufacture of slabs. As a result of this finish acquires a decorative appearance and a nice texture. The combined plug is well combined with other materials.

The following types of coatings:

1. Or floating castle floor.
2. Adhesive floor.
3. Technical cork.

They have different properties and are characterized by a particular application area.

Features cork tiles for flooring lock type

Floating flooring consists of boards interconnected due to the locking of the compounds. The thickness of these panels varies 10.5-12 mm. tile size is 18,5h90 see. Finishes laid in the same way as a conventional laminate.

these plates used for manufacturing milled crumb base. As the finish coating is applied wood or cork, which are covered by the ink layer and the image printovym. This type of finish is desirable to use a well-heated spaces where there is no temperature differentials. Sudden changes may adversely affect the condition of interlocks.

Important!When buying tiles definitely need to pay attention to the quality of the tool joints. They determine the integrity of the coating and its durability.

It is not recommended to use floating floors of cork in areas with high traffic, for example, migratory corridors or kitchens. cover installation system is simple enough. If one of the fragments during the operation damaged, it is necessary to disassemble a number. Subject to the dismantling section of the wall to the place where the defective item.

There is a water-resistant Cork board the floor (laminate). As the base material used in this plate made of quartz and PVC. This kind of coverage has a higher price, the choice of colors is limited.

Related article:

The floors in the apartment: what to do and how to choose

The parameters influencing the choice. Properties of various materials. Features floor in different rooms. Additional modifications floor.

The cost of floating cork floors: price per meter finish

The leading manufacturers and suppliers of cork is Spain and Portugal, where the porous oaks are widespread. Products Asian countries enjoyed lower demand as the climatic conditions of this region do not allow to grow high quality timber.

The average price of 1 m² of floating cork flooring Wicanders:

collection name	Price, rub. / M²
Originals	1650
Identity	2150
Personality	2150
Cork Veneers	2220
Character	2280
Linn	2390
Cork Plank	2450
Homecork	2490
Artcomfort Wood	2500
Artcomfort Stone	2550

Features and specifications of adhesive cork flooring

The adhesive consists of cork floor panels having additional protective coating. The thickness of these elements is 4-6 mm. The material has a two-layer structure. Below is agglomerated cork and topcoat on the panels - veneer. The elements can have both a rectangular shape (60x30 cm and 45h15) and the square (40x40 and 30x30 cm). This type of coating is suitable for rooms with high humidity levels such as the bathroom and kitchen.

Before you perform the installation, you need to carefully prepare the surface. The base under the cover assembly must be perfectly flat. To fix the panels using glue. That the result was the paving quality and durable, all elements must be carefully customized. There shall be no backlash.

With the help of this material on the floor, you can create decorative designs and patterns. When the installation is executed, the tube is covered lacquered composition based on polyurethane in several layers. Be sure to handle the gap between the modular elements.

Useful advice!If one of the fragments has been damaged, it is not necessary to carry out the dismantling of the entire coating. Enough to cut rotten the bar and replace it with a new one.

The average cost of adhesive cork flooring: Price per m2

The main criterion for choosing a floor covering is a manufacturer. The most popular and best manufacturers of the following are considered to be on the market:

• Wicanders;
• Corkstyle;
• Allied Cork.

The average price of cork coating on the floor Wicanders:

collection name	Price, rub. / M²
Cork Parquet	1230
eco Cork	1340
Crackle	1400
Nuances	2000
Personality	2050
Identity	2050
Exotic	3700

For what purpose is laid on technical cork floor

Technical cork is made of production rests. Therefore, it is not used as the finishing floor. The main function of this material is to remedy the defects by filling (granules), or preparing the surface for laying the laminate. In the second case a cork fabric is used as the substrate, which levels the base.

Technical material is available in several forms:

1. Pellets.
2. Rolls.
3. Plate.

Additionally, technical material is used to create an additional sound and heat insulation.

Technical cork Price:

The form	Size, cm	Thickness, mm	Price, rub. / M²
Roll	100h1000	2	104
3	163
100h2500	4	235
plate	91,5h61	4	323
6	464
8	547
10	666

Which is better to buy cork flooring: glue or floating

Glue and locking floors differ from each other not only by its structure, but also the properties.

adhesive floor panel consists of the following components:

• bases of pressed agglomerate obtained by gluing;
• wood veneer as a decorative coating;
• a thin layer of protective varnish or a vinyl coating, which give the panel a matte or glossy surface.

Advantages of adhesive coating:

1. No fear of influence of moisture and temperature extremes, as well as contact with water.
2. Installation possible in environments with high humidity or lack of heating.
3. The material is easily cut, which facilitates the installation of the system.
4. An extensive range of design solutions (covering not only can be toned, but also to create on its basis mosaic patterns).
5. No need to use thresholds in the areas of joints between the floor and the base cork coated parquet or tiles.

Disadvantages adhesive coating:

1. For installation requires careful preparation of the base. Any differences on the surface will be evident after paving.
2. Requires purchase of lacquered composition and glue.
3. Quality installation cover can be done only professionals.

Note!Price interlocking flooring, cork is much higher than the adhesive. However, the latest installation requires the participation of experts and the purchase of additional materials, because of what the total cost of coverage increases significantly.

Castle tube consists of:

• compacted agglomerate;
• fibreboard of MDF or HDF, equipped mounting studs and grooves;
• Protective layer agglomerate;
• finishing a veneer;
• a protective layer of a vinyl film or lacquered coating.

Advantages of the castle floors:

1. No need for cutting material. For installation do not need to varnish and glue.
2. Not necessarily perform careful alignment of the base. Permitted height difference of 2 mm 2 m surface.
3. Simple mounting system allows stacking stopper with your hands without the help of professionals.
4. Possible dismantling and re-use of the material in the other room.

The locking plate is not afraid of high humidity, but with the proviso that this figure, as well as constant temperature. The coating can withstand contact with water of not more than 24 hours. Afterwards, be sure to be dismantled and drying floors of its elements.

Choosing cork flooring: reviews of the owners, the pros and cons

Picking up finishes for floors, you should pay attention to the quality of cork agglomerate. Some manufacturers to reduce production costs, added to this layer cheap impurities, such as chips. As a result, the material gets hard, while it wears out faster. For this reason, it should give preference to pure products, even if it is pressed cork and its cost will be high.

Adhesive floors have their own drawbacks. Even high-quality products manufacturers may have slight imperfections. errors occur most frequently in size, because of which strips are of different magnitude. Usually they are small and are 1 mm in length or width. This indicator is considered normal, because due to the elasticity of the material, this disadvantage is compensated during installation: panel and compressed joints be tight. Sometimes across planks with different thickness. This defect brings more problems.

Useful advice! If the party caught strips of different thickness, the material will have to reorder. Subtle elements better put in those places where the transition will not be as noticeable. Thick can be corrected by removing the extra thickness at the edges with sandpaper.

Since the stopper - is a natural material, often found on the surface defects such as hollow, plain color transition, and manufacturing defects (peeling veneer or a partial absence). Before starting the installation, you should carefully examine the material, glue exfoliated place, and defective strips placed where they will not be as noticeable. Castle floors in this area are more favorable, because the protective coating hides all the imperfections.

Considerable importance is given to the choice of cork floor covering consumer reviews. The opinion of customers who have tried this type of finish can be informative and decisive.

Strengths and weaknesses of cork floors: customer reviews

of cork coverage is not as popular as other types of finishes that are already well known to customers. Those consumers who still dare to buy this stuff, are divided on the cork laminate feedback on the forums.

"At first, we considered the laminate as a floor covering, but found it too noisy and slippery. We live in the apartment dog. Listen to the constant clatter of claws He does not want to. Parquet proved we can not afford. So we decided to take a closer look cork. The material is, of course, cost more expensive than laminate, but its high price outweighed the numerous advantages. Covering get soft and quiet, and most importantly, warm. On the floor stopper laid on their own without causing a wizard in the house. I bribed the naturalness and environmental friendliness of the material. Absolutely I do not regret my purchase and all advise. More comfortable finishing just do not find. "

Svetlana Yezhov, city Moscow

"I have a dual attitude to the cork floors. The material does have many useful properties. This is the beauty and naturalness, and the ability to retain heat. On the other hand, it can not be called practical. Water stopper swells, so the joints between the slabs may swell. Also, I would not recommend this coating for those who have children in the house, because the cork surface is very sensitive to damage. The material requires careful treatment. If you're ready to care for him, the tube will not be disappointed. "

Maria Korotaeva, city St. Petersburg

It looks like cork floors in the interior: photo

Using this coating in the interior can be varied. In the photo cork floors look prestigious and original, especially in the living room, a bedroom and a study. You can use in the nursery, but on condition of careful attitude. The coating may be performed in a natural color (natural) or colored any shade palette.

The most common natural colors:

• yellow;
• ocher;
• light brown;
• red-brown;
• mustard, etc.

Note!When choosing the color of future coverage, be sure to take into account the design and coloring of furniture.

Can I use cork flooring in the bathroom and in the kitchen

In all areas where climate change requires a constant temperature, the tube will collapse and crumble. These locations include not only the kitchen but also a bathroom, which is also characterized by a high level of humidity. Temperature changes provoke the appearance of cracks in the coating. As a result, the stopper begins to seep water, due to which the coating is peeled off. It is also recommended not to use the plug on the balcony and in the hallway.

Problem areas normally hidden from view:

• a bathroom;
• Behind the Baseboard;
• under the sink;
• a washing machine;
• for outdoor furniture.

It is in these areas settle and condense water vapor, destroying the coating. Alternatively, for the protection of cork flooring in the kitchen or bathroom, you can use high-quality water-resistant varnish. However, it does not prevent the occurrence of mucous bubbles. Under the influence of moisture they appear under the top coating layer and spoil its appearance. Besides cork has antiseptic properties, so it can form a microbiological habitat beneath.

Experts do not recommend the use of cork in the bathroom. With regard to climate kitchen has a more forgiving conditions, although there is the floor will be subjected to serious tests - constant pollution spill liquids (juices, coffee, tea), etc.

As laying of cork floor in the form of plates

Cork is sensitive to moisture level, contracting and expanding depending on room conditions. Therefore, before starting work, it is desirable to hold the pack with the material for a few days in the room where it will be stowed. During this time, the moisture level is stabilized. The substrate to be coated can be used technical roll tube. The optimum thickness of this material is 3.2 mm. From the wall should be retreat to 1.5 cm. Technical tube is placed on top of the waterproof film concrete screed.

Installation of the first row starts from the wall, which is located opposite the entrance door, indented 5 mm. If the material requires cutting, shearing is performed on the side where the ridge. The groove can not be touched. For cutting cork is desirable to use a circular saw or electric jigsaw. From hand tools should be abandoned, otherwise the tube will crumble. Set the second row is performed, offset by half tiles. For fitting the wedge elements to be used (cork) and a rubber hammer.

Important!Be sure to leave a space from the wall the size of 1-2 cm. Like any natural material, cork is subjected to deformation changes, so you need to leave a little space for expansion.

Thereafter, the coating is processed by several layers of lacquer. The composition may be matt or glossy. joints of the wall zone is masked by means of the wooden baseboards.

How to perform the installation of cork flooring adhesive

Before the work material to be sorted, selecting thinner elements. Thick strips must be sanded with sandpaper. The coating is placed on the base of a concrete screed. Allowed cork mounted on the old linoleum, but on the condition that the surface has no irregularities or damage. The main thing is that the surface is smooth, level, free from dirt and debris. To align the base, an water-resistant plywood or fiberboard.

If the surface has small variations, it is desirable to apply a layer of primer. He will not only eliminate small irregularities, but also improve the adhesion of materials. Recommended level of air humidity 65% ​​and temperature - at least 18 ° C.

In this case, the installation work should begin from the middle of the room. To simplify the process of laying the coating, preferably applied to the surface of the base layout. For this fit the cord. According to the instructions of the adhesive composition is prepared. It is applied to the board surface using a roller. Thereafter, the element is pressed tightly to the substrate after coating with adhesive. For the application of the composition is necessary to use a fine-toothed spatula.

excess glue must be removed immediately. There are special substances intended for these purposes - solvents. We must act quickly. Avoid prolonged contact with the solvent coating. To tightly pressed to the tile floor, the surface is necessary to roll it with a heavy roller (metal).

Once all installation work has been completed, be sure to ventilate the room. For drying of the coating it takes at least 36 hours. Then the cork surface is thoroughly cleaned of debris and opened varnish in 3 layers. After 5-7 days, the floors can be operated.

The advantages of cork as a finishing material are obvious. With proper care coverage permanently retain its appeal. A wide range of colors and the possibility of applying the prints you can create a unique design of the room. And subject to all requirements of technology, cork flooring can be laid on their own and save a lot of money on this. Installation of adhesive coating is more difficult to implement. But this kind of flooring is perfectly combined with the parquet and laminate flooring.