Cork floors - appeared on the domestic market relatively recently, but are actively crowding out traditional tiles, laminate and linoleum. Knowledgeable consumers choose this material for their houses and apartments, doubters try to find out and weigh all its advantages and disadvantages.

Cork features and variety of offers

The lightness of this flooring is due to its cellular structure. Sealed micro-capsules are filled with a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, which makes up to 90% of the total mass. Also in the cork is a fairly high content organic compounds: ligina and suberina. The first provides water-repellent properties, the second - resistance to static loads.

At different types cork flooring pros and cons are slightly different, and this should be taken into account when choosing. They are most pronounced in natural veneer (boards), which is made from the bark of a cork tree. Moreover, it is important to note that the quality of Asian and European material is different. The veneer is available in the form of tiles or large sheets(up to 6 m 2) 4-6 mm thick. To facilitate laying on a concrete floor, the wrong side is protected with a vinyl film. It is environmentally friendly, the safest, but also the most expensive.

The middle price category includes:

• Cork laminate is a layered material, on the front side of which there is a veneer coated with a special varnish. It has a locking system, it is offered in standard sizes for such products;
• MDF panels with cork - crumb (agglomerate) is layered on the base by hot pressing, and on top - veneer up to 4 mm thick. Has a protective lacquer or vinyl coating;
• Tiles - made from cork chips or veneer scraps, offered in size ranges of 60x90, 60x60, 30x30 cm, etc.

Benefits of cork flooring

The average service life, depending on the operating conditions, is 7-10 years. Adhesive options are more wear resistant and durable. Cork is also resistant to insects and rodents.

Cork floors are environmentally friendly and safe for health, during service they do not emit harmful substances. In addition, they have antistatic properties - they do not attract or accumulate dust. Therefore, they can be used in the homes of allergy sufferers. Orthopedists note a positive effect (load reduction) for the musculoskeletal system. This is due to the softness and springiness of the material.

An important indicator is its thermal conductivity. It is in the range of 0.03-0.04, and for air - 0.025 W / (mK). Therefore, heat is not absorbed, so walking barefoot on traffic jam is very comfortable. Feet are warm and pleasant. Such a floor has good soundproofing characteristics. Depending on the features and thickness of the cork, the noise reduction coefficient is 0.85. Neighbors below will definitely not hear moving furniture or loud sounds of music. However, it does not protect against noise from outside.

The cork has a high coefficient of friction (0.4), therefore it has a non-slippery surface. However, this value may vary due to polymeric, waxy coatings. It is this that determines the smoothness of the floor, and this moment is important to consider when choosing. The residual deformation of the cork is 0.2 mm. Therefore, after removing the static load (for example, furniture), the floor is leveled.

Cork floor also:

• UV resistant;
• does not ignite;
• does not rot;
• resistant to chemicals other than alkalis.

Disadvantages of cork flooring

One of the main disadvantages of a natural cork floor, users call the relatively high cost. Its price is higher than traditional laminate. Although the cork is more cost-effective than a massive board.

Cork is an environmentally friendly material, but any synthetic coatings reduce this figure. However, without them, the base will wear out faster, which will negatively affect the term of operation. In addition to the defenseless layer, it actively absorbs odors, moisture and fats, becomes sensitive to the effects of heels and claws of pets. Therefore, once every 1-2 years, the coating must be renewed.

The rationality of installing a warm floor system under cork remains controversial. Experts note that its effectiveness will not exceed 20%. Prolonged heating can also cause adhesives to dry out and delamination of cork laminate or boards. The disadvantages of products with locking systems include the likelihood of getting wet. But this is only possible with improper installation.

Cork floor - perfect solution for many rooms, however, when choosing it, it is important to weigh the pros and cons. It should be noted that the latter are much less.

Cork floor attracts attention with its environmentally friendly composition and feature to create comfort in the room. Thanks to its qualities, it fits into any interior, especially when decorating a children's room or living room. It goes well with other finishing materials: stone, wood, metal, ceramics. It looks especially advantageous in styles: country, modern, avant-garde, hi-tech.

For the manufacture of raw materials used on the basis of cork oak bark. The production process includes grinding, heating and pressing. The result is suberin - a semi-finished product, from which various products are subsequently made, including flooring.

Benefits of cork flooring

The benefits of cork flooring have already been appreciated by many users. Among the advantages:

Practicality;

original look;

Strength;

moisture resistance;

Low rate thermal conductivity;

fire safety;

Does not react with chemicals;

Does not cause allergies;

Available installation;

Simple care.

In addition, the elasticity of the material prevents mechanical damage to the surface. Returns quickly when pressed original view. The cork has orthopedic characteristics, which makes the operation beneficial for the health of the feet. Even with an increase in humidity in the room, there is no chance for mold and fungi to form on the cork floor.

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Most often, cork is used to decorate floors in the nursery and playroom. The material not only softens falls during the game, but also perfectly absorbs sounds.

To clean the surface, you can choose any convenient way: a mop and a rag, a brush, a washing vacuum cleaner. Wet cleaning is not terrible material. Surface erasing and fading of tone under the influence of ultraviolet light were not observed.

Disadvantages of cork

The disadvantages include, first of all, the high cost. Also, with prolonged pressure with sharp objects (legs of furniture, heels), traces may remain. Users also point out surface erasure among the shortcomings. But experts recommend timely processing of the coating. protective varnish(1 time in 10 years). Then the floor long time will maintain a presentable appearance.

Methods for laying cork flooring

When laying a cork floor, only two laying methods are used: using the locking part and gluing to the subfloor.

The castle part, located on the end sides, creates a floating effect when walking, which is pleasant for the feet. Installation is quick and easy. The cost of products with a special fastening system is slightly higher than conventional plates. However, this type of laying reduces the life of the coating.

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Cork providing adhesive method fasteners are available in various thicknesses. The most wear-resistant is 6 mm coating. Among the advantages of using this type: additional sound insulation, thermal protection, moisture resistance. The minus is attached to the cork assembly consumables: glue, tools, sills, etc.

Features of cork installation

The subfloor must have a flat surface so that bumps and bumps do not show through the cork. If cork slabs are laid on a concrete screed, then it is necessary to lay polyethylene film for waterproofing and underlayment. In the case of using linoleum or carpet as a base, the surface must first be thoroughly cleaned of debris. A vacuum cleaner will help to do this.

You need to start laying the cork from the right corner, which is located perpendicular to the window opening. So the joints will be securely disguised.

Along the perimeter of the surface from the walls, it is important to leave a gap for the expansion of the material when the air is heated (5-10 mm).

When using lock products, use a rubber mallet to create a tight connection.

Each subsequent row should be offset (like a chessboard). This will give the surface strength.

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Near doorways a metal threshold is attached along the edge of the plates.

The surface should be treated with a protective varnish. This will increase the service life and increase wear resistance.

The fixing of the plinth around the perimeter of the room completes the work.

Cork floor care

The cork floor can be washed with water. There are certain requirements for detergents. They should be soft, not containing aggressive components. It is recommended to carry out wet cleaning washing vacuum cleaner. Solvents with solid particles and hard brushes must not be used. They may damage the surface.

Felt pads should be placed on furniture legs. If after laying the cork covering there are pieces left, you can cut out the cushion mugs from them. This will protect the surface from bursting.

It is timely necessary to process the cork with a protective varnish. If the surface has a vinyl layer, then it is rubbed with a special agent once every 3 years.

How to paint plastic: rules, materials and tools

Cork flooring has recently appeared on the market, but has already gained great popularity.

Floor coverings are offered on the construction market in a wide range and the cork floor is no exception. However, it is this type of coating that has won the attention of thousands of homeowners, and therefore we will consider in more detail all its qualitative characteristics.

Beautiful combination of cork floor and white walls in the interior of a country house

Terracotta color in the interior of the living room

lucky contrasting combination turquoise carpet and cork floor in bedroom design

Beautiful bedroom with modern style elements

What is cork flooring

To obtain cork crumbs, the bark of a cork oak is crushed.

The emergence of this type of coating was marked by an increase in popularity. natural finishing materials. The coating has the feature of being easy to manufacture. The raw material for the production of material is taken from cork trees, which are periodically shed upper layer bark, it is he who acts as a manufacturing material for champagne and wine. For a long time the existence of the manufacturing industry, such waste was forgotten and completely disposed of, however, in connection with the development modern technologies the industry began to improve: there were opportunities to produce sheet material for a finish that might already be classified.

Production technology

Cork production technology

The bark of such woody material can be used without damaging the tree itself.

1. The porous structure of the material is subjected to grinding, and then goes through the stage of processing by means of a high temperature regime.
2. The crushed crumb has a certain pressure, under which the sheets are pressed, and then they are stacked in layers in turn. cork panels and covered with resin.

Strict studio apartment in a modern style

Cork flooring looks great in a modern style kitchen

Classics in the interior of a small living room

Today, among the main models of such coatings, you can find materials with vinyl layers, other reinforcing elements and decorative details. Cork acts as a wear-resistant and elastic material, equipped with elastic properties. The uniqueness of the raw material lies in its naturalness, and in terms of properties it can often exceed even the most immodest expectations of the owners.

The birthplace of cork is warm countries - these are representatives of the Western Mediterranean - Algeria, Morocco, Spain, as well as the European country of Portugal. Cork oak bark is the main source of such material. The tree grows very slowly, but every few years it provides the industrial sector with this unique cork material, which allows you to create beautiful floors.

Cozy living room in fusion style

Cork floor in modern kitchen design

Product varieties

The classification of these elements is quite extensive, depending on the basic properties, they are divided.

Adhesive floors

Stylish and very comfortable children's room

Cork flooring in a small kitchen floor

This type of product is represented by solid pressed tiles, equipped with dimensional parameters - 30 * 30 cm, 60 * 30 cm, 45 * 45 cm, the thickness of the parts is 4-6 mm. Often, structures of this type with different patterns are used to create floors, the tiles are resistant to moisture, can withstand optimal temperature changes, and the presence of a special impregnation layer ensures the absence of gaps and excellent thermal insulation properties.

Castle floors

White color will help to make the interior visually more spacious.

Cork floor in a checkerboard pattern looks very interesting

Beautiful studio apartment with cork flooring

During the manufacture and installation work, such panels are connected to each other by means of the method by which other floor coverings are laid, the use of the "comb-groove" system takes place. Such structures are fixed tightly to the base elements, if necessary, the coating can be disassembled. Each panel has a unique pattern that makes it appearance special and unique.

Technical floors

Technical cork will be an excellent substrate for the main coating

Technical cork can act exclusively as a substrate for other floor coverings and presents a wide range of application features, including in public places and structures. Having considered cork floors, pros and cons, photos, price and varieties, you can proceed to indicate the technical features and aspects of the application of each type of coating. This will help you finally decide how to choose the right cork floor specifically for your living space.

Cork floor in the interior of a children's room for a girl

Luxurious living room with big windows in modern style

Advantages of cork products

There are many more of them than disadvantages, because it is not for nothing that cork floors are widely used in various fields IN many respects.

• Environmental properties of cork, which can be traced and observed even during the extraction of raw materials. To obtain the material, the environment is not polluted, the nature is not harmed. Coating this material does not "attract" a true story, this is especially important for people who have allergies. When interacting with high temperatures, the cork floor does not emit toxins.

Cork flooring has many benefits.

• Sound-proof characteristics - in connection with these parameters, cork floors can be used on the floor. They have gained particular relevance in recording studios. Even if some heavy object falls on such a floor, you are unlikely to hear a roar, which cannot be said about other types of floors.
• The softness of the floor and its thermal insulation characteristics. The floor has an incomparable softness, and is warm to the touch, which allows you to walk on it barefoot and feel comfortable. When in contact, the coating does not absorb heat human body, as opposed to tiles, for example. Under such a coating, it is not necessary to lay a warm floor system.

Successful combination of blue color and wooden furniture in the interior of the kitchen

Cork coating is very pleasant to the touch

• Comfort of use and benefits for human health. Cork acts as an elastic material, so it tends to spring back and acts as a shock absorber.
• Ease of installation and ease of installation significant benefits, which can be noted in favor of the cork floor. Installation can be done by hand, and the requirements for work are the same as for many other coatings: for this, it is enough to glue the plates with special glue.
• Ease of care - indeed, this type of coating is not picky about operating conditions and the subtleties of care. To ensure proper attention, it is enough to have a damp cloth and a bucket of water, perhaps with a small amount of detergent. In this case, it is strictly forbidden to use abrasives and special solvents.

Cork floors are easy to maintain

• The duration of the service life pleases the owners, because the products have wear resistance, and the honeycomb structure is almost not subject to mechanical influences and friction. The service life of such a coating reaches 10 or even 20 years, which is quite a lot for the floor as a whole.
• Relatively light weight, making the material an excellent alternative for use on walls in panel houses . Not only will you not hear your neighbors, but also your own footsteps.

Modern technologies allow the use of cork floors in the kitchen

Country style in the interior of the kitchen

Living room in eco style

Considering the cork floor (pros and cons, photos, reviews, varieties and characteristics), it can be noted that this perfect option for houses and apartments. And the ability to reduce the load on the support system allows it to be used by people with poor health indicators.

Disadvantages of cork

The high cost of the material is one of the main disadvantages of cork coating.

• The high cost of the product - indeed, the cork floor is much more expensive than similar coatings, but given the ease of installation and unpretentiousness in maintenance, the result will be even cheaper than purchasing parquet.
• Insufficient level of resistance to moisture - but this property is only relative, because if you choose glued cork boards, the problem will disappear automatically. And thanks to the lock coatings, which are impregnated with wax, they also have optimal characteristics.
• Another significant disadvantage of cork is its flammability and mechanical instability to the influences of the physical plane. Under the legs of furniture, if it is heavy, there may be indentations from them, but if you put gaskets to reduce pressure, the problem can be considered solved.

Glass walls in the design of a country house

Floor-to-ceiling windows will visually expand the space of your room.

Thus, the cork floor, the pros and cons, the price of which is acceptable for the goods of this group, is an ideal coating, since it does not cause time to health and does not have significant disadvantages in use. If you solve the problem urgently, you can avoid the main disadvantages.

Cork flooring

Do-it-yourself cork flooring is no problem

Installation of cork coating can be carried out by using two methods - using adhesive laying and with the use of a locking coating. Both systems are equipped with their pros, cons, features, so it is necessary to consider each of them in detail and draw a special conclusion regarding the application of a particular technique.

Laying the castle cover

Laying the castle cover

Laying the castle coating does not require the help of qualified specialists

The locking process is carried out quite simply according to the mosaic principle, therefore, the services of qualified specialists and the use of expensive additional resources are not required. But the presence of special locks provides a decrease in water-repellent properties, but this is not critical for rooms, but on properties floors in the bathroom or kitchen may not affect in the best way. Using floor varnish, you can do the elimination of this defect.

Black walls - a very bold decision

Laying adhesive coating

Beautiful modern kitchen with cork floor

This solution is more capital, since additional costs will be required here, in addition to those that will go to the traffic jam. At a minimum, you will have to take on the purchase of glue, however, such plates have a lower cost, and if you complete installation work do-it-yourself without the involvement of qualified employees, then the implementation of such work can be even cheaper than the installation of locking elements.

Laying adhesive coating

A beautiful and well-groomed cork floor (pros and cons, we have already reviewed the reviews) - a pledge family happiness and well-being. Despite the high cost of basic materials, it is gaining momentum in popularity and is appreciated by the consumer for its high-end and numerous features. Natural coating will come in handy for houses and apartments, and it can be installed in any room, making its appearance and interior original and special.

Coating materials

Cork flooring is a very environmentally friendly type of material.

The variety of cork floors that exist today is enormous.

We have already noted that the production of cork floors is carried out from the strong bark of the cork tree - that is why they are popularly called cork floors. At the same time, there is a basic requirement for a tree: its age must be no more than 30 years. The manufacturing process begins with the stage of grinding the bark, and then it is heated and pressed into special forms. In addition, wall decoration with cork can also be relevant, especially for places where, due to technical factors, it is impossible to carry out insulation and exterior wall finishing.

Sheets cork material for floor

Cork floors (owner reviews, pros and cons can be found on the Internet) are offered in a wide variety, in this regard, it will not be difficult for you to choose the option that suits the pattern, texture, color and other characteristics. Possession of laying technologies will allow you to achieve a high-quality result and create a floor that will last faithfully for a long time.

The combination of red and gray in the interior of the living room

Cork flooring due to its qualities is ideal for a child's room

Apr 16, 2018 Sergei

Many have heard of cork floors, but do not have specific information. Let's do small review cork flooring, consider its main characteristics, pros and cons.

Cork flooring is a new environmentally friendly material. He appeared recently and is in a fairly high price category. In addition to the flawless appearance, this coating has many advantages over traditional ones.

You must have heard something about cork floors, rightly believing that such a coating is something akin to a material bottle caps, soft and warm to the touch, capable of quickly recovering its shape after long-term deformations ... Perhaps you have even seen such floors somewhere or were their happy (or unfortunate) owner.

Cork flooring is a new environmentally friendly material. He appeared recently and is in a fairly high price category. In addition to an impeccable appearance, this coating has a lot of advantages over traditional ones.

In fact, today's variety of such coatings on the market for building and finishing materials is so rich that there is absolutely no guarantee that your personal experience(unless, of course, you are a pro) is quite versatile and allows you to draw unambiguous conclusions. Hence the conflicting reviews about cork flooring, the disputes of their owners about the quality of such floors and the conditions for their operation. There is a lot of information about cork floors on the Internet, but most of the articles are clearly advertising or anti-advertising. In this article, we will take an unbiased look at general issues concerning the choice and features of the operation of "cork floors".

Pros of cork flooring

Cork floor has the following properties:

• Lightness (has the least weight of known species coatings);
• Soundproofing ( high level soundproofing allows the use of cork in recording studios);
• Low thermal conductivity (natural material retains heat well);
• Softness, elasticity (recommended by orthopedic doctors for children and people suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system);
• Resistance to chemicals and liquids (except for caustic alkaline solutions);
• Antistatic properties (does not attract dust, easy to clean);
• Completely environmentally friendly and safe (does not emit or absorb anything, does not slip);
• Promotes natural air exchange in the room (not affected by bacteria, hypoallergenic);
• It is not subject to rotting, is not afraid of moisture (wetting the floor as a result of flooding will not spoil its surface if it is additionally treated with protection);
• Resistance to temperature changes, does not fade in the sun (unlike laminate, suitable for laying on open balconies, loggias);
• Strength, durability (the porous structure of the material reduces friction, due to which external factors are not as aggressive).

Where do they get the cork from?

For the manufacture of cork flooring, the bark of porous oak is used, a relic tree that has been growing on Earth for more than 60 million years. Trees are common in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Portugal and Spain are considered leaders in this area. Asian countries trying to compete in the market, but the wood grown in their climate is not as high quality. Slightly stands out from them South Korea. There are also Russian brand, which manufactures its products at factories in Portugal.

It is believed that the extraction of the bark does not harm nature, since the trees from which it was cut continue to grow and the procedure is repeated after 9 years. You can do this already from 25-year-old oaks, and the bark is 150-160 summer trees considered the most valuable.

The basis of the future coating is a pressed mixture of bark. Special treatment in ovens saturates the composition with air, and the natural juice of micropores, suberin, is also involved in the process.

The next step is to give strength, reinforcement by adding resins and several layers of wood dust.

Finish coat The "pie" can be different, even from the cork itself. The most diverse pattern imitating wood, stone, sand, grass is applied directly to the cork by photo printing. The material of the top layer determines the scope of the floor.

Cork decorative flooring

To give a certain appearance and wear protection, the following materials are used:

1. Veneer thickness 0.5 mm. Superimposed on the base with glue, gives the original appearance.
2. Thin veneer with a layer of varnish. An additional varnish layer increases the service life. Lacquered cork floors are made in living rooms, bedrooms.
3. Veneer with vinyl film. The protective vinyl film will protect the floor from scratches, moisture penetration into the pores. Manufacturer's warranty for at least 10 years.
4. wood veneer valuable varieties and vinyl. A protective vinyl film is applied to natural veneer expensive breeds

Types of cork floors

First, there are several types of cork floors. Hence, various misunderstandings often arise, because. each of them has its own properties and limits of applicability. There are two most common types: adhesive and floating floors.

The picture shows a typical adhesive cork floor. This is either a thick cork oak veneer or a thinner veneer glued to a substrate of pressed, glued cork chips. Also, instead of the top veneer, some other material, such as vinyl, can be glued onto the cork backing. Such a floor requires a perfectly prepared, even base, to which the cork floor tiles are glued. The slightest irregularities of the base will be very noticeable not only to the touch, but also visually. After gluing the tiles, if they are veneered with cork on top, it is required to cover them with a special varnish in at least 2 layers. Such floors can be installed in almost any room, they are not afraid of changes in temperature and humidity, unlike "floating counterparts".

Floating cork floors, the structure of which is shown in the figure, are essentially an ordinary laminate, having a cork coating on top and bottom, and in the middle a regular MDF panel with a tongue-and-groove lock system. As can be seen from the figure, the top coating can also consist of either a solid thick cork oak veneer, or with an intermediate substrate of glued cork chips. And the thicker the veneer, the better the cork floor restores its original shape after prolonged deformations (for example, from studs or dents from furniture). Floating floors are much easier to install, differ little in properties and appearance from glued cork floors, but have all the unpleasant properties of laminate floors, i.e. afraid of changes in temperature and humidity. Such floors cannot be used in kitchens, bathrooms and bathrooms. In hallways, it is also better to limit their use to an area inaccessible to moisture flowing from shoes.

Secondly, as mentioned earlier, cork floors can consist either entirely of veneer, or of glued chips covered with veneer, or completely of glued chips, hence the different ability to restore the original shape. The veneer is restored better, the glued chips are worse. On the other hand, glued crumb allows you to get more varied coating patterns, which is especially important, for example, in the kitchen or in the nursery, where there is a danger of spilling something coloring on the cork floor.
The crumb absorbs dirt worse, and bright and colorful colors hide stains better.

Sellers unanimously claim that cork floors are very warm - the holy truth. It is also true that they are pleasantly springy, reducing the load on the spine. And if your child has cerebral palsy or any disease of the spine, then cork floors will be simply irreplaceable. But statements about the high environmental friendliness of such floors should not be particularly trusted, what kind of ecology can there be if the finished floor contains glue, varnish and other chemicals? Moreover, often such floors smell quite strongly, and bad smell can last for weeks, which can be critical for allergy sufferers and for people with hypersensitivity to odors. However, a lot here depends on the manufacturer - there are much fewer problems with a quality product.

Castle or floating floor

• Plates with locking joints on the sides.
• Panel thickness 10.5-12 mm. The size of the fragments is 90 cm X 18.5 cm.
• At the base of the slabs - crushed cork chips, HDF, MDF reinforcement.
• Front cover - cork, wood, a layer of paint with various prints.
• Recommended for laying in heated rooms, without temperature differences. Sharp fluctuations can lead to the gradual disintegration of the interlocks.
• Not suitable for high traffic areas: kitchens, walkways.
• The installation is quite simple. If a fragment is damaged, a whole row is disassembled from the wall to the disturbed place.

There is a moisture resistant version lock laminate. Its base is a slab of PVC and quartz. This subspecies is more expensive and does not have such a large assortment of colors.

Advice! When choosing a cork laminate, pay attention to the quality of the interlocks.

adhesive

• Cork panels with additional protective coating.
• The total thickness of the panels is 4-6 mm.
• The material is two-layer.
• Front cover - veneer.
• Good for places with high humidity, kitchens.
• The laying surface must be perfectly flat.
• Plates are attached to adhesive composition. Fitting must be done accurately, without backlash.
• If the fragment is damaged, the bar is cut out and replaced with a new one.

Such floors are finished by craftsmen with different patterns and ornaments.

technical floor

It is used as a substrate under any floor covering. It is made from leftovers from the main production. Rolls, granules or plates create additional sound and heat insulation.

How to choose a quality cork for the floor?

There are three types of cork suitable for use in flooring:

1. The veneer is whole. It is solid pieces of bark. A rather expensive look, it is also applicable for decorating walls, ceilings, niches.
2. Agglomerate. Sheets of glued shredded bark. Practical and inexpensive option.
3. Combined view. Consists of veneer and agglomerate. It includes veneer, which is not suitable for plates. Produced by bonding with high pressure agglomerate. It has a beautiful appearance and texture. Combined with other finishing materials.

From the structure of the cork floor and its coating also depend on its operational properties. Adhesive floors can be safely washed at least a hundred times a day, floating cork floors can be washed, but in moderation, keeping in mind the properties of MDF, which is the basis there. Also, cork floors have different degrees of surface roughness - from very slippery to rough exterminators of children's socks. Keep this in mind when choosing your cork floor or applying an extra layer of varnish. Rough floors are better suited for bathrooms, toilets and balconies, while smoother material is better in the living room and nursery.

Try not to use cork floors with underfloor heating systems, although some cork floor manufacturers allow you to do this in pursuit of the client, however, with reservations regarding the maximum allowable temperature, warm-up time, minimum distance between heating loops, etc. If you carefully read these reservations, then the use of heating floors becomes simply meaningless, because under such conditions they will not be able to heat anything, and violation of the conditions can lead to various backfire in the form of swelling, the appearance of odors, etc. Thus, the use of cork floors is unacceptable in rooms where the floor is the main or additional source heating.

Cork floors, regardless of their type, can be glossy or matte. If your house has smaller clawed brothers, then you need to forget about the beautiful gloss on the floor, otherwise you will be tormented by refreshing the coating - all claw marks are perfectly visible and more striking than on natural parquet. A matte finish will not get rid of misfortune, but will reduce the visibility of inevitable defects.

Cork laminate flooring

Cork needs acclimatization. Packing with plates should stand for several days in the room where the installation will take place. As a substrate, we take cork rolls (technical floor) with a thickness of 2-3 mm. The indentation of the substrate from the wall is 1.5 cm. The substrate is laid on top of concrete screed. The screed is covered with a waterproof film. The overlap of sheets on each other is not less than 20 cm.

Before work, we check the tiles, the fragments must have same size to avoid large gaps. Allowed drop tolerance: 2 mm per 2 meters. It will not be superfluous to check reverse side tiles, non-uniformly colored surface - evidence of impurities in the cork mass.

1. We lay the first row starting from the wall opposite the entrance. The optimal clearance to the walls is 5 mm. If trimming the board is required, cut off the side of the ridge, but not the groove. Trimming is done with a jigsaw or circular saw, the cork will crumble with a hand tool. The exception is a single-layer cork coating; a sharp construction knife is suitable for cutting it.
2. We type the second row with an offset of half a tile. To adjust the plates, we use a rubber mallet and a wedge. It is recommended to take a pick wedge also from cork, other material will damage the coating.
3. Expansion joints from the cork to the wall - 1.0-2.0 cm (since natural material has thermal expansion).
4. We apply varnish in several layers (varnishing can be glossy or matte).
5. The joints are closed with wooden plinths.

Advice! To prevent water from entering the gaps between the plates, we apply wax sealant to the locking part of the panel.

Adhesive cork floor installation

The dimensions of the adhesive plug may have a difference of 1 mm. This is considered a tolerance, as it is compensated by the elasticity and resilience of the material. Before installation, the tiles are sorted, selecting thinner strips. Between them, the transition will not be so noticeable. Thick sanded with sandpaper or paper.

The material is inspected for flaws and defects. Pay attention to the pressed layer; chips or other additives should not be visible in it. The peeled-off places of the veneer can be glued, fragments with a color change can be set aside for inconspicuous places. The basis for the adhesive floor -. If this old linoleum, then without damage and swelling. Suitable boards fiberboard, moisture resistant plywood. Ideally, there should be a hard and even surface without debris, lumps of dirt. The requirement is due to the flexibility of the coating and its small thickness.

A primer layer will increase the adhesion of materials and smooth out small differences. Installation is carried out in a room with a temperature not lower than +18 C and a humidity of 65%.

1. We start work from the middle of the room. We apply the necessary markings to the surface for convenience. This is done with the help of a chopping cord.
2. The adhesive composition is applied to the plates with a roller, kept according to the instructions and pressed tightly to the base. To cover the base with glue, use a wide spatula with a fine comb. The excess is removed immediately with a substance such as a solvent. Also avoid prolonged contact of the solvent with the floor. Tiles are rolled with a heavy metal roller.
3. After completion of work, the room is ventilated and left until complete drying glue (36 hours).

For the final coating with varnish, it is required to completely clean the floor of debris. The varnish is applied in 3 layers. The floor is ready for full operation in 5-7 days. Monolithic adhesive coating - good opportunity use cork flooring in combination with other materials. For example, attach to a laminate or parquet.

Disadvantages of cork flooring

• High material prices. Glue flooring will cost more than cork laminate. Simple laying of interlocking slabs compensates for the costs, as a result, the cost is lower than that of classic parquet.
• The ability to move under weight. It is recommended to attach soft felt pads to the furniture in the room. On the coating are traces of sharp heels and rubber soles. Also, do not leave rubber or latex mats for a long time, the trace of the products is not eliminated. Pits from light furniture, chair legs are able to straighten themselves. For bathrooms, slabs with a thickness of 10-12 mm and dimensions of 148X148 mm are produced. Smaller thickness will be pierced through.
• Flammability. Cork itself is not combustible, but its coatings are dangerous: varnish, paint, adhesives.
• Low moisture resistance of natural coating. It is eliminated due to sealants, varnishes, wax impregnations.
• The complexity of the installation of the adhesive floor. For such work, it is advisable to invite specialists.
• Cannot be used in underfloor heating systems. Cork, which has
  a high degree thermal insulation, will not let the outgoing heat flow through itself.

Caring for a cork floor is not difficult. It is easy to vacuum and wash warm water with the addition of non-abrasive liquid funds, but it is better to purchase specially designed for cork.

The top layer of varnish needs special protection. Sometimes it is useful to cover it with special compounds to extend the service life. Update the varnish coating every 5-7 years. Vinyl - every 2 years they are treated with a special wax mastic.

In order for the floor to serve as long as possible, you need to take care of this already at the laying stage. Do not save on related materials, tools. Installation work must be carried out in compliance with all rules and regulations. If a water-soluble adhesive is required, use it. Finishing with a cheap varnish will “kill” all the work done before. Do not take on what you do not know how, it is better to pay the master once than to ruin expensive material.

Cork floor has its own internal warmth. It is able to warm in winter and be cool in summer. With a competent approach and careful attitude, the coating will retain its original appearance and unique natural qualities.

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In the manufacture of a cork floor, the first layer of suberin is first created, it is the main one and provides heat and sound insulation, this layer is coated with special resins and another layer of suberin is laid on top, and then a layer of front coating, which can be made of different materials- the same cork, vinyl, veneer. First of all, cork floors are distinguished precisely by the type of front material.

Cork flooring can be laid in two ways - by gluing its panels to the floor or by assembling something like a puzzle from cork floor sheets, in this case individual tiles fastened with a special locking method.

Benefits of cork flooring

Cork flooring is a high-quality floor covering that is significantly superior in its characteristics to linoleum and laminate, while its price is not as high as that of natural boards, so this floor is an ideal choice for those who do not want to save on quality, but also overpay for luxury does not aspire either.

Cork floors have a service life of at least 10 years, which can be attributed to the pluses, because the service life of the laminate usually does not exceed 6 years.

Cork flooring is very pleasant to use, it is often placed in children's rooms, as children love to walk on such a soft surface. warm floor. If the cork floor is laid in a locking way, and not glued, it seems to float when walking, for this effect you can forgive all the shortcomings of such a floor.

Cork flooring should be chosen by those who love warmth, because even in winter you can walk barefoot on such a floor without feeling any discomfort.

If you play sports or dance at home, the cork floor will be indispensable, as it has excellent soundproofing properties, you will not scare your neighbors with jumps or loud music. Sometimes, in order to soundproof a room, cork is placed not only on the floor, but also on the walls.

Once a year, the cork floor must be varnished or rubbed with mastic.

The cork floor is easy to care for, it can be easily washed with water, and besides, it does not attract dust at all.

Disadvantages of cork flooring

Cork flooring would deteriorate too quickly if it wasn't coated with various chemicals. They, of course, extend the service life, but make the floor not at all as environmentally friendly as we would like.

Cork flooring can be easily damaged by sharp objects such as stiletto heels, children and pets can easily spoil such a floor.

Heavy furniture can leave marks on the cork floor, so its legs must be provided with special stickers that distribute the weight.

Cork flooring installed with a locking system can be damaged if water is spilled on it. But this can be avoided by covering it with a protective varnish.

Heating cannot be carried out under cork floors, as they will not let the heat out from under them.

Related article

Cork is a modern elastic moisture-resistant coating that is suitable for any premises. The cork floor perfectly "gets along" in the bathroom, in the kitchen, suitable for the corridor and bedroom. Cork flooring is durable, not expensive and very stylish.

Cork began to be used in the interior a few years ago. Cork sheets were placed under parquet and laminate for better floor adhesion, thermal insulation, sound insulation, etc. And more recently, cork began to be used as an independent floor covering. And fashion designers, and all those who want to create a cozy and practical interior, rated her beneficial features- moisture resistance, elasticity, incredibly pleasant to the touch surface, on which you want to walk barefoot.

The advantages of the cork floor, in addition to those already listed - it is easy to install, cork sheets can be cut as you like, the floor is slightly springy, which creates a pleasant shock absorption when walking, it is easy to care for it - it can be washed, it is very durable and durable coating. The number of colors and designs of cork allows you to fit this flooring into any interior. In addition, the cork floor is warm. Which is very important in our northern climate.

Cons of cork flooring: It is a rather soft material. When using it in the corridor, pits from studs and heels may form. It is better to stick special felt pads on the legs of the furniture so that they do not leave marks.

note There are three types of cork flooring:

Technical cork (previously it was used as a substrate for a laminate, but now it successfully replaces the flooring in the kitchen and in the corridor);

Adhesive cork (tiles 300 × 300, 450 × 150, 600 × 300, 450 × 450 mm in size - their convenience is that you can create a beautiful pattern yourself);

Cork flooring (cork flooring glued to MDF).

The first option is a very cheap and durable flooring. Sold in rolls, easy to lay (like linoleum). But not everyone is suitable for the natural color of technical cork. The second option is a beautiful cork, with many different designs. You can create a floor that no one else has. Cons - in hot summers, gaps can form between the tiles, because. the cork dries up. The third option is the most expensive. Lasting cork parquet beautiful and durable. But, like laminate, it can creak.

Useful advice: The cork floor can be washed with plain water. for sale detergents(supposedly specifically for cork) are very expensive, but there is not much difference between them and ordinary water. If the cork floor is heavily soiled, it can be wiped with warm water from Fairy.

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