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Pressed cork flooring. Cork floors: pros and cons, as well as technical characteristics and examples of existing offers from manufacturers. th minus – Burnout

Hi all!

Cork flooring appeared in my daughter's nursery 2.5 years ago and it has an unusual design. Anyone who reads my reviews has already noticed it. And I want to tell you about the advantages of cork, as well as the disadvantages of cork flooring with photo printing that I encountered during operation.

Name of product:

    Corkstyle interlocking cork floor with photo print for children's room, Hello Kitty Teddy Friends collection

The price at the moment is about 3,500 rubles per square meter.

It cost us about 36 thousand rubles (2950 rubles per sq.m.), the area of ​​the children's room is 12 sq.m.

There are two types of cork floors: adhesive And castle. Which is better?

  • Glue ones are cheaper. They are placed on a special contact glue, and then are covered varnish(additional attachments). The installation process in this case difficult, floors should be as level as possible.
  • Interlocking ones are more expensive; they are also called “cork laminate”. There is no need for additional costs, the installation process is simpler.

After reading many articles on the Internet, I came to the conclusion that the quality of glued floors is better than that of interlocking floors, they just need to be laid correctly, and this process is labor-intensive.

Cork floor with photo printing Corkstyle Hello Kitty Teddy Friends (Hello Kitty & Snoopy eco-floor) is available in adhesive and interlocking versions. I ordered glue, but it was out of stock. And the managers convinced my husband and I to buy a castle.

The order still had to wait about a week (delivery from Moscow to St. Petersburg). They brought us several cardboard boxes with filling. There is only such a terrible photo during repairs.


Our floor castle Corkstyle cork consisted of equal parts measuring 91.5 cm * 30.5 cm.


Some had a large image of Hello Kitty cats of two types: with a bear behind the back or with a bear in front, and others had the inscription Hello Kitty in carrot color.


As a background, they all had an image of Hello Kitty cats in a less flashy pink version. The floor itself is light pink.


By floor installation castle The cork resembles laminate, there are special grooves. We did the renovations in the new building ourselves. And my husband found it harder to lay the cork than the laminate; it was very difficult to take it back apart, the grooves would break.

The image (photo printing) is applied directly to the cork layer. There are also cork-colored cork floors, they are more natural and show less debris, but I don’t like the design itself.


During installation, some parts of the cork floor did not fit very tightly, and cracks formed. The husband says that it is his fault, he did something wrong, and it is problematic to sort it out.


And at the joints during operation, the photo printing began to peel off, and also scratches formed from moving heavy furniture.


The pink baseboard could not be found in retail stores, only white. It looks good with a pale pink floor and hot pink wallpaper, we have white furniture in the nursery.


The rest of the apartment has laminate flooring.


The connection between laminate and cork flooring looks like this:


Photos in the interior:



The floor turned out to be exclusive; I have never seen such a variation on anyone else. And now our children’s room is in the Hello Kitty style, I buy additional accessories as needed.


And now about main characteristics and advantages of cork with my comments.

1) Naturalness. It is believed that cork does not contain harmful impurities and is not harmful to health. For the most part, this applies to flooring that has a natural cork color, but I hope that the cork with photo printing is environmentally friendly and the child’s health is not affected.

2) Hypoallergenic. My child is allergic, this issue is relevant for me, I think that we are not allergic to cork flooring. Other rooms have different coverings.

3) Thermal insulation! One of the important points. Cork flooring is much warmer than laminate or tile and is pleasant for your feet to walk on. But when my daughter was little and sat on the floor, I still put a rug on her. If you compare cork flooring and puzzle rugs, then cork feels colder. The floor is not slippery compared to laminate and is soft, making it more comfortable to fall on.

4) Noise insulation. We don’t hear our neighbors downstairs and they don’t make any complaints against us, since no one lives in that apartment below us. But if you compare laminate and cork, cork has higher sound insulation. The sound of a thrown ball is muffled, laminate has a louder sound, and there is no point in talking about tiles at all (they have poor sound insulation).

5) Stain resistance. In my case, the cork flooring with Corkstyle Hello Kitty Teddy Friends photo print is very patchy as it is light pink. Every crumb and hair is visible on it. The nursery has to be cleaned more often than other rooms.

My daughter often colored the cork floors with pencils and felt-tip pens. And now he’s staining them with paint. I don’t have any problems with rubbing, everything can be cleaned well with nail polish remover, it doesn’t affect the photo printing of the floor.


6) Durability.

This point raises questions for me, since during use, dents remain on the floor from heavy furniture. Some dents go away over time, the floor straightens, and the plug returns to its original position. Upon closer examination, I discovered a dent on the cork floor from a stepladder; it had been there for a long time and had not gone away.


Previously, in the nursery we had a sofa that folds out like a folding bed. And while laying them out, there were dents on the floor; I put cardboard underneath.

Now there is a bed in this place; the dents from the legs of the sofa remain, but not as noticeable as immediately after moving the furniture.

There are no traces of the legs of the crib or chairs left on the floor.


I'll let you down RESULTS everything written above regarding the Corkstyle interlocking cork floor with photo printing for a children's room, Hello Kitty Teddy Friends collection.

Advantages:

1) Unusual design;

2) Warm;

3) Natural and hypoallergenic (I hope so);

4) Good sound insulation;

5) Not slippery;

6) Soft.

Flaws:

1) It gets very dirty because it is light pink;

2) Dents from heavy furniture remain and not all of them go away;

3) Scratches may occur;

4) High cost per square meter.

Conclusion. For the second time, I would not buy the Corkstyle interlocking cork floor, Hello Kitty Teddy Friends collection, for the nursery, but I would risk ordering it in the same design in the adhesive version. Therefore, I do not recommend my Hello Kitty Teddy Friends castle cork floor.

I think you will be interested in my other reviews about shelving from our nursery rooms (TYK), children's room pull-out crib(Poke) or see photo of children's kitchen with your own hands (TYK).

When choosing flooring, many people consider only linoleum, laminate and parquet. Recently added to this list is cork flooring, which has many benefits. In order for such a finishing material to last as long as possible, you should take a responsible approach to its selection and care. Cork flooring is distinguished by its moisture resistance, elasticity, heat and sound insulation properties. The material is environmentally friendly and durable, so it can be used in all residential areas.

What is cork flooring?

This is a real exclusive and the best solution for those who value environmental friendliness. These floors are made from the bark of the cork tree. Cork has an elastic structure and a yellow-brown tint. Of course, the material has other advantages.

The coating appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. However, back in the 18th century, the Portuguese used cork to finish roofs.

Pros and cons of cork flooring

Cork floors have many advantages:

  • You can even walk on the coating barefoot even in winter, since the material retains heat well.
  • Excellent sound insulation, thanks to which you can make noise at night without worrying about your neighbors.
  • The elasticity of the coating can significantly reduce the load on the spine. If a child falls on such a floor, he will not be hurt, and the fallen cup will probably not break.
  • The hypoallergenic nature of the material guarantees safety for human health.
  • The floor is not electrified. Accordingly, dust will not accumulate on it.
  • Cork is not afraid of rotting, rodents and various microorganisms.

Disadvantages include:

  • Fragility. Manufacturers claim that the service life is on average 5-10 years. The maximum period of use does not exceed 20 years.
  • High price. This type of coating is quite expensive, but high-quality parquet will cost even more.
  • Traces from furniture. So, if there is a massive cabinet on the floor, then it will leave a small dent. This is not critical, but unpleasant.
  • Abrasion of the protective layer. In rooms where there is heavy traffic, the path will become trampled over time. This is especially true for corridors. Therefore, sooner or later, re-varnishing will be required.

Cork structure

Cork bark is used to create the covering. It is crushed, heated and pressed. As a result, the bark granules stick together, causing the cellular structure of the material to become closed. The coating resembles a huge number of honeycombs filled with air.

The design is based on agglomerate, that is, compressed cork, the thickness of which is 1 mm. This is followed by a wood board. Its thickness and strength may vary. In some cases, the wood board is replaced with decorative veneer or valuable wood. This layer is coated with high-quality varnish. Vinyl as a covering is considered more wear-resistant, so this flooring is installed in rooms where very high loads are observed.

Types of cork covering

Cork floors are divided into 3 types.

  1. Most often, adhesive coatings are found on sale. As the name suggests, the material is simply glued to the base. Of the variety of such coatings, tiles with a thickness of 3 mm stand out. It is distinguished by its wear resistance and hardness. For residential premises, material with a thickness of 6 mm is suitable, since walking on it is much more comfortable. Adhesive floors are expensive coatings. They are more durable, but their installation will take a lot of time.
  2. Floating cork flooring is laid in panels that are slotted together. The service life of this coating is 5 years. It can be extended by covering the surface with a layer of varnish.
  3. Technical cork is available on sale in the form of rolls and plates. It is used as a substrate under any basic floor, including laminate and linoleum.

Cork flooring: glued or interlocking

When purchasing a cork floor, the first thing you need to do is choose between the locking and adhesive varieties. The interlocking coating is different in that it is not attached directly to the floor. All boards at the joints are carefully glued and then connected using a tongue-and-groove pattern. For this reason, this type is called cork laminate. The adhesive coating is simply glued to the floor.

Both varieties have many differences. This is especially true for structure. Thus, the common size of locking panels is 900x300x10 mm, and adhesive panels are 600x300x4 mm. Of course, other sizes of both covers are also available for sale.

For a castle floor, the bottom layer is a 1-2 mm thick backing made from crushed cork. Next comes the MDF board. The front layer is represented by cork chips 3 mm thick, onto which veneer is glued. Most manufacturers apply ceramic or acrylic varnish, as well as vinyl, on top. Sometimes there is unvarnished cork on sale, which needs to be treated after installation. The adhesive coating may be sold raw. However, in most cases the material is sold with a pre-applied varnish.

Cork floor in the apartment

Cork flooring is used everywhere. It is laid in all rooms, since the material is resistant to water and aggressive substances. The prevalence is also explained by environmental friendliness, stylish appearance and excellent performance characteristics.

Cork floor in the kitchen

This coating is increasingly used in the kitchen. The cork flooring gives this visit a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Advantages:

  • The material is not afraid of rotting, fungus, mold, grease and other household contaminants.
  • The adhesive floor is not afraid of moisture.
  • The surface is resistant to various detergents.
  • Ease and simplicity of cleaning.
  • Slip resistance, which is very important in the kitchen.

Flaws:

  • Furniture may leave marks. On high-quality coatings they disappear over time.
  • A floor whose base is made of MDF boards can swell greatly when exposed to moisture.
  • Under increased load, the protective and decorative coating may wear off. As a result, you will have to replace pieces of the floor or re-varnish the surface.

Cork floor in the bathroom

This coating is great for the bathroom. You can put any furniture and household appliances on it. It is also pleasant to walk on cork bark barefoot. It is also very beneficial for the spine. For a bathroom, it is worth choosing an adhesive floor whose thickness is 4-6 mm.

Advantages:

  • Slip resistance.
  • Easy care.
  • Environmentally friendly, durable and reliable.
  • The coating is not afraid of moisture, which means that mold or mildew will not appear here.
  • The floor is very warm. Accordingly, you can walk on it barefoot.
  • Cork does not absorb odors.

Flaws:

  • High price.
  • The fragility and difficulty of installing an adhesive floor.
  • At elevated temperatures and high humidity, the coating begins to swell and absorb odors. Sometimes this leads to the formation of cracks.
  • The need to periodically renew the layer of waterproof varnish. If this is not done, bubbles may appear.

Cork floor in the nursery

This flooring option is considered an ideal option for a children's room. It compares favorably with laminate, parquet and solid wood. When decorating the room where the child will live, you need to take into account a number of requirements, which cork bark fully meets.

Advantages:

  • Hypoallergenic and antistatic.
  • Excellent heat and sound insulation.
  • Elasticity, which helps to minimize the load on the spine.
  • Cork flooring will not lose its original color.
  • Resistance to mechanical damage and contamination.

Flaws:

  • Possibility of swelling when exposed to large amounts of moisture.
  • High price.

What kind of underfloor heating is suitable for cork flooring?

High-quality cork material goes well with heated floors. This is especially true for adhesive coatings. If linoleum or laminate is used as a finishing material, then the maximum temperature should be 28 o C. For this reason, it is better to choose a water or electric type of heated floor, which has a temperature controller.

It must be remembered that the decorative covering of a cork floor can retain thermal energy. This has a negative impact on the installation of underfloor heating and also leads to significant energy consumption. If you use a heated floor for a very long time, the cork will begin to deteriorate and the glue will dry out. This is fraught with the formation of cracks.

In practice, cork flooring is often used without underfloor heating. In order to implement such a project, you should carefully consider the choice of materials and installation of structures.

Cork floor care

Cork coating does not require special care.

  • This floor can be wiped with a damp sponge and vacuumed.
  • The use of detergents other than abrasives is allowed. Naturally, hard metal brushes are not suitable for care.
  • If stubborn stains are found on the surface, they can be removed using fine-grained sandpaper. After such cleaning, sometimes small defects remain, which are eliminated with wax or varnish.

To extend the life of the floor, it is necessary to maintain a humidity level of 50% and a temperature of about 20-25 o C. In winter, the humidity level drops, so it is worth installing a humidifier in the room. To prevent dents from appearing on the floor, you should avoid rubberized mats. For the same purpose, it is worth gluing pieces of felt or felt to the legs of the furniture.

From time to time you need to update the coating. So, polyurethane varnish is applied to the cleaned surface, which dries completely in 12 hours. If the floor is covered with vinyl, then it is necessary to apply a layer of mastic on top every 2 years.

How to clean cork floors?

For cleaning the coating, mild products that do not contain aggressive components or solvents are suitable. You should also avoid abrasive detergents, metal scrapers and hard brushes.

Cork flooring is not afraid of moisture, but you should not allow it to get too wet. For this reason, it is recommended to use a slightly damp sponge or a strongly wrung-out cloth.

Cork flooring is an ideal option for residential premises. This material preserves the health of residents and makes living in the apartment truly comfortable.

Soft, warm, beautiful in appearance, easy to use - this is how cork flooring is characterized. Slabs made from the bark of a special type of oak came to Russia from Europe, where they managed to establish themselves as an excellent material. Reviews from professionals speak of the successful use of the coating in the nursery, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and wherever you need to create special comfort.

The coating is made from the bark of an oak tree growing in the Mediterranean. Cork flooring in the bathroom is obtained by grinding raw materials, heating them in an oven, and then pressing them. As a result, a porous base is formed. The honeycomb filled with air serves as a shock-absorbing spring. The material acquires excellent heat and sound insulation properties. The front side is covered with varnish or vinyl. The latter option is more resistant to wear and is recommended for installing floors subject to heavy loads.

Appearance of cork covering

Cork flooring is laid from slabs of different thicknesses. The modern market offers adhesive-based flooring with a locking joint. The first slabs are up to 6 mm thick and are fixed using a binder on any flat surface. The coating with a locking system is produced up to 12 mm thick. The material is laid on wooden flooring, concrete screed, linoleum. The plates are attached to each other and are not fixed with glue.

The adhesive cork floor in the kitchen consists of several layers. At the bottom there is a pressed agglomerate connected with an adhesive composition. The top of the slab is made of wood veneer. The finish is a thin layer of vinyl or varnish. The coating gives the cork board a matte or glossy finish.

The locking plug for the floor has a multi-layer structure. At the bottom there is a pressed agglomerate. Then follows the MDF, HDF canvas, on which the locking joints are attached. Next comes the cork layer, which serves as protection for MDF. The top of the slab is made of wood veneer covered with a thin vinyl film or varnish.

Advantages


Flooring material slabs

The cork floor in the apartment consists of individual slabs with excellent technical properties. The flooring is different:

  • Durability;
  • Resistant to deformation;
  • Antistatic;
  • Environmental safety;
  • Bactericidal effect.

The material is comfortable, non-slip, and resistant to mold and mildew. The cork floor in the nursery does not absorb liquids or corrosive odors. The coating is harmless to human health, universal, and perfect for finishing floors in residential areas. Scientists are trying to develop an artificial substitute for natural material, which will reduce the price of cork products. However, the problem still remains unresolved.

Good resistance to external influences is an undoubted advantage of cork flooring. The coating is resistant to abrasion, mechanical shocks, and household chemicals. Traces from furniture wheels are not visible on the surface of the material. Increased shock absorption of the plates helps to avoid dents that form under high point pressure. Thanks to these advantages, cork successfully competes with other finishing materials, for example, parquet.

The ability to create excellent thermal insulation is another property of cork flooring. Consumer reviews indicate good thermal characteristics of the coating. The stoves retain heat in winter and cool in summer, thereby reducing the need for heating. The plug allows you to save on energy consumption. This property is typical of natural materials.

Cork is excellent at reducing noise penetration. Sound-absorbing material is perfect for decorating a children's room, a music studio, or any room where there is a home theater or acoustic equipment. The covering is pleasant for walking with bare feet and sitting. The material does not pose a danger to human health and deserves only positive reviews.


Safe covering

A variety of interesting textures and patterns allows you to implement any design ideas. Natural, eco-friendly cork combines perfectly with other materials. The covering is easy to install, and caring for a cork floor is not difficult. The material has undoubted advantages that should not be ignored when planning repair work.

Flaws

Are there any disadvantages to cork flooring? Heavy pieces of furniture leave marks on the surface. The material is torn and “afraid” of sharp heels and abrasives from metal brushes. If the entire apartment is covered with cork, it is advisable to place a dirt-retaining path or mat at the entrance. The item should not have a latex or rubber base, otherwise marks will remain on the floor. For the same reason, it is not recommended to allow the material to come into contact with boots with rubber soles or shoes with rubber heels.

Reviews

Svetlana, 36 years old

We were looking for flooring and took light-colored Polish cork. I liked the wide palette of colors, there are different textures - speckled, speckled, with darkening, lightening. The material was chosen because of its environmental friendliness and ability to absorb sounds. This is especially important because we have two children. The floor turned out to be soft, warm, pleasant, but the coating is afraid of water and requires careful care.


Polish light material

Irina, 42 years old

Several years ago we were renovating the house; we chose the material carefully, sparing no expense. We decided to buy a cork floor, laid it ourselves, and at first everything was fine and beautiful. Later we noticed that the joints between the panels were beginning to swell, as it turned out, from moisture. Then potholes became noticeable on the floor, as if pieces had been torn out. I had to change the plates.

Sergey, 37 years old

We installed the cork and are happy with it so far. The coating looks modern and beautiful. The children like to walk on the floor barefoot; we can no longer hear the dog moving around the apartment, whereas before there was a lot of noise. If something falls, there is no more noise. We also have a traffic jam in our office; nothing has been done about it for three years now. The floor was laid a month ago, now we’ll see how long it will last.

Why is cork flooring so popular?


Natural material

Cork is a unique material of natural origin. The raw material is obtained from the bark of Mediterranean oak. Natural coating is soft and durable. Cork is able to restore its original shape after squeezing, which distinguishes it from other wood raw materials. The slabs are warm, pleasant to the touch, and fit perfectly into any interior. At the same time, the cost of the material is close to that of a simple laminate.

Care

How to clean cork floors? The surface is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and wiped with a damp cloth. It is acceptable to use detergents. The slabs are not afraid of water, but excessive moisture is undesirable. This applies not only to cleaning floors, but also to accidentally spilled liquids. Excess moisture should be wiped off immediately. For cork, it is better to use mild detergents that do not contain aggressive solvent components.


Surface care

Do not use hard brushes, abrasives, or metal scrapers to clean cork floors. Reviews indicate damage to the surface by scratches in this case. Difficult stains are removed with fine-grained sandpaper. Such cleaning may leave defects that can be removed with wax or varnish. The products are applied only to damaged areas.


Floor with photo printing

Cork floors with photo printing do not last forever and need periodic updating. The surface can be treated with polyurethane varnishes. The product is applied to a previously cleaned surface. Old varnish is removed with sandpaper or a sanding machine. Then you need to clean the surface with a vacuum cleaner and cover the floor with a fresh compound. The varnish dries in 12 hours, after which the slabs are completely transformed.

The cork will last longer if you follow simple rules. To extend the life of your floor, do the following:

  • Glue special pads made of cork or felt to the legs of heavy furniture. This will prevent the floor from forming dents;
  • Use a rug to protect your hallway flooring. The bottom of the carpet should not be made of rubber or latex, otherwise marks will remain on the slabs;
  • Maintain temperature 20-25 degrees, humidity 50%. In winter, you can use humidifiers to prevent premature cracking of the slabs.

Beautiful texture

Price

The price of building materials is not the last factor influencing the choice of a particular coating. The cost depends on the quality of the slab, its density, and the manufacturer. In general, cork flooring is expensive. The cost of material for installing a floating coating ranges from 700 to 2000 rubles per m2. Adhesive boards are more affordable - from 600 to 1200 rubles per m2.

Laying cork sheets by a master costs differently depending on the level of complexity of the work. Installation of a castle floor costs from 250 to 350 rubles per m2. Laying an adhesive sheet is more expensive - from 350 to 500 rubles per m2. Installing slabs diagonally involves an even higher cost.

Do I need to insulate cork floors?

Cork itself is a good insulator. However, before repairs, the question arises about the need for additional thermal insulation. If you plan to install the cork in an apartment or in an already comfortable house with a good floor, additional insulation is not required. Thermal insulation is needed if the rough coating is cold. Polypropylene film is used as insulation on the floor,

Before purchasing a cork floor, familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of this product, which I will provide in full here. And if positive reviews on numerous sites are full of variety, then there are practically no negative reviews to be found. And not to find them due to marketing manipulation of this popular product. After all, in order to sell it profitably, no one will highlight the disadvantages.

I will describe cork flooring in this article not only as a master, but also as a consumer. The fact is that I had a cork in one of the rooms for about 6 years until I replaced it with laminate, and for this reason.

We purchased interlocking cork flooring for the children's room. We were guided by my experience in styling, the natural warmth and softness of the material. In this regard, cork is truly an excellent material.

It so happened that while we were going on vacation, we were left to stay in a relative’s apartment. Upon arrival, we found several damaged boards. The relatives used a work stool without a plastic plug, which was left over after the renovation. We purchased additional packaging of the coating and replaced the damaged areas.

A few years after replacing the old sofa with a new one, we saw a frightening picture. No, of course, we had noticed up to this point that the legs of the sofa leave marks, but we didn’t attach much importance to it. Nevertheless, the main area of ​​damage was covered.

The depressing appearance of the damaged cork finally convinced my wife that it was in vain to listen to me and lay a cork floor. The cork itself was not pressed through, but the coating was damaged by knocked down and crumpled veneer. You heard right, in cork the top layer is covered with veneer. I suggested fixing the problem in a simple way: reinstalling the cork. As a result of re-flooring, I removed the damaged panels to the last rows under the place of the future sofa. And we got the floor like new. Here it is, plus a glueless locking connection.

Another 3 years passed, while my son was in the village and I had a few free days, we decided to replace the cork floor with laminate. An old problem resurfaced - dark marks were left on the floor from the furniture legs. During dismantling, I carefully examined all the boards for further possible use or sale through Avito. For this reason, I sorted the flooring and this is what I noticed after 6 years of use.

What happens to the cork after 6 years of use?

Bottom of cork floor

The bottom of the cover in the locking version consists of technical cork. Roughly speaking, a 2-3 mm cork backing is rolled onto a sheet of HDF board. In my case I laid Art Cork over the foam insulation. Although it could be laid on bare concrete.

I read somewhere that a cork backing, if laid on concrete without a film, will rot, turn into dust, and so on. Nothing like this. In one place under the heating radiator, where the caring mother-in-law was hanging clothes to dry, water penetrated. There was a gap between the slabs. The HDF board sheet turned black, but the cork only changed color. That is, it does not become moldy due to the natural substances it contains.

Lock connection,HDF board

The locking joint used on my cork flooring is very similar in shape to the Uniclic locks. This type of adhesion is used on the famous brand of laminate "Quick Step". Considering the fact that I had already rebuilt the floor covering, the locks were in good condition, suitable for further installation.

Interestingly, the fiberboard is green in color. Usually this tone means the moisture resistance of the material.

Top layer of cork parquet

The top layer consists of technical cork. The fact that we choose different textures in the store, the pattern is an applied thin veneer of cork. And sellers, out of ignorance or intentionally, do not inform buyers about this feature. And this detail leads to abrasion and damage to the entire cork during operation.

Yes, the cork itself restores its structure under compression to almost its original size. Just as salespeople in stores convince us. But the thin finishing lining, which gives the coating a noble appearance, is not capable of this. It is crushed and pressed through.

Cork covering - pros and cons, review

It's time to leave your review and highlight the pros and cons of cork flooring. Now you know the structure of the coating, what it is made of, and it has become easier to draw conclusions.

Here I will leave a few links on cork flooring for your reference.

Do you want to install cork at home, but don’t have confidence in your abilities? Let's find out how complicated this procedure is and whether it's worth paying money for. The accumulated experience allows me to say that anyone can cope with laying this flooring, and the step-by-step instructions will clearly confirm my words.

Manufacturing technology

The pros and cons of cork flooring are directly related to its production technology, so first you should familiarize yourself with it:

  1. Removing bark from a cork oak tree after reaching the age of thirty. It is noteworthy that in the future the procedure can be repeated every 9-12 years. The tree itself lives to be two centuries old;

  1. The removed bark is crushed;

  1. The crushed chips are processed and heated in the oven;
  2. The heated mass falls under the press, where it turns into suberin, which is a mixture of cork with air bubbles;
  3. A “pie” is created:
  • Suberin;
  • Durable layer of wood dust and resin;
  • Suberin again;
  • The front layer, which can be natural veneer, cork or vinyl.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages of cork flooring, the most significant are the following:

Advantages

  1. Low thermal conductivity, the indicator of which varies between 0.03 and 0.04 W/(m×K). Thanks to this quality, two beneficial effects can be identified at once:
  • Reduced heat losses the entire room;
  • Excellent tactile sensation. You can sit, lie or stand barefoot on a cork without experiencing the cold emanating from the underground, which cannot be said, for example, about tiles, marble or linoleum;

  1. Orthopedic impact. Cork flooring acts on your feet like a shock absorber due to its structure, which, although it gives in to mechanical stress, immediately tries to restore its shape. As a result, the load on the musculoskeletal system is significantly reduced;

It is especially useful to lay cork in a child's room. Firstly, it will promote the healthy development of the spine and legs due to its shock-absorbing properties, and secondly, it will soften the child’s falls and prevent him from receiving serious injuries during active games.

  1. Good sound insulation. The noise absorption coefficient of cork is 0.85. So the neighbors downstairs will no longer complain about you for walking loudly, dancing or rearranging furniture;

  1. Environmental friendliness. It does not emit toxic substances or allergens, which once again proves the usefulness of laying cork flooring in a nursery;
  2. Slip resistance;

  1. Antistatic. Cork does not accumulate electrical charge and therefore does not collect dust;
  2. Moisture resistance. Cork repels water, due to which it can be used to decorate a bathroom;

  1. Fire resistance. The possibility of enhancing fire safety should never be forgotten;
  2. No effect of absorbing foreign odors. And this will be very useful in the case of finishing a kitchen, where during its operation there are always a lot of aromas formed during the cooking process;

  1. Durability. The service life of cork coating is at least fifteen years;
  2. Easy to care for. Dirt does not absorb well into the cork, dust does not collect, and it easily tolerates household chemicals. So it won’t be difficult to keep the flooring in question clean;

  1. UV resistance. Does not fade even with prolonged and direct exposure to sunlight;

  1. Easy DIY installation. Based on the type of installation, two types of products can be distinguished:
  • Lock plug. At the ends of such products there are special locks, similar to those that can be found on lining or laminate. It is enough to connect them groove to groove to get the finished coating;

  • Glue plug. In this case, installation is performed using special glue;

  1. No harm to the natural environment. For example, cutting down trees reduces the number of “lungs” of our planet. But periodically removing the bark from a cork oak tree does not harm it in any way;

  1. Exotic appearance. Cork looks quite new and attractive in appearance, while having warm brown tones, characteristic of classic wood, that are pleasant to the eye;

Flaws

The disadvantages of cork flooring are expressed by its following features:

  1. Fairly high price. The necessary trees do not grow in our region, therefore, the bark from them is not cheap in the post-Soviet space. If you add its processing, then it turns out to be an impressive amount. Although, is it worth paying for quality?
  2. Low tensile strength;

I do not recommend walking through traffic jams in high-heeled shoes and installing furniture with sharp legs on it. Although it is resistant to mechanical stress, such objects cause damage to such material that can no longer be eliminated.

  1. Danger of swelling. Although the material in question is highly moisture resistant, constant contact with water can lead to its swelling. So try to promptly wipe away any puddles that form on its surface.

As you can see, the disadvantages of cork flooring are not as numerous as its advantages.

Examples

On the shelves of specialized stores you can find the following offers:

  • Model "Granorte":

  • Model "Ruscork":

Conclusion

You have become familiar with the pros and cons of cork floors. The video in this article contains additional materials, and in the comments you can ask questions that interest you.