Cork flooring - reviews, specifications, care and installation

Cork as a cork flooring has been used for several decades in Western Europe. In our country, it appeared relatively recently. However, consumers received recognition very quickly, so it deserves to talk about it in more detail.

From what and how is it made?

The floor adhesive cork coating is characterized by the following composition:

cork chips;
polyurethane varnish;
cork decorative veneer;
MDF layer - if it is a three-layer board.

To obtain cork chips, bark of cork oak is crushed. To dry the granules, special ovens are used. At the end of this procedure, they are mixed with glue and pressed. The result is a cellular closed structure. This kind of carpet made of natural material is cut into plates, which are then veneered, that is, cork decorative veneer is applied to them. The final stage of the production of cork flooring consists of grinding, after which the material is varnished - in the manufacture of single-layer plates, or an additional agglomerated cork substrate is made from the bottom and MDF base in the middle - for three-layer ones.

With varnish, the surface of the cork is opened twice:

polyurethane varnish is first applied and dried under ultraviolet rays;
then, after repeated application, it is frozen under pressure.

Interesting: this technology contributes to the cork coating high, not inferior to natural wood parquet, wear-resistant qualities. In residential premises, the varnish coating without problems will last at least 5 years.

Cork Types

The cork is characterized by a cellular structure

The cork has a cellular structure

The technology for the production of cork flooring as a whole is described above. However, on the market you can find several types of this material, which differ primarily in price. Specialists distinguish such a cork for flooring:

Solid veneer - the most expensive type of this material. In one collection, the selection of floorboards is done by color.

Agglomerate - Cork chips, pressed into a single unit at high temperatures. By production any pieces are involved, even very small ones.

Large veneer combined with agglomerate - compromise material. It uses selected and expensive particles, and small pieces.

Different types of cork flooring practically do not visually differ

These types of cork do not have a special difference in mechanical properties and wear resistance. It is found in another: a difference in the appearance and use of various plasticizers for better bonding of cork pieces. The presence of some additives in the material gives reason to think about its naturalness and real environmental friendliness.

Attention! Very often, sellers in the retail chain declare the best qualities of natural cork, implying veneer, but in reality they realize sinter.

Advantages - opinions of manufacturers and sellers

Environmental Safety.
Presentable appearance.
Long service life.
It is best reflected in the natural regulation of indoor air humidity.
It is endowed with bactericidal properties.
Natural antistatic.

In addition, due to the cellular structure, the cork floor has elasticity and lightness, as well as high heat-insulating and sound-insulating qualities.For this reason, cork flooring is relevant in residential premises and commercial use - customer reviews in this case are the best proof of its functionality.

It is important that closed cells make the material fireproof - the coating is very difficult to burn, and no toxic combustion products are released. The cork does not sink in water, that is, the percentage of its water absorption does not exceed 2%. Especially this quality is of great importance in an apartment building, where sometimes unpleasant surprises occur from neighbors who have a pipe bursting with water or they forgot to close the tap. In other words, if they poured on top, then after drying the cork floor does not lose its magnificent appearance and its technical characteristics remain at the same level.

Opinion! The cork is resistant to mechanical deformation - after a point load, it is fully restored to its original state.

The beauty and presentability of cork flooring

Cork flooring - presentable and environmentally friendly

Disadvantages - customer reviews

Firstly, it is worth mentioning the most significant drawback of flooring from natural cork - high cost. It depends on such parameters as: cork layer thickness and type of coating.

Secondly, you can often hear consumer complaints indicating that furniture remains on the cork. Like it or not, the trace from the bulky wardrobe or sofa will not disappear to the end.

Thirdly, the protective layer erases over time. In rooms with high traffic (kitchen, corridor), you can clearly identify the "beaten" path. This factor indicates that special care is required behind the cork.

Cork Care

To clean the cork floor, detergents are used that do not contain abrasive particles or solvents. The market has a wide selection of special cork care products that not only protect it, but also add shine to the varnish. With their help, various impurities are removed, including greasy spots. To restore the abrasion coating, manufacturers offer polyurethane varnish.

Mounting Methods

Cork flooring - easy and fast installation

In fact, there is nothing sophisticated here - the cork floor can be laid in two ways:

Fixing using special contact adhesive - adhesive floor.
Laying without adhesive - floating floor.

We hope that the above information will be enough to make the right decision regarding the arrangement of the floor. We also suggest that you can understand whether cork flooring is suitable for you - photo and video materials. In the end, I just want to add that due to its texture and the availability of installation, cork is a favorite material of interior designers.

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Anna
6 years ago

We have cork for 8 years in all rooms. For all the time, the cork deteriorated in only one place - under the sofa, where the lining for the leg went astray. Otherwise, I did not have a single complaint. When we do the repair again, I will again opt for cork. Because, firstly, cork is not so much cooled in winter. Secondly, cork is environmentally friendly. Thirdly, it is very easy to wash: it collected dust and all. Well, the soul warms the idea that the cork is slightly flammable. As for the price, I can only say that the laminate purchased at the same time already requires replacement, and the cork will last a long time. And the price is not so great, but it will pay off - for sure.
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1. Natalya
  6 years ago
  
  Anna, do you have a glue or a lock plug? Coated with varnish?
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Mila
6 years ago

In my daughter’s room I put cork, five years have passed. I can say that I am very pleased that I did not save. Of course, this is not a budget option, but still, cork is cheaper than parquet and not much more expensive than parquet. But walking on it is a pleasure! In summer, the floor does not heat up, and in winter it is warm. At the same time, such a coating looks very worthy, there is no need to put a carpet on the floor. Once I spilled water on the floor and the coating swelled a little. I was upset, but some time passed, and everything returned to normal. It’s not difficult to take care of the cork: I clean it with a vacuum cleaner and wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth, without special tools. I do not rearrange the furniture in the room, so that the dents from the legs are not visible. The cork may have a different coating, I chose with a durable one, so I have a floor without scuffs. By the way, the cat did not encroach on the cork, although the seller mentioned that this happens.
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Darya
7 years ago

Recently I saw this type of flooring in the store, it really interested me, and after reading the article about the pros and cons of cork flooring, I seriously thought whether it was worth attention. It is very attractive that the floor is poorly flammable, environmentally friendly, can survive the flood and has bactericidal properties, but its high cost, and the fact that it wears out and loses shape under heavy objects is disturbing, although there is nothing eternal.
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Karina
7 years ago

I heard a lot of good things about cork floors - it is environmentally friendly, of high quality, beautiful, they can be installed once and used for many years.
Interestingly, such a flooring is not scratched by furniture legs? Is it necessary to lay a carpet on top of such a floor, or is a cork floor comfortable without any coatings?
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