Cork flooring cons. Cork floors: reviews. Which company to choose a cork floor. Features of interlocking cork coverings

The text discusses in detail such a type of material as cork flooring. From the article, you can find out what this type of finish is, what properties and characteristics it has, as well as evaluate the advisability of using natural coating in the interior by examining its advantages and disadvantages, consumer reviews, average prices and other factors.

Cork flooring is made on the basis of porous oak bark. The extraction of this material does not have a negative impact on nature. The place where the bark was cut continues to grow and renew, which allows this procedure to be performed every 9 years without threatening the condition of the tree. For the production of flooring, raw materials are used from 25-year-old oak trees. Younger trees are not suitable for this. The most valuable is the bark cut from 150-year-old oak trees.

A mixture of pressed bark is used as a base for the coating. As a result of special processing inside the furnace, the material is saturated with air. This uses natural juice contained in the micropores. He is called suberin. At the next stage, the material is given strength. For the so-called reinforcement, resins and wood dust are used, which are added in several layers.

The top layer is made of cork or other materials such as veneer or PVC. The scope of application of the floors, as well as their service life, depends on the properties and characteristics of the top coat.

To protect the coating from wear, as well as to give it a certain design, manufacturers use veneer in combination with cladding with other materials:

veneer - the layer thickness is only 0.5 mm. The coating is applied over the base on the adhesive;

veneer varnished for cork flooring - the varnish increases the life of the finish, which is ideal for living rooms, including bedrooms;
veneer covered with a protective vinyl film - it prevents scratches, and also prevents moisture from entering the material. Thanks to this, the manufacturer's warranty extends for 10 years;
veneer made of fine wood and covered with vinyl film - the material is a veneer of natural origin, made of expensive wood. For protection, it is covered with a layer of vinyl.

Note! Thanks to modern technology, consumers can buy cork flooring in any design. The method of photo printing allows you to apply a realistic imitation of grass, wood, sand, stone, etc. to the surface of the material.

Cork flooring: material advantages

Cork as a floor covering has many beneficial properties. This finishing material is lightweight in comparison with other types of coatings. The cork is characterized by sound impermeability. The material does not allow noise to pass through, so it is suitable even for recording studios. At the same time, the finishing has a low level of thermal conductivity, due to which the warmth of the room does not go into the floor, but is stored inside.

The surface of the cork is elastic and soft. Orthopedic specialists recommend using this type of decoration for people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as as a coating in children's rooms. The cork is safe and environmentally friendly. Its surface does not slip, does not absorb liquids and does not emit harmful substances. In addition, the material has antistatic properties. The cork does not need complicated maintenance and perfectly repels dust.

The coating is resistant to liquids and chemicals. The exception is caustic solutions of alkaline origin. The plug does not impede natural air circulation. Thanks to this, the material does not contribute to the growth of bacteria and the aggravation of allergic reactions among the residents of the house. The cork is not subject to decay. She is not afraid of moisture. If the floors in your home become wet due to flooding, the coating will not deteriorate under the influence of the liquid, but provided that the surface has a protective treatment.

The cork is not afraid of temperature changes and is not subject to fading in the sun. Unlike laminate flooring, this material can be installed on loggias and open balconies. This type of coating is very strong and durable. Due to its porous structure, the material reduces the level of friction, therefore, the aggressiveness of external factors of influence is reduced.

Cons of cork floors

Like any type of flooring, cork floors have advantages and disadvantages. Due to its softness, the coating is squeezed over time 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 14.8x14.8 cm. If the coating in the bathroom is thinner, there is a possibility that the bathtub will pierce it through.

Do not walk indoors in shoes with rubber soles or high heels, otherwise marks will remain on the surface of the coating. Also, avoid placing latex or rubber rugs on the floor. The trace from these products after a long stay is practically not removed.

Helpful advice! The pits left by the chair legs and light furniture will align themselves. For heavy furnishings, it is advisable to buy soft felt pads that will reduce pressure.

Significant disadvantages include the price of a cork floor. Moreover, the adhesive type of coating will cost much more than a cork laminate. On the other hand, due to the simplified installation of the key plates, the costs of purchasing the material are partially offset. As a result, the total cost of the coating will be lower than that of natural parquet.

Another disadvantage of cork is flammability. The material itself is not flammable. The flammable component of floors is its protective coatings, for example, paint, varnish, glue. The natural coating has a low level of resistance to moisture. This disadvantage can be eliminated with varnish, sealant or wax impregnation.

Some coating options (for example, adhesive-type floors) have a complex installation system. Only specialists can provide high-quality performance of such works. In addition, it is impossible to install the underfloor heating system under a cork floor. The material has a high degree of thermal insulation, so heat fluxes cannot enter the room.

Pros and cons of cork floors, photos, prices for various types of coverage

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

solid veneer - the material consists of solid pieces of tree bark (this type of finish has a high price and is used to decorate ceiling and wall surfaces, as well as niches);
glomerate - the material looks like sheets consisting of crushed bark, joined together by gluing (this type of finish is practical and affordable);
combined cork - consists of agglomerate and veneer, they are glued together under the influence of high pressure.

For the production of combined cork, veneer is used, which is not suitable for the manufacture of slabs. As a result, the finish acquires a decorative appearance and a beautiful texture. The combination cork works well with other materials.

There are the following types of coatings:

Floating or chateau floor.
Adhesive floor.
Technical plug.

They have different properties and are characterized by a specific field of application.

Features of castle floor cork tiles

The floating floor consists of slabs interconnected by means of locking joints. The thickness of these panels varies between 10.5-12 mm. The size of the tiles is 18.5x90 cm. The finish is laid in the same way as a regular laminate.

For the manufacture of the base of these slabs, crushed chips are used. Wood or cork is used as a finishing coat, which is covered with a layer of paint and a print. It is advisable to use this type of finish in well-heated rooms where there are no temperature extremes. Sudden changes can negatively affect the condition of the lock connections.

Important! When buying slabs, be sure to pay attention to the quality of the locking joints. The integrity of the coating and its durability depend on them.

It is not recommended to use floating cork floors in high traffic areas such as walkways or kitchens. The coating installation system is quite simple. If one of the fragments is damaged during operation, a whole row will have to be disassembled. The section from the wall to the place where the defective element is located is subject to dismantling.

Parameters influencing the selection. Properties of various materials. Features of the floor in different rooms. Additional floor modifications.

Cost of floating cork floors: price per meter of finishing

The leading manufacturers and suppliers of cork coverings are Spain and Portugal, where porous oaks are widespread. Products from Asian countries are in lower demand, since the climatic conditions of this region do not allow the production of high quality wood.

Average cost of 1 m² of Wicanders floating cork floors:

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 floors

The adhesive floor consists of cork panels with an additional protective coating. The thickness of these elements is 4-6 mm. The material has a two-layer structure. At the bottom there is pressed cork chips, and the finishing layer on the panels is veneer. Elements can be either rectangular (60x30 and 45x15 cm) or square (40x40 and 30x30 cm). This type of coating is suitable for rooms with high levels of humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Before carrying out the installation, you need to carefully prepare the surface. The base for the installation of the coating must be perfectly flat. Glue is used to fix the panels. In order for the result of laying the coating to be of high quality and durable, all elements must be carefully adjusted. Backlash is not allowed.

With this material, decorative ornaments and patterns can be created on the floor. When the installation is completed, the cork is coated with a polyurethane-based varnish in several layers. It is imperative to process the gaps between the modular elements.

Helpful advice! If one of the fragments is damaged, do not dismantle the entire coating. It is enough to cut out the damaged strip and replace it with a new one.

Average cost of glued cork floors: price per m2

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

Wicanders;
Corkstyle;
Allied Cork.

Average price of cork flooring Wicanders:

Collection name	Price, rub / m2
Cork parquet	1230
Eco Cork	1340
Crackle	1400
Nuances	2000
Personality	2050
Identity	2050
Exotic	3700

What is the purpose of placing a technical plug on the floor

The technical plug is made from production leftovers. Therefore, it is not used as a floor finish. The main function of this material is to eliminate defects by filling (granules) or preparing the surface for laying the laminate. In the second case, the cork sheet is used as a backing that evens out the base.

The technical material comes in several forms:

Granules.
Rolls.
Plates.

In addition, the technical material is used to create additional sound and thermal insulation.

Technical traffic jam cost:

The form	Size, cm	Material thickness, mm	Price, rub / m2
Roll	100x1000	2	104
	100x1000	3	163
	100x2500	4	235
Plate	91.5x61	4	323
		6	464
		8	547
		10	666

Which is better to buy a cork floor: adhesive or floating

Adhesive and interlocking floors differ from each other not only in their structure, but also in properties.

An adhesive floor panel consists of the following components:

bases made of compressed agglomerate obtained by gluing;
wood veneer as a decorative coating;
a thin layer of varnish or vinyl protective covering that gives the panel a matte or glossy surface.

Advantages of adhesive coating:

It is not afraid of the influence of humidity and temperature extremes, as well as contact with water.
Installation in rooms with a high level of humidity or lack of heating is allowed.
The material is easy to cut, which facilitates the installation system.
A wide range of design solutions (the coating can not only be tinted, but also create mosaic patterns on its basis).
There is no need to use sills at the joints between the cork floor and the base covered with parquet or tiles.

Disadvantages of adhesive coating:

Installation requires careful preparation of the base. Any changes in the surface will be conspicuous after the coating is laid.
Purchase of varnish and glue is required.
High-quality installation of the coating can only be done by specialists.

Note! The price of cork interlocking floors is much higher than that of glue floors. However, the installation of the latter requires the participation of specialists and the purchase of additional materials, due to which the total cost of the coating increases significantly.

The locking plug consists of:

pressed agglomerate;
HDF or MDF fiberboard, complete with mounting spikes and grooves;
a protective layer of the agglomerate;
veneer finish;
a protective layer of vinyl film or varnish.

Advantages of castle floors:

There is no need to cut the material. No varnish or glue is required for installation.
It is not necessary to carefully level the base. A height difference of 2 mm per 2 m surface is allowed.
A simple installation system allows you to lay the cork yourself without the help of specialists.
Dismantling and reuse of the material in another room is possible.

The locking plates are not afraid of high air humidity, but provided that this indicator, like the temperature, is constant. The coating can withstand contact with water for no more than 24 hours. After that, it is imperative to dismantle the floors and dry its elements.

The choice of cork floors: owner reviews, pros and cons

When choosing a floor finish, you should pay attention to the quality of the cork agglomerate. Some manufacturers add cheap impurities, such as shavings, to this layer to reduce production costs. As a result, the material turns out to be tough, while it wears out faster. For this reason, it is worth giving preference to clean products, even if it is a compressed cork and its cost is high.

Adhesive floors have their drawbacks. Even the products of quality manufacturers may have minor defects. Most often, there are errors in dimensions, due to which the strips have different sizes. As a rule, they are small and are 1 mm in length or width. This indicator is considered normal, since due to the elasticity of the material, this disadvantage is compensated for during installation: the panels are compressed and the joints are tight. Sometimes planks with different thicknesses come across. This defect is much more problematic.

Helpful advice! If the batch contains strips with different thicknesses, the material will have to be re-sorted. It is better to lay thin elements in those places where the transition will not be so noticeable. Thick ones can be corrected by removing excess thickness around the edges with sandpaper.

Since cork is a natural material, often on the surface there are defects such as cavities, an ugly color transition, as well as manufacturing defects (veneer peeling or its partial absence). Before proceeding with the installation, you should carefully inspect the material, glue the exfoliated places, and place the defective strips where they will not be so noticeable. Castle floors are more advantageous in this regard, because the protective coating hides all the flaws.

Considerable importance is given to consumer reviews when choosing a cork flooring for floors. The opinion of buyers who have already tried this type of finish can be informative and decisive.

Strengths and weaknesses of cork floors: customer reviews

Cork finishes are not as popular as other finishes that are already well known to customers. Those consumers who nevertheless ventured to purchase this material share their reviews on cork laminate on the forums.

“At first we considered laminate as a flooring, but found it too noisy and slippery. We have a dog in our apartment. I don't want to listen to the constant clatter of claws. Parquet was too expensive for us. Therefore, we decided to take a closer look at the cork coating. The material, of course, cost more than laminate, but its high price was outweighed by numerous advantages. The coating turned out to be soft and quiet, and most importantly, warm. The cork was laid on the floor on its own, without calling the master at home. Bribed by the naturalness and environmental friendliness of this material. I do not regret my purchase at all and I recommend it to everyone. A more comfortable finish simply cannot be found. "

Svetlana Ezhova, Moscow

“I have a twofold attitude towards cork floors. The material really has many useful properties. This is beauty, naturalness, and the ability to keep warm. On the other hand, it is not practical. The cork swells due to water, so the seams between the slabs can swell. Also, I cannot recommend this coating to those who have children in the house, because the surface of the cork is very sensitive to damage. The material requires careful handling. If you are willing to take proper care of it, the cork will not disappoint. "

Maria Korotaeva, St. Petersburg

What cork floors look like in the interior: photo

The use of this coating in the interior can be varied. In the photo, cork floors look prestigious and original, especially for the living room, bedroom and study. It is allowed to use in the children's room, but subject to careful treatment. The coating can be made in natural colors (natural) or painted in any shade of the palette.

The most common natural colors are:

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

Note! When choosing the color of the future coating, it is imperative to take into account the design and color of the furniture.

Can cork floors be used in the bathroom and kitchen

In any premises where the microclimate assumes a constant change in temperature, the cork will collapse and crumble. These rooms include not only the kitchen, but also the bathroom, which is also characterized by a high level of humidity. Temperature changes provoke the appearance of gaps in the coating. As a result, water begins to seep into the cork, causing the coating to peel off. It is also not recommended to use a cork on the balcony and in the hallway.

Problematic places are usually hidden from view:

under the bathroom;
behind the skirting board;
under the sink;
under the washing machine;
behind the outdoor furniture.

It is in these zones that water vapor settles and condenses, destroying the coating. As an alternative to protecting cork floors in your kitchen or bathroom, you can use a quality waterproof lacquer. However, it does not prevent the appearance of mucous blisters. Under the influence of moisture, they appear under the top layer of the coating and spoil its appearance. In addition, the cork does not have antiseptic properties, so a microbiological environment can form under it.

Experts do not recommend using cork in the bathroom. With regard to the microclimate, the kitchen has more gentle conditions, although even there the floor will be subjected to serious tests - constant pollution, spilled liquid (juices, coffee, tea), etc.

How to install slabs of cork flooring

The cork reacts sensitively to moisture levels, contracting and expanding depending on the room conditions. Therefore, before starting work, it is advisable to hold the packaging with the material for several days in the room where it will be laid. During this time, the humidity level stabilizes. A technical roll cork can be used as a substrate for the coating. The optimum thickness of this material is 2-3 mm. The wall should be retreated by 1.5 cm. The technical plug is laid on a waterproof film over the concrete screed.

Installation of the first row starts from the wall, which is located opposite the entrance door, with an offset of 5 mm. If the material needs to be cut, the cut is made from the side where the ridge is. Do not touch the groove. It is advisable to use a circular saw or electric jigsaw to cut the plug. It is better to refuse a hand tool, otherwise the cork will crumble. The set of the second row is carried out with an offset of half the tile. A wedge (cork) and a rubber mallet should be used to fit the elements.

Important! It is imperative to leave an indent of 1-2 cm from the wall. Like any natural material, cork undergoes deformational changes, so you need to leave a little space for expansion.

After that, the coating is treated with several layers of varnish. The composition can be matte or glossy. The joint area against the wall is masked with wooden skirting boards.

How to properly install glued cork floors

Before work, the material must be sorted by selecting thinner elements. Thick planks should be sanded with sandpaper. The coating is laid on the base in the form of a concrete screed. It is allowed to install the cork on old linoleum, but on condition that its surface does not have swelling and damage. The main thing is that the surface is even, smooth, without dirt and debris. To level the base, you can use moisture resistant plywood or fiberboard.

If there are slight differences on the surface, it is advisable to apply a coat of primer. It will not only eliminate minor irregularities, but also increase the adhesion of materials. The recommended level of air humidity in the room is 65%, and the temperature is at least 18 ° C.

In this case, installation work should be started from the middle of the room. To simplify the process of laying the coating, it is advisable to apply markings on the surface of the base. A cord is suitable for this. An adhesive composition is prepared according to the instructions. It is applied to the board surface using a roller. After that, the element is pressed tightly against the base, previously greased with glue. To apply the composition, use a fine-toothed spatula.

Excess glue must be removed immediately. There are special substances designed for these purposes - solvents. You need to act very quickly. Prolonged contact of the solvent with the coating is not allowed. In order to press the tile more tightly to the floor, its surface must be rolled with a heavy roller (metal).

After all installation work is completed, the room must be ventilated. It takes at least 36 hours to dry the coating. Then the surface of the cork is thoroughly cleaned of debris and opened with 3 layers of varnish. After 5-7 days, the floors can be used.

The advantages of cork as a finishing material are obvious. With proper care, the coating will retain its attractiveness for a long time. A wide range of colors and the possibility of applying prints allow you to create a unique design of the room. And provided that all technology requirements are met, cork floors can be laid on your own and you can save a lot of money on this. Installation of an adhesive coating is more complicated in execution. But this type of flooring is perfectly combined with parquet and laminate.

Why is cork flooring very popular today and is considered the best finishing material? Everything is very simple!! Such a coating is of very high quality, the coating is made from real tree bark, but they do not grow here - they can be found only in warm countries. If we look deeper, the structure of this crust is very unusual, since it consists mainly of oxygen pores. Due to the fact that oxygen is literally in a clogged state, cork flooring has excellent elasticity and resilience. The material from which the glued cork floor is subsequently made is very light but at the same time quite strong.

This feature of the material attracts a huge number of buyers to itself. In addition, adhesive cork flooring has high thermal insulation properties and high-quality sound insulation. All of the above qualities make it possible to use cork as a finishing material for a home or other premises. Some may say that they will not buy this material just because of the name: how can a tree bark floor be strong? Let's try to figure it out!

How to choose a cork cover

Before the direct acquisition of this material, you need to determine some facts that are of great importance during the selection and purchase of this product.

This type of coating is perfect for the kitchen, as it is moisture resistant and resistant to various thermal changes. It is worth noting that the cork material does not rot, such a wonderful property gives it millions of nitrogen bubbles, and they prevent this process. Therefore, you can clean cork floors at least every day, they are not in danger.

In hallways and corridors, this type of material should not be used, this can be explained very simply - the corridor and the hallway usually carry high mechanical loads, in these places there is always dirt and dust, which will greatly worsen this type of flooring. In order to make it easier to understand the variety of cork flooring, we suggest that you carefully study all the options for this material and see the photos available on our website.

There are two main types of cork floor - glue and castle. The castle view is called floating among builders, because it is not attached, like other types, to the floor surface. This type of floor is very similar to laminate in its installation and connection principle. Therefore, you can often hear how it is called cork laminate. As for the adhesive type of coating, here you can understand from the name itself how it is connected to the floor.

These two types of cork floor differ not only in the method of installation, they, among other things, differ in the layers from which they are assembled. Also, the dimensions of the material can also be different, for example, the thickness of the lock panel is 10mm, the width is 300mm, and the length is 900mm. The bottom layer of this type of panel is made of crushed cork in the form of a panel. Next comes a layer of MDF or HDF, this material is made from wood fibers by pressing at a very high temperature. The third layer of the lock panel is made of 3mm thick cork. Most often, the manufacturer applies vinyl, acrylic or ceramic varnish on top of this material. But on sale you can find this material without coating, it will also need to be covered with some composition, but after direct installation.

Glue panels, called cork parquet, are glued to the floor, they are produced in various sizes, but most often they can be found in lengths of 600 or 300 mm, and the thickness of cork flooring is 4-6 mm. The adhesive floor can have a factory varnish coating in several layers. Of course, you can buy cork flooring with a single layer coating, but then after installing it you will have to paint it.

Coating characteristics

In winter, you can lie, sit and even walk barefoot on such a floor. This can be done due to the fact that the cork has such a wonderful property as heat retention. Therefore, people with children do not have to worry about the child getting sick while sitting on the floor.

Cork perfectly keeps noise, this covering is perfect for families who like to invite many guests in the evening, you will not disturb your neighbors with your noisy feasts, as the floor perfectly absorbs noise.

It is very pleasant to walk on such a floor, as it springs while walking and it will not hurt so much for small children to fall. Also, your dishes will remain safe and sound, as they will not break if they fall on such a coating.

The cork itself is hypoallergenic and safe for human health. The coating is completely non-electrifying and does not collect dust. Among other things, it is repulsive to dirt.

pros

Moisture resistance. The adhesive cork floor has very good moisture resistance. He will never be hurt by spilled tea, water or coffee. With the castle type of hearth, things are a little different, if you spill water on it and leave it, then after a while you will find swollen cork slabs. For this reason, the chateau floor cannot be installed in the bathroom or kitchen.
Resistance to deformation. There are almost never any traces of furniture on such material. In some cases, when the support of the furniture is very small and sharp, when the furniture is very heavy, it can leave marks on the floor. But more often than not, these traces disappear over time, the whole point is that the cork floor tends to return to its original appearance.
Smoothness. Smoothness will vary depending on the finish of your hearth. For example, if the floor is covered with acrylic varnish, it will be very slippery and very easy to fall on. Ceramic varnish, on the other hand, is very durable and a little rough, such a coating is much safer, it is recommended to use it for those people who have children or live elderly people.

Minuses

Not durable. The service life is only five years, of course, it all depends on the operation, with careful use this floor covering can last up to 20 years.
High price. The cost per square meter is 1200/2600 rubles. for the castle view and 800 rubles. behind the glue.

Types of cork panels

Technical appearance of the tiles.
Cork floor.
Adhesive cork.
Castle cork floor.

How the cork floor is laid

Laying this material on the floor requires care, scrupulousness and responsibility. To work you will need the following tools:

Putty knife.
Cutter.
Roller.
Pencil, napkins, ruler.
.Roulette.
Grinding.
Rubber hammer.

The diagram clearly shows how the cork floor should be installed.

Adhesive floor

Before laying the glue floor directly, you must first of all make a high-quality markup of the room where the floor will be laid. The material must be laid from the very center of the room and from this point it is necessary to mark parallel lines to the walls. First, you need to try on the boards without applying an adhesive to them, this must be done, because the special glue for the cork floor sets very quickly. If for some reason your tile is uneven with a slight offset, you will need to level the base.
Apply a small amount of contact adhesive to your counter floor and wait thirty minutes. After this period of time has elapsed, the glue should be applied to the lower part of the cork tile and immediately laid end-to-end, without any gaps. Be sure to press the tile tightly with your hands to the base after gluing and hold it for a while until the glue sets. Then take a rubber mallet and tap it completely on the cork floor, or if you have a special roller, roll it over the entire surface of the floor covering.

If glue appears on the cork tile in some places, then it will need to be removed immediately. If you have good ventilation in the room, then the glue will dry in two days, which is a fairly optimal time. Usually the tiles will never fit completely against the walls, so you will need to cut them, be prepared for this. After installation, it is necessary to make high-quality grinding of the floor, and then degrease it. After that, the floor covering can be treated with varnish or regular wax, if you wish. The number of layers primarily depends on the material itself, if you bought yourself a material without factory coating, then you will need about three layers, if you buy a painted cork, then two layers will be enough.

Castle floor

Cork floors are always mounted "floating" using special locks (glue is not used here). This type of flooring is often sold paired with an underlay. Cork slabs are neatly placed on the floor by closing the lock, the same job as installing a laminate.

It is necessary to lay the slabs carefully, namely from the edge of the wall itself to the wall on the opposite side. In this case, the slabs must be joined by the "brickwork" method; the joints of four tiles must not be allowed at the same time.

Make sure that the small side of your stove is parallel to the wall with the doorway - by doing this, the room will be visually stretched.

The cork floor must be varnished to protect it from water penetration. You can also use special gels - sealants for filling joints between tiles. Before painting the floor with a roller, you need to apply the varnish with a brush along the very edges, near the wall. The cork floor is not at all unpretentious in maintenance, it can be easily washed with a wet sponge.

Pay special attention!
The last row of this material must certainly have a width of at least five centimeters. If it comes out much smaller, you need to cut the set width from the lamella of the very first row. The cut must be made along the longest part of each floor element.

How to keep your cork floor happy for as long as possible

To prevent your furniture from damaging the coating, you need to rearrange it with extreme caution. You can also play it safe: stick felt on the furniture legs, so you will not scratch the coating. During any cleaning, the floor rag must be wrung out with good quality, you do not need to use abrasive products during cleaning. Over time, the varnish coating wears off, so it needs to be renewed once every 5 years.

As you can see, choosing a cork floor is very difficult. But it is justified by its quality, beauty, and ease of use. With such a floor, coziness, comfort and health will always be present in your home. Well, information on some of the features of this material will help you not to make a mistake in your choice.

Video instruction

To consolidate the knowledge gained, let's watch a video report on the installation of glue-based cork flooring.

Cork flooring has a number of advantages that allow it to become more and more popular and in demand every year. However, this flooring may also have some drawbacks that sellers and manufacturers are trying to keep silent about. Cork floor - we will try to find out the pros and cons of this coating in detail and impartially.

What is a cork floor

Cork flooring is a natural environmentally friendly material that is made from the bark of cork oak. For a cork oak to be used for bark, the tree must be at least 30 years old. It is important to note that after removing the bark, the cork oak does not die and its life cycle continues, and after 7 years a new batch of good quality bark can be obtained from the same tree.

However, cork is not pure tree bark. To obtain the final product, the bark undergoes several stages of processing, during which it is crushed, heated in special ovens, and then pressed, as a result of which the top layer of cork is obtained.

Pros of a cork floor

Let's start with the pluses of cork flooring, as there are more of them.

The main advantage of a cork floor is its naturalness. Unlike linoleum and laminate, which are almost completely synthetic materials, cork flooring has its own energy that anyone who finds themselves in a room with such a floor can feel.

In addition, it is very pleasant to the touch - walking on such a floor with bare feet is a pleasure, because it is warm and soft. Due to the light shock-absorbing effect that such a floor has, it has a positive, and in some cases even a therapeutic effect on the human musculoskeletal system, because the load on the spine and joints when walking is noticeably reduced. The advantage of a cork floor lies in the fact that even in a wet state it is completely non-slippery, which means that it is almost impossible to fall on it.

Due to its porous structure, cork flooring helps to provide an increased level of heat and sound insulation in the room, which makes life in such a room even more comfortable. Unlike laminate and parquet flooring, steps on such a floor will be completely inaudible. The soundproofing properties of cork flooring are often used even in recording studios, where soundproofing is one of the main conditions for effective work.

Cork floors are easy to maintain and do not require any special steps. Cork floor maintenance will be easier also because this material is absolutely non-static, i.e. dust is not attracted to it. Precisely because of the antistatic qualities of cork flooring, it is recommended to use it in those houses where someone suffers from allergies.

As an advantage of cork, it is worth noting the fact that this material is not capable of supporting combustion, and also practically does not emit smoke when smoldering.
is not able to absorb water, as well as other liquid substances, so any coloring substances that accidentally get on the surface of the floor will not be able to leave stains on it.

If we talk about the strength of the cork floor, then it is quite high. Any heavy object that falls on such a floor or furniture that will stand on this floor can leave a dent on its surface, but within a short time the floor surface will regain its structure. This is achieved due to low permanent deformation, the value of which is less than 2%.

Cons of cork flooring

Of course, there are not so many drawbacks to a cork floor, but they still exist, although it is difficult to say unequivocally whether they should be considered as drawbacks at all.

As mentioned above, when it was said about the advantages of a cork floor, dents from furniture and other heavy objects on the floor surface are quickly restored and the floor regains its original evenness, however, if a sofa or other heavy piece of furniture stood in one place for a long time, time restoration of the coating will be required much more, and there may also be a risk that the surface will not be completely restored and a slight depression on the floor surface will still remain. In order to take control of this disadvantage of a cork floor, you can either constantly move the furniture, which is certainly not an option, or use special furniture bases that will reduce the degree of floor deformation.

Another disadvantage of cork flooring, which for many turns out to be decisive and compelling to choose another floor covering, is its cost, which is quite high. Of course, in fact, this cannot be fully considered a disadvantage, because any natural material costs much more than synthetic counterparts, however, unfortunately, it is the high cost of cork in comparison with other coatings that often prevents many people from choosing for their home exactly this material.

Cork floor - pros and cons, depending on the type of fastening of the coating

As you know, there are two types of cork floor, which differ in the methods of fastening, and if we fully consider the pros and cons of a cork floor, then it is necessary to take into account the difference between these two types of floor.

So there are floating and adhesive cork floors. The former are mounted in the same way as a laminate according to the thorn-and-groove principle, and the latter are attached to the base of the floor using special glue. Of course, there are very significant differences between these two types of coverage.

For example, floating cork floor it is mounted quickly and easily enough, and also, if necessary, can be dismantled and moved to another place. However, it has one drawback that you should definitely take into account - such a floor is afraid of moisture. The cork floor itself cannot absorb moisture, but the base of the floating cork floor, which is similar to the base of the laminate, with prolonged contact with moisture, can absorb it and deform in the process. It will no longer be possible to restore such a floor.

Adhesive cork floors require certain skills and a more painstaking approach to the implementation of work on their installation, because one wrong movement can lead to incorrect placement of the floor tile, and, since the glue sets almost instantly, it will not be possible to correct the situation without final damage to the coating. However, an adhesive cork floor is practically not afraid of moisture, and also allows you to create original patterns on the floor, which can be obtained using tiles of various colors.

In conclusion, we can say that the advantages of a cork floor are still more than disadvantages, and the existing disadvantages cannot be considered truly significant.

Oak bark floor slabs are positioned as a practical, original and functional flooring. Both well-known factories and local organizations are engaged in their production. Let's see if the cork floor is as good as they say about it.

The bark of the cork oak, which grows in Portugal, Spain and other Mediterranean countries, is used for the production of many products needed in everyday life and some production processes: cork corks for wine bottles, bags, shoes and much more. But the most interesting product is the flooring.

For the production of cork flooring is used:

solid veneer - a thin cut of bark, the most expensive option;
granular (finely ground) bark mixed with polymer binders and special additives - agglomerate. It is the most affordable and widely used in the production of finishing and decorative material.

The structure of a balsa tree - photo.

The peculiarity of the cork is in its structure. The structure is well illustrated in the photo below. It can be seen that the product consists of honeycomb cells filled with air. This is what provides the material with its famous elasticity under mechanical stress.

Cork flooring is available in several types:

Rectangular or square tiles

It is made of agglomerated chips up to 8 mm thick. Some designs may add a V or U chamfer. Finished floor shades are very diverse - from natural to extravagant. The latter is achieved through the introduction of pigments into the composition or the use of surface photo printing technology: a high-resolution photograph is applied to the finished coating, depicting a board or artistic parquet, marble or grass, leather, etc.

The product is mounted in an adhesive manner. In this case, the reverse side can be clean or with a layer of glue already applied to it, covered with a protective film. The result is a durable, reliable and beautiful cork floor. There are, of course, some disadvantages with such styling. Firstly, after working on the surface, it is imperative to apply a layer of varnish, wax or oil. Secondly, replacing the damaged area is difficult and time consuming.

Photo of cork laminate.

This is an HDF board veneered with a sheet of pressed or solid cork. The paper impregnated with polymer resins is glued underneath or a cork backing is integrated. Such a coating is very convenient in installation, as it is mounted in a glueless, "floating" way.

Cork flooring in wet rooms

Hydro-based composite cork laminate.

The same laminate, but instead of the standard HDF board, a composite sheet made from a mixture of PVC, quartz filler and some other components is used. The product was named a hydro-base. Its texture can be seen in the photo below. It is not cheap, but practical and durable. A kind of LVT cork floor is being formed. Its advantages are undeniable - absolute water resistance, provided that it is applied to the surface after laying a protective polyurethane or acrylic varnish.

The finished cork flooring is easy to maintain. Manufacturers recommend protecting the canvas from abrasive loads by:

flooring of antisplash rugs;
gluing felt or plastic protectors on furniture legs;
placing silicone protective mats under the rollers.

Advice! Any rubber products leave stubborn stains on the cork, so do not buy carpets or carpets based on polymer gum-plastic.

Cleaning can be done with a vacuum cleaner or a well wrung out soft cloth. Abrasive detergents, stiff-bristled brushes, and solvents are not recommended for cork. And to remove stains or stubborn dirt, it is better to use special cleaners from the Loba, Forbo, etc. series.

Pros and cons of cork flooring

The unusual structure of the flooring and the lack of complete information gave rise to many speculations and rumors about traffic jams. First, let's list the advantages of the material. Among them:

Now let's list the disadvantages of cork as a floor material:

Regardless of which cork floor is chosen, the pluses and minuses of it in any case can be turned to your advantage. If the products are of high quality, from a trusted manufacturer, then they have:

certificate of compliance with Russian quality standards or production rules;
sanitary and epidemiological conclusion. That is, the products have been tested for compliance with the standards for the release of toxic substances (formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and others), have low PDN values and are allowed for use in residential premises;
fire safety certificate.

Choose quality coatings and strictly follow the installation instructions. Then the cork floor will be the best purchase for you.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for their selection. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work that needs to be performed and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and firms by mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It is FREE and non-binding.

And in this article we will consider all-all aspects, disassemble cork floors into "chips", identify the pros and cons, and also show you a photo of such a coating in the interior and announce the approximate price.

What is a cork floor and what flooring can it be compared to?

A cork floor can be compared to an OSB slab, only thinner and more flexible. This covering is made of cork chips, and she is still a tree, albeit rather unusual.

It is impossible to compare it with laminate and linoleum.

But with wood too, because wood is actually a natural covering, but cork flooring is just pressed wood chips, glued on. And the base of the cork floor is the same as that of the laminate.

Therefore, it is not worth dreaming that he "breathes". And what's the difference, actually? Before laying any covering, now cover the screed with two coats of primer. And even though the fabric of the bed, the floor will still no longer breathe. Yes, and he does not need to breathe, there are windows for this ...

What are the benefits of cork flooring in the kitchen?

So where do we start our debriefing? Perhaps - from the merits of this coating. We draw your attention to the fact that we will focus on how the cork floor "behaves" in the kitchen.

1st plus - Waterproof

Many people mistakenly believe that cork floor is terribly afraid of water, as it is porous. But, it's quite the opposite. Water is not particularly scary for a cork floor, since the very tree from which the coating is made absorbs only 20% of 100% of spilled water. Remember the same wine corks: are they soaked through with liquid? And this despite the fact that they were in a humid environment for a very long time.

That is, if you pour a cup of hot tea on the cork floor, the puddle will remain on the surface for a very long time. It will not be absorbed anywhere, but rather simply fade away if you do not wipe it.

The watertightness of the kitchen floor is a big advantage... For example, the same tree is afraid of moisture, which means that you cannot wash it too often, forget about spilled cups of tea - too. But tea is sheer nonsense compared to the flood from above ...

The cork floor, in this regard, "behaves" just fine. Yes, it can swell at some point, but a month passes, it completely dries up and regains its original shape. As you can see, these facts are contrary to popular belief that cork is best suited for dry rooms in an apartment.

2nd plus - Warmth and softness

Even a wooden floor is not as pleasant to walk on as a cork floor. In this regard, nothing can compare with him: he is like velvet, you cannot say otherwise. And, if you like to walk around the house barefoot - this is what you need.

In addition, it is warm to the touch. Even on cold days, the cork floor is warm, even warmer than wood. And this means, if you have small children who crawl across the floor, then cork is the best thing you can think of for them.

3rd plus - Soundproofing properties

The cork floor dampens the sound perfectly. If you have a herd of restless children around your house, then lay such a floor and the neighbors will be very happy. And you too. Absolutely not audible in the house of stomping, rumbling ... Beauty.

But keep in mind that it dampens exactly the impact noise. If you want to use the floor to protect yourself from the screaming tape recorder of the neighbor below, then leave this venture. Music is vibration and your cork floor will vibrate perfectly with the wall.

4th plus - Resistance to fungal infection

Managers who describe the benefits and wonderful properties of cork flooring always mention resistance to fungus. Perhaps this is actually an undeniable plus. But in our memory, there is not a single floor covering that suffered from fungus.

Maybe you know such cases? Write in the comments, we are interested in your opinion ...

And, in general, is this how much water you need to pour in order for a fungus to form on the floor? And, if it is already formed (for example, from microleaks in pipes), then it will not hit the floor covering, but the entire screed! Both concrete and plaster ...

You yourself understand that in this case, the cork floor will not save you in any way. So what if it persists? To rip it off and rebuild it is almost impossible, contrary to the assurances of the sellers. Say, it can be refurbished five times, nothing will happen with the locks. It will become very much, it has been checked more than once.

5th plus - Saving dishes

If you often drop a cup on the floor, buy a cork floor! This is the absolute truth, dishes practically do not break on it. And given the current prices for plates and other glassware, this is a big plus and savings in the future.

Of course, the thinnest glass goblet will burst. But an ordinary plate and a cup will survive.

6th plus - Low static

They say that dust practically does not adhere to the cork floor. And it is true. It is not static, therefore, there is almost no dust on it. Is it a plus? We don’t know. After all, if there is no dust on the floor, then it is on other interior items. And, frankly, it is much easier to wipe the dust off the floor with a slight movement of the mop than to wipe it off from lighting fixtures, decorative elements ...

Yes and no dust is visible on the cork floor, it's motley! But, we could not fail to add this point to the pluses. If managers say a plus, then a plus.

7th plus - dust and crumbs are almost invisible on it

This we continue the previous paragraph. A cork floor is a lazy person's dream. If the same laminate instantly betrays your laziness, then cork does not.

Crumbs and other small debris are not visible on it. Also, it is much easier to wash it than other coatings: there are no streaks on it, which means there is no need to spend money on "Mister Proper" and wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth (like glossy ceramic tiles, for example, or laminate).

8th plus - It does not slip

This point is quite controversial. Cork stopper strife. Rather, the covering of the cork floor. Some floors are non-slip, and some are very even, because they were opened with three layers of slippery varnish. That is why the reviews on the Internet are different.

By the way, about a few... This medal has a reverse side. If the floor really does not slip at all, then this is fraught with frayed socks, torn nylon tights and burns on the knees of children, when they run on it slow down ... Children they are, yes. They manage to wipe their elbows with blood even on the carpet, not like on the cork.

And what are the disadvantages of a cork floor in the kitchen?

And now let's move on to the most important point - cons. If you do not take them into account, it will be very annoying ...

1st minus - Doubtful appearance

Yes, the cork floor does not look very good, to put it mildly. Although, maybe you have a different taste and you disagree with us. But we still think that this floor looks extremely poor and grayish.

There is absolutely no beauty in it. There is no particular naturalness and aura in it either.

Although, things are much better with the design of cork floors now than they were just five years ago. You can find wood-like colors, and something more interesting than "no" cork crumbs.

2nd minus - Price

Cork flooring costs twice as much as laminate flooring. Perhaps this is not a minus, of course. After all, cork is better than laminate and, therefore, it is quite fair that it is more expensive.

But on the other hand, cork is quite a bit cheaper than a good deck board, which is just better than cork. Therefore, think about whether it is worth the candle.

3rd minus - The need to perfectly level the subfloor

If there are drops on the floor, your cork floors will end very soon. They will sell, break and crumble. A screed should not just be perfect, but super-perfect.

You yourself are unlikely to build one and you will need to hire craftsmen. On the other hand, there is no big difference in price between the quality of screeds, and the ideal one is needed not only for cork, but also for linoleum, laminate ...

4th minus - Burnout

This is a significant disadvantage. If your kitchen is on the sunny side, the cork floor will burn out very quickly. And the difference between the window area and the rest of the room will be simply colossal.

Making sure that direct sunlight does not fall into the room is an unnecessary fuss that you will soon forget about. And as soon as you forget, the floor will begin to fade slowly and surely.

5th minus - Difficulty in leaving

A cork floor is porous, which means that it will not be so easy to clean it of something colored. For example, if you spill cherry juice, then you have to kneel down and scrub the stain thoroughly, whereas, you can swipe the ceramic tile with a mop and voila ...

Also, over time, these micro-crevices become clogged with dirt. And the cork floor, from time to time, must be thoroughly washed with a brush, by hand, otherwise, it will look stale and gray.

6th minus - Vulnerability to punching and scratching

This aspect is also controversial and it all depends on the quality of the floor. Some floors are not afraid of being pushed through and do not leave dents on them, even from heavy furniture. Other floors are softer (read - cheaper) and you will have to put pads on the legs of the table and chairs.

Of course, walking in heels in the kitchen is out of the question. But on the other hand - and there is nothing to spank in the shoes around the house. Get used to taking off your shoes in the hallway.

7 minus - the inability to wash the paint

Some interesting things happen with the paint that gets on the cork floor. For example, we cannot explain this miracle, but it exists.

If hair dye gets on the cork floor, nothing will wipe it off right away.

Well, just nothing, it is absorbed tightly. But a month, two, three months pass and the stain begins to gradually disappear and, as a result, is simply neutralized. But on the other hand, for two or three months, you admire a dark spot that cannot be gotten rid of.

Also, you cannot wash drops of greenery, iodine, paint for Easter eggs, marker inscriptions ...

8th minus - Inability to get rid of greasy stains

But the grease of the cork floor does not self-destruct, unlike the paint. If you don't wipe off the fat often, it will be absorbed and you will never get rid of it.

Of course, you can grind the cork and open it with a new varnish. But it is dreary and long, and the veneer covering the floor is rather thin and such manipulations have a limit.

On the environmental friendliness of the cork floor

Many people choose cork flooring because of this advantage. It seems that it is so environmentally friendly and safe that it's just a nightmare. But in reality - this is nonsense.

Cork flooring is no better than laminate or linoleum. But a low-quality cork floor is even worse, since the glue with which it is pressed can release harmful substances into the air for a very long time.

Then, the cork floor must be varnished. Is varnish eco-friendly? And what does the cork have to do with it, if you don't touch it in any way? You breathe the fumes of varnish and glue.

Moreover, cork floor base- or the same vinyl or PVC. The cork layer is 2-6 mm (which is very rare, usually 2-3).

Judge for yourself, where does the Mediterranean have so many forests to provide the whole world with pure cork floors? This is just unreal. The veneer is covered by millimeters of this coating, millimeters. And the rest is the most ordinary materials.

Therefore, if your goal is environmental friendliness and complete hypoallergenicity, then laminate is better. It certainly doesn't vaporize anything.

It is also worth mentioning about shock absorbing properties that sellers sing about. It seems like walking on a cork floor is so beneficial for the spine, because you walk almost on rubber, cushioning, cushioning ... This is not true.

Cork flooring is as tough as laminate flooring.

It doesn't matter which manufacturer makes this product: there is no single cork cork floor.

Is it possible to lay a cork floor on a "warm" floor

There is a rumor in the network that there is no reason to put electric heating under the cork floor, since the cork simply will not let it through. This is nonsense.

Try putting a piece of cork flooring on top of a radiator and you'll figure it out. It conducts heat perfectly. Another question is that there is no particular point in heating it up, since it is quite warm in itself. Unless, if you removed the batteries and decided to equip floor heating instead, then you can do this.

Which cork floor is best for the kitchen?

There are two types of cork floor:

Roll (glue), which is spread like linoleum and glued directly to the screed;
Tiled (castle), which is laid, like a laminate, on locks.

For the kitchen, it is better to take the first option, since it is without cracks.

The cracks swell over time from moisture, clogged with debris ... This is not very practical for such a room, as you know. In general, there are more types of cork flooring, but now it makes no sense to disassemble them, it is about design.

Differences between cork flooring and other popular flooring

Our review would be incomplete without comparing it with other types of flooring. This is the easiest way to understand if there is a reason to buy a cork floor. Let's go.

Which is better: cork or ceramic tiles

Durability: ceramic tiles last a long time, if you do not drop a cast-iron goose maker on it ... But you can drop anything on the cork, even knives. No scratches are particularly visible and holes from punctures with something thin - too.

As for which coating wears out faster - cork, of course. But the protective varnish is erased on it, which can be simply renewed. But the cork tends to crumble from impacts and from punching.

In short, nothing concrete can be said. If you do not start dropping the goslings, the tiles are more reliable. And even more reliable is to roll up the kitchen with asphalt, this will be exactly for centuries.

Ease of care: it is much easier to care for the tiles, it is not even discussed.

Ease of flooring: under the "cork" you need to perfectly align the base. But the tiles need to be watered perfectly. If you leave air gaps in the glue or lay the tiles unevenly, then they will begin to lag and crack in those places where "backlash" has formed. And to align, and to put - is expensive. Therefore, here the score is 1: 1.

Warmth: well, here you yourself understand everything. Of course - a traffic jam.

Which is better: cork floor or linoleum

Durability: the cork is much more durable in operation, whatever one may say. Although, if you take linoleum for industrial purposes, then it will outlive you. But the colors of such linoleum are creepy, therefore, we are talking about the everyday version. And it is soft, tears, wears out and after 10 years it looks like the devil what.

Cork floors can be opened with fresh varnish after ten years and will still serve. Due to the fact that they are so pockmarked, damage is not particularly visible on them.

Ease of care: linoleum is easier to care for as it is completely smooth. And the cork is porous and it is necessary to thoroughly wash out the dirt that clogs in microcracks.

Ease of flooring: Both coatings require a flat surface. If linoleum is spread on an uneven floor, it will quickly wear off and look disgusting. Every crumb and hole is visible under the linoleum.

Warmth: Both coatings are warm, but it's more pleasant to walk on the last one every 10. Linoleum is like oilcloth to the touch, and cork is like wood.

Which is better: cork or laminate flooring

Durability: Laminate and cork last about the same. But the laminate tends to swell at the joints, which is why its appearance deteriorates. The cork, especially the glue one, looks much better.

Ease of care: Laminate flooring is easier to clean as there are no pores to clog up dirt. But it has to be wiped dry after washing, since the stains are too visible.

Ease of flooring: both are easy to lay. The main thing is to prepare the surface well, and laying is already the tenth thing.

Warmth: Both of these finishes are warm, but the laminate is not as pleasant to the touch. Plus, it's very echoing.

Which is better: wood floor or cork

Durability: wood is much more durable, especially if it's not about parquet, but about a deck board. And it is easier to restore a wooden floor than a cork veneer.

Ease of care: it is easier to care for the tree, despite the fact that it periodically needs to be rubbed with mastic.

Ease of flooring: under the tree you do not need to level the floor and this is a plus. But it needs to be ideally laid flat on the logs and this is a minus: professionals are needed here.

Warmth: These are equally warm coatings. But judging by the feedback from the owners, the feeling of the cork floor is warmer.

Conclusion: We told you everything and even more about cork floors, their pros and cons, showed a photo and indicated an approximate price per square meter. Now think for yourself, decide for yourself what is better to choose when making repairs.