Cork floor covering

Today, the cork is used quite actively in a variety of interior design options. Everyone knows that natural cork linoleum is durable due to manufacturing technology (linseed and softwood oils provide a reliable and very durable coating layer) and is environmentally friendly. The plug has a number of characteristics that make it a versatile, durable material. In this article, we'll talk about cork flooring.

Cork flooring: flaws and advantages

Like all materials for finishing the floor, the plug has both positive and negative points when laying and operating. The advantages include:

As for the disadvantages, the cork for the floor is quite soft, this can lead to some problems. For example, on a too thick layer there may be dents from the furniture. Therefore, for a corridor or other place where the route is the same every day, the stopper will not work. Well, of course the cost of such material is quite high and can not be called a cork widely available.

Types of cork flooring

The plug is used quite actively both as an auxiliary and basic material for finishing the floor. Consider what types of this coating today you will find in the construction market.

  1. Cork linoleum under linoleum . To date, such a substrate is one of the best. This is due to high performance characteristics and a special porous structure. Any orthopedist will tell you that walking around the cork is useful, since air bubbles between cork impregnations contribute to a uniform distribution of the load on the foot. Cork under linoleum is an excellent noise isolator, environmentally friendly and warm material.
  2. Glutinous cork flooring. These are tiles of different sizes and thickness of 4-6 mm. The cork base has a special moisture resistant and very strong lacquer, this increases the wear resistance of the floor several times. The dimensions are standard, because it is possible to easily calculate the required amount of material. The only thing to be observed is the thoroughness of the preparation of the surface before laying. It should be perfectly flat. Most often, a moisture resistant cork floor is recommended for use in kitchens or other rooms where there is increased humidity.
  3. Lock cork floor. This kind is very similar to parquet. Panels have several layers: first there is a cork layer, then a special HDF-plate and another layer of cork. On top of everything is varnished. This type is also called a "floating" floor. The floor is pre-leveled, then the panels are laid and the lock is snapped, leaving a temperature gap across the walls.

Cork flooring: styling

Conditionally all types of coating are divided into floating and gluing. Floating floors are laid according to the principle of parquet or laminate. Laying the cork parquet in turn can also be done with a lock mechanism or glued to the joints. Both options assume a very even and well-cleaned floor surface. Marking for sticking starts from the center. First, apply a glue solution, give it a grasp and then lay the tile. Work from the center to the periphery.

When laying the floating floor from the walls, retreat about 10 mm. Works completely repeats all steps when laying laminate. First spread the substrate, then the panels are assembled on the locks. If these are panels with additional joint gluing, the adhesive should be wiped immediately after laying. Before work, the packs of material must be in the room for at least 24 hours.