Choosing cork walls and floors has some advantages, including its sustainability and its undisputed quality that makes it a perfect insulator.
The benefits of cork for floors and walls
Cork, used for floors and walls, offers numerous advantages, first and foremost thermal insulation and acoustic.
Thanks to its closed-cell structure, it traps air inside, creating a thermal barrier that helps maintain a constant internal temperature in the home.
This reduces energy costs in both winter and summer.
Furthermore, cork is an excellent acoustic insulator, absorbing noise and reducing sounds coming from outside.
Cork is naturally water resistant and to humiditythanks to its composition rich in suberin, a waxy substance that makes it waterproof.
This makes it suitable for humid environments such as kitchens and bathrooms, without the risk of warping or mould.
Cork – Canva photo
Since it does not require cutting down trees, cork is also ecologically advantageous.
In fact, it is obtained from the bark of cork oaks, which regenerate naturally every 9-10 years.
Another point in favor of cork is that it is an extremely versatile material. durable. For example, floors can last for decades, resisting daily wear and tear. In addition, thanks to its natural elasticity, it is less prone to cracking and damage than other types of rigid flooring.
Comfort, safety and great ease of maintenance: these are other undeniable advantages of cork.
Walking on a floor of this type is comfortable as it is a soft and shock-absorbing surface; it is therefore particularly suitable for those who spend a lot of time standing or for those with children.
As for low maintenance, it is both easy to clean and resistant to stains and scratches, just treat it with protective finishes.
Cork is also a naturally non-toxic and hypoallergenic material, ideal for those who suffer from allergies or want to reduce indoor pollution.
Thanks to its composition free of harmful chemicals, it helps maintain healthier indoor air. Finally, it is fire resistant, delaying the spread of flames and not releasing toxic gases in the event of combustion.
Types of cork available on the market
Cork is available on the market at natural, agglomerate, expanded, pressed, technician o decorative.
Il natural cork It is the purest form of the material; obtained directly from the bark of the oak without further processing, it is mainly used for decorative panels, wall coverings and floors, where you want to maintain an authentic and rustic look.
Il Agglomerated cork Instead it is produced from natural cork granules that are compressed and bound together through natural or synthetic resins.
This process allows you to create panels or denser and more resistant cork blocks, used for floors.
Types of cork – Canva photo
Il expanded cork It is made through a process of heating the cork granules, which causes the cells of the material to expand.
It is mainly used for building insulation.
We then find the pressed cork worked with greater pressure.
This makes it particularly wear-resistant and suitable for floors and other high-traffic surfaces.
From the name itself, you can understand how the technical cork refers to a category of cork products used in industrial and technical applications, such as gaskets, anti-vibration materials and industrial insulation.
Lastly the decorative corkdesigned to be aesthetically pleasing, mainly used for walls, floors and other interior design elements.
How is cork parquet composed?
The cork used for the parquet It is treated and processed in order to obtain a finished product that is durable, resistant and easy to install.
Here is its layered composition:
- Top layerconsisting of a natural cork sheet or a decorative printed cork finish, designed to replicate the look of various materials, such as wood. This layer can be treated with protective varnishes or waxes, which increase its resistance to wear and water.
- Intermediate layerof agglomerated cork, which gives the parquet its main insulating characteristics. This layer is also responsible for the softness and comfort typical of cork flooring.
- Support layermade of a high-density wood fibre panel (HDF) or MDF, which provides structural stability to the floor. Some types of cork parquet also include an additional layer of cork on the bottom, which acts as an integrated underlay, further improving the sound insulation and comfort of the floor.
Where to use cork parquet
Cork parquet is extremely versatile and can be used in different environments.
It is ideal for living areas such as living rooms and bedrooms, where it provides comfort underfoot and reduces noise. Its resistance to humidity also makes it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
Furthermore, thanks to its natural ability to maintain a constant temperature, cork parquet is suitable for environments with underfloor heating.
Cork in panels or granules
Cork comes in many forms, including panels e granules.
I cork panels They are widely used due to their ease of installation and excellent insulating properties.
In fact they are commonly used for thewall insulation, ceilings e floors. They can also be used as wall covering.
Cork Board – Canva
I cork granules Instead they are particles of shredded cork, mainly used for fillings, insulation and for the creation of composite materials.
Used as a loose insulation material, they are perfect for filling cavities in walls, attics and floors. Thanks to their lightness and ability to expand, the granules easily fill spaces, providing excellent thermal and acoustic insulation.
They are then used to produce lightweight concrete and insulating plasters. Mixed with binders, the granules give the final material superior insulating properties, reducing the overall weight of building structures.
The last two applications, thanks to their ability to expand and contract, are especially used to fill expansion joints in building structures or are also used in artistic and DIY projects.
What type of interiors are cork panels suitable for?
Cork panels can be used in stay e dining roomsbedrooms and even in the bathroom.
Ideal for convivial environments, cork helps to create a warm environment and comfortable.
Panels are also often chosen in environments dedicated to work and study.
The surface itself can even be used as a natural notice board, where you can pin notes and reminders.
Cork Kitchen – Canva
In the kitchens, they offer a resistant surface e easy to cleanas well as for the bathroom, where you only have to pay attention to the humidity.
Cork Installation and Maintenance
To ensure that cork retains its properties, it is important to follow the guidelines for theinstallationthe maintenance and the necessary treatments.
Before installation, make sure the surface is smooth, clean and dry.
Any irregularities must be leveled to avoid deformation or damage.
The cork will then have to acclimatise in the room in which it will be installed for at least 48 ore. This allows it to adapt to the humidity and temperature of the environment, reducing the risk of expansion or contraction post-installation.
Cork panels can be fixed with specific adhesives.
They can therefore be used interlocking systems with click system, similar to those of laminate floors.
After installation, it is advisable to apply a protective sealant especially for floors. This layer helps prevent moisture absorption and improves resistance to wear and tear. staines.
If the cork is to be used as a decorative wall covering, it can be painted or treated with natural waxes.
Cork Application – Canva
Central will obviously be the cleaning of cork, which can occur through vacuum, soft brush o damp cloth for more thorough cleaning.
The felt under the furniture will be essential to prevent scratches and dents; fortunately it is possible to make small touch-ups with specific products for cork, available in all DIY stores.
Over time, depending on the conditions and the environment in which it is installed, it will be necessary to proceed with treatments anti-mold and anti-humidity, adequate ventilation, antistatic treatments and fire resistance treatments.
How much does cork cost?
Cork for floors has a cost that varies from 20 up to approximately 100 euro.
I cork floors prefinished, sold in the form of strips or tiles already treated and ready for installation, cost on average between 25 e 60 euro per square meter.
High-end products, such as those of Wicanders e CorkStylecan also reach the 70-80 euro per square meter, especially for those with particularly resistant finishes.
Il natural cork o raw which requires post-installation treatments, has a lower price, ranging between 15 e 30 euro per square meter.
In this range you can find brands such as Expanko e Globus Corkwhile higher quality corks can exceed the 40 euro per square meter from Homewyse.
Decorative panels cost on average between 30 e 70 euro per square meter.
Custom design solutions offered by companies such as CorkWall e Marley they can reach up to 100 euro per square meter.
On the other hand, insulation panels have a cost that varies between 20 up to the 50 euro per square meter for the best performing ones.
Source: www.lavorincasa.it
