What is cork flooring. Cork floors: pros and cons. The positive properties of cork

Oak bark floor slabs are positioned as a practical, original and functional flooring. Their production is carried out by both well-known factories and local organizations. 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 to produce many products that are needed in everyday life and some production processes: corks that seal wine bottles, bags, shoes and much more. But the most interesting product is considered flooring.

For the production of cork flooring is used:

solid veneer - a thin slice of bark, the most expensive option;
granulated (finely ground) bark mixed with polymeric binders and special additives - agglomerate. This is the most accessible and widely used in the production of finishing and decorative material.

The structure of the cork tree - photo.

The peculiarity of cork is in its structure. The structure is well represented in the photo below. It can be seen that the product consists of honeycombs 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 from agglomerated chips up to 8 mm thick. Some designs may add a V or U bevel. The shades of the finished floor 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 photograph is applied to the finished coating high definition, depicting a board or artistic parquet, marble or grass, leather, etc.

The product is mounted with glue. Wherein back 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, downsides to this setup. Firstly, after work on the surface, it is necessary to apply a layer of varnish, wax or oil. Secondly, the replacement of the damaged area is difficult and time-consuming.

Photo of cork laminate.

This is an HDF board veneered with pressed cork or solid cork. Paper impregnated with polymer resins is glued from below or a cork substrate is integrated. Such a coating is very convenient in laying, as it is mounted in a glueless, "floating" way.

Cork flooring for wet areas

Cork laminate on a composite hydrobase.

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

Caring for the finished cork coating is easy. Manufacturers recommend protecting the canvas from abrasion loads by:

flooring of anti-splash rugs;
sticking tread pads made of felt or plastic on furniture legs;
laying silicone protective mats under the rollers.

Advice! Any rubber products leave hard-to-remove stains on the cork, so do not purchase rugs or carpets based on polymeric gummilastik.

Cleaning can be done with a vacuum cleaner or a well-wrung soft cloth. Abrasive detergents, brushes with hard bristles, and solvents are contraindicated in cork. And to remove stains or heavy 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 have given rise to many speculations and rumors about cork. First, let's list the advantages of the material. Among them:

Now we list the disadvantages of cork as a floor material:

Regardless of which cork floor is chosen, its pros and cons can be turned to your advantage in any case. If the product is of high quality, from a trusted manufacturer, then it has:

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 detailed description work that needs to be done and offers with prices from construction teams and firms will come to your mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

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

What is a cork floor and what kind of coating can it be compared with

Cork flooring can be compared to OSB, only thinner and more flexible. This coating is made of cork chips, and she is still a tree, albeit a rather unusual one.

It is impossible to compare it with laminate and linoleum.

But with wood, too, because wood is actually a natural coating, but a cork floor is just a pressed piece of wood, on glue. And the base of the cork floor is the same as that of the laminate.

Therefore, dreaming that he "breathes" is not worth it. And what's the difference, really? Before laying any coating, now cover the screed with two layers 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 - with the advantages 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 mistakenly believe that the cork floor is terribly afraid of water, as it is porous. But, it's quite the opposite. Water is not particularly terrible for a cork floor, since the tree itself, from which the coating is made, absorbs only 20% of 100% 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 disappear if it is not wiped.

Waterproofing the floor in the kitchen is a big advantage. For example, the same tree is afraid of moisture, which means that you can’t wash it too often, forget about spilled cups of tea, too. But tea is nothing compared to the flood from above...

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

2nd plus - Warmth and softness

Even according to wooden floor not as pleasant to walk as on cork. In this regard, nothing can compare with him: he is like velvet, you can’t 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, cork flooring is warm, even warmer than wood. And this means that if you have small children who crawl on the floor, then the cork flooring for them is the best thing you can think of.

3rd plus - Noise-isolating properties

The cork floor perfectly muffles the sound. If you have a herd of restless children running around your house, then lay such a floor and the neighbors will be very happy. Yes, and you too. It is absolutely not audible in the house of trampling, roaring... Beauty.

But keep in mind that it dampens the shock noise. If you want to use the floor to protect yourself from the neighbor's screaming tape recorder from below, then leave this idea. Music is vibration and your cork floor will vibrate beautifully with the wall.

4th plus - Resistance to fungal attack

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

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

And, in general, how much water should be poured in order for a fungus to form on the floor? And, if it is already formed (for example, from micro-leaks in pipes), then it will hit not the floor covering, but the entire screed! Both concrete and plaster...

You understand that in this case, the cork floor will not save you. So what if it stays? Tearing it off and re-laying it is almost impossible, contrary to the assurances of the sellers. They say that it can be rebuilt five times, nothing will happen to the locks. It will even become, it has been checked more than once.

5th plus - Saving dishes

If you often drop cups 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 glass utensils, this is a big plus and savings in the future.

Of course, the thinnest glass goblet will burst. And here regular plate and the cup will survive.

6th plus - Low static

They say that dust practically does not stick to the cork floor. And it is true. It is non-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's much easier to wipe the dust off the floor with a light movement of the mop than to wipe it with lighting fixtures, decorative elements...

And you can’t see dust on the cork floor, it’s motley! But, we could not help adding this item to the pros. If managers say plus, it means plus.

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

This is the continuation of the previous paragraph. Cork flooring is a lazybones dream. If the same laminate instantly betrays your laziness, then the cork one does not.

Crumbs and other small debris are not visible on it. Also, it is much easier to wash than other coatings: there are no streaks on it, which means that you don’t have to spend money on Mr. 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 rather controversial. Cork stopper strife. Or rather, cork flooring. Some floors are non-slip, and some are very slippery, because they are exposed with three layers of slippery varnish. That is why the reviews on the Internet are different.

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

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

And now let's move on to the most important point - the cons. If they are not taken 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 do not agree with us. But we still believe that this floor looks extremely poor and gray.

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

Although, things are much better with the design of cork floors now than some five years ago. You can find colors "under the tree", and something else more interesting than "no" cork crumb.

2nd minus - Price

Cork flooring costs twice as much as laminate flooring. Perhaps this is not a minus, of course. After all, the cork better 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 the game is worth the candle.

3rd minus - The need to perfectly level the base of the floor

If there are drops on the floor, your cork floors will come to an end very soon. They will be sold, torn and crumbled. The screed should be not just perfect, but super-ideal.

You yourself are unlikely to build such a thing 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 minus. If your kitchen is on the sunny side, then 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.

Make sure that no direct Sun rays- unnecessary fuss, which you will soon forget. And as soon as you forget, the floor will slowly and surely burn out.

5th minus - Difficulty in care

The cork floor is porous, which means that it will not be so easy to wash it from something colored. For example, if you spilled cherry juice, then you have to get on your knees and carefully rub the stain, while, on ceramic tiles, you can run a mop and voila ...

Also, over time, these micro-slots become clogged with dirt. And the cork floor, periodically, must be thoroughly washed with a brush, hands, otherwise it will look stale and gray.

6th minus - Vulnerability to punching and scratches

This aspect is also controversial and it all depends on the quality of the floor. Some floors are not afraid of punching and do not leave dents on them even from heavy furniture. And other floors are more delicate (read - cheap) and you will have to put pads on the legs of the table and chairs.

Of course, there can be no question of any walking in heels in the kitchen. But on the other hand, there is nothing to spank in shoes around the house. Learn to take off your shoes in the hallway.

7 minus - the inability to wash the paint

Some interesting things happen with the paint that got on the cork floor. We, for example, cannot explain this miracle, but it exists.

If hair dye gets on the cork floor, then it is not immediately wiped off with anything.

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

Also, you will not be able to wash drops of brilliant green, iodine, paint for Easter eggs, inscriptions with a marker ...

8th minus - Inability to get rid of greasy stains

But the fat cork floor does not self-destruct, unlike paint. If the fat is not wiped off often, it will be absorbed, and you will never get rid of it.

Of course, you can sand the cork and open it with a new varnish. But this is dreary and long, and the veneer that covers the floor is quite thin and such manipulations have a limit.

About the environmental friendliness of the cork floor

Many people opt for cork flooring because of this benefit. 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 poor-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 is necessarily varnished. Is varnish environmentally friendly? And what does the cork have to do with it, if you don’t come into contact with it in any way? You breathe in the fumes of varnish and glue.

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

Judge for yourselves, why are there so many forests in the Mediterranean to provide the whole world with floors made of pure cork? This is just unreal. On the veneer are 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 here cushioning properties about which sellers sing. It seems like walking on a cork floor is so good for the spine, as you walk almost on rubber, cushioning, cushioning ... This is not true.

Cork flooring is as hard as laminate flooring.

And it doesn't matter which manufacturer produces this product: there is no cork floor from one cork.

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

There is a rumor on the net 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 floor on the battery and you will understand everything. It conducts heat very well. Another question is that there is not much point in heating it, since it is quite warm in itself. Unless, if you removed the batteries and decided to install underfloor heating instead, then you can do so.

What kind of cork floor is best for the kitchen?

Cork flooring is of two types:

Rolled (adhesive), which is spread out like linoleum and glued directly onto 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 gaps.

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

Differences cork flooring from other popular flooring

Our review would be incomplete without a comparison with other types of flooring. It is in this way that it is easiest to understand whether there is a reason to buy a cork floor. Let's go.

Which is better: cork or ceramic tiles

Durability : ceramic tile lasts a long time, if you do not drop a cast-iron goose on it ... But you can drop anything on a 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 on it the protective varnish is erased, which can simply be updated. But the cork tends to crumble from impacts and from punching.

In a word, nothing concrete can be said. If you don't start dropping the caterpillars, tiles are more reliable. And even more reliable - roll up the kitchen with asphalt, this will definitely be for centuries.

Ease of maintenance: it is much easier to take care of tiles, this is not even discussed.

Simplicity of flooring: under the "cork" you need to perfectly equalize the base. But the tile - you need to perfectly water it. If you leave air gaps in the adhesive or if you lay the tile unevenly, it will begin to lag and crack where the “play” has formed. Both leveling and laying are expensive. Therefore, here the score is 1:1.

Warmth: Well, here you understand everything yourself. Of course - a cork.

Which is better: cork floor or linoleum

Durability: 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 a household version. And it is soft, torn, worn out, and after 10 years it looks like the devil.

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

Ease of maintenance: 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 into microcracks.

Simplicity of flooring: Both coatings require a level surface. If linoleum is spread on an uneven floor, it will quickly wear off and look disgusting. Under the linoleum, every crumb and hole is visible.

Warmth: Both coatings are warm, but walking on the last one is 10 times more pleasant. Linoleum is like oilcloth to the touch, and cork is like wood.

Which is better: cork flooring or laminate

Durability: Laminate and cork last about the same. But the laminate tends to swell at the joints, which is why it appearance spoils. Cork, especially glue, looks much better.

Ease of maintenance: Laminate is easier to clean, as there are no pores on it, into which dirt clogs. But it has to be wiped dry after washing, as stains are too visible.

Simplicity 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 laminate is not as pleasant to the touch. In addition, he is very noisy.

Which is better: wood flooring or cork?

Durability: wood is much more durable, especially if it is not about parquet, but about deck boards. Yes, and it is easier to restore a wooden floor than a cork veneered one.

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

Simplicity of flooring: under the tree you do not need to equalize the floor and this is a plus. But it needs to be perfectly evenly laid on the logs, and this is a minus: professionals are needed here.

Warmth: These are equally warm coatings. But judging by the reviews of 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 for 1 square meter. Now think for yourself, decide for yourself what is better to choose when you make repairs.

All the advantages of a cork floor lie in its composition and manufacturing principles. Most cork flooring is made in Portugal from cork oak. When the tree reaches 30 years of age, it is removed upper layer bark. The next procedure is carried out only after 10 years. The resulting raw material is crushed and thoroughly dried, then with the help of high temperature Dense multilayer cells are obtained from the bark, it is thanks to them that the cork is elastic, waterproof and light.

Advantages and disadvantages of cork flooring

All types of cork floor have the same advantages and disadvantages, which must be considered before buying. The advantages of such coverage are obvious.:

Low thermal conductivity. Unlike many floor coverings, cork perfectly retains heat, the thermal conductivity coefficient is up to 0.04. The cork floor retains the warmth of a person, pleasant and comfortable to the touch. This advantage allows you to save on heating.
But it is important to remember that the cork and the "warm floor" system are incompatible, the second will be simply useless. The thermal insulation features of a cork floor favorably distinguish it from linoleum, parquet, marble and other floor materials.
Environmental friendliness and benefits for the human body. For the manufacture of corks are used only natural materials. It is also interesting that the cork floor is able to reduce the influence of geopathic zones. Orthopedic doctors have found that walking on a traffic jam reduces the load on the legs and spine.
Deformation resistance. Those who have never encountered a cork floor believe that it is a fragile structure that is subject to any impact and cannot withstand serious loads. Dents appear on the floor under the influence of furniture, but after rearrangement, the material quickly acquires its original shape. this species. The residual level of deformation does not exceed 0.2 mm.
Anti-allergic and easy care. Cork does not require special complex care. If dust or dirt appears, the surface can be wiped with a damp cloth or vacuumed. Thanks to its anti-allergic qualities, cork flooring is ideal for those who suffer from allergies. That is why the material can often be found in medical institutions.
Durability. Cork floor manufacturers give a guarantee for the material from 10 to 20 years, subject to the rules of operation.
Slip resistance. If the protective layer is chosen correctly, it will be possible to avoid slipping. That is why the cork floor is laid in in public places and on the stairs.
Soundproofing. Cork is able to absorb all the sounds in the room. Sound absorption coefficient - 0.85. But it is important to remember that the cork floor absorbs only those sounds that occur in the room. The material does not absorb noise from outside.

But in spite of everything positive qualities cork floor, it also has significant disadvantages:

High price. This is one of the most significant disadvantages of cork flooring. Considering everything additional materials for laying, the price will differ slightly from the cost of parquet. 1 sq.m. adhesive coating costs 400-1000 rubles, floating - 1000-1700 rubles. But the exact price depends on the type and thickness of the coating.
Low level of mechanical strength. Although resistant to deformation, the cork floor is easily damaged. It has scratches from pet claws, metal brushes, heels, etc. The cork will lose its perfect appearance and fade under the influence of dirt and sand. Rubber and liquids leave dark spots that cannot be removed.
The only way out in this case is to be as careful as possible, not to walk on the cork floor in street shoes, but to lay a rug with pile at the entrance to the house.
Inability to withstand excess moisture. Despite the fact that the cork is moisture resistant, it swells and deforms under the influence of excess moisture. The floor can swell, so manufacturers do not recommend using cork in bathrooms and kitchens.
Strict foundation requirements. In order for the cork floor to serve for a long time and not lose its ideal appearance, it is necessary to prepare the base as carefully as possible before laying it. It should be as smooth, clean and dry as possible. If this rule is not observed, the floor will quickly become unusable.
Unpleasant smell from glue and varnish during floor laying. In the process of laying, products are used that have an unpleasant pungent odor. Even if the work is done in the bathroom or toilet, there will be an unbearable smell throughout the apartment. In summer, the room can be constantly ventilated, and in winter you will have to leave home for several days. When working with glue, in no case should it be allowed to come into contact with fire! The product is flammable!
Problems with choosing a protective layer. Cork - rough material, which must be covered with a protective layer on top. Choosing products is not always easy: a coating with a low coefficient of friction will make the floor slippery, and with a high one it will wash socks and slipper soles.
Sunburn and discoloration. sunlight- another enemy of the cork floor. Over time, the material will change color, fade and become unattractive.

Cork flooring is a new but already very popular type of flooring. If at the very beginning of their appearance, consumers were embarrassed by a small number of colors, now manufacturers have solved this “problem” - the choice is simply huge. How to make a competent choice of cork floors, what advantages distinguish this type of flooring, and what is this material in general?

Table of contents:

How do you get the material

Cork is a natural and environmentally friendly material that cork oak gives mankind. This plant grows everywhere in the Mediterranean, but the main suppliers of cork for the manufacture of this type of flooring are Portugal and Spain.

The cork oak bark is removed only when it reaches the age of 25 years - this procedure does not injure the plant, it is carried out exclusively by hand. And after 9 years, the cork oak bark grows again, acquires the necessary thickness - you can use this “product” again.

"Pros" and "cons" of the cork floor

The most important advantage of this type of flooring is environmental friendliness, safety for all living things. This point is important to consider for absolutely everyone, because, for example, laminate and / or linoleum is made entirely of synthetic components. Many note that the cork floor has good energy - walking barefoot on it is a great pleasure, and the atmosphere in the room becomes "warm", comfortable.

In general, there are a lot of “pluses” of a cork floor, but experts also highlight the main ones:

In addition, it is worth noting another positive point - cork floors are absolutely “not interesting” for insects that can damage the flooring.

Of course, the floor covering in question also has disadvantages - they are inherent in absolutely any finishing materials. But the cork floor has conditional "cons":

Experts do not recommend laying a floor heating system in the case of the intended use of a cork floor. There is no strict ban, but there is also little expediency in such a combination - the high thermal insulation properties of the floor covering in question will not allow it to be warmed up enough.
The high cost of cork floors. This factor, by the way, is most often decisive in choosing a floor covering - compared to laminate and / or linoleum, cork floors cost really fabulous money. But on the other hand, there are no cheap natural materials a priori.

Types of cork floor

The design of the flooring in question is a multilayer "pie":

crushed cork (cork agglomerate);
tar-based wood dust (durable board);
another layer of cork agglomerate;
face covering.

It should be noted that this technology for the production of cork flooring is strictly observed by all manufacturers, there may be variations only in the front layer. The surface of the cork floor can be made of decorative type wood veneer or fine wood, but in this case it is covered with varnish or vinyl. It is worth clarifying that even vinyl coating does not reduce the resistance of the material to damage - such floors are laid in those rooms where there is a high traffic / crowding of people.

On the market, manufacturers present two types of cork flooring - adhesive and floating.

Floating cork floors

They are panels with a thickness of 9-12 mm, which are joined together using special grooves. The service life is 5 years, but this figure depends on two factors:

varnish used for the front coating - if the manufacturer uses high-quality finishing material, then the service life of such a floor covering increases;
operating conditions - with a low load on floating cork floors, they can be used for 10 years, with a high load - no more than 5 years.

Note:experts do not recommend laying this type of cork flooring in rooms with high level humidity - there is a high probability of swelling of the plates.

Adhesive cork floors

They are tiles with a thickness of 3.2 - 4 - 6 mm, which are laid by gluing onto the base. The most durable type of adhesive cork floor is tiles with a thickness of 3.5 mm, which are actively used in the arrangement of industrial, public premises with high traffic of people.

Adhesive cork flooring is quite difficult to lay (there are some nuances / features), but its service life is 7 years even with the highest / aggressive impact.

Note:experts recommend choosing adhesive cork floor tiles 6 mm thick for apartments and residential buildings - this is exactly what will keep the heat in the room and provide the level of comfort required / declared by the manufacturer.

Rules for choosing a cork floor

In order for the purchase and installation of a cork floor to bring only pleasure, you need to know the basic rules for choosing the flooring in question. Experts recommend paying attention to the following criteria.

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 cork oak bark. For 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 it life cycle continues, and after 7 years from the same tree it will be possible to obtain a new batch of bark of good quality.

However, cork is not the bark of a tree in pure form. To obtain the final product, the bark goes through 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 cork flooring

Let's start with the pros of cork flooring, since there are more of them.

The main advantage of cork flooring is its naturalness. Unlike linoleum and laminate, which are almost entirely 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 barefoot 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 use of a cork floor also lies in the fact that even when wet it is completely non-slippery, which means that it is almost impossible to fall on it.

Due to its porous structure, cork flooring helps provide indoor elevated level heat and sound insulation, which makes life in such a room even more comfortable. Unlike laminate and parquet, 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 efficient work.

Caring for cork floors is quite simple and no special steps are needed for this. Caring for a cork floor will also be easier because this material is absolutely non-static, i.e. dust is not attracted to it. It is thanks to the anti-static qualities of cork flooring that it is recommended to be used in those homes where someone suffers from allergies.

As an advantage of cork, it is worth noting the fact that this material is not able to sustain combustion, and also practically does not emit smoke when smoldering.
it is not able to absorb water, as well as other liquid substances, so any coloring matter that may accidentally fall on the surface of the floor is not 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 may leave a dent on its surface, but within a short time the floor surface will restore its structure again. This is achieved due to the low permanent deformation, the value of which is less than 2%.

Cons of cork flooring

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

As mentioned above, when talking about the merits of a cork floor, dents from furniture and other heavy objects on the floor surface are quickly restored and the floor acquires its original evenness, however, if a sofa or other heavy piece of furniture is enough long time stood in one place, it will take much more time to restore the coating, 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 control this lack of cork flooring, you can either constantly move the furniture, which is of course not an option, or use special furniture bases that will reduce the degree of floor deformation.

Another disadvantage of the cork floor, which for many turns out to be decisive and makes them choose another floor covering, is its cost, which is quite high. Of course, in fact, this cannot be considered as a drawback in full, because any natural material is much more expensive than synthetic counterparts, however, unfortunately, it is high price cork, compared to other coatings, often prevents many people from choosing this particular material for their home.

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

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

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

For example, floating cork floor It is mounted quite quickly and easily, and, if necessary, can be dismantled and moved to another location. However, it has one drawback that you should definitely take into account - such a floor is afraid of moisture. By itself, the cork coating cannot absorb moisture, but the base of the floating cork floor, which is similar to the base of the laminate, can absorb moisture during prolonged contact and deform in the process. It will not be possible to restore such a floor.

Adhesive cork floors require certain skills and a more painstaking approach to their installation, because one wrong move can lead to incorrect placement of floor tiles, and since the glue sets almost instantly, it will not be possible to correct the situation without final damage to the coating. However, the 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 the cork floor are still greater than the disadvantages, and the existing disadvantages cannot be considered truly significant.