What is the best backing for wallpaper? Cork wallpaper in the interior: photo, for walls in Leroy Meren, substrate, reviews, is it possible to glue cork on wallpaper, how to glue, video, glue, technical cork, photo How to glue a cork substrate on a wall

Cork backing is a cost-effective solution when choosing a material for wall decoration. From the unique 40 million cells per cubic centimeter of cork's honeycomb structure and the special nature of the binder resin, an excellent finishing material is created with the properties of:

  • soundproofing (reduces both acoustic waves entering the room and outgoing ones);
  • thermal insulation (it is not always possible to insulate the wall from the outside);
  • creating environmental comfort in the room.

Benefits of cork backing under wallpaper:

  • The cork backing is free of harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde;
  • 90% natural recycled products;
  • The high degree of compression prevents the pad from cracking and rubbing the surface during operation;
  • Levels the wall and prevents the formation of cracks;
  • Resistant to moisture;
  • High fire resistance without emission of toxic gases;
  • High soundproof and heat-insulating characteristics;
  • No static electricity;
  • Easy to apply on the wall.

How to pre-prepare a cork substrate for wallpaper?

Cork is a natural product and, like wood, it can undergo some expansion during periods of high humidity and contract during periods of low humidity, usually during the heating season. In this regard, in order to ensure proper installation, it is advisable to acclimatize the cork underlay indoors for 48-72 hours before starting work, without removing the packaging from it. Cork underlayment is produced in the form of rolls and tiles with dimensions of 30x30 cm or 30x60 cm, wallpaper should be glued at a room temperature of at least +10 degrees.

Steps for properly gluing a cork backing under wallpaper:

  • Wall surface preparation . Initially, you need to check the surface of the walls where the cork substrate will be glued, it can be cement, smooth plywood or drywall. If the drywall is new, then it should be first: this will help prevent the drywall from soaking from the glue. Do not glue the cork backing over old wallpaper or any paint, existing wallpaper, old glue and paint must be removed, primed on the wall and carefully leveled its surface.
  • Prepare cork flooring . If a substrate produced in rolls is used, then it should be unwound, all the strips should be folded into a pile and a load should be placed on it. During the day, the cork substrate will become straight along the entire length and it will be much easier to stick it. You can optionally cut the roll into tiles of the desired size, this will facilitate the gluing process. All markings should be done on the outside, the outside is outside the roll. Although both sides of the roll look the same, it is best to use the outer surface of the cork for ease of installation.
    If the cork backing is to be used with tiles, then it is necessary to check the uniformity of its tone in different packages, this is especially important if the cork backing tiles will be used on the wall instead of wallpaper.
  • Make markings on the wall for a roll substrate it is enough to mark strictly vertical lines, for a tile it is necessary to designate: either a simple grid, or a checkerboard pattern.
  • Apply glue with a roller on the wall and on the surface of the cork substrate , wait a little while the glue is absorbed and stick the substrate to the wall. On the surface of the glued substrate, walk with a roller and tap with a wooden or rubber mallet.
  • When gluing cork backing tiles, the start should be in the center of the wall . From the main vertical line, markings are made to the sides and up, which will help to correctly install the cork tile. Start gluing tiles should also be from the central axis and then lay in all directions . Press the tile firmly using a roller and a rubber (wooden) hammer. Continue gluing the tiles in rows until all intact pieces are pasted.
  • If tiles need to be cut along the edge of the wall you can do this with a knife, having previously made markings, for this you can also use a carpet cutter.

The cork backing can be successfully used instead of wallpaper: the warm natural tone of the cork will give the room an atmosphere of coziness and comfort. Covering the cork surface with furniture varnish can improve wear resistance in operation. Lacquer coating should be done in 2 layers, the second layer should be applied after the first has completely dried. Instead of wallpaper, a cork backing will look great in the living room, in the bedroom, and in the children's room.. When pinning children's drawings to the wall with needles, you don't have to worry about spoiling the appearance of the wall: the attachment points of the needles will remain invisible. Such wallpapers made of natural material will retain their color and fresh look for a long time.


Having familiarized yourself in detail with such material for apartment renovation as a cork underlay for wallpaper, one cannot but give preference to it, especially since cost-effective cork underlay is very profitable: it is 5-6 times cheaper

  • 1 Types of material and its advantages
  • 2 Calculation and purchase of material
  • 3 Buying glue
  • 3.1 Video
  • 4 Choosing tools and preparing for gluing
  • 5 The process of gluing walls with cork
  • 6 Innovative finishing material
  • 7 Tips for working with cork
  • 8 How to care for cork flooring
  • 9 Video: cork wall pasting technology
  • 10 Photos of interiors

If you are an adherent of environmentally friendly materials that will not affect your health and will be safe enough, then choosing cork as a finishing material will be an ideal option for you. During the repair, special attention is paid to the walls and the finishing material for them. Usually, most of these materials do not meet environmental requirements, which cannot be said about cork. Such a finishing material is not only safe for health, but also looks very beautiful. The use of cork wallpaper in the interior has become a new fashion trend.

This finishing material gained its popularity precisely due to the fact that it is made from natural ingredients. Naturally, the cost is slightly higher than the price of ordinary wallpaper, and the technology for pasting walls is slightly different. But the result will be extraordinary. Let's look at how to glue the cork on the walls with your own hands correctly.

Types of material and its advantages

Cork wallpaper

Cork wallpaper is not a cheap pleasure. However, the cost is justified by environmental friendliness, high performance, long service life and excellent decorative effect. You can find cheaper products, it all depends on the fame of the company that produces the material, on the type of coating and the base used.

If we talk about the types of cork material, then there are several of them. This is:

  • baseless wallpaper;
  • wallpaper with base.

Baseless

Wallpapers without a base are much more expensive, but they are absolutely environmentally friendly. In the manufacture of such wallpaper, glue is not used as a binding material. But how do the particles connect to each other? When the cork is heated, the resinous substances that are in it melt, connecting the crumb particles together. Products of this type are quite dense, but at the same time have low fracture strength. Therefore, you need to work with such wallpaper very carefully.

Cork wallpaper production

Much more affordable wallpaper with a paper base. This is a cheaper and more common option. Their manufacture consists in gluing cork veneer onto a paper base. It is much easier to glue such wallpapers on the wall, because they are not so easy to spoil. You can do this kind of work yourself.

The technology of gluing paper-based cork wallpaper is not much different from the process of gluing ordinary wallpaper.

Such wallpapers basically perform only a decorative function. Due to the small thickness of the product, they do not have heat-insulating and sound-proofing properties. Their advantages are that they are cheaper, have a small weight, some are already covered with wax or varnish, in addition, they can be glued not only to walls, but also to the ceiling.

Some types of paper-based cork wallpaper do not need to be glued to them before gluing. The fact is that for sticking it is enough just to remove the protective film and stick the wallpaper on the wall.

You can buy material in a specialized store. Wallpapers are:

  • Roll.
  • Tiled.
  • cork tiles

    The material in rolls is sold in reels, which have a width of 30, 60 or 100 cm, the length is 10 m. The thickness of such wallpaper is 3 mm. If we talk about tile products, they usually have a standard size - 30 × 30 cm or 60 × 60 cm. Knowing these parameters, you can easily calculate how much material you need to paste over the walls.

    Please note that tile materials can be single-layer and two-layer. The latter type is characterized by the fact that its lower layer is most often colored, and the upper layer consists of pressed cork granules. Thanks to this, the top layer seems to be illuminated and has a certain shade, which gives the material originality.

    It should be noted that everyone can choose the material to their taste, as the products have a different texture, pattern and color. Decorative cork can give your home a unique look.

    But why is wall decoration with cork considered an expensive pleasure? Thanks to its performance. What are they?

  • Ecological purity.
  • Convenient sizes.
  • The presence of a protective coating (lacquer or wax).
  • High operational period, 20 years and more.
  • Resistance to mechanical damage.
  • Easy care when you can use any detergent.
  • They do not cause allergies and do not absorb unpleasant odors.
  • Wallpaper without a base has good soundproofing and heat-insulating properties.
  • With their help, you can hide wall defects: curvature and irregularities.
  • Can be used for ceiling and floor finishing.
  • Looks attractive in the interior

    As you can see, using cork to decorate your home is very beneficial. So, having learned everything about the cork, you can proceed directly to work on pasting the room.

    Calculation and purchase of material

    Calculations

    First you need to decide what type of cork to buy: without a base or with a base, tiled or rolled. It would be reasonable to calculate all the waste and see which of the options, how much money will be needed. In addition, it is important to determine how many rolls or slabs will be needed so that there are not many extra pieces left. If you are going to finish all the walls in the room, then for this you need to know the perimeter, taking into account doors and windows, as well as the length and width of the roll or tile.

    To find out the perimeter, use the formula familiar from school:

    where "P" is the perimeter of the room, and "a" and "b" are the length and width of the room.

    For example, your room is 6x4. We apply the formula:

    So, the perimeter of your room is 20 m. Now you need to divide the perimeter of the room by the width of the wallpaper strip to find out the number of solid strips. If the roll of cork wallpaper you choose is 1 m wide, you will need 20 solid strips.

    Next, you need to find out how many pieces you get from one 10 m roll. To do this, you need to divide the length of the roll by the height of the ceiling. For example, if your ceiling height is 2.5 m, then you can cut 4 pieces of wallpaper from one roll.

    Now, in order to determine how many rolls to buy for your room of 6 × 4 m, you need to divide the number of full panels by the number of whole pieces from one roll. It turns out: 20 (solid panels) must be divided by 4 (solid pieces). Even without a calculator, it becomes clear that you need to buy 5 rolls of 10 m cork, 1 m wide. In the same way, calculate the amount of material for other rooms, if necessary.

    You should not buy material back to back, it is better to take an additional 1 roll. There is no guarantee that the new wallpaper will not be damaged by pets, children, or accidentally by you during the renovation. By purchasing an additional roll, you can eliminate the "accident".

    Types of cork wallpaper

    In the case where you want to use a tile stopper, the order of calculations is even simpler:

  • Calculate the area of ​​the walls.
  • Determine the area of ​​one tile in the same way.
  • Divide the wall area by the tile area.
  • For example, your wall has a height of 2.5 m and a width of 5 m. To find out the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthis wall, you need to multiply the width by the height. It turns out that the area of ​​this wall is 12.5 m2. When your purchased tile is 60x60 cm, its area is 0.36 m2. So, 12.5 m2 must be divided by 0.36 m2. Thanks to the calculator, you can find out that for one wall 2.5 m high and 5 m wide you need 35 cork slabs 60 × 60 cm. The same must be done to find out the number of slabs for the rest of the walls.

    Having calculated how much material you need for work, you can go to the store and purchase it. There you need to buy not only a cork, but also glue, which will be needed for work if the wallpaper is not self-adhesive. But what kind of glue should you use?

    The material must be acclimatized

    It is important to buy wallpaper in advance and place it in the future room. Before you start pasting the walls, the wallpaper should be in the room for 2 days in order to "acclimatize", gain moisture and acquire the temperature of the room. If this is not done and the wallpaper is glued immediately after purchase, the cork on the wall may deform, the joints will separate and, in the worst case, everything will fall off.

    Buying glue

    Glue moment for cork

    Before buying glue, you need to find out its indicators:

  • Reliability and strength.
  • The level of toxicity.
  • The time of its grasp.
  • Ordinary PVA glue is not suitable for gluing cork wallpaper, as it will not withstand their weight. Yes, and liquid nails for this work can not be used. Let's just say - not even every glue has exclusively positive characteristics, but still you have to buy some. Therefore, you need to choose from the best. You can glue the cork coating with the following compositions:

  • Glue "Moment". This is a fairly strong and versatile adhesive composition, which can be used to stick cork wallpaper on the wall. He catches on quickly. It is very convenient to apply the composition linearly or pointwise, especially on tiles. However, with all this, there are also disadvantages: this glue can deform the cork layer or destroy it. Moreover, it is expensive and toxic.
  • Glue "Moment Cork". This is a special version of the previous type of glue, which is even better. It can be a great alternative to the simple "Moment" as it is not as toxic and is also resistant to water and frost.
  • Glue "Decol Vern". It is intended specifically for gluing cork products and will perfectly hold the wallpaper on the wall. But at the same time, you will have to sacrifice environmental friendliness: it is highly toxic, so all work must be carried out in a respirator. Take care of a special suit that covers the skin so that the chemically active composition does not get on the skin area. Please note that it is also flammable. This adhesive sets very quickly, so the cork must be properly attached to the wall the first time. In view of the fact that such glue is not very suitable for wallpaper, it is better for them to glue tiles.
  • Glue "Wacol", "Cork House". The most suitable options when you need an odorless adhesive. Glue from these manufacturers does not contain solvents, is environmentally friendly, moisture resistant and quick-drying. These are the best glue options for gluing cork wallpaper.
  • Wakol for cork

    If these options do not suit you, you can consult with experts in the hardware store, who can also tell you which glue is best for you. Having decided, you can start preparatory work.

    Video

    Choosing tools and preparing for gluing

    When you have acquired everything you need for the job, it remains to stock up on the tools that you will need in the process. Among them:

    • level or plumb;
    • pencil;
    • construction knife and scissors;
    • rags;
    • roller;
    • a small spatula with which glue will be applied;
    • comb for applying glue with a small tooth;
    • wooden or metal ruler.

    Cork sticking tools

    If we talk about the technology of surface finishing with cork wallpaper, then it consists of the following steps:

  • Wall preparation.
  • Surface marking work.
  • Sticking material on the walls.
  • Trim off excess pieces.
  • Having prepared all the tools and materials, you can proceed to the preparatory work, which begins with the removal of the old facing material, if any. Wallpaper, tiles or decorative plaster - all this must be removed to the ground. When cracks and chips have formed on the walls, they need to be repaired. Do the same with paint or putty that has lagged behind the surface.

    Removing the old finish

    After cleaning the walls of dust and dirt, they must be leveled with an additional layer of plaster applied. The surface can then be treated with a deep penetration primer. Wait until the primer is completely dry.

    Preparing walls for wallpapering

    The cork is not compatible with gypsum, so we do not recommend puttying or covering the walls with screeds or primers, in which it is present.

    Wall primer

    A few hours before sticking the product, you need to cut the wallpaper and spread it on a flat surface so that it evens out a little. Remember that cork wallpaper cannot be glued deformed. In the meantime, the canvas is leveled, you can mark the wall and prepare the glue. Like ordinary wallpaper, cork wallpaper begins to stick from the window. Therefore, the markup must also be performed from the window. Since all the rest will be drawn from the first line, it is important to make it perfectly even. With a horizontal arrangement of the strips of the product, it is necessary to draw lines using the building level. When the sticking is traditional, with a vertical arrangement, use a plumb line. Check carefully if you have drawn everything correctly.

    Cutting cork wallpaper

    Once the entire surface is marked, you can prepare the adhesive composition. Since the glue, depending on the manufacturer, is kneaded in different ways, follow the instructions that should be indicated on the package. Basically, the composition should be thick. That is why it will not work to apply it with a brush, you need a spatula or a comb. This preparatory work is completed, you can start wallpapering.

    The process of gluing walls with cork

    Glue is applied to the prepared material

    Now the moment has come when you can go directly to work. The technology is simple, and you need to carry out work from the window opening. Please note that it will be very difficult to do such work on your own, even ordinary wallpaper is difficult to glue on your own, so use the help of a spouse, other relative or friend to glue the wallpaper together: one of you needs to hold the cut canvas near the ceiling, and the other needs to align it.

    The quality of work performed can depend on many factors. The main one is the correct application of glue. For reliability, it can be applied not only to the canvas, but also to the wall. However, not all adhesives are recommended to be applied in two layers. Therefore, it is better to look at the information contained on the packaging in the instructions for the glue, as well as for the cork coating.

    After you have applied the adhesive to the surface, you need to wait 20 minutes for it to be absorbed. This contributes to a stronger grip. It is important that the adhesive layer is not very thin, as over time such wallpaper may fall off. For reliable fixation, the canvas with applied glue must be pressed tightly against the wall. It is convenient to use the roller.

    Cork gluing

    Now pay attention to some requirements that you need to follow in order to stick cork wallpaper correctly:

    • They need to be glued only end-to-end.
    • When working, do not bend the material for a break, as the veneer will crack easily.
    • Particular attention should be paid to the corners, they need to be cut and docked exactly in the corner.
    • If there is waste, they can be used in places that are difficult for the eye to see.
    • All excess must be cut not with a knife, but exclusively with scissors.

    So, the first canvas must be glued, focusing on the markup. Have your helper hold it as you gradually glue the strip to the wall. Once everything is done, apply glue to the next canvas, and while it is standing, go over the pasted piece with a roller. Glue all subsequent strips end-to-end, using a rag to remove any remaining adhesive that may come out when working with the roller. Cut off all excess pieces. After the room is completely ready, leave it for 3-4 days so that the finishing material is completely dry. Then, if desired, such wallpapers are opened with a “breathing” varnish. This will help extend the life of the coating and protect it from damage.

    The same must be done with all the rooms in the dwelling if you want to finish them with cork. Now you know how to glue rolled cork wallpaper. But that is not all!

    Innovative finishing material

    Adhesive tape

    One of these materials can be called self-adhesive cork wallpaper. They are sold in standard rolls 3 m long and 48 cm wide. How should they be glued?

    First you need to prepare the surface: it must be dry, clean and smooth. Just as in the first case, it is desirable to perform markup in order to navigate along it. After that, you need to measure the wall and cut the sheets from the roll. Then take a piece of wallpaper to be glued and separate the protective three-centimeter layer along its entire width. Now, together with your partner, attach the exposed part of the material to the wall, gluing it. Please note that this must be done very carefully and carefully so that everything works out the first time. Once the canvas is securely fixed, remove the protective film for a certain length of the material and glue this area, and so on until the end.

    To remove air bubbles after gluing, which will form under the wallpaper, use a rag, removing the bubble to the edges of the strip by smoothing. When you fail to do this and the air does not completely escape, use a small needle to pierce the bladder. Then smooth the material again with a rag.

    Keep your blade sharp

    Cork wallpapers can be easily glued both horizontally and vertically. But what if you chose not rolled wallpaper, but cork tile? There is nothing complicated here either. The glue is applied in the same way as on the wallpaper, only they need to be laid on the wall according to the same principle as tiles are laid. And this can be done in several ways: diamonds, apart, evenly or diagonally. The choice is yours. Just remember that you need to decide at the stage of preparatory work, and not immediately before gluing.

    Another important nuance is cutting wallpaper. For those who begin to glue wallpaper - this is the main headache. To simplify your task, remember: the main tool for such work should be a construction knife with replaceable blades. As already mentioned, cork is a very brittle material, so a very sharp knife is needed to cut it. Thanks to this, you will be able to minimize material breaks. As soon as you feel that the blade has become dull, break it off and continue working on. When it is necessary to make any cutouts, for example, for sockets or switches, we recommend using one template. If you need a cutout for the outlet, use the socket.

    Wallpaper, which is covered with wax on the front side, looks very beautiful, but fingerprints can ruin them, since everything is very visible on them. What to do if you still get them dirty? To do this, you will need a building hair dryer. It is necessary to heat the place that you "marked" a little, and the wax will soften under the influence of heat. Then all traces will be covered. However, if the cork is soiled with dirty or dusty hands, it can no longer be restored, it must only be replaced. Therefore, when working, use gloves or wash your hands often to avoid various kinds of contamination.

    How to care for cork flooring

    Coating care

    This coating can even be washed with special detergents. So that your work is not wasted, the cork does not lose its original appearance, and you do not have to change the entire coating, do the following:

    • Clean the wallpaper regularly with a vacuum cleaner and wipe it with a damp cloth.
    • If grease has got on the coating, it can be removed with a mild detergent.

    If the usual detergent does not take stubborn complex stains, use an abrasive fine-grained sandpaper to remove them. After such a stripping, the treated area must be covered with wax or varnish.

    If you follow these simple rules, the life of the finishing material will extend significantly. And the general appearance will always please not only your eye, but also everyone who will be in your house.

    Now you know everything you need to know about working with cork. You should not be afraid of the complexity of all the work, as the result is worth it. The interior, made in this style, looks just great.

    We hope this article has helped you with cork wallpaper. If you have any questions, or you have already encountered some difficulties while working, write to us in the comments. We will be happy to help you deal with them!

    Video: cork wall pasting technology

    If you decide to glue wallpaper in the form of tiles, we advise you to watch the following video below:

    Photos of interiors

    Cork tiles on the walls

    Cork wallpaper in the interior of the living room

    Cork wallpapers in the desktop area

    Traffic jam in the dining area

    Decorative wall decoration with cork

    Cork in a monochrome interior

    Light cork wallpaper

    Cork on the balcony

    January 11, 2018
    Specialization: master in the construction of plasterboard structures, finishing work and laying flooring. Installation of door and window blocks, facade finishing, installation of electrics, plumbing and heating - I can give detailed advice on all types of work.

    Cork wallpaper is an unusual solution for interior design. This type of material differs markedly from other options and has a number of characteristic features that you need to be aware of if you decide to use this material. In the article I will talk about the varieties of this type of coating and the main nuances of their gluing.

    Features of cork coatings

    Let's analyze the pros and cons of this group of products, and also consider the main varieties found on the market.

    Advantages and disadvantages

    Let's start with the main benefits:

    Illustration Description

    Authentic appearance. This finish looks peculiar, it cannot be confused with other options. Thanks to the natural texture, a cozy atmosphere is created in the room.

    The material is environmentally friendly, it does not contain components harmful to human health, so cork wallpaper can be used even by people prone to allergies.


    Good heat and sound insulation performance. Due to its structure, the coating absorbs sounds well and acts as an additional barrier to the penetration of cold.

    Thanks to these properties, cork creates a comfortable indoor climate.

    It must be remembered that the properties of the coating depend on its thickness. The larger it is, the better all the benefits of this solution will be felt.


    The material has antistatic properties, due to this, dust does not accumulate on the surface and animal hair is not attracted.

    If the surface is waxed, cleaning can be done using mild detergents.


    Cork wallpapers do not fade in the sun and retain their original shade for a long period of time. The material does not show signs of aging, and it is almost impossible to determine when it is pasted.

    If the gluing is done correctly, then the material retains its integrity for decades.


    No fungus and mold, which is very important in rooms with changes in humidity.

    Fire safety is also worth noting - the cork does not burn, so it can also be used close to heating elements (distances are determined by safety regulations in each case).

    Of the minuses, one can single out poor resistance to deformation effects and a considerable price for high-quality product options.

    Varieties of material

    Let's figure out what types of cork wallpapers for walls are. There are several main options:

    • Cork panels, they are also called sheets or tiles. Most often, the elements have a size of 300x300 or 600x600 mm, but there may be other options. The main production material is cork granules, which are pressed under high pressure, for reliability and color retention, the surface is treated with wax. The thickness can be different, in the standard it is 3 or more millimeters;

    • Cork rolls for walls- a simpler solution in terms of the fact that you have to do much less joints. The material has a standard width of 50-100 cm, the length is usually 10 meters. Products in rolls can have different textures and colors, so you need to pay attention to this aspect, the thickness can be 2 or more millimeters, thinner options should not be considered, since they are not very durable;

    • Self-adhesive elements reminiscent of cork panels. But in them, unlike the first option, there is a layer of glue on the back side, and in order to fix the finish, you need to remove the protective layer and press the cork to the surface. This solution is not very convenient to use, because if you glue a piece crookedly, then tearing it off and re-gluing it again is not very convenient;

    • Cork paper wallpaper. More precisely, this is a variant in which a thin layer of cork material is glued onto a paper base. The main advantage of this solution is the low price and the possibility of choosing options for different colors, since the base can be dyed in different colors, and sometimes cork granules are also dyed. But the most popular are still natural colors;

    • Cork backing on the wall instead of wallpaper is also used by some people who want to save money. Yes, the costs will be minimal, but the reliability of coverage will most likely disappoint you. The material crumbles and does not have the most attractive appearance, marriage is often found on the surface, since initially this option was not intended for finishing.

    wall pasting

    Now let's figure out how to glue cork wallpaper on the walls. Do-it-yourself instructions look like this:

    Illustration Description

    The area of ​​the glued surface is determined. In order not to buy extra material, you should take measurements correctly and calculate the exact quadrature of the required material.

    Do not forget to subtract the area of ​​​​window and door openings in order to achieve maximum accuracy of calculations.


    Be sure to purchase high-quality glue. Cork wallpapers are glued using a special composition that securely fixes the material on the walls and prevents it from swelling and peeling.

    The walls are prepared:
    • Remains of old coatings are removed from the surface;
    • If there are significant irregularities on the plane, then they need to be puttied. There should be no noticeable flaws, but small potholes are allowed, as cork wallpaper can compensate for minor problems;
    • The wall must be primed with a reinforcing compound. If necessary, processing is done twice.

    Glue is being prepared. If you have a ready-made composition, then it should be thoroughly mixed before use.

    If you have a dry mix, then you need to dilute it exactly as the instructions on the package prescribe, observing all proportions.

    Most often, the composition after preparation should stand for 10-20 minutes, after which it is mixed again.


    The adhesive is applied. There may be two options here:
    • The composition is distributed on the wall. If it is thick, then it is best to distribute it with a notched trowel, as in the photo. More liquid options are best applied with a brush;
    • When applying glue to the wallpaper, you need to distribute it in an even layer over the entire surface. Pay special attention to the edges, as these are the areas where problems often occur.

    The sheet is pressed against the wall and gently leveled over the entire surface.. To glue the coating carefully, you need to pay special attention to the joints, they should be adjusted as accurately as possible - there should be no gaps at the joints.

    It is most convenient to press the material with a rubber roller. So you can quickly level the surface and do not damage the material with your fingers.

    Conclusion

    Now you know what cork wallpapers are and what are their main advantages and disadvantages. We also analyzed the technology of self-gluing, if you want to understand the topic even better, then watch the video in this article, in which some important points are revealed in more detail.

    January 11, 2018

    If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

    It is described what and how cork is made of, its types: rolls, tiles, segments, liquid cork. How to attach the coating to the wall, what adhesives are used.

    Types of cork covering, how cork is glued to the walls

    Cork is a natural material made from the bark of the cork oak. Oak grows in southwestern Europe and North Africa.

    Feature of cork finish: advantages and disadvantages of the material

    Cork finish has many advantages:

    1. Cork is a natural material. It does not accumulate dust, it smells good, is antistatic and reduces the level of various radiations.
    2. Wallpaper and tiles are very light.
    3. Cork is elastic and resilient. If you squeeze it, it will take its original shape.
    4. It does not allow moisture and gases to pass through due to the presence of suberin. Suberin is a substance found in the bark of cork trees. Because of this, it does not rot, does not become moldy.
    5. The coating does not conduct heat and vibrations well due to gas elements.
    6. The cover is very durable and wear resistant.
    7. The material is hypoallergenic, does not harm health, does not absorb fat, oil and acetone.
    8. Doesn't skip sounds.
    9. Has thermal insulation property, reduces heat loss. But even a very thick layer of cork cannot replace polystyrene foam of the same thickness.
    10. The cork is easy to install and easy to maintain.

    The main disadvantage of cork material is the expensive price.

    Types of cork


    Cork flooring is glued to walls made of a wide variety of materials. There are such types of coverage: rolls, wallpaper, liquid wallpaper, segments, tiles.

    Wall

    Each cork panel has a tongue and groove, so they are easy to install. But the cork coating is glued directly to the wall, and not to the crate.

    Cork wallcovering is obtained from the bark of a cork tree by removing pieces of the bark by hand, noting the number of removals. Then this operation can be carried out after 9 years. Cork oak has been growing in the Mediterranean countries for about 250 years, and its natural bark shades range from cream to dark brown.

    Ceiling

    Most often, the ceiling material is white, but there may also be others, for example, pastel colors. Panels (plates) of small thickness. For interior decoration, which has a high degree of air humidity, it is advised to purchase cork slabs that are waxed. But if the material is ordinary, then one layer of colorless varnish is applied to the ceiling tiles.

    Cork ceilings are not deformed by sharp fluctuations in temperature and from increased humidity.

    Rolled decorative cork


    Rolled decorative cork is made of 2 layers: a substrate - medium-sized and compressed cork chips, and a layer of cork veneer is applied on top. This decoration of the room is created without the use of synthetic binders.

    The material does not have a finish, because of this, after gluing it to the walls, it is covered with heated wax or varnish. Roll cork is very thin - 1.2-2 mm, so it is elastic and easy to combine with wallpaper. It does not swell from water, does not peel off, because of this it is great for rooms with increased air humidity.

    Another advantage of the material is that there are no horizontal seams when gluing, resulting in an absolutely uniform pattern.

    liquid coating

    It is made from 96% natural bark chips and 4% acrylic binder. It has a large number of tiny pores saturated with nitrogen and oxygen, there is juice and suberin resins, so it is waterproof.

    Cork wallpaper in rolls in the interior

    Cork wallpaper is created like this - a paper sheet is treated with a colorless or lacquered in any shade, covered with a thin agglomerated veneer (up to 1 mm), while leaving empty spaces. Cork wallpapers have many pores, because of this they do not let sound and heat through. They are very light, but elastic, so they can easily withstand a variety of loads. They are antistatic, do not collect dust, and have antibacterial properties. Cork wallpapers are sold in natural colors and with a variety of color blotches. As a rule, rolls are sold with a length of 10 m. The material is very thin - 3 mm. And its width: 300x600 mm or 300x1000 mm. They can keep their structure and color on the wall for up to 10 years.

    Cork tiles for interior decoration

    Cork slabs are created after crushing cork oak bark to pieces of 0.2-8 mm. Plates can be made from 1 or 2 layers. When preparing plates from 1 layer, the granulated cork is pressed, then wax is applied to it to give it greater strength. As a rule, the substrate is quite thin, only 2 mm.

    When creating slabs from 2 layers, first the main layer of pressed cork is coated with glue from natural substances, then cork veneer is attached. Usually the base of the plate is painted in some color. Standard cork wall tiles: 3x300x300 mm or 3x600x300 mm (thickness x length x width).

    On top of the tiles, paint can be applied, and then wax. The service life of cork tiles is 10-30 years.

    With and without spray

    You can also purchase a mixture that is sprayed onto the walls. It has excellent adhesion to other compounds. It can be painted in any color, both bright and pastel. There are 3 types of such cork, depending on its application: liquid cork for roofing, facade and refractory.

    The material is applied by spraying it horizontally or vertically, thus hiding wall defects. A layer of liquid cork with a thickness of 3 mm will hide almost all defects from shrinkage of the building. Also, the composition will happen as a building insulation, does not let water and sounds through.

    They also sell a modular cork in separate segments, each segment can be attached separately from the others. If any segment is damaged, then you can simply replace it.

    Do-it-yourself wall decoration from cork material


    If you decide to glue cork on the wall, then you first need to prepare the wall. And also prepare cork, buy glue, tools.

    Surface preparation: mandatory features

    It is required to clean dust and dirt from the walls, level them, sketch a primer. The primer strengthens the substrate and prevents the formation of bacteria. After that, you should wait for the primer to dry completely. Gypsum-based compounds should not be used for leveling, as they can ruin the finishing material. When working, it is necessary to remember that the level of air humidity should not be higher than 65%, and the air temperature - 18 °. Wall humidity up to 3%.

    Fastening sheets with a screwdriver

    It is best to attach cork panels with a screwdriver. In this case, special clamps or brackets are used.

    How to glue wallpaper

    Materials and tools:

    1. Old fabric.
    2. Pencil or marker.
    3. Construction slope.
    4. Scissors and a knife designed for cutting drywall.
    5. Small spatula.
    6. Comb for applying glue.
    7. Wooden or metal ruler.

    Before pasting, wait 2 days, leaving the wallpaper in the room. Then they will pick up the appropriate moisture that is available in the room and become room temperature. If this is not done, then after sticking them to the wall, the cork will begin to deform, the joints may separate, and the wallpaper will peel off.


    The base must be absolutely dry, as the adhesive does not stick the material to a damp wall. Work must be done at a humidity in the room of 40-60%, because the wallpaper does not withstand too dry air.

    1. You can check the humidity with a hygrometer. Next, measure the walls.
    2. You should mark a vertical line on the wall with a building level and a pencil.
    3. Mark the wallpaper, cut off the required length with a very sharp construction knife, since cork material is very brittle.
    4. If acrylic adhesive is applied to the wallpaper with a plastic spatula, then you need to glue the wallpaper immediately. If contact glue, then first withstand the wallpaper with glue for 5-10 minutes, and then glue them.
    5. Since the adhesive cannot be removed from the front of the wallpaper, do not allow it to get there.
    6. Cork wallpaper is glued horizontally or vertically.
    7. A variety of cutouts, for example, under the sockets, should be made according to the template, that is, along the socket.
    8. In the corners, cork wallpapers are not bent, they are applied to the corner, joined and cut off. If the cork wallpaper is already covered with wax, but dirty traces are visible on them, then it is necessary to warm this place with a building hair dryer, then the wax will become soft and the traces will disappear.

    Which glue to choose for cork: what is the best glue?

    You can choose any type of adhesive: acrylic or contact. But remember that only wallpaper is coated with acrylic glue, and wallpaper and the wall with contact glue.

    Is it possible to glue a cork on glue without a base


    The technology of gluing cork wallpaper on the surface provides for gluing wallpaper on an optimally smooth surface. Therefore, the presence of a base is mandatory. It is required that finishing plaster be applied to the walls.

    How to glue so that the joints are not visible

    It is necessary to start pasting the room from the window opening. It is better if 2 people do this work, that is, one holds a piece of wallpaper near the ceiling, and the other person levels it.

    1. It is required that the adhesive layer is not too thin, otherwise the wallpaper may fall off.
    2. Glue wallpaper canvases only end-to-end. In no case should you bend the wallpaper, as the veneer will quickly crack.
    3. When you glue the corners, you first lay down the wallpaper, then trim it so that it fits together. Cut off excess with scissors.
    4. The first canvas is glued, adhering to the markup. That is, one person holds the canvas, and the other evenly attaches the strip to the wall.
    5. Then glue is applied to the next piece. Also, one person puts it on the wall right next to the previous one, holds it, and the other smoothes it with a roller, gluing it to the wall. Excess glue can be taken with a rag. The excess fabric is cut off. After pasting the entire room, they wait 3-4 days for the wallpaper to dry. After you can apply varnish. This will make their service life longer and protect the wallpaper from mechanical damage.
    6. If there are still gaps between the pieces of wallpaper, then a thin strip of wallpaper is carefully inserted into them. Then lift the peeled off wallpaper and carefully coat them with glue, glue the strip. First, wait until the glue is completely dry, then remove the remaining glue with a knife.

    Design options in the interior

    Cork flooring looks great in a child's room. It can also be done in the living room, bedroom.

    How to stick in the nursery


    Cork wallpaper is great to stick in a children's room, as it is a natural material, has a natural appearance and excellent sound insulation, so no one will disturb a sleeping baby.

    In addition, they are hypoallergenic, natural tones finish well, without coloring.

    Sticking in the bedroom and living room

    Cork flooring is environmentally friendly and safe, it will contribute to a sound and healthy sleep in the bedroom. A good microclimate will be created in the room thanks to this wallpaper, people will be able to completely relax. You can stick a coating painted in calm, soft colors.

    In the living room, pasting with these materials will make the room bright, cozy, comfortable.

    Cork underlay on the wall in the hall

    The cork backing on the wall in the hall can be glued with Moment Cork contact adhesive. After that, the walls can be left in this version or glue wallpaper on them.

    Features of caring for the canvas: technical points

    Usually, cork wallpaper is coated with a compound called oil-wax. You can also coat them with a special varnish: two-component polyurethane (made on the basis of polyurethane), ceramic or water-based acrylic. Under no circumstances should parquet lacquer be used. The material can fade from sunlight, so it is better to hang curtains. The wallpaper is wiped with a dry cloth, and if it is varnished, then it is possible with a damp cloth.

    Since the cork coating is obtained from the cork oak bark, it is safe for people, does not emit toxic elements, has noise-absorbing properties, and does not cause allergies. Therefore, it can be glued to the walls of any room, even in a children's room.

    Useful video

    Wall covering can be very different and if you do not take expensive materials, you need to highlight five main types of wall coverings, in particular, such as wallpaper, liquid wallpaper, modern plaster, wall painting, flock coating.

    Any decorative coating is an excellent alternative to ordinary wallpaper, especially since there are more interesting and environmentally friendly safe materials, so you can use them for any room without exception.

    A worthy alternative to ordinary wallpaper is decorative plaster. However, it is worth noting that this type of finishing materials is quite an expensive pleasure. Decorative plaster is applied to a previously prepared surface, which must first be finished with basic plaster and putty. With the help of decorative plaster, you can give absolutely any color and shine, as well as the desired texture. You can artificially age it, imitating a rather old cracked wall, or you can make the wall somewhat textured using convex strokes.

    The advantage of this coverage is that:

    • Wall covering without seams;
    • You can smooth out the uneven surface of the walls;
    • You can choose any shade and texture.

    Such a coating has many more advantages, because it is practical and durable.

    A very interesting option is the flock coating. It is worth noting that such a coating is loose, therefore, when applying it to the walls, it is necessary to use special glue.

    After such a loose coating is completely applied to the wall, you need to cover it with a top coat. As a rule, mother-of-pearl or sparkles are used as a finishing coating.

    Such a decorative coating perfectly hides all the flaws and smooths out the unevenness of the walls. In addition, it is very practical and durable, and is also highly environmentally friendly, so it can be used in absolutely any room, including a nursery.

    Decorative panels on the wall instead of wallpaper

    Decorative panels are one of the most popular modern finishing materials used as wall coverings. When laying decorative panels, no preliminary preparation of the walls is required.

    Such a decorative wall covering is presented in the widest range and can be made under:

    • Wood of various species;
    • ceramic tiles;
    • A rock;
    • Metal;
    • Sand;
    • Marble.

    This is just an incredible beauty, with which it is quite possible to decorate the walls in absolutely any room. This will create a rather unusual and most non-standard room design. The most popular and demanded type of panels are those made of wood-based materials. Such materials have high strength and moisture resistance. They are able to withstand the maximum possible loads and temperature changes.

    For more information on wall finishes, see the following article:

    Fabric on the walls instead of wallpaper: modern materials

    How can I finish the corridor instead of wallpaper to create an exquisite design in the apartment

    Many are interested in what can replace the wallpaper, decorating the corridor so that it looks more spacious and interesting. When designing a corridor, you need to correctly select the shade and texture of the materials.

    To make the room more spacious, you need to select lighter shades of finishing materials, however, it is best to use warm colors, because otherwise the room will seem cold and uncomfortable.

    When choosing finishing materials for the corridor, you need to use durable and stable finishing materials that can be cleaned without any problems. This is very important, because it is in the corridor that the greatest amount of pollution from the street accumulates.

    Wall panels that look quite elegant and unique are perfect for decorating the corridor. If they are placed horizontally, you can achieve a visual increase in the room.

    An environmentally friendly and natural material is a beautiful decorative plaster that has a wide range of colors to create an imitation of various structures. This coating is resistant to aggressive substances and mechanical damage.

    Wall decoration options (video)

    Whatever the finishing material for the walls, it is necessary to take into account all the rules for decorating the room. Every room needs to look unique, so you need to use your own unique style.

    Wall coverings in the interior (photo)