Cork wall decoration. Wall plug. Pros of cork flooring

Among the variety of modern building and finishing materials, those made from natural ingredients continue to be especially popular. In a world oversaturated with plastic, people have begun to appreciate the beauty and nature even more, and are trying to bring it into their homes.

In this article we will talk about cork wall covering, and try to figure out what kind of material it is, and why, at its not small cost, it is so appreciated among consumers.

Cork is an oak bark, processed in a special way. No chemicals are used in its manufacture, which means that it can rightfully be considered environmentally friendly. Due to its unique qualities, cork wall covering is considered not only safe for health, but also durable.

It is practically not affected by the environment, and can be used in any room of a house or apartment, regardless of its intended purpose. An interesting fact is that few people can compete with the unique qualities of natural cork, and this is what makes it so popular.

• Noise isolation. Due to its porous structure, the cork coating serves as an additional insulator against extraneous noise and is even able to retain heat. The issue of sound insulation is especially important for residents of apartment buildings, where through thin walls, you can hear everything that happens with neighbors.
• Decorative qualities. This factor is very often repelled when choosing building materials. Cork is not only a high-quality coating, but also looking attractive. At first glance, it may seem that the bark of a tree is not as original as we describe it here, but in fact, it differs not only in its texture, but also in color.
• The ability to retain its original shape. This quality is not inherent in all finishing materials that leave traces of mechanical influences. Cork quickly restores its shape, and that is why, not only wall coverings, but also floor coverings are often made from it.

• Softness. Cork - the material is very pleasant to the touch. It is always warm and soft. Often this is what prompts parents to cork the walls and floors in the children's room. After hitting such a wall, or even after falling to the floor, the child will not injure himself, and will protect himself from scratches and abrasions.
• Moisture resistance. A quality that is so lacking in many natural materials. It is no secret that a tree is able to accumulate moisture, and over time it swells and loses not only its original qualities, but also its appearance. There will be no such problems with cork, it easily tolerates contact with water, after which it completely evaporates.
• Ease. Many modern houses are built from lightweight materials, which are simply contraindicated for high loads. Cork can be applied to a wall even if it is made of drywall.
• Easy installation. In order to cover the walls with cork, an unnecessary ingenious tool or many years of experience, all the work is very simple and you can do it yourself, which ultimately will save on the services of builders or finishers (see).
• No static electricity. Any natural material has a negative electric charge, which is what allows them not to attract dust, and even repel it from the surface. Cork wall covering is completely hypoallergenic, so it can be used even in the house where asthmatics or allergy sufferers live.
• Vapor permeability. The problem of all private houses and corner apartments is the constant presence of cold bridges on the walls, which, when the temperature changes, begin to form condensate. If it is not removed in a timely manner, then over time it will develop into a fungus or even mold. There are no such problems with cork, since its porous structure allows condensate to evaporate without residue.

As you can see, cork is a truly high-quality and reliable material, which, in addition, can become a home decoration, giving it originality and originality.

If we talk about the shortcomings of cork, and any material has them, then here we can highlight the relatively high cost of coating. The price per square meter of coverage in some cases can reach several thousand rubles, but if your budget for repairs can afford it, then you can no longer choose finishing materials.

Above, we talked in detail about the features of this material, but completely forgot to mention that cork is a generalized concept that combines a number of very diverse materials, each of which, in addition to those listed, also has its own individual qualities.

One thing binds all these materials - the base, that is, the very oak bark, which is called cork. Conventionally, all materials can be divided into three types, and depending on this, the technology of gluing to the walls changes, as well as the final cost of the entire finish. But first things first.

Roll cork

As you can understand from the name, such a cork coating is produced on the walls in rolls, this is precisely what can be considered its main plus. The fact is that it is the easiest to work with, but if you have ever paid attention to a cork in a hardware store, you probably noticed that the cost of different rolls can vary significantly. So what is the reason for such pricing?

It's simple, cork, produced in rolls, can have different purposes, and these materials will differ from each other very much. So let's take a closer look at them.

Wallpaper

The main difference from other materials produced in rolls is that they have an additional base, which is glued to the wall. Depending on the preferences and characteristics of the room in which the repair is being carried out, the base can be fabric, that is, non-woven, or vinyl.

For example, for rooms with a complex environment, such as a kitchen or bathroom, it is better to choose vinyl-based wallpaper. They are more resistant to temperature changes, and care for them is much easier. But for a nursery or bedroom, non-woven wallpaper is more suitable, as it has the ability to "breathe", so the room will always have a feeling of freshness.

Important! Cork wallpapers are very heavy, so they are applied not only to the material itself, but also to the wall, and after application, you need to give the glue a couple of minutes so that it soaks the wallpaper well, and only after that they can be glued to the wall.

Pasting walls with cork coatings is not a quick process, so if you are running out of time, then it is better to pay attention to other cork materials, besides, they have a low level of sound insulation, and if this indicator is very important, the wallpaper simply does not suit you.

technical traffic jam

Outwardly, this material resembles wallpaper, but, as you know, appearances can be deceiving. To be honest, it is difficult to call it a finishing material either, and it is used for a different purpose.

Technical cork is a substrate for floor or wall coverings, which is designed to protect the finish from external influences and extend its service life. The cork backing works like a sponge, which absorbs excess moisture and allows it to evaporate without leaving any residue.

Unlike wallpaper, technical cork does not have a base, so it is rarely used as wallpaper, but if you are looking for, for example, cork coverings for loggia walls, then it is quite possible to use it. Surely, many now have a reasonable question, why buy a cork substrate, if there are many cheaper materials on the market. We will answer that none of them have such qualities as cork, and its main advantage can be considered not even the ability to absorb moisture, but softness.

Such a substrate, inhabited under the floor covering, creates additional shock absorption, and can significantly extend the life of the laminate or parquet. In addition, the thickness of the technical cork is at least 6 millimeters, and this is even more reliable and high-quality heat and noise insulation.

Modular cork

Unlike roll materials, this cork is produced in separate segments, each of which is fixed separately from the others. The main advantage of such a coating is the ease of installation, it is easier to work with it than with rolls, and even less skills and tools are needed.

Moreover, in the event of accidental damage or contamination that cannot be removed, you do not have to completely change the finish, just change one or more segments, and the coating is like new.

Advice! When buying a modular cork, always take a small margin, since during the installation process it is possible that a marriage will appear, and later some elements may need to be replaced.

Tile

As the name implies, this cork is made in the form of small fragments. To choose from, manufacturers offer modules 30 by 30 centimeters and rectangular segments 30 by 60 centimeters.

The process of pasting walls with cork in the form of tiles is carried out on natural PVA glue, and the most important thing here is to coat the entire perimeter of the tile and make a crosshair from adhesive strips. In this way, maximum adhesion to the surface can be achieved, and the coating will not begin to lag behind after a while.

The main secret of gluing modular tiles is that the process should not start from the bottom, as is the case with ceramic or other materials, but from the top. This is necessary so that the upper tiles do not press their weight on the lower ones while the glue dries, and it can take up to several hours, depending on the temperature.

If you neglect this simple rule, as a result, you can get a swollen and cracked coating, which will have to be completely redone, and these are new costs, both financially and in terms of labor.

Wall panels

An ideal cork wall covering that looks like lining panels. Each segment has a tongue and groove, which greatly simplifies the installation process. But there is one significant difference from other materials, the cork is glued directly to the wall, and not to a specially made crate.

This method of fastening not only facilitates the work of the installer, but also saves the cherished centimeters of space, which are always lacking in apartments anyway. As we said above, the cork perfectly passes steam and interacts with moisture, so with such a coating you should not worry about the fact that fungus or harmful mold can form under the panels.

Advice! The technology of laying cork on the walls provides a perfectly flat surface. It is absolutely not necessary that the walls be covered with high-quality plaster, the finishing layer is enough, the main thing is that there are no significant differences that could disturb the even structure of the cork panel.

Laminate

If you were surprised by the appearance of flooring in an article about wall decoration, then it is completely in vain. Today, the laminate is very often used for other than its intended purpose, and this is due to its high quality characteristics.

Thanks to the main layer, it tolerates contacts with water much better and withstands mechanical damage. Cork in this case is used only for decorative purposes, and is made in the form of a thin layer of veneer.

Cork laminate is ideal for demanding environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike natural cork, it does not absorb odors and is much easier to care for.

What's more, using laminate as cork on the walls makes the design more varied and high-quality, although if you look at such a finish more closely, you can find repetitive elements that are simply impossible in natural materials.

Decorative panels

What tricks modern designers use to create a truly original interior, and one of these solutions is cork drawings. They are made of sheet cork, and can either contrast with another coating, or act as the only wall decor.

Some cork paintings can be called real masterpieces, and besides, they are able to bring their own atmosphere into the room and set the right perception among guests and household members.

Making a cork wall panel, as shown in one of the photos above, is not difficult on your own, and for a better understanding of all the subtleties, we recommend that you watch the video in this article, which clearly shows the whole process, and provides a small but capacious instruction.

The only drawback of such panels is that they turn out to be quite bulky, and for example, such a cork coating will no longer work on the walls of a balcony, but it can be used to decorate a living room, nursery or bedroom.

Liquid stopper

Yes, yes, your eyes do not deceive you, and this is not a typo by the author of the article. Modern technologies have reached the point that cork wall coating spraying is no longer a myth, but a reality that is popular among consumers.

The main advantage of this technology is that the coating is perfectly even and completely without joints, and moreover, it is not necessary to level the walls under it, just remove the elements of the old finish and spray the cork.

Such pleasure is not cheap, and this is one of two characteristic disadvantages. The second is that you are unlikely to succeed in spraying yourself. In addition to experience and knowledge of all the subtleties, you will also need appropriate expensive equipment, which you need to buy for the sake of one repair. To put it mildly, it is inappropriate.

On this we will probably finish our article, but not because we have nothing more to say, but in order not to tire the reader. Cork flooring is so diverse and multifaceted that it is simply impossible to fit into the framework of one material, and if you are interested in this way of finishing your home, then there are more publications on this topic on our website.

Material overview

5 types of cork flooring

Cork tree bark is a material with unique performance properties. The porous structure of the cork provides it with a combination of elasticity, strength and low thermal conductivity. Due to this, raw materials are used not only for the production of wine corks, but also as a finishing material.

There are several types of cork for walls:

Illustration	Coating type
	View 1. Cork wallpaper. Perhaps the most common material. Wallpapers are made from thin cork veneer (a thin section of solid wood) pasted on a paper or non-woven base. This structure of the material gives it elasticity, which allows you to paste over a variety of surfaces with natural cork with minimal labor.
	View 2. Technical cork wall covering(cork backing). This is a cork agglomerate (compressed and glued crumb) on a fabric or other base. In appearance, the material is quite simple, therefore it is usually used as a heater and sound insulator. It is pasted on walls under wall-paper, facing and other decorative materials.
	View 3. Cork tiles for walls. It can be either single layer or double layer. It is made from cork chips pressed and impregnated with glue, which is given the desired shape and texture. To protect against external influences, cork tiles are coated with natural wax or vapor-permeable varnish. Standard dimensions are 300x300 or 600x300 mm.
	View 4. Wall panels. The most demanded material in recent times. These are rectangular products with a two-layer structure. The base is pressed agglomerate tiles, on which a thin natural veneer is glued on top. Sometimes the edges of the panels are equipped with tongue-and-groove locks (like a laminate). The presence of locks facilitates the joining of parts and allows you to finish the wall without cracks and gaps.
	View 5. Sprayed cork. A relatively new material, which consists of 95 fine cork chips and 5% polymer complex, including an acrylic binder, glue, pigment and additives that reduce flammability. The material is applied to the walls in liquid form and adheres to almost any dry and clean substrate. After drying, it forms a continuous coating with a thickness of 5-7 mm, with good aesthetic qualities and excellent heat retention.

There are several ways to get cork walls - just choose a material that is suitable for operational parameters, appearance and cost.

Advantages of wall cork

Cork wall covering - be it wallpaper, tiles, panels or sprayed material - has a number of advantages:

1. Attractive appearance. Even cork crumb, properly selected, painted and coated with protective compounds, looks quite attractive. And natural veneer, obtained from whole raw materials, is considered one of the leaders among decorative materials.

Alas, the price of natural veneer is quite high - this is due to the rarity of the cork trees used for its production. Therefore, in mass finishing, to save money, combinations of agglomerate and solid cork are usually used.

1. Good heat and sound insulation properties. Despite the relatively small thickness (up to 5–8 mm), wall coverings made of cork retain heat well and block the propagation of loud sound waves. Of course, they are unlikely to be suitable as basic materials, but they will provide additional comfort with a guarantee.

1. Elasticity and wear resistance. The porous structure of the cork material allows the wall covering to recover its shape even after strong mechanical impacts. At the same time, the finish is not subject to abrasion even in those places where it regularly comes into contact with various objects - for example, in a corridor or hallway.
2. Environmental friendliness. Cork is a completely natural material that does not contain toxins, volatile compounds or heavy metals. Manufacturers of wall coverings also use safe compounds to connect cork chips and veneer sheets, so this finish can be used without restrictions (up to children's rooms).

Other advantages of wall cork include ease of installation, easy maintenance due to dust repellency, etc.

Disadvantages of coatings

Such wall coverings also have disadvantages:

1. High price. Cork is made from cork oak bark, and there is simply nothing to replace this raw material. That is why the prices for the material are constantly growing - in proportion to the decrease in the area occupied by oak plantations. The average cost of wall panels is from 600 to 2000 rubles per square meter.

1. Porosity of the material. Despite the fact that the antistatic properties of cork help repel dust, dirt still accumulates in the pores. Because of this, the finish requires regular cleaning, otherwise it will be almost impossible to put the wall in order later.
2. Accumulation of odors. Wallpaper or panels made of material without a protective coating (wax, varnish) absorb all odors from the air in the room. That is why you should not use such products in the design of kitchens.

1. Tendency to swell when wet. It is advisable to protect the cork from contact with water or moist air. In principle, the problem is solved by applying protective coatings (there are special varnishes that allow the use of cork panels even in the bathroom). But still, this material is not very “friendly” with water.
2. Low tensile strength. If it is almost impossible to crush the wall panel, then you can cut or tear it without much effort. For floor coverings, heels with metal heels and furniture with sharp legs are considered the main enemy, while for wall coverings - pets. It is almost impossible to restore the cork on which the cat has sharpened its claws.

Despite these disadvantages, cork wall material can be successfully used for interior decoration. The main thing is to take into account these shortcomings at the stage of interior design and use cork where it can fully reveal its advantages.

Finishing technology

Necessary tools and materials

One of the obvious advantages of cork wall coverings is a fairly simple do-it-yourself installation. A beginner will cope with this task, especially since complex tools are not needed for work:

complex tools:

Illustration	Tool used
	Cork knife.
	Measuring tools: level; plumb; square;
	Spatulas: for leveling the wall with putty; for applying glue; for leveling thin cork foliage.
	Rollers: synthetic - for priming and applying glue; rubber - for rolling seams.
	Rubber mallet for leveling.

From consumables we will need:

• putty;
• penetrating primer;
• cork glue;
• sealant for sealing seams and repairing damage.

We will dwell on the choice of glue separately.

For finishing, adhesive compositions of two types are used:

1. Universal- on an acrylic or other polymer base. When gluing, they are applied only to the cork surface.
2. Contact- more reliable, but more difficult to use. When finishing using a contact compound, the adhesive is applied both to the wall and to the cork, after which it is aged for some time. Only after partial polymerization, the finishing material takes root to the wall and is glued.

With self-finishing, you can use both varieties.

As for the brands, I would include the most reliable and convenient in work:

1. Moment Cork. Non-toxic, solvent-free, can be used in an unheated room;
2. BUNITEX. Toxic, but moisture resistant. The basis is liquid rubber and polychloroprene (chloroprene rubber);
3. IBOLA D7 CONTACT. It is used exclusively for gluing thin (up to 4 mm) cork coatings. Does not contain solvents. Can be used only at positive (from +15°) temperatures;
4. WAKOL D3540. Versatile latex formulation. Non-toxic, does not contain solvents and volatile substances. Provides good fixation strength, can also be used for mounting floor plugs.

If this is your first time installing wall covering yourself, then I recommend that you get the highest quality adhesive available on your budget. A composition with good adhesion is able to "forgive" some flaws in the preparation and gluing.

Foundation preparation

In order for the cork to hold firmly on the wall and not peel off even after a few years, the surface must be prepared. The technology of preparatory work depends on the material of the wall and on its condition.

List of basic operations:

1. Wall repair. The base must be strong, therefore, before finishing, we tap the surface to identify defective areas. Exfoliated plaster and putty are given, and cracks are embroidered and filled with a repair compound.

1. Wall alignment. Elastic cork coating due to its characteristics well compensates for small irregularities. And yet, in order to obtain a high-quality foundation, it is advisable to level the walls with putty, eliminating plane differences of more than 1–2 mm.

If the cork is glued to chipboard or drywall, then the joints of the sheathing and fastener caps must be sealed with putty.

1. Foundation primer. In order for the glue to ensure the strongest adhesion of tiles, wallpaper or panels to the wall, it is desirable to treat it with a primer. The best option is an acrylic penetrating composition, which is applied in two layers.

After the primer has dried, you can proceed to surface finishing.

Cork gluing

Cork tile sticks to the wall pretty quickly. We carry out the work in the order in which they are indicated in the table:

Illustration	Sequencing
	Material preparation. Cork wallpaper or panels in the package are brought into the room in which the installation will be carried out. We open the package and leave the material for at least 12 hours to equalize the humidity and temperature deformation. If this advice is neglected, then the panels will begin to deform after gluing, which will lead to cracks.
	Wall marking. On the surface that we will paste over, we apply perpendicular lines - horizontal and vertical. When pasting wallpaper, it is desirable to make markings for each roll; when tiling, it is enough to mark the center of the room.
	Applying adhesive to the wall. Pour a small amount of glue into the tray. Gathering glue with a roller, apply it to the wall and evenly distribute it. It is advisable to cover no more than 2m2 at a time (for beginners - 1m2). We withstand the adhesive on the wall for 15-20 minutes before gluing the tiles.
	Applying glue to cork. On the wrong side of the cork material, apply glue with a roller or notched trowel. If a non-contact variety is used, then the glue is applied only to the cork itself.
	Sticking. We apply the material to the wall, align it according to the markup and smooth it out, leaving no air pockets. For leveling it is convenient to use a plastic spatula.
	Seam joining. We seal the joints of adjacent rolls or panels by rolling with a rubber roller or tapping with a rubber mallet. When pasting the surface with panels, place them with the seams offset by approximately 1/2 -1/3 of the panel width.
	Tile cutting. If necessary, we cut the products in length or width. To do this, lay the panel on a flat base. Using a ruler, cut off the necessary fragment with a paint knife.
	Completion of work. At the final stage, we glue the missing fragments of a smaller size along the perimeter of the wall. It is also possible to mount corner plates and ceiling moldings from thin cork.

After completion of work, we get a surface finished with cork. After some time, it must be carefully examined to identify poorly glued edges. We correct problem areas by applying a small amount of glue with a brush or filling the joints with sealant to match the main finish.

Conclusion

Mounting a cork coating on a wall, guided by this algorithm, is quite simple. Each of you, having studied the video in this article, will be able to cope with this task. In addition, in the comments you can get answers to all questions that arise after viewing and reading.

The modern market for wall decoration materials offers more and more new varieties of environmental products. One of the most popular natural materials is cork, which is made from the bark of a cork oak tree that grows in the Mediterranean countries. Today we’ll talk about the advantages of such material, do-it-yourself cork wall decoration and caring for cork tiles.

Features of cork wall covering

Cork wall covering is made from the bark of the cork tree, which is obtained in the most painless way for the plant. This most valuable natural material is removed from the tree by hand, after which the date is marked. The next time you can get such a “clothes” of a tree only after 9 years.

Cork oak lives for about 250 years, and after restoration, each subsequent layer acquires an increasingly beautiful and smooth texture and becomes more valuable. The color range of cork bark allows customers to choose from many shades, ranging from light yellow to deep brown.

Cork is a unique natural material that has numerous advantages, which are as follows:

1. Cork is a natural material, and this is one of its most important positive properties. Cork does not accumulate dust, it does not have an unpleasant odor, it is antistatic and reduces the level of various radiations.
2. Cork wall covering has a low specific gravity. It is even used for the production of fishing tackle, as it is a floating material.
3. This material is considered quite elastic and resilient: after compression, it returns to its original shape due to the presence of flexible cell membranes.
4. Cork slabs are impervious to liquids and gases, which is due to the presence of suberin in their structure. Due to this, this coating does not rot and mold does not live on its surface.
5. The material has a low conductivity of heat and vibration due to the presence of gas elements, which are enclosed in microscopic capsules that make up the cork structure.
6. Cork wall coverings are characterized by great strength: this material is very wear-resistant and has a high level of friction.
7. Cork is hypoallergenic and chemically inert. It is safe for health, does not absorb fat, acetone and oil, does not emit harmful substances into the air and does not cause allergies.
8. Cork has excellent soundproofing properties, but for this it is necessary to seal the entire surface of the wall with cork tiles, otherwise the desired effect will not be achieved.
9. Cork material, according to most consumers, has excellent thermal insulation properties and reduces heat loss. But cork is not declared by manufacturers as a full-fledged heat-insulating material. Even the thickest six-millimeter cork tile will not replace expanded polystyrene of similar thickness.
10. The cork is quite easy to install and easy to maintain. When installing tiles, no adjustment is required.

The main drawback noted by many consumers is that cork wall covering is quite expensive. However, the cost of a cork varies, and anyone who wants to always has the opportunity to pick up a cork based on the size of their wallet.

Types of cork wall covering

When choosing a cork wall covering, you need to decide which type of product will be most appropriate in your conditions. First of all, the decorative effect created by the finish, the operational life of the coating, the complexity of installation and the price of wall decoration with cork depend on this. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the features of the proposed range in the construction market before going to the store.

Cork slabs

Cork slabs are made from granulated cork. They are single or double layered. Granular cork in the manufacture of single-layer boards is pressed to give it the desired shape and texture, after which it is coated with a protective wax for extra strength. Typically, the substrate has a thickness of 2 millimeters.

In the manufacture of two-layer boards, an adhesive composition based on natural components is applied to the main layer of pressed cork, after which the surface is covered with sinter or natural cork veneer. The base of the slab is very often painted in a certain color, and then it contains colored blotches. Standard sizes of cork wall tiles are 3 by 300 by 300 and 3 by 600 by 300 millimeters (thickness x length x width).

After applying the decorative layer, the material is covered with protective wax so that it can be used in rooms with low humidity. Nothing will happen to the cork itself, because it is absolutely not afraid of moisture, but the paint and the glue layer may suffer. The service life of cork tiles is, depending on the variety, 10-30 years.

Cork rolls

The next type of cork coating is wall cork in rolls, which is a construction of a substrate - a finely crushed and pressed layer of granulated cork and an upper decorative layer of cork veneer. The material is produced without the use of synthetic binders. Roll cork is sold without finishing, and after installation of such a cork, the entire surface of the coating is treated with hot wax or varnish to improve quality characteristics.

Cork in rolls is thinner than cork board - 1.2 - 2 mm, which makes it more flexible and more suitable for combination with other finishing materials, say wallpaper. Roll coatings are characterized by a large margin of tensile strength, which reaches 2 kilograms per square centimeter.

Rolled cork coatings do not swell and do not stick out during prolonged contact with water, therefore they are well suited for rooms with high humidity. The service life of coatings in rolls is at least 20 years. Another advantage of cork wall rolls is the absence of horizontal seams during installation, which allows you to get an almost uniform pattern.

Cork wallpaper

Cork wallpaper is the most affordable type of cork wall covering. In their manufacture, a paper web is taken as a basis, which is subsequently treated with a transparent or colored varnish and covered with a thin agglomerated veneer (up to 1 millimeter) of various structures and formats, while leaving unfilled areas. Cork wallpaper in a modern design harmonizes very well with various finishing materials, whether it is ordinary wallpaper or just paint.

Cork wallpaper in terms of its strength characteristics is closer to heavy wallpaper - look at the photo of wall decoration with cork. Their structure mainly consists of a large number of pores, so the material has very good sound and heat insulation. This material is lightweight and highly resilient, allowing it to withstand significant shock loads. The elasticity of wallpaper and cork makes it easier to work with them when pasting.

Cork wallpapers, like all other cork coatings, do not collect dust, do not electrify, which makes their use suitable for residential premises, and are distinguished by antibacterial properties. In the colors of cork wallpaper, natural tones and various color blotches are distinguished. The service life of cork wallpaper reaches 10 years.

Liquid stopper

For exterior wall decoration, it is customary to use the so-called liquid cork, which is not quite a common and familiar material for us. The liquid mixture consists of 96% natural cork crumbs and 4% acrylic binder. The material contains millions of tiny pores that are filled with oxygen and nitrogen, contains resins and juice of the suberin plant, which makes the liquid plug impervious to moisture.

A similar composition is applied to the surface by air spraying. Liquid spray cork has good adhesion properties to most materials and can be dyed in a variety of colors, including bright ones. By using colored cork, you can save on facade decoration and end up with beautiful walls. Depending on the purpose, there is a liquid cork for the facade, roofing and refractory.

Liquid cork can be applied by horizontal or vertical spraying, leveling certain surface imperfections in this way. The layer of cork, which has a thickness of 3 millimeters, perfectly hides almost all technological seams and irregularities in the base, closes shrinkage cracks and microcracks in the facade. It is also customary to use this material as a heater, for noise and waterproofing of a building.

technical traffic jam

Technical cork is used primarily as a substrate for other types of decorative coatings. Technical cork is made in the form of plates or rolls from pressed granulated cork without a decorative layer. Rolls have a length of 10 meters, a width of 50 centimeters and a thickness of 1 to 6 millimeters, the dimensions of the plates are 1 by 0.5 meters.

Technical cork, like other materials made from cork tree bark, is a natural material that has a large margin of mechanical strength and excellent sound and heat insulation properties. In addition, such a coating is resistant to moisture, insects, rodents and fungus.

One of the distinguishing properties of this material is its anti-seismicity, that is, the ability to dampen vibrations. Technical cork, depending on the thickness of the coating, is able to reduce the level of fluctuations up to 30%. The service life of technical cork material is not limited.

Wall decoration with cork tiles

Modular cork tiles are suitable for wall cladding in any room, including those that are classified as "wet". In general, the procedure for decorating walls with cork can be called similar to the process of wallpapering. There are only minor differences, and now we will find out what.

Tools and materials

When calculating the amount of cork tiles needed, it should be borne in mind that most tiles are made in sizes of 300 by 300 or 300 by 600 millimeters. The thickness of the tiles is different - 2 - 6 millimeters. Before finishing the walls with cork, it is necessary to prepare the following tool: plumb line, level, iron ruler, assembly scissors, assembly knife, notched trowel, velor roller, glue container, seam roller.

Cork tiles are attached to the wall with glue. You can choose a contact or acrylic adhesive for this purpose. The use of the latter composition implies one-sided gluing. However, it is preferable to still choose the first option, it will be better.

Contact adhesive is more difficult to work with, as it requires double-sided gluing: they need to cover not only the side of the cork slab, but also the wall. Make sure that there are no bubbles, and the glue is applied evenly over the entire surface. After applying the glue, you need to wait a bit until it grabs.

Since cork material is made from natural raw materials, it can change its dimensions, depending on the microclimate in the room. Therefore, before you start work, you should unpack the cork tiles and let them acclimatize and age indoors for at least 24 hours at room temperature. This procedure will help to avoid deformation of the tiles before they are mounted on the wall.

Wall preparation

The base to which the cork can be attached is allowed to be any (brick, concrete, plaster, wood). It is advisable to work at an air humidity of about 35 - 65%, in extreme cases, you can always use a humidifier. The air temperature should not fall below 18 degrees in the room. Remember that the humidity of the walls in the room should not exceed 3%.

Before attaching cork tiles to the walls, it is necessary to carefully prepare the surface of the walls. If there is a need, then carry out alignment and cover them with a primer. For priming and leveling the wall, you should use only those compounds that are compatible with this type of finish. It is not recommended to use various putties, screeds and putties based on gypsum.

Then determine the center of the wall, for this it is customary to use a plumb line and a level. After that, draw two lines: vertical and horizontal, so that they can be drawn evenly, you need to use a plumb line and a ruler. These lines should go through the center point. As a result, it turns out that the wall is divided into two even parts horizontally and vertically.

Tile fixing

Then take the first tile and attach it to the intersection of the axes, outline it along the contour and apply a thin layer of glue on approximately 1 square meter. The tile is laid after applying the adhesive in such a way that its lower edge is located on the line of gluing to the wall. First you need to glue the bottom edge of the tile, and then press the rest of the surface so that bubbles do not form under the tile, and the tile sticks tightly.

When gluing tiles to walls, the natural origin of cork must be taken into account. The structure of this material is such that it can break quite easily, so you can not lift the plates around the corners, because they can break off, remaining between your fingers. You need to move the material carefully, as shown in the video about decorating the walls with cork.

Next, you need to glue the entire row completely, using the “run-up” technique, which is used for laying bricks. This method eliminates the appearance of jagged vertical lines, and they occur with the slightest change in the size of the tiles. Thus, it is customary to lay the second row with a shift relative to the first.

The edge of the first tile will be placed exactly in the center of the bottom tile, all this will be repeated for each next row. Do not be afraid if the plate was not immediately laid very evenly - you can move it along the surface of the walls until the adhesive hardens. Roll the joints with a special roller to avoid the process of peeling the corners.

Edge decoration

Important when decorating the surface of the walls with cork tiles is the design of the edges. This is done by laying one plate on top of another, with which the surface is finished. To do this, you need to measure the distance from the walls and mark the place for sticking the edges. Then cut the tile along the marked lines with a mounting knife. If there are areas of edge design that are narrow, then in this case it is worth applying glue to the tiles.

In the places where switches and sockets are located, in order to simplify your work, you need to use templates that need to be cut out by applying to the switch or socket. It is recommended to use thick paper for templates. After the template is made, it is applied to the corkboard and cut out, then glued in the designated place.

Caring for cork tiles

Sometimes, despite your efforts, gaps and gaps remain between the cork sheets. But this is also due to the ability of the product to expand and contract. Don't be discouraged as this is an easy enough fix. Carefully insert and glue a thin strip of cork into the slot. Lift the peeled edges and corners and brush with glue using a thin brush. Leave excess glue to dry completely, then remove with a knife.

To protect the cork coating from premature wear and increase its operational properties, it is customary to use special tools. Since ancient times, coatings made of natural material have been coated with oil and wax. A modern analogue of such substances is a special composition called oil-wax. Cork tiles treated with this composition do not absorb moisture and can be used in kitchens and bathrooms.

Another way to protect the surface of wall cork is to cover it with a special varnish: two-component polyurethane, water-based acrylic or ceramic. Remember that the use of parquet varnish is prohibited.

In addition, cork tiles, like other products made from natural material, are susceptible to sunlight. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, such plates are able to change their color. To prevent such cork burnout, take care when finishing vertical surfaces about the presence of curtains.

Cork is a material made using a special technology from oak bark. In the process of processing, the bark goes through several stages and turns into a kind of powder, from which you can create absolutely any objects with unique properties. Recently, more and more cork in the interior is used specifically for the manufacture of finishing materials. It looks modern, stylish, perfectly harmonizes with any style.

Cork is made from oak bark

Cork is often used as a finishing material

Cork looks beautiful, stylish and goes well with many interior styles.

The main advantages of cork finishing materials include the following.

1. Excellent insulating qualities. Cork can serve as additional insulation of the room, provide sound insulation on the walls or ceiling. With such a coating, the house can become much quieter and calmer.
2. Simple and convenient installation. This is especially true for roll caps. To do the work with your own hands, it is enough to watch training videos.
3. Environmental friendliness. In the production of finishing materials from cork, as a rule, no chemical impurities are used. That is, choosing this material for wall decoration, you can be calm for the health of all family members.
4. High mechanical qualities - this means that no deformation of the coating is terrible. The material quickly restores its original shape on its own.
5. High strength. To damage this type of finish, you will have to try hard and use heavy or sharp objects. Accidental damage is practically excluded.
6. Original appearance. Cork in the design of any style looks spectacular and original.
7. Static is achieved due to the natural composition. The cork coating is able to repel dust. This is especially important for people with allergies or asthma.

Cork has excellent insulating properties and is easy to install.

This material is very durable and completely environmentally friendly.

But, despite such important advantages, cork coating cannot be called ideal. It also has some disadvantages.

1. The cost of the material is quite high. This is quite understandable production technology, naturalness. If the repair budget is limited, then you will have to look for cheaper options.
2. Difficulties in maintaining coverage. In the porous surface, dirt accumulates over time, which is quite difficult to remove. For this reason, it is worth cleaning the cork regularly.
3. The material perfectly absorbs all odors, this should be considered when choosing. If you use a cork, for example, for the kitchen, then over time the smell from the walls will be unpleasant. And nothing will help get rid of it.

With the qualities of the material, everything became relatively clear. Now it’s worth figuring out in which rooms how to use the cork.

The cost of this material is slightly higher than analogues

When choosing materials, keep in mind that cork absorbs odors well.

From time to time, the cork needs to be cleaned, dirt accumulates in it

Cork flooring in design

When choosing finishing materials, you should pay attention not only to technical characteristics, but also to decorative ones. It should be borne in mind that the cork finishing coating for each type of room is selected individually. Somewhere wallpaper will be more reliable, and somewhere - modules.

When choosing a cork, consider the features of the room

Cork looks very nice in the interior and is combined with many styles.

Living room

Decorating the wall in the living room with cork is an incredible scope for imagination. There are no special restrictions here, since there are no serious chemical or mechanical effects on the walls. The design style will depend solely on the owners of the apartment and their wishes.

• wallpaper;
• wall cork panels;
• spraying.

Spraying will last a little longer. But it is worth considering that it will not be possible to apply spraying on your own, as specialized equipment is required.

The wall panel will look original. If the size of the room allows, then it is possible to use large decorations, interesting patterns. An example of such a design can be seen in the photo.

Cork-coated walls are the perfect complement to the living room interior.

In the living room, the material can last a very long time, as it is exposed to mechanical stress.

The style of the room depends solely on the wishes of the owners.

Bedroom

When designing a bedroom or a children's room, the options are somewhat less. But cork for such rooms is an ideal choice, as the material is environmentally friendly. But the coating must be applied correctly. The advantage of using cork finishes in children's rooms can also be considered safety for babies, which in this way can really be protected from many injuries. When hitting a cork, it is almost impossible to hurt yourself badly, earn an abrasion or scratch.

When choosing a coating, you need to consider its color. Parents should know that the white color of the walls is perceived by the children as a place for drawing. But it is generally impossible to remove traces of pencils and felt-tip pens from the cork finish.

Adults should pay attention to cork when choosing finishing materials. Firstly, it gives enough space for work on interior design. Secondly, such wall decoration is a chic soundproofing material. Cork panels and thick tiles have a high level of noise absorption, but for wallpaper this characteristic is somewhat underestimated. Spraying is rightfully considered the best in this regard.

Many manufacturers also offer cork laminate, which has very high strength and reliability.

Cork for the bedroom will be a great option, as it is an eco-friendly material.

When choosing a material, consider its color

Kitchen

The kitchen in decoration is considered one of the most difficult rooms. This is due to the fact that there is a difference in temperature and humidity. Most often, washable wallpapers, plastic, and tiles are selected for kitchen design. But cork is also quite acceptable in the kitchen, but it is worth considering its negative quality - the absorption of all odors.

If you decide to use a cork finish in the kitchen, then a lacquer coating will be necessary. Ordinary thick varnish will not work. Its action will manifest itself only in the formation of a thick film, which means that all the environmental friendliness of the coating is lost.

There is a specialized varnish that works differently. It is absorbed into the cork coating similarly to a primer, that is, it protects from the inside, preventing the porous surface from “remembering” all kitchen aromas.

Please note that cork absorbs odors very strongly.

So that the material does not deteriorate quickly, cover it with varnish

Bathroom

The bathroom is even more difficult than the kitchen. There are no less odors here. And they are also mixed with constant high humidity, temperature changes. To exclude these facts, of course, is unrealistic.

If cork is chosen for wall coverings, then it needs special protection. One layer of specialized varnish will not help here. It will be necessary to apply 2-3 layers, each of which dries well.

Although experts question the use of cork in the bathroom. For reliability, you will have to apply about five layers of varnish - these are serious costs for the budget and for a long time. It is good to dry in a dry (that is, the bathroom cannot be used for its intended purpose) room, one layer of varnish can take two or three days.

The fastening of such a finish in the bathroom differs from other rooms, since the adhesive layer becomes unreliable from high humidity.

If you decide to use cork in the bathroom, you should carefully protect it from external factors.

Cork perfectly complements the interior and creates an atmosphere of comfort.

To protect the material as much as possible, it is worth applying varnish in 2-3 layers.

Corridor

Cork walls in the hallway or hallway are stylish, original and practical. But it is important to remember that this space is highly prone to pollution and mechanical damage. And washing the dirt from the cork is a problem.

Types of cork coatings

There are several options for cork wall coverings that are worth considering in more detail.

When choosing a cork for finishing the corridor, consider the features of the room

Cork walls in the hallway or hallway are stylish, original and practical.

In addition to the above types, there is also a technical traffic jam. Of course, it is impossible to call this type of finishing. Rather, it is used as an underlay under a basic wall or floor covering, providing additional insulating properties. It is believed that in this way it is possible to significantly extend the life of parquet or laminate.

Whatever type is chosen for interior design, professionals recommend starting wall decoration from the top, not from the bottom. So it is easier to eliminate physical flaws, deformations, deflections.

Cork is used as a substrate for laminate flooring, this will increase the life of the flooring.

There are several types of plugs

The surface finish of walls and floors should always be approached carefully. The result of these works, as a rule, is operated for several years. And throughout the whole time it should please the owner of a house or apartment with an aesthetic appearance and good quality. If you decide to choose a cork coating, then you should not forget about the high cost of the material and the requirement for special care. Usually, the specialists who perform the repair work give detailed recommendations for maintenance.

Cork wall covering - plates made of natural material for interior decoration. Decorative wall cork is produced in 300x600 mm sheets or rolls. Due to the unique performance characteristics, the coatings not only look chic, but also provide additional sound insulation to the walls.

Note!

The online store also presents with natural veneer: environmentally friendly and durable flooring!

Cork panels

In the catalog.

Stylish for home or office interior decoration - cork wall coverings. They consist of 2 layers:

• Base made of compressed crushed cork.
• Outer layer of thin veneer.

Cork wall panels are quite easy to mount on, they serve as good sound insulation and provide additional insulation. As for the range, the choice is almost limitless. Wall veneered and tinted panels - from light cream to dark brown, coffee shade.

Cork 3D panels

In the catalog.

One of the most original and fashionable design solutions for decorating the walls of a house or office is 3D coatings. The plates are literally three-dimensional - here we are not talking about the texture and pattern, as in wallpaper or cork panels, but about the form. The range of design solutions is very large - a variety of geometric shapes, smoothly transitioning with the repetition of the mosaic. 3D decorative wall cork is placed on the adhesive, which is also available.

Cork wallpaper

In the catalog.

Coatings are cheaper than other types of cork on the wall, they are laid like ordinary wallpaper - with the help of wallpaper glue. Such a finish is natural, since the front layer is made from fragments of crushed cork (you can choose rolls made entirely from thin pressed cork). The only difference from plates is that wallpaper does not have such effective heat and sound insulation properties.

Photo of wall coverings