Cork oak is at least 60 million years old. In the Western Mediterranean, its bark was used thousands of years ago. This material was used for roofing, ceilings, and sealing in amphorae, as shoe insoles.
Being neither gold nor precious ebony, cork oak is the subject of pride and superiority of Portugal. Its bark is harvested in strips without damaging the trunk. The plant has the ability to restore bark in exposed areas. Cork oaks can reach two hundred years of age, during which time they undergo 16 cycles of removal and restoration of the bark.
The first bark, called the virgin, is removed from the trunk, reaching at least 70 centimeters in girth. Nine years later, the resulting raw material is already called the reproductive bark, another nine years later the bark becomes regular, with a stably uniform structure.
Cork
The unique properties of the cork are explained by its cellular structure: suberin cells, the acids that make up the inside of the feed are filled with a gas mixture similar in composition to air.
The chemical composition of cork oak bark:
- suberin - is responsible for elasticity, its 45%;
- lignin - insulator, 27%;
- polysaccharides - form a porous structure, 12%;
- tannins - color the material, 6%;
- Zeroids - provide waterproof, 5%.
In the modern market for floor coverings, cork products have been around for 40 years. Large corporations produce cork with an environmentally friendly water-based binder system. Materials have excellent thermal insulation and noise absorption. The Valencian Institute of Biomechanics conducted research that confirmed the excellent biomechanical performance of cork flooring and its positive effect on posture. It reduces the load on the joints and spine, helps to restore strength.
One of the cathedrals in Barcelona has 2000 square meters. meters of cork floor, it is often visited by tourists.
Manufacture and types of coating
For the manufacture of floor plates, the crushed raw materials are heated and sent under a press. Due to the presence of suberin, the products retain their porous structure. The resulting semi-finished product is called sinter. Based on it, three types of coating are made:
- Veneer is the most expensive and most environmentally friendly species, consisting of agglomerate and solid cork plates;
- Agglomerate - used as an elastic natural substrate for a laminate and so on;
- Combined coating consisting of crumbs and noticeable larger cork inclusions. Used as a finishing material. This is a composite material fixed with resin and varnish, it is more durable, but not so soft and attractive in texture.
There are two types of sex:
- Adhesive cork floor (rectangular tiles: 300 × 600, 450 × 150 mm or square tiles: 450 × 450, 300 × 300 mm) is laid on the adhesive.
- Cork parquet (floating floor) with board sizes 900 × 185 mm. It has a locking system and fits in a floating way.
Being a natural material, the cork has a brown or brownish color, moreover, the tiles of one batch differ in shade from each other. But painted types are also sold - the colors of chocolate, honey, tinted other colors.
Opinions and reviews on cork flooring
Boards made of cork feel equally comfortable in all the living quarters of the house and even in the kitchen.
Cork flooring in the bedroom. It is believed that the properties of the material make it desirable for use in the bedroom:
- Elasticity - stepping on the floor from a cork is no less pleasant than on a soft carpet; the thicker the coating, the more comfortable the sensations will be;
- Soundproofing - for the bedroom it is very important that the homework moves silently, without disturbing the sleep of the one who is resting.
The natural softness of the color scheme is also attractive.
In the kitchen. Those who used the coating in the kitchen say that the cork floor from stains and accidentally spilled liquids is poorly protected - it darkens and swells. Laying in this room has features - it is better not to use glue. Dry technology allows the tile to naturally expand and return to its original form. The use of a polyurethane-based sealant will make the seams impervious, and the tile will also regularly protect the use of wax or varnish.
In the nursery. Environmental friendliness, as well as high heat-saving properties make this coating ideal for children. It will be comfortable and safe for your baby to play on the warm and elastic floor, and the noise will not disturb the neighbors.
What you should know about installation
The simplest and most convenient way of laying a cork cover is floating, when the elements are fixed using a lock connection. Like any natural material, the cork shrinks and expands, responding to humidity and temperature. The sequence of work is the same as when laying the laminate:
- acclimatization of the unpacked material in the room;
- providing a flat surface and waterproofing. The fragility of cork requires increased attention to the base of the floor;
- maintaining gaps between the wall and the board.
Sealing the joints and regularly updating the varnish or waxing layer will extend the life of the floor.
Master class on installing cork flooring in floating and adhesive ways
Advantages and disadvantages
Cons of floors from cork:
- high cost, which is comparable to the cost of flooring. 1m2 floating cork coating costs up to 2000r, and the adhesive cork is in the range from 300 to 1000r per m2;
- the need for regular care;
- low resistance to rough exposure to sharp, heavy objects. Mechanical defects (from shoes, scratches) and the presence of abrasive elements (sand, dirt) quickly wear out the coating;
- destruction, swelling and deformation due to moisture;
- discoloration due to direct sunlight.
Benefits:
- low thermal conductivity (coefficient <0.04). This indicator is the best among other floor coverings, so cork flooring saves more on heating;
- ecological cleanliness. As a part of natural natural materials;
- Benefit for health. Orthopedists recommend walking on the floor from a cork to reduce stress on the back and legs.
- beautiful color and attractive texture;
- antistatic properties;
- resistance to microorganisms, insects;
- elastic surface;
- high soundproofing of the room (coefficient 0.85). It absorbs sounds perfectly in the room itself, but does not prevent noise from outside.
- durability. With proper care, the coating will last up to 20 years!
Like any material, cork flooring has both pros and cons, the stereotype of fragility is a thing of the past. Timely care and proper operation are the key to longevity. Cork has a variety of colors and textures, well suited for children, living room, as well as a bedroom. The choice is yours!