What is the better cork floor. Select the cork floor, focusing on the operating conditions, which cork floor is better how to choose

Enough for a long time The cork material was used only for sealed blockage of bottles and relatively recently began to be used for the manufacture of cork floor coatings. In principle, each material has its own advantages and disadvantages and, naturally, relative to the cork floor reviews also have both positive and negative. However, it is possible to make the right conclusion about the operational properties of the cork floor, it is possible to obtain complete and reliable information about this material.

Material for the manufacture of cork coating

Unique material for the manufacture of a new type outdoor coating It is made from the cortex of cork oak.

Interest in the cork cover is far from random, since the material has a whole set of exceptional properties:

• Excellent wear resistance and elasticity;
• Environmentally friendly material;
• Moisture resistance;
• High noise-, thermal insulation qualities;
• Has an antistatic effect;
• Fire resistance;
• Opposes the absorption of strangers;
• Biological stability;
• Opposes oxidation;
• Small weight.

However, based on the method of processing raw materials into elements suitable for the manufacture of cork products, these properties are improved and even acquired a new value.

Elements of cork coating

Agglomerate, veneer and a combination of veneer with agglomerate are the main components of the cork floor, the pros and cons of which are affected by the finished product.

• Agglomerate - is performed under the influence of high temperatures with pressing cork crumbs into blocks, or rolling before the formation of long bands, followed by using in "floating", adhesive floors;

• Veneer - is achieved by cutting from the bark of the tree of thin plates necessary to improve the decorative functions of any element (for example, MDF plates);

• The combination of agglomerate with veneer is made with a sticker of a veneer to the resulting agglomerate. It is used in all types of cork flooring.

Despite various methods Transforming cork raw materials into partly ready-made material, its main purpose is to increase the scope of the cork resource.

Types of cork coverage, their structure and advantages

Based on the method of mounting the flooring from the plug, 2 types can be distinguished:

1. Castle cork coating

This type of coating is of the second name - "floating" floors, since cork slabs are not attached to the base, although the components are securely fastened. The cork "floating" coating is a panel with a thickness of 9-12 mm and consists of the following structure:

• Protective layer - increases the wear resistance of the coating by applying PVC, varnish;
• The decorative layer - consists of a veneer, or a combination of veneer with an agglomerate;
• Carrier layer is a MDF plate with a lock connection for subsequent installation;
• Nizhny - agglomerate, providing heat, noise insulation.

The advantages of "floating" floors:

• A wide range of color Gamma. and invoices;
• High strength;
• Excellent wear resistance;
• Possess anti-slip, antistatic effect;
• High indicators of noise, thermal insulation;
• Create comfortable sensations when walking;
• Restoration of the initial form in mechanical exposure;
• Ease of installation;
• Mobility;
• Ease of care.

Disadvantages:

• The impossibility of creating artistic laying, since the presence of locks allows you to lay tiles only in one direction
• The need to have a threshold in doorway to hide the docking seams;
• The possibility of warping due to the low moisture resistance of the "floating" floor, since the coating has a wooden basis, not cork, like a glue floor.
• To replace the damaged panel, you will need to disassemble the entire floor.

Thus, the cork floor Castle can fit in any residential or non-residential room With a normal level of humidity.

2. Adhesive cork coating

Floor tiles and panels representing the adhesive floor are produced with a thickness of 3-6 mm. Adhesive cork floor has the following types of structures:

1. Single-layer inherent in cork parquet. At the same time, a special impregnation is applied to the front surface of the tile, which prevents it from moisture and pollution, and then varnish, increasing the wear resistance of the coating.
2. Multilayer, consisting of:

• Protective layer that increases the wear resistance of the coating. In this case, the surface may be matte, transparent, glossy depending on the covering composition;
• The decorative layer represented by the cork veneer or veneer from the tree. The surface of the veneer is painted in any color;
• Damping layer comprising a cork agglomerate;
• Adhesive base.

In addition, there are 2 types of adhesive cork tiles:

1. Compacted - does not require additional processing, and after laying is immediately suitable for operation;
2. Unplicable - after laying needs to be treated with wax, varnish or oil.

The main advantages of adhesive cork coverage include:

• Increased wear resistance, reaching 10-20 years;
• Excellent heat, noise insulation;
• A wide range of colors and textures;
• Antistaticity;
• Hygienicity;
• In the thresholds between the rooms there is no need, since glue tile is placed in a single web;
• Moisture resistance;
• The possibility of purchasing goods without protective coating;
• Restoration of the shape after a long exposure to the floor with a heavy object;
• Ease of replacement of only damaged plot;
• The possibility of artistic laying;
• Easy to care.

Among the shortcomings it is worth highlighting:

• High cost;
• Possible shortage of commodity limitations;
• Relatively low strength on the break;
• The base for laying should be perfectly smooth.

Due to the high moisture resistance of the adhesive tile, the laying is possible even in rooms relatively high humidity. Based on this, the most preferred version of the cork floor in the kitchen is adhesive. In addition, the operational period of adhesive coating exceeds the lock.

Selection of cork coating

When choosing any kind of cork coverage, it is worth paying attention to the following aspects:

1. The slice of the tiles should not have jar or visible signs of foreign materials;
2. The wrong side must have a homogeneous structure;
3. Purchase cork floors cost only well-known manufacturers. Regarding laminate, parquet cork coating is much higher. In addition, the cork material is mined only on the west coast of the Mediterranean, so the production of a quality product is associated with certain difficulties. Trying to avoid the deficitation of raw materials and increase profits, unfair manufacturers resort to the addition of cork coating, such as wood sawdust, and produce a product for high-quality cork floor.

Currently, the camouflage Wicanders occupies a leading place on russian marketThanks to which the coating is indeed produced only from the cortex of cork oak and only high-quality.

Tube floor laying technology

Laying the lock and adhesive cork coverage is significantly different, with the locking of the "floating" floors greatly simplifies the work and reduces the time costs. However, not only the final type of finished coating, but also its operational period depends on the correctness and accuracy of the installation.

Before starting the laying of the coating, it is necessary:

• Align the surface if necessary, although the laying of the cork coating can be produced on a wooden, concrete floor, or a linoleum coated;
• Withstand the panels during the day in the package, and in the room where immediate installation will occur;
• Place the tiles on the floor and their redistribution to determine the final pattern of the floor, since each panel is inherent in the nature of the nature pattern.

Castle Cork Cork Installation

1. On the prepared ground, the brass is 10-20 cm, the polyethylene film is laid. In order to protect the condensate, the film should enter the walls on the height of the plinth. Sealing joints is made by scotch.
2. If the surface contains small irregularities, then an insulating substrate of the jack can be put on the film. The place of the junction is sealed with scotch.
3. The laying of the coating is made from the right corner of the room so that the panel is located on the wall. In order to avoid a shift, it is necessary to fix it with spacer wedges (trimming of the cork coating). Between the wall I. outdoor tiles It is left for a gap of 5-10 mm.
4. The second and subsequent rows are stacked with the help of a castle compound. For this, the new row panel is inserted into the clearance of the line of the previous row at an angle of 30-45 degrees, after which it neatly falls into the horizontal position. At the same time, the drooped panel must be shifted to complete dusting with a short edge of another panel of this row.
5. If there are pipes at the base of the floor, then, as about the wall, the gap is needed in these places.
6. In the doorways for dusting cork panels, the threshold is used, which is attached to the floor between the panels.
7. At the end of the laying, all spacer wedges are removed.

2-3 days after installation, the plinth is installed by mounting to the wall, and in a week you can start the placement of furniture.

Installation of cork sex

1. The center of the room is marked with a pencil, since the installation of this type of coating occurs from the center.
2. From the central point there are perpendicular, orienting the correct direction of laying. However diagonal laying Lines are conducted at an angle of 45 degrees.
3. Before the process of direct installation, it is necessary to determine the pattern of the finished coating by moving the tiles on the surface.
4. Floor pasting cork slabs is performed only by glue recommended by the manufacturer.
5. Laying the coating is carried out by applying adhesive both on the base of the floor and on the hovering surface of the tile by means of a toothed spatula.
6. Strongly press the tile to the floor is not needed. First you need to make sure that the tiles of the tiles are correct, and also verify that the edges of the panel are on the same level.
7. The remnants of the adhesive are removed immediately with solvent.
8. After 15-20 minutes, the glued tiles must be spacked with a rubber hammer for better clutch.
9. Near the walls of the tiles are curbed with a sharp knife, taking into account the gap of 5 mm.
10. Immediately at the end of the installation on the tile, you can freely move. However, fastening the wall of the plinth and arrange the furniture is better after 1-2 days.

If the adhesive tile was used as adhesive cork floors, then at the end of the laying, it is necessary to immediately begin the additional processing of the surfaced surface.

At the same time, the catering of oil or wax preserves all the characteristics of the cork coating. The use of the varnish contributes to the progress of traffic jams, depriving the coverage of some advantages. For applying wax it is necessary:

• Protect a pre-moisturized surface, impregnating by natural resins;
• After 15-20 minutes of the surge resin, remove with a cloth;
• After drying, you can apply wax or resin.
• Additional processing significantly increases the useful life of the tile.

Thus, correctly approaching the choice of the necessary cork covering and highlighting some time and effort, you can lay the cork floor on your own, without resorting to the help of specialists, and build not only the original flooring, but also to operate it, at least 10-20 years.

Cork floors are classified by the intensity of use in accordance with European standards en:

Grade 21 - domestic moderate use (for household premises with low and irregular crossings, for example: bedrooms);

Class 22 - domestic use (for household rooms with medium permeability, for example: living rooms, halls, children's rooms for relaxing children);

Grade 23 - domestic intensive use (for household premises with high patency, for example: kitchens, dining rooms, hallways, corridors, children's rooms for active children);

Grade 31 - commercial moderate use (for public / commercial premises with low and irregular crossings, for example: small offices, bedrooms in hotels, conference rooms);

32 class - commercial average use (for public / commercial premises with medium patency, for example: classrooms, small offices, hotels, boutiques);

41 class - industrial moderate use (for industrial premises With low and irregular crossings, for example: Production areas of accurate mechanical engineering, where they work mainly sitting with rare use of lungs vehicle).

The higher the cork grade, the higher its price.

Properties of cork floor

Cork gender is distinguished by low thermal conductivity - at the level the best insulationSo it is always warm. The plug swalls the steps and sounds well, which means you will not hear the neighbors from the bottom, like they are.

The adhesive cork floor has a higher moisture resistance than the lock, in which the place of the joints can flow. Additionally, the locks protect the wax at the factory or special sealant when laying.

The cork floor springs under his feet, it is nice to walk barefoot. Due to natural elasticity, the cork is easily restored after deformation.

The cork does not absorb odors, does not attract dust to itself, not electrified, does not rot and does not support burning.

Design

The top layer of cork floor consists of a veneer of the cork of cork oak. The drawing of each cork floor panel is unique and never repeated. The larger the plate, the higher the price. The panels made from a veneer of pressed cork crumbs are much cheaper and does not look so beautiful, but it does not affect the operational characteristics of the floor.

Cork floor can be toned in production in dark or bright huesWhat makes the cork floor more refined, but increases the price. Tinted floors require more careful handling during transportation, installation and operation, as only the top layer is painted, and the bottom unpainted layer becomes visible when it becomes damaged. On the cork floor without tinting, small damage is practically invisible.

A photo printing can be applied to the top layer of cork floor. The drawing can be any, but usually it is imitation of the structure of the tree. Photo printing Choose those buyers who do not like the natural chaotic drawing of a natural plug and want to have a classic wooden floor with all the advantages of the cork floor. Cork floors with photo printing as well as painted, require more careful circulation.

Dimensions

Standard size Cork pad panels - 905x295 mm. More commonly there are other forms of panels, for example, more "square" (605x445 mm) or more elongated (1220x140 mm). The thickness of the panels is from 10 to 15 mm.

The adhesive cork floor usually has the size of the plates of 900x300x4 mm and 915x305x6 mm, but other options are found.

Thicatle panels are more expensive, but they give the best heat and sound insulation and more durable.

Chamfer

The edge of the cork board can have squeezes - chamfer. Chamfer are different sizes Both forms are located on two or all four sides of the panel. The cork floor with the chamfer is more expensive because it is more difficult in production. The presence of the chamfer makes the floor more textured, and the place of the joints is less noticeable.

Varnished coat

The cork floor is covered with a special varnish for additional protection against damage. Varnishes for traffic jams are on water based, polyurethane, alkyd, etc. The gamma properties of such varnishes is very wide and depends on the additions and technologies used in the production of the product.

The panels of modern cork floors from well-known global brands are usually covered with a durable protective varnish in production and do not require additional processing after laying. If a protective varnish It was not applied to the cork panel by the manufacturer, then it will definitely have to do. Applying a lacquer on the stacked cork floor - a rather complicated and time-consuming process.

Additional conditions

To lay the locking cork, it will take a waterproofing and sound-absorbing substrate. In many collections of cork gear, the sound-absorbing substrate has already been pasted from below to the panel in production, in which case only a waterproofing substrate is needed.
The installation kit for castle flooring will facilitate the installation of the locking cork floor and will help to properly make technological gaps.

In the doorways, the premises of the non-standard form and on large areas for the castle floor, it is necessary to leave compensation gaps, covering them with special thresholds. The thresholds are selected in the color of the floor and with the right installation are practically invisible.

Technological gaps near the walls are closed by plinths. The width of the plinth is selected taking into account the size of the gaps.
The gaps around the heating pipes are drunk by special rosettes in the floor color.

Cork gender does not require special care. It will be quite regular dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner, periodic wet cleaning and felt overlays on the feet of furniture. If necessary, you can use special means for washing, cleaning, protecting and care for cork coatings.

Reference article based on the author's expert opinion.

The cork floor has good sound insulation, resistant to aggressive substances, the ability to quickly restore its shape. This natural material deviates vibration, reduces the load on the spine when walking and has pleasant elasticity. Cork sex is deservedly considered an elite floor material that is able to decorate any interior.

What to pay attention to when choosing a cork floor

The main criteria for choosing this floor material are:

• laying method;
• abrasability resistance;
• design;
• quality and material of the protective layer.

Cork manufacturers are constantly expanding the range of products, so you can choose optimal Material, both at its cost and in appearance.

Of great importance when choosing a cork floor has a choice of laying method. Manufacturers offer two options - Castle and Adhesive. They differ simplicity of laying, various requirements for the base and designer capabilities.

Castle cork floor has a design similar to a popular laminate. Consists of several layers - cork agglomerate, HDF plates and plugs with lacquer coating. Such a structure provides a total coating sufficient rigidity, durability and allows us to serve dozens of years. The presence of the lock allows you to lay the cork panels quickly and gently.

The adhesive cork floor is a plate, a thickness of 4-6 mm. Their installation requires high qualification of the wizard, the use of high-quality adhesive compositions and an ideal base. Minor black floor swallows negatively affect the appearance of the coating. The glued tile cannot be adjusted, so it is necessary to produce thorough markup. The advantage of the adhesive floor is the ability to create an exclusive drawing from the coating of different shades.

Cork abrasion classes

Significantly simplifies the selection of cork gear. Separation of products into classroom classes. This allows you to purchase an outdoor coating that will serve to serve in a particular room. There are the following abrasion classes:

• Grade 21 - Designed for rooms with low patency, used in bedrooms and cabinets;
• 22 class - intended for rooms of a private house with medium permeability, it is recommended for laying in living rooms, home libraries;
• Grade 23 - recommended for rooms with high passability - kitchens, hallways, canteens, corridors;
• Grade 31 - coating for commercial use, recommended for offices with low patency;
• 32 class - cork floor for office premises with the average traffic intensity;
• 41 Class - coating for industrial premises with low motion intensity and episodic use of passenger vehicles.

The higher the cork cover class, the more expensive its cost, but preference is worth paying products corresponding to the conditions of operation. In the opposite case, the repair of flooring will be needed much faster.

Floor design from traffic jam

Cork oak cortex veneer has an original texture, each panel or plate has an individual drawing. The cost of such a coating is quite high and manufacturers found the original output - the use of agglomerate from cork crumbs. This made the drawing smaller, but the properties of the coating remained as unique.

In the process of production, the cork coating may be toned, it makes it more diverse and attractive. However, such sex has shortcomings - it requires the most careful relationship during transportation, installation and operation. Only the top layer of the floor is toned and the initial color of the plug will be seen during mechanical damage.

The original cork texture is most reminiscent of an abstract pattern that is not suitable for all interiors. Flooring manufacturers have developed for this reason the technology due to which the design managed to diversify. With the help of photo printing, any drawing is applied to the plug, while all the practical properties of the material are preserved. The most popular today are collections, imitating the color and texture of expensive breeds natural wood. Such an outdoor coating is suitable for most interior styles.

Producers of cork flooring collection, imitating the drawing of the artistic parquet. New steel panels with a chamfer, the design of which is in demand by the fans of the interior in the rustic and lock style. Such collections are more expensive, since the chamfer is treated with wax to increase water resistance.

Protective coating for cork

The plug is a unique material, it is well tolerating static loads: if you remove a heavy cabinet from the coatings, the traces of its legs will disappear after a few hours. On the other hand, the plug is easy to deduce acute objects, not high enough natural material Resistance to water. Make a cork floor durable allows protective covering. For this use varnishes on aquatic, alkyd or acrylic basis. Manufacturers castle panels Several layers of protective coverage in the factory conditions are applied. This significantly simplifies the installation of the floor covering, reduces the requirements for the qualification of the wizard.

The plug plates require self-treatment with varnish compositions, the technology of their application is similar to that used when laying a piece parquet. Laches are applied with three layers, after drying each of them, grinding is performed. You can walk on the floor only 24 hours after drying and set the strength of the lacquer coating. Preference should be given to protective coatings of well-known manufacturers, such as Natural Shield, Pu-Varnish, HotCoating or WRT.

What floor to give preference

For self-laying Outdoor coating Preferences should be given to the locking cork floor. Select the collection is necessary taking into account the intensity of the room operation. The highest quality cork coating is made by Portugal. This is due to the properties of the cork of cork oak growing in this region, and in detail the exhaust technology. Portuguese do not use harmful to human health adhesive compositionsWhat makes their products environmentally friendly.

When buying a lock cork floor it is worth paying attention to the HDF plate used. It is the basis of the floor covering, must be durable and moisture-resistant. Cheap locking cork floor is made from HDF plates with low moisture resistance. During the operation of such panels, gaps and creak appear, which negatively affect the appearance of the floor covering and the comfort of its operation. When mounting the castle cork floor, you should not forget about the substrate and compensation gaps that need to be left near the walls.

Cork - natural materialwhich is part of the cork of cork oak. For wood, the procedure is painless: the decomposition of the bark for a decade is completely restored. The material has a microporous structure. Thanks to this, cork products are lightweight, elastic and elastic. Moreover, cellulose serves as partitions of the cells, which provides waterproof properties of the material. And the addition of special substances in the process of industrial processing makes a plug in the non-combustible material.

What are the cork floors better - adhesive or castle?

Before choosing a reliable brand of floor cork coverings, it is necessary to determine the method of laying the coating: lock and adhesive. The lock gender is also called "floating".

For right choice We give the typical characteristics of both types.

Weighing the dignity and disadvantages of cork floors, we can proceed to the manufacturer's choice.

Rating the best cork flooring and coatings

Wicanders.The lion's share of cork oak grows in Portugal. Therefore, the Portuguese Wicanders company naturally became the leader in the production of cork floors. The company offers the consumer with all new and new collections with various properties of the decorative layer and the varnish used.

Corkstyle - swiss brand For the production of floor cork coatings, he deservedly received world recognition. Innovative equipment, newest studies and technologies, quality control at each stage of production - all this is a solid Swiss approach to a matter that guarantees impeccable quality. Design Studio is developing all new and new features.

Corkart.. On our and global market for outdoor cork coverings, another Portuguese brand is presented - Corkart. In essence, this is a family company that was founded in 1997. Why in our ranking? Company philosophy - high quality products with unique design and characteristics.

Maestro. - Brand russian company Polimpex. By order of the company, products are produced at Wicanders factory.

Egger. - Innovative material from the German manufacturer. High-quality cork and high technology - here a brief description of Floor coatings Egger. Direct printing method allows you to create a drawing on the top layer of the plug. Environmentally friendly and elastic varnish retains high floor quality for many years.

Wicanders - the leader of our rating manufacturers of the best cork floors

Photo: www.alisaparket.ru.

Wicanders - undoubted leader among cork coat manufacturers in Russia. Products of the company are very popular, and negative reviews We did not find about her. The lack of one is a high price - but for quality, alas, you need to pay.

Pros:

• high ecology. In the process of producing floor coverings, only natural raw materials and components are used;
• excellent noise insulation. Jerking air, structural noise, as well as vibrations;
• ergonomic. Outdoor Wicanders coverage has various degrees of hardness, which allows you to create comfort when walking in any room;
• convenience of mounting. The manufacturer offers a castle and adhesive way Mounting coating

Minuses:

• high price.

From reviews about watch floors Wicanders:

"I have been lying the castle cork floor of Wicanders for five years. Steam on a 3 millimeter cork substrate. The floor when walking is very pleasant to the touch, soft and silent. In the kitchen, if something falls, does not break like on ceramic tiles. You can vacuine and wipe with a damp cloth. In general, we are satisfied with the plug, it is worth it. "

Corkstyle

Photo: www.ya-magazin.ru.

Pros:

• quality. Callery coating consists of 5 layers interconnected at high temperature without the use of glue;
• increased moisture resistance;
• castle compound reinforced;
• increased top layer density.

Minuses:

• high cost of some collections.

From reviews about corkstyle corkstyle:

"Doubted that it was necessary to take, cork or parquet based on the cost. I thought that in addition to parquet need a plywood, glue, varnish, plus work. It turned out at all cheaply. They took CorkStyle, a collection of PrintCork with an oak design and rolled into two layers of varnish. It turned out cool and Cheaper parquet. "

Corkart.

Photo: EUROPOLSPB.RU.

Pros:

• high performance;
• environmental friendliness;
• broad gamma products;
• heat and Comfort

Minuses:

• not always the factory varnish is smooth, it is rough. Although wear resistance at the level.

From CorkArt Cork Floor reviews:

"We still have dents on the cork floor after the removal of the children's horizontal manist (the diet rose). At first, they were rather noticeable, but after a few days they were crowded. Now they can be seen, only if you know where to look around. But in general, an excellent and pleasant floor."

Maestro.

Photo: interier-nn.ru.

pros:

• high wear resistance;
• strokeiness;
• soundproofing;
• environmental friendliness;
• natural appearance and texture;
• practicality, lightweight cleaning;
• modern design;
• suitable for heated floors;
• suitable for use in commercial and household premises;
• the price is lower than that of competitors.

Minuses:

• deformation of the joints when moisture getting.

From reviews about traffic laminate Maestro:

"I took Maestro with polymer coating, at the expense of it is slippery, not rough. Worried: Will children's tights wondering about the plug surface? Do not erase! "

Egger.

Photo: Skill-spb.ru.

Pros:

• resistance to ultraviolet rays;
• diverse printing decor;
• pre-primer for shine;
• durable and stable upper layer;
• natural cork substrate.

Minuses:

• residual deformation from heavy furniture (appears in a couple of years)

From reviews about traffic laminate Egger:

"Doubted, take a plug or not to take? We decided on the cork covering the German company Egger. It is easy to wipe in a wet rag or spelling. Children play and run with pleasure, the floor is warm and non-slip. One trouble - the cat took the habit of sharpening claws and the cat. Now the scratches are visible. "

What is the floor cork coating better to buy?

European cork floor manufacturers produce products with fairly high characteristics in the close price range. This is due to two factors:

1. Used raw materials from one climatic region.
2. Production on high-tech equipment.

All manufacturers produce and adhesive and castle coating. Therefore, when choosing a cover, the main criterion becomes design.

Note: It is necessary to carefully treat Chinese production and do not chase as cheap. This coating can be manufactured from the drilling industry waste with the use of toxic varnishes and adhesives. Take care of your loved ones!

Flooring - almost the most important element interior decoration premises. It should be wear-resistant, beautiful, easy to care. It is desirable that it was nice to walk and still not frills legs. All these qualities correspond to the sexual coating from the traffic jam. Recently, the cork sex was very expensive. Not to say that now he is so low, but not so inaccessible.

Types of flooring for the floor

If we talk about appearance, that is, the cork floor with a traditional pattern in different colors. But such a drawing is far from everyone likes, so we have been developed collections that mimic wood, stone, sand, even lawn grass. Images are very realistic (photo printing), and they are applied directly on the plug layer - there is no intermediate layer, because such a floor is a product from natural components. On top of the drawing is covered with a protective layer of polyurethane or polyurethane varnish. Here is a protective layer - not the most natural, but there is no alternative - wood is also covered with varnish or paint.

Pros and cons

Cork floor has quite a lot of advantages. They are "quiet," elastic, elastic, well absorbs sounds, it does not spend warmly. For this floor, it is pleasant to walk in winter and summer. It is easy in cleaning - almost no electricity, dust will not "lipnet", smooth surface Easily clean. Some colors are so "non-coma" that garbage is not visible. This is simultaneously and minus - a damned small thing has to search for a long time.

One of the important advantages - the cork floor is warm and soft

There are few minuses - soft and high price. The softness is bad in that the coating "I remembered" under the weight - furniture, fallen heavy objects, heels. But this deficiency is compensated when it is covered with several layers of varnish. And so that he is not remembered under the furniture, choose it on the wide legs, as well as the felt on them. When permutations, it is also worth exercising caution - put under the feet of furniture plastic covers. They distribute the load well.

Structure

Both types of cork flooring - lock and adhesive - multi-layered, but they are different. Adhesive cork consists usually (bottom-up):

If we talk about the thickness, then this coverage is thinner. It is more flexible. This causes the requirements for the preparation of the foundation: manufacturers recommend to have an absolutely level basis. Otherwise, any jam or a humpback will be visible over time. The practice has been established that the differences can be, and significant (up to 5 mm), but they must be smooth. No "steps" or cracks, but a smooth gradual increase or a decrease is not visible. The size of the sizes formed during the laying is compensated by the elasticity of the coating.

The lock cork floor also consists of several layers:

Cork floor with a lock is tougher and very similar to laminate. But only looks like, as in the laminate - pressed paper covered with a film with a drawing film. The same material mainly consists of natural components. It is the rigidity that causes the softest requirements of the manufacturers to the base: there may be drops in height, but not more than 2 mm by 2 meters. Also under this coating can be putting the substrate, improving sound and heat insulation.

Castle or glue?

How to choose which cork sex is better, lock or adhesive? Everything is not bad, but has its own nuances. For ease of choice and a clearer view, the properties of the coatings are reduced to the table.

From this we can conclude that the adhesive cork floor makes sense to lay in rooms with high humidity (Kitchen, Bathroom) and Large Patency (Corridor, Hallway). It can even be put in unheated premises or where the high differences of humidity and temperature (in the baths, for example). IN residential rooms Excellently feels a lock cork coating. In his favor, there is simplicity of laying, but it is worth remembering that it is made on the basis of MDF and, if water penetrates into the seams, the base will swell, the bar is deformed. After drying, unfortunately, the former look will not return. But this is no different from ordinary laminate, so this is not such a big drawback in residential rooms. It is only necessary to clean the spilled liquid on time.

Cork floor with applied photo printing - Option for interior in style

This does not mean that the adhesive coating cannot be used in the rooms. It is very possible. Many people like it, since good layer Lacquer has excellent strength - is not aslee with heels and furniture. Also castle. It can be covered on top of a layer of varnish (but not all firms) and use in the corridor, kitchen or bathroom. Still cover it special Oil from solid wax (type OSMO). Coating no less reliably protects from moisture penetration, but it is easier to apply and can be updated only in some places. Minus is a high price, but the minimum consumption is minimal in the lock tube - absorbed only into the joints.

Views and subspecies

Note that there is a glue cork floor of different thickness. The thinnest tile is 4 mm, it can be laid in rooms with low patency, but it would be better to use at least 6 mm coating. For the bathroom produced a special subspecies - large squares 10-12 mm thick and 148 * 148 mm. A more subtle coating of the foot of the bathroom simply take through.

In addition, a glue cork is produced with the first lacquer layer. It is worth it, the case is more expensive, but the number of layers of varnish decreases - even one layer may be enough. Also, the facial surface of this type of floor finishing material is protected from dirt, and the plug is very easily dirty and all stains after varnishing become visible.

Modern cork covers have not only natural colors. There is with the applied image of wood of different color, sand with seashells, herbs ...

There are subspecies and from the castle cork. First of all it is worth saying that there is a moisture-proof version. The basis of this material is not MDF high density, but a special plate of PVC and quartz, which is not afraid of water and high humidity. But this material is not a large assortment Coloring and stands even more.

Any cork laminate has a protective coating. But it can be made of two materials - varnish or transparent PVC. Varnish is more accustomed, but PVC is stronger. Although laid covered with lacquer top layer You can reconsider, having achieved a high moisture resistance, but is it possible to do this with a coating of PVC.

It is also worth considering when choosing an adhesive cork floor, which after applying the varnish its appearance is significantly changing. It becomes darker, transitions are not so bright. In order to more accurately imagine the end result, find the locking coating with the same coloring. You will like it as a result.

Cork manufacturers and quality

The market contains two major floor cork manufacturer: CorkStyle (Corkstyle) and Wicanders (Vicerters). Non bad respond about the South Korean manufacturers. They have no prices as high, but the quality is quite normal.

Specifically, in the process of choosing, pay attention to the cork conglomerate itself (pressed layer). To reduce costs, chips and the other are added to it. cheap MaterialBut the quality of this product is already far from traffic jam. It is more rigid, it is cut faster. Therefore, it is better to pay a little more expensive, but choose with a cork layer, albeit pressed.

Those who tend to choose the adhesive tube on the floor, it is worth knowing that even very good manufacturers plank are imperfect. They differ in size - plus-minus 1 mm in width or length - these are normal tolerances. They are compensated by the elasticity of the material: when laying, the plug is slightly compressed so that the joints are dense. In addition there are planks of different thickness. It is not compensating in any way, they have to sort out, sort. Thin stacked in one place, where the transition be invisible, the thickness of the unnecessary in the edges are concentrated emery paper Before reaching the required thickness.

This is also a tube floor - in the nursery

In addition, defects are found on the front plug surface. It is laid out with a cork veneer, and this is a natural material. It is cached, ugly color changes, etc. There may also be an error of production - a veneer died in some places or a facial to the substrate. Before stacking, all tiles are inspected, the reached places are lined up, the remaining planks are used when laying in certain places. Read more about laying here, it is also painted where these straps with flaws use.

Cork laminate - there are no lock corks such problems - the protective coating all the flaws have already hidden. But when this material is selected, pay attention to the reliability of locks - in cheap materials they are the main problem.