Installation of cork flooring. Laying cork flooring What is cork flooring placed on?

Publication date: 28-10-2014

Cork flooring has become very popular, so several technologies have been developed to install cork flooring.

Cork floor

Today you can find a wide variety of flooring on the market and in building materials stores.

Quite often, when choosing a covering for their home, people are interested in a material such as cork or, more precisely, wood; in addition, information that tells how to lay a cork floor is of interest.

When purchasing, a natural question arises: which of the presented variety of types of cork panels should you choose? In addition, the question of installation arises.

At this point, everything will depend on the design of the buyer’s room, his color priorities and other things. Any buyer will choose a more acceptable option for himself without any problems.

The difference in price is due to the country of origin, the type of external coating and the thickness and method of installation.

The highest quality cork flooring is usually produced in Portugal, a country generally considered the main supplier of this material. Judging by the quality of cork panels, we can say that the main criterion is the external coating.

Types of coatings

The following types can be distinguished:

• Solid veneer covering - when a single piece of veneer made from balsa wood, or rather its bark, is used for the outer covering of the panel;
• Crumb – agglomerate (crumbs are pressed under high pressure and applied to the base of the panel);
• Mixed coating - a combination of veneer and chips;

Therefore, the highest quality coating is the first option using a single piece of the bark of this tree.

Floating cork installation

It is also worth noting the following important categories that separate cork:

• Technical cork is usually produced in bulk, in large plates or rolls. It is used as a sound-insulating and heat-saving substrate, and the scattering is used mainly as a filler for voids in the walls;
• “Glue” slab – square or rectangular slabs of different sizes. Used when gluing to a prepared base (subfloor);
• The floating floor is MDF panels, which are an analogue of hardboard and have a size of 185x900 mm, covered with cork material. Used as a floating floor, i.e. not tied to the base;

It is worth noting that the technology for laying one or another floor is different.

Cork has many characteristics superior to other coatings - variety of textures, pleasant to the touch, sound insulation, environmental friendliness, sufficient strength, elasticity - these are the advantages of this material.

The only disadvantage, perhaps, can be considered the relative high cost of the “cork” - the specifics, as well as the remoteness of production, leave their mark on pricing. But if you purchase and install cork in your home, without a doubt, you will never regret the purchase.

Now you need to approach the issue of installing the floor yourself.

The technology says that first, after purchasing the material, it is necessary for it to acclimatize - hold the material by opening the package in a room with room temperature and moderate humidity, which will allow the cork to gain the necessary parameters for installation.

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Installation methods

Styling plug

Floor installation can be done in two ways:

• Glue;
• And the so-called “floating”;

In the first method, the technology involves gluing the cork panels to a prepared base - a concrete floor screed, leveled on a plane using plywood sheets or a wooden floor.

The panels have dimensions of 450x450mm, 600x300mm and 300x300mm. The thickness of the cork panels is the same, so their installation will not be difficult. It is also worth noting that when laying such floors this fact does not play a role.

An important point is that you need to prepare the base first. Check for possible floor differences. If you have a concrete screed, simply pour “liquid flooring” into the curved area; you can also use cement mortar.

If there is a wooden floor, unevenness is eliminated with hardboard. If you have plywood at the base, you need to make sure that there is a sufficient distance between the transverse joists from each other so that the plywood sheets do not sag on the joists.

Also make sure that the joists are level along and between each other. Having prepared the surface, you need to lay out several panels on the floor and decide on the rows of panels.

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Gluing

Designer cork floor

It is better to start laying and gluing panels from the center of the room. But before gluing the panels, markings and calculations should be carried out. It may turn out that the rows of the panel will need to be shifted relative to the center. These nuances depend on the characteristics of each room.

There are several rules for laying panels:

• The first stage is considered to be the stage of marking and calculations. You need to decide on the point from which the installation will proceed, draw two lines on it, which will be located parallel to the walls, but will themselves intersect at right angles. This will become the initial picket.
• After the calculations have been made, you need to spread the panel with a special notched trowel with an even layer of glue, then the glue needs to be “dried” and pressed firmly to the base.
• It is necessary to check the position of the panel with a leveling rod (the leveling rod is applied to the installed panel). If the level shows that the pressed panel does not form a flat surface, then you need to apply light pressure on the protruding edge. Under the weight, the glue will disperse, and the panel will take on a nice, smooth surface.
• When reaching the wall and cutting the panel, keep in mind the need to leave a small distance between the wall and the panel. Along with other trees, cork also has the property of linear expansion.

The gaps left will be hidden by the baseboard, which will be installed after all the cork panels have been installed. You can create transitions between rooms or connect the panel with other floor coverings using special ceilings.

In principle, installation does not require much time and effort if done correctly. Experts note that some safety measures must be observed: glue is considered a toxic substance, so after installing all the panels, you must immediately ventilate the room.

Cork flooring is soft, environmentally friendly and comfortable. This flooring is appropriate in a children's room and bedroom. It has high sound insulation characteristics. But in order for the coating to last as long as possible, the installation of cork flooring is carried out in compliance with technology. You can lay cork tiles yourself if you know some installation nuances and the specifics of choosing materials. We will also tell you how much cork flooring costs.

Types of adhesive cork for floors according to structure

Many useful and beautiful things are made from the bark of the cork tree, including finishing materials.
Floor adhesive plug has several varieties:

• adhesive agglomerated cork coverings;
• self-adhesive strips and tiles made from crushed cork;
• cork laminate.

Sinter plug

This type of cork is made from crushed material. It is then mixed with synthetic-based thermosetting resins and pressed. The result is blocks with a density of 450-800 kg/m³. The semi-finished product is cut into sheets up to 0.6 cm thick. Next, strips and tiles with a maximum width of 30 cm and a maximum length of 1.2 m are cut from these sheets on a machine. The products are glued end-to-end because they have smooth edges.

Important! The cost of a cork floor made from agglomerated cork starts from $11.6 per square.

The agglomerated adhesive floor plug has the following features:

1. It is allowed to be placed on heated floors. But in this case you need to use a special elastic glue, which is marked that it can be used for heated floors.
2. Manufacturers do not recommend glue such a plug onto a screed with an electric heating system.
3. If varnishing or waxing is used as a finishing coating, then material suitable for installation indoors with increased traffic and significant loads on the floor, for example, in the living room, hallway, kitchen.
4. Adhesive cork floors successfully combined with other floor coverings (laminate, ceramic tiles, parquet).

Self-adhesive plug

These are thin slabs of veneered or traditional agglomerate. An adhesive layer is applied to the back side of the material. It is protected with paper on top to prevent the glue from drying out. Self-adhesive products are very convenient to lay on the floor, walls and ceiling.

Important! If you are interested in self-adhesive cork flooring, the price per meter starts at $13.3 per square.

This cork covering is produced mainly in the form of square tiles with a side of no more than 300 mm. Their thickness is in the range of 3.6-5 mm. Less common are adhesive-based planks with a width of no more than 180 mm and a length not exceeding 900 mm.

This adhesive cork flooring has the following features:

1. The front surface does not have a finishing coating and needs to be protected from the ingress of dyes, water, abrasive compounds and household chemicals.
2. Gluing is carried out without the use of additional adhesive mixtures, but for better adhesion to the base it must be carefully and correctly prepared.
3. Gluing is allowed on floors with a water heating system.
4. Self-adhesive cork can only be installed on the floor in a room with normal humidity, for example, in a bedroom, nursery, living room.
5. The coating is suitable for interiors in eco- and retro style.

Attention! Craftsmen install adhesive plugs at a cost of $4.8 per square. This price does not include foundation preparation services.

Glue plug installation technology

Before laying cork flooring, you need to prepare the necessary tools and materials:

• Before laying the coating, prepare the base. To do this, you will need repair and leveling compounds for a wooden or concrete base (epoxy or cement mixtures, self-leveling floors, plywood, OSB, chipboard, etc.).
• Tiles can only be glued to a primed base. Therefore, for a wooden base, buy a fungicidal primer, and for a mineral floor, an adhesive primer is suitable.
• The technology for laying agglomerated tiles requires the use of polymer adhesive.
• Wax, oil, acrylic or polyurethane varnish are used as a final protective coating.
• Brushes and rollers for applying protective compounds.
• To apply the glue you need a short-haired velor roller or a notched trowel.
• Level, tape measure, hygrometer, pencil, square, paint cord.
• Rollers or mallet for rolling the covering to the floor.
• Sponge to remove excess glue.
• Drill for making technological holes and cutter.

Important! The material is laid after it has been left in the room where it will be installed for 1-2 days.

Work is carried out subject to the following indoor conditions:

• heating appliances should not be running;
• get rid of drafts;
• the optimal air temperature is between 18-25°C;
• relative humidity 55-65%.

Choosing adhesive for cork flooring

The adhesive installation method involves choosing a suitable glue. Thus, cork coatings without a finishing layer can be glued using water-dispersion compounds. Tiles with a varnish or vinyl protective layer are fixed using solvent-based adhesive.

It is important to remember that all solvent-based adhesive mixtures are flammable and slightly toxic, so work is carried out using protective equipment and in a ventilated area.

Important! Organic solvent adhesive is environmentally friendly and less toxic.

Water-based adhesives do not like contact with water, so if the room is flooded there is a risk that the tiles will come off. If work is carried out in the cold season, then it is better to buy glue that is resistant to cold and temperature changes.

Selecting a laying scheme

If you use square tiles, you can lay them out in only two ways:

• according to the principle of brickwork with the joint shifting in each subsequent row by half an element;
• traditional checkerboard stitching, seam to seam.

Important! Elements of rectangular and square shapes are laid diagonally in the room or traditionally parallel to the walls.

As for rectangular elements, they are laid in several ways:

• traditional staggered masonry;
• plain and triple brickwork;
• diagonal laying;
• herringbone flooring;
• deck masonry;
• network;
• flooring in squares.

Preparing the base

The step-by-step process of laying cork flooring begins with preparing the base. Since the elements are small in thickness, all defects in the base will be visible after they are laid. That is why the beauty of the floor depends on the quality of preparation of the base.

Requirements for the rough foundation:

1. Compressive strength – not less than 150 MPa.
2. The maximum permissible height difference is no more than 2 mm per two meters.
3. The base should not have cracks, loose or rotten areas.
4. There should be no traces of glue, soot, grease, soot, bitumen or remnants of the old coating.
5. The residual moisture indicator for a wooden base is 8-12%, for a concrete base within 0.5-2 percent.

To level the base, a mineral screed or sheet wood materials with bridging edges are suitable. To fill the seams between the sheets, acrylic sealants or a mixture of PVA and sawdust are used.

To improve the characteristics of the base, deep penetrating and strengthening primers are used. If you need to increase adhesion to the base and make the absorbency of the floor more uniform, use an adhesive primer.

After this, begin marking the surface:

1. Using a tape measure or laser level, find the center of the room.
2. Through the center, parallel to one of the walls, we draw a line from which we will lay the tiles. When laying diagonally, the line is drawn at 45 degrees.
3. We carry out a preliminary layout of the cork elements in a checkerboard pattern or with an offset.
4. We cut the edge products to the required size, taking into account a centimeter gap around the perimeter of the room.
5. If required, technological holes are cut in the elements.
6. Sometimes the tiles are chamfered. To do this, the edges of the product are treated with fine-grained sandpaper, and the dust is removed with a damp sponge.

Existing types of cork flooring, their advantages and disadvantages in operation, preparatory work, advice before installation, laying adhesive and floating floors, further care and maintenance in everyday life.

The content of the article:

Laying cork on the floor is a method of installing flooring, which is becoming increasingly popular and widespread in our homes every year. This procedure is not particularly technologically complex, but requires preparatory work and careful measurements. There are a number of nuances that require close attention. But, if you use the suggested tips, the process will go much faster and more efficiently.

Main types of cork flooring

There are 2 main methods of laying cork flooring. They require different work technologies, different tools and skills. But the result is always a good and high-quality coating. So, the main types of floor cork are floating and adhesive structures.

The first ones are assembled like a laminate, according to the “tenon and groove” connection principle, so they are not tightly attached to the base. The joints are glued with adhesive of a special composition, but the floors themselves, if necessary, can be disassembled at any time. To construct such coverings, cork panels are used, which include several layers. The top is veneer made from expensive types of wood, decorated with a pattern. It serves as a real decorative decoration for the room.

Another type of cork floor is much easier to assemble. Such floors are glued to the base. Technologically, they consist of individual tiles, usually square in shape.

For those who are wondering how to choose a cork for the floor, you need to understand in which rooms this surface will serve. The choice depends not only on the appearance, but also on the purpose of the room, as well as on its operation. If we are talking about offices, shopping centers and similar places, then it is more advisable to install durable adhesive tiles.

For homes and apartments, customers are often recommended a softer floating plug made of natural material. There is an option to purchase cork with various additives. This makes the coating cheaper, but it will be less pleasant to the touch and retain less heat.

Strengths and weaknesses of cork flooring

Among the main advantages of such floors, the following can be emphasized:

• Amazing thermal conductivity. When you touch such a floor, it does not take away heat, but returns it back. In addition, walking on it is a pleasure.
• Soundproofing. Is another calling card of the cork. For this reason, this material is successfully used for finishing ceilings and walls. Its sound absorption coefficient is 0.85.
• Natural and environmentally friendly. Thanks to the springy properties of the floor, it reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system. It does not attract dust, like some other materials, does not rot, does not burn, and is not a source of mold.
• Technological flexibility. This property is that the cork on the floor makes it possible to move heavy objects along it or drop the same objects onto the surface. Over the next few hours, the material is restored, and traces disappear almost 100%.

It should be noted what disadvantages such a coating has. Over time, the cork begins to wear out, collapse and become unusable. She is sensitive to stains, cuts and pet claws. The natural qualities of the material are violated by the use of paints, varnishes and adhesives. Every 1-2 years, such a coating must be varnished to restore its previous appearance.

Preparatory work before laying cork floors

The following tips will be useful for those who are about to begin installation work for the first time:

1. Before work, it is necessary to prepare not only the material in the required volume, but also the tools. Before laying cork floors, it is necessary to ensure that a plastic film is laid on the base - the so-called underlay.
2. Work is not performed if the room temperature is less than 18°C.
3. Like many types of other finishing materials, after purchase it is better to place a floor covering such as cork in its room for 1-2 days to “get used to it.”
4. The base must be carefully prepared. Among other things, you need to ensure that it becomes perfectly smooth, dry and clean.
5. To cut cork tiles, it is better to use a jigsaw or a hacksaw with fine teeth.

All work to prepare the base for future cork flooring must be carried out thoroughly. The main principle is to ensure that it is perfectly dry, as well as smooth and free of all types of contaminants. The adhesive properties of the coating are enhanced by cleaning the surface from residual grease, wax, paint, glue and other materials.

It is necessary to ensure that all existing cracks and cracks are carefully sealed. Before laying cork flooring on the existing flooring, it is advisable to first strengthen sheets of thick plywood or chipboard, which have water-repellent properties. A leveling agent can be applied on top, which should be thoroughly sanded.

The concrete or cement base must comply with building regulations for moisture content. It should be no more than 25%. If this criterion suddenly turns out to be higher, an additional layer of plastic film will be needed. On top of it you can lay a roll or sheet cork 2 mm thick. Thanks to this, the finished floor will become more insulating and will better repel moisture.

It is also necessary to ensure a comfortable temperature for laying and drying the cork surface. The room should be between 18 and 20°C - this will be optimal. It is better if there is good ventilation during the drying stage of the adhesive solution. While the slabs have already been delivered and stored indoors, the air humidity in the room should not exceed a threshold of 65%.

Installation of underlay for cork flooring

The main functions performed by the substrate are to protect the cork from overloads and subsequent deformation. It also protects against condensation and increased noise from steps on the coating. This is a necessary layer that will be responsible for the sound, noise and thermal insulation of the future floor.

It is produced in rolls, and as a flooring for cork, a thickness of 2 mm will be sufficient. To protect the future surface from moisture, lay a polyethylene coating, which should extend onto the walls by at least a few millimeters. The film for the backing is laid overlapping, and the margin can be up to 20 mm. The individual parts are fixed together using tape.

The technology for laying the substrate will look like this:

• First you need to determine the current state of the concrete base of the floor. If it has noticeable unevenness, each of them must be leveled. For minor differences, it is enough to use a self-leveling mixture, which copes excellently with such flaws. After the mixture has dried, the floor surface is thoroughly swept.
• At the very base of the wall, a so-called “damper” tape is attached, the task of which is to compensate for future expansion of the material.
• The underlay can be rolled out from a roll over the entire surface of the floor. Its edges are joined end-to-end and secured with ordinary construction tape. When laying, you need to take into account that the embossed side should be located at the bottom, and the smooth side will look up.

The quality of the future cork covering and its main characteristics will largely depend on the correct installation of the substrate.

How to lay cork adhesive boards on the floor

This work begins after the preparatory stage is completely completed. So, installation of a floor plug will consist of the following steps:

1. To fix the cork tiles, an appropriate adhesive is used, which is applied with a roller or notched trowel. The adhesive should be allowed to dry for half an hour before laying the tiles on it. It can be laid either parallel to the walls in a row, or in a diagonal placement method.
2. After installing each section of the flooring, it must be tapped with a rubberized hammer or the surface rolled with a heavy roller.
3. A small gap should be left along the perimeter of the room, since cork tends to expand slightly over time. The width must be at least 3-5 mm. The gap left after completing all the work can be successfully closed with a plinth, but this will avoid any deformation of the coating in further operation.
4. The cork surface can be laid not only on a concrete base, but also on any existing covering - for example, carpet, linoleum, etc. In this case, installation of a waterproofing layer is not required, but it is necessary to level out all possible defects and irregularities.
5. After finishing the masonry, the surface is cleaned of spilled glue: for this, use any rag moistened with a small amount of white spirit. The floors are dried within 24 hours and then cleaned again with special cleaning agents.
6. The last step is to apply a protective layer. The floors are varnished, but to do this they need to dry for a day and a half.

How to install floating cork floors

After the base has been completely cleaned and the polyethylene insulation (underlay) has been laid, you can begin installing the cork flooring:

• Initially, it is better to start attaching the panels from the right front corner. In this case, it is necessary that they are located perpendicular to the window so that the joints in the fastening are not noticeable.
• Starting from the first row, the end parts of the cork panels are connected. At this stage, the end of each new panel should be fixed at an angle of 30° relative to the previous panel.
• When laying, the panel is carefully lowered to the floor, after which the connection is secured using a tongue-and-groove lock. After that, with a hammer with a rubberized head, they carefully tap it from the side of the lock, placing a piece of another panel.
• For expansion, a gap of 5-10 mm is subsequently left. The next row must be laid from the side of the panel trim, which was laid last in the previous row.
• Experts advise installing in this case according to the type of chessboard arrangement. Thus, the beginning of each new row will be a panel cut instead of a whole product.
• Work should be carried out especially carefully in places where various communications, for example, heating pipes, appear in the way. In this case, a gap is cut out in the coating for future expansion of the plug.
• In order to fix the panels near doorways, use a “threshold” profile. It is attached at the joint between the panels directly to the floor.
• When installing a cork surface, it is good to use spacer wedges. But they should be removed immediately after the installation process is completed.
• Lastly, a plinth is attached to the wall, under which a gap is left. It is needed so that the coating can move during operation.

Features of caring for cork flooring

After all the installation work has been carried out, it would be useful to find out how to properly care for this coating so that it lasts a long time and pleases the eyes of visitors to the room.

In fact, there is nothing technologically complex here, unlike a number of other coatings. After the cork has been laid on the floor, the surface is vacuumed and treated with special cork care products: KorkCare, V-Care, Wikanders Power and others.

In order to minimize the entry of dust and dirt from the street into the room, an additional rubberized mat on the outside of the door will not hurt. In order not to further damage the finished coating, circles made of cork, rubber or felt are glued to the legs of furniture pieces. In this case, the surface will not be scratched and will retain its attractive appearance longer.

Cork floors can be wiped with any damp cloth, but they also tolerate wet cleaning well. They can also be treated with detergents, but the main thing is that they do not contain aggressive particles or similar components. If the floor is additionally covered with vinyl, then it is advisable to rub it with a special mastic every 3 years.

How to lay a cork on the floor - watch the video:

Thus, when installing cork flooring of any type as a floor, you can do it yourself. It is necessary to carefully calculate the amount of material, since an excess of it will lead to increased costs. It is also advisable to carry out the work of laying the cork with an assistant.

Cork flooring immediately earned fame and wide recognition among consumers. Relatively inexpensive and affordable prices, and the ability to lay the flooring on your own without the involvement of specialists, make cork flooring an even more popular and in-demand product.

Manufacturers offer the buyer a wide choice and the opportunity to purchase high-quality and affordable analogues and substitutes for real cork veneer.

You need to know and understand that there are small nuances and recommendations regarding laying cork floors. This also applies to the choice of all types of premises without exception. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully prepare before going to a store or construction market to select and then purchase cork flooring.

You should try to study how all cork floors are. Otherwise, you risk not only wasted material purchased, that is, your money wasted, but also work done in vain due to your carelessness.

Categories of cork flooring:

1. The most expensive flooring can be safely called - cork board, which is made from real cork oak bark, its second and most popular name, cork veneer. Veneer is made from absolutely environmentally friendly and harmless, natural and natural material. It is produced in huge sheets, the sheet size reaches 6 square meters, and its thickness reaches from 4 to 6 mm. All sheets are rolled into large rolls. The production of natural cork tiles is also known. On the back side of the sheet they create a coating of durable vinyl film, which makes it easier to lay the sheets during work on the surface and on the concrete floor. Despite the serious advantages of natural cork veneer, it also includes many different disadvantages.
2. Of course, in second place, both in price and accordingly in quality, are MDF cork panels(Fibreboard, medium density). They are often unreasonably confused with a cork board, but if you look at it, there are significant and significant differences here too. First of all, MDF panels are usually called cork laminate. Let's look at an approximate technology for its manufacture: real cork chips are applied to an MDF base using dry hot pressing. Then another layer consisting of cork veneer is applied, approximately from 2 to 4 mm. The top is covered with varnish or a good vinyl film. In terms of quality, cork laminate is in no way inferior to natural veneer, and is not so demanding on the surface and the quality of its coating.
3. All manufacturers produce cork laminate according to standard sizes, which are the same without exception for all types of laminate. This refers to the ratio of the length and width of the panels.
4. The next material will be pressed cork chips. The crumbs produce high-quality cork tiles, which is not significantly expensive for its price. The appearance of the tile is difficult to confuse with anything else; the structure of fine grain, any tile resembles a cork from a wine bottle. Designed in their unique and colorful sand and coffee palette, with unique patterns, they will certainly attract the eye of the buyer in the store. And in terms of quality, a floor made of cork tiles is practically not inferior to a floor covered with natural cork veneer. And if you compare costs, a tile floor will be much cheaper than a floor made from a whole cork laminate. Manufacturers offer us tiles to choose from, sizes - 30 by 30 mm, 60 by 60 mm, 60 by 90 mm. Often in stores you can find waste from natural veneer and trimmings similar to tiles. You can safely buy and select good coverage from them, it all depends on your taste and the flight of your imagination.

A floor made from any cork does not slip at all and does not spring at all. Copes with a significant and significant load directed at it. Cork floors have excellent noise and thermal insulation. Its most important advantage is that it is completely harmless to health and one hundred percent environmentally friendly. Throughout the history of the use of cork flooring, no detrimental effects on human health have ever been identified.

With all the advantages and positive qualities of cork, unfortunately, it also has disadvantages. First of all, the price is too high, but one cannot fail to note the complex and responsible process of its installation. A rather fragile cork does not tolerate inept and frivolous handling. It is better not to approach installing cork floors on your own without the proper experience.

Cork has a high sensitivity threshold to temperature changes. Its internal component and appearance entirely depend on this. It can swell from water containing organic substances dissolved in it. In addition, cork perfectly absorbs all odors and retains them for a long time. If you have a wine bottle cork at home, try to restore it to its original appearance, or try to get rid of the smell of the part of the cork that was in the bottle. Nothing will work out.

Accordingly, based on the above, we can conclude that cork flooring will not last long in rooms where there are temperature fluctuations. Due to any thermal changes, after a short period of time, the cork will begin to crumble and become unusable. Therefore, it is not advisable to make cork floors in the hallway, kitchen and balcony. You can try laying cork laminate with a protective coating, although this is also not advisable.

The worst places for cork flooring are the toilet and bathroom. Absolutely not! Too much humidity and temperature changes have a negative effect on the cork; over time, microcracks will appear in it, and moisture will flow through them into the very core of the cork, and soon swelling will occur, which will lead to detachment. This happens unnoticed, in places inaccessible to our view, under baseboards, or under the bathtub.

The cork does not have antiseptic properties, and if you take and open the place of swelling, the so-called bubble, then an unpleasant and not entirely attractive picture will appear before our eyes. The inner core of the cork will turn to mush.
Places for cork floors

We offer a list of premises for laying cork floors:

• First of all, the children's room. Any type of cork floor is suitable for a children's room. Children will feel warm walking on the cork floor barefoot both in winter and summer; if they fall on the floor, the child will not be injured. Walking barefoot through traffic has a beneficial effect not only on the psyche of children, but also develops a sense of connection with living nature.
• In second place, the bedroom. The reasons for the choice are the same and similar to those for children.
• On the third place, . To the reasons described above, you can add good sound insulation.
• In fourth place, the living room. The best choice here would be cork laminate.

Laying technology

There are 3 ways to lay cork flooring.

1. You can lay cork laminate according to the principle. The only thing is that you need to observe some nuances regarding the tool and technology, about this, see below.
2. You can lay cork laminate and veneer freely, without special fastening. This will be called a floating floor.
3. You can lay cork flooring with glue.

For floating cork floors and adhesive ones, the installation technologies are significantly different. Preparing the room for renovation remains the same, but the tools are different for each floor.

An important and probably the most determining factor is that the cork floor should be laid in the warm season. It is necessary to prevent a temperature difference of more than 5 degrees during delivery from the supplier to the house where the floor will be laid. Be sure to check the air humidity in the room and make sure it is not lower than 60%. When the air humidity is 75%, laying cork flooring is strictly prohibited.

What you will need when working

A rubber hammer, called a mallet, for laying and adjusting the floor. You can use a jigsaw with a very fine file or a grinder for cutting planks. A hand saw cannot be used (the cork crumbles too much). If the floor is adhesive, then you will need a metal and heavy roller (skating rink) for good rolling. You will definitely need a level.

It will be necessary to make spacer wedges for the floating floor. They are made from scraps of cork laminate. Under no circumstances should they be wooden, because wooden ones will crumble the cork. In order to adjust and straighten the boards, we use the same rule. A clamp - a hook for tightening planks - also cannot be used.

You need to buy a plinth, it is special for cork floors. Including, you will need thresholds, glue and a spatula, preferably a wide one, in order to spread the glue on the boards.

Cork extraction

Preparing the premises

The floor surface should be as dry and level as possible. A simple concrete screed cannot serve as a good coating because its surface is too rough. Over time, the cork floor will play on it. Concrete here acts as an abrasive, so the cork will be rubbed off.

A wet surface is the main enemy of a cork floor. It is necessary to dry the surface thoroughly before work, otherwise the cork will swell and deteriorate. What was written about above in the section on the bathroom and toilet.

In order to check the humidity of a concrete floor, you need to cover the floor with greenhouse film for 24 hours. Check after the allotted time, if there is moisture on the film, leave for another 24 hours. And so on until the desired result, dryness, is achieved. A wet surface will inevitably damage the floor. Inspect and seal the cracks near the radiators especially carefully, since moisture can also penetrate from neighbors below.

Leveling the floor

Only with a liquid leveler, you need to level the floor under the cork. Cork is harder than any composite found in all dry levelers. In addition, cork is fragile in its composition. A floor made on a dry basis can crack at any time from pressure from a chair leg or from a woman's heel.

The strength, reliability and service life of a cork floor depend on the base. Experts advise laying marmoleum on the surface in front of the cork. Possibly the cheapest one. Possibly substandard.

• Marmoleum, in its mechanical properties, is identical to cork; therefore, after laying on it, there will be no failures from the load.
• Marmoleum will smoothly lie on the entire uneven surface of the base and cover all its flaws, remaining smooth on top.
• Marmoleum has bactericidal qualities, which means that harmful microflora has no chance, both for emergence and for its development.

If the floor is already covered with plywood, linoleum or laminate, you can simply lay a cork floor on top.

Floating cork floor

A floating cork floor can be laid with cork laminate or veneer. Of course, this is a job for specialists; as a rule, all attempts to assemble the floor yourself lead to all sorts of damage to expensive materials. Accordingly, the price of veneer pieces increases significantly.

Let's take a closer look at how to lay a floating floor made of cork laminate:

1. We measure the room and purchase the laminate itself. Already on site, at home, we unpack and leave it open for 24 hours so that the air temperature and humidity are balanced.
2. While the cork is acclimatizing, we cover the floor with greenhouse film. We try to make overlaps of 20 centimeters, do not forget to overlap on the walls, 15 centimeters. We firmly seal the joints with tape.
3. We saw all the planks of one row to size from the edge of the ridge, trying not to touch the groove. If we lay and move the seam in half, we cut half of the boards from the edge along the length exactly in the middle.
4. . From the corner we lay in transverse rows and move the seams by a third. We take the next plank and insert it into the groove of the previous one, while trying to hold it at a slight angle. Press with a little force and lower. We level and adjust with a rubber mallet prepared in advance. Be sure to maintain a distance of approximately 20 or 30 mm from the walls; align the outer board with spacer wedges.
5. We cut off all excess greenhouse film.
6. We attach the cork plinth to the wall using mounting adhesive, after placing matches under it. So that it does not come into contact with the floor.
7. The floating cork floor is ready.

Floor on glue

The quality of a glued cork floor directly depends on the choice of the glue itself. From the huge selection, I would like to highlight Cascoflex and similar adhesives. An adhesive based on no volatile aggressive solvent. It is non-toxic and dries in about 10 minutes, a time suitable for adjusting boards and tiles. The price of this glue and others like it is quite high. Based on this, the question arose about the possibility of using PVA glue.

Under no circumstances should a cork floor be laid using PVA. PVA glue is water-based, which is harmful to cork. When the PVA glue dries, the water evaporates from it, that is, if we apply a board and wait about 25 minutes, it will stick tightly and it will no longer be possible to correct it. In addition, when working with liquid PVA glue indoors, air humidity increases greatly. Conclusion, PVA glue cannot be used.

Let's consider the technology of adhesive cork flooring:

• We definitely start working from the center of the room, and move in a spiral in any direction. Left or right, it doesn't matter.
• Using a spatula prepared in advance, apply a layer of glue, place the board and level it.
• Immediately roll it with a roller.
• We use a level to check horizontality and a mallet to correct it. If suddenly one of the sides of the board is higher or lower than the other.
• Wipe off any excess glue thoroughly with a cloth soaked in solvent. You must remember and know that glue that dries on the cork cannot be removed. Therefore, it is advisable to immediately throw away the used cloth.
• We leave a gap along the walls, along the entire perimeter of the room, the same as for the floating cork floor.
• Be sure to wait 24 hours after finishing the flooring and only then attach the plinth.
• The adhesive cork floor is ready.

What is HDF?

Of all the types of cork flooring, HDF (High Density Fiberboard) is the most inexpensive. This is a material covered on top with pressed cork chips. Simply put, this is an ordinary Fiberboard (Fiberboard), in its properties and naturally in quality, it is far from real cork. If you want to create the cheap illusion of a cork floor, then HDF is for you.

Bottom line

Reliable and durable, harmful or bad? Cork flooring can be anything. Much depends on the choice of the room where it will be placed. And the price and installation technology only affect its decorative features.