Cork laminate: the pros and cons

Cork laminate is a new material in the domestic flooring market. He appeared as an alternative to expensive cork floors and began to rapidly gain popularity. This unique finishing material combines the best qualities of natural and artificial coatings - environmental friendliness, high strength, excellent insulating properties and presentable appearance.

Cork laminate consists of five layers. The bottom consists of pressed cork crumb and performs a stabilization function. It serves as a cushioning layer between the subfloor and the base plate, and also protects the floorboard from moisture. This is followed by a moisture resistant sheet of chipboard or MDF. This layer is provided with a Uniclick lock and serves as the backbone of the structure. It has high impact properties and is responsible for the strength of the panel.

Above the main layer is a cork layer, which performs sound and heat insulation function. She is also responsible for the softness of the coating. This is followed by cork veneer, which is a thin woody sheet forming the coating pattern. As the upper layer acts as a protective film, which is formed from vinyl or waterborne varnish. It protects the veneer surface from mechanical damage, moisture and ultraviolet light. The durability and the level of wear resistance of the coating depend on the top layer.

All manufactured products comply with strict European standards and have certificates of conformity. The level of flammability of the coating corresponds to index B2 and class DIN4102. This means that in contact with open fire, the material does not emit toxic substances.

Cork laminate is becoming increasingly recognizable and in demand not only on the European, but also on the Russian market of finishing materials. The trend of growth in popularity due to the following undeniable merits of products:

• excellent noise and heat insulation properties provided by the multi-layered structure of the panels and the physical properties of the cork tree. This quality allows you to use the coating on the first floors of buildings, above unheated basements, as well as sound insulation in apartments located above noisy institutions: private kindergartens and entertainment centers. The coating is warm to the touch and due to the antistatic nature is not prone to the accumulation of dust;
• softness and good damping qualities of the laminate are achieved by the elasticity of the cork layer. This makes it indispensable in the children's bedroom or game room. Dishes that accidentally fall on the cork floor will not break;

• The material is absolutely eco-friendly and hypoallergenic. The coating does not require special care and is easy to clean with all detergents. The only exception is compositions containing abrasive particles, which, if frequently used, can cause abrasion of the surface.Laminate has a high water-repellent properties, so it can be used in rooms with high humidity. But prolonged accumulation of large amounts of water on the surface of the coating should not be allowed.

• unique castle system allows you to independently mount and dismantle the coating, without resorting to the services of master-handlers. The system "crest-groove" is assembled as a designer and has a high tightness. At the junction is not formed cracks, gaps and elevation changes. Heat losses through the locking mechanism are excluded;

• durability. Laminate manufacturers guarantee 10 to 15 years of impeccable coating service. It all depends on the operating conditions and model. Due to the elasticity of the material, the dents obtained during operation, after a while, are straightened. The coating is repairable and lends itself well to a point fix, without the need to change it entirely .;
• presentable appearance ensured by the aesthetics of the natural material and the possibility of applying a photo printing and drawing on it. This allows you to choose a coating for any interior.

Along with a huge amount of positive feedback and obvious advantages in operation, Cork has some drawbacks:

• cost of products. Although it is significantly lower than the price of cork floor, but if we compare this material with classic coatings, it is an expensive material;
• the impossibility of mounting the product on heated floors. The material has high thermal insulation properties, so the heat from the heating system will not flow into the room;
• wash cork is harder than normal. This is due to the rough surface of the material and a predisposition to the accumulation of dirt in the pores;

• poor endurance of the coating with increased point loads. Heavy cabinets, standing on thin legs, can push the coating. There is also less wear resistance compared to traditional laminated panels. In places with a large pedestrian load, the varnished surface quickly fades and loses its original appearance. To eliminate scuffs, additional lacquer treatment of damaged surfaces will be required;
• break strength of cork laminate is low,therefore, you should try to prevent heavy objects from falling on the floor surface and to avoid walking on sharp heels.

Before proceeding to the choice of cork laminate model, it is necessary to determine the pedestrian load, humidity and the purpose of the room. For bathrooms, kitchens and corridors you need to choose moisture-resistant options, covered with a special varnish. In public places with high traffic it is necessary to buy products of the 33rd class of wear resistance. When choosing a model for living rooms and bedrooms, you can be guided solely by the decorative properties of the coatings.

Next, you should decide on the style in which the room is decorated. For a rustic and ecological interior, a good option would be to cover light colors with a distinct structure of natural design. In the classic interior and retro style is well suited laminate of dark saturated colors with a varnished surface. For techno, minimalism and hi-tech, you can choose bright matte surfaces with chaotic splashes and the lack of a clear structure of the pattern.

An important point in the acquisition of cork laminate is the choice of the manufacturer. The leader in production is Portugal. Its products are represented by well-known brands. Wicanders, Corkart and Eliter. Russian Maestro It is also produced in Portuguese factories. German concerns Witex, Proteco, Kronotex, Egger, Aberhof and Parador widely known in the European market. Their products are highly durable and durable. In Russia, Tarkett manufactures laminated cork laminates.

Along with European manufacturers, the release of cork coatings are engaged in Chinese companies. Their products are slightly cheaper than the famous ones, but given that China does not have its raw materials, but buys it in Europe, and the cost is lower, you should not rely on high quality products.

Next, you should choose a comfortable price range and start browsing the catalogs. The average cost per square meter of the product ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles.

Having found roughness and unevenness, it is necessary to replace the products: such lamellae will not ensure sufficient tightness and integrity of the coating.

While ensuring proper care and careful operation, The service life of cork laminate can be 20 years.

Excessive moisture should be avoided, even when processing moisture-proof models. The use of hard metal brushes and caustic chemicals is prohibited. If the room has dimensional furniture, then you need to make a substrate of felt and put them under the legs.

It is not recommended to walk on the cork floor in shoes with rubber soles and heels. This will help prevent scratches and deformation on the surface.

In conditions of elevated temperatures, it is necessary to regularly moisten the web in order to avoid its drying. In case of severe pollution, you need to gently clean the surface with fine emery paper, and then cover it with a special varnish designed for cork floors. If the laminate is not lacquer, but vinyl coating, rubbing with mastic is recommended at least four times a year.

Due to the natural origin of materials, exotic appearance and excellent insulating properties, the number of cork laminate fans is steadily increasing.This noble and aesthetic material is able not only to reliably protect a room from cold, drafts and extraneous noise, but also to become an independent element of decor and harmoniously fit into any interior.

Cork laminate is a new material in the domestic flooring market. He appeared as alternatives to expensive cork floors and began to rapidly gain popularity. This unique finishing material combines the best qualities of natural and artificial coatings - environmental friendliness, high strength, excellent insulating properties and presentable appearance.

You can learn about all the intricacies of laying cork laminate by watching the following video.