What is better cork or laminate. Cork laminate: types, characteristics, laying technology and care High-quality cork laminate

In the range of floor coverings, cork laminate is gaining popularity, which has found its consumer. This product does not belong to the building materials traditional for our area, so its cost is quite high. However, the natural properties of this exotic wood successfully manifest itself in any climate.

What is good material

Cork laminate is made up of five layers

In the literal sense, cork laminate does not have a laminating top layer in order to make the most of the technical parameters that cork has.

However, the panel has a multi-layer structure of various materials, which increases the performance of the panels and reduces their cost.

In the section of the lamella, you can see the following 5 layers:

top protective film of water-based varnish, vinyl, polymer;
cork veneer;
pressed crumb cork;
rigid moisture-resistant base - chipboard / MDF sheet;
underlying layer of cork chips.

The result is a floor covering with the following characteristics:

Structurally, the panels, like consumer products, are connected using a locking connection, which is a groove on one end of the panel and a spike on the opposite side. The lock is located on the solid part of the panel - chipboard.

In appearance, cork laminate does not stand out too much in the line of similar coatings, but after it takes its place in the room, the differences will undoubtedly be in its favor.

How does it manifest

Cork creates a pleasant feeling of warmth underfoot

The distinctive qualities of a cork laminate need not only to be known before laying, but also to apply them in rooms suitable for the conditions.

In the room where the cork is laid, the boards underfoot will be warm, slightly soft, absorb sounds and prevent the penetration of cold from below. For the same reason, a “warm floor” is not installed under a cork-based laminate - too reliable thermal insulation prevents you from getting the expected result.

But for the bedroom and children's room - this is a safe, harmless and comfortable choice.

Advantages and disadvantages

Different life situations can turn the properties of cork laminate into pluses and minuses alternately. For example, the rigidity of the upper side of the stove is such that in one case, when falling, glassware will not break, in the other, a trace of a heavy object may remain. From the same point of view, the cost of this flooring can be considered as an image component and an investment in the comfort of the home.

pros

Cork is an environmentally friendly material

Natural natural material offers to take advantage of such useful qualities in living rooms:

simplicity and speed of installation will not transfer this room to non-residential for a long time;
the ability to work independently;
compatibility of docking with other coatings (for example, tiles) using a cork compensator that will close the gap up to 5 mm;
finished thermal insulation;
protection from external noise and absorption of internal sounds;
does not electrify and, accordingly, dust will not accumulate;
not combustible;
elasticity allows you to quickly recover places squeezed by furniture legs;
suitable for quick repair (replacement of plots of any area);
does not lose performance in case of dismantling and transfer for installation in another room;
ecological cleanliness, hypoallergenicity;
a large number of decorative appearance solutions.

When choosing a cork laminate, you must carefully read the passport of this particular brand. The moisture resistance declared by the manufacturer may allow installation in rooms with high humidity (kitchen, bathroom and toilet rooms).

Minuses

Such a coating will be unstable to water

Materials of natural origin are more responsive to changing environmental conditions than specially designed polymers. Cork has comparative disadvantages in this respect:

Weak moisture resistance. The surface is subjected to dry or wet cleaning, special synthetic detergents (non-aggressive) are used, but spilled water can penetrate the plywood sheet, fiberboard and cause swelling. To reduce risks, it is recommended to choose moisture-resistant brands, in which the top protection is varnished.
Low tensile strength. It makes no sense to lay such a laminate in rooms where they walk in heels (stiletto heels), often move furniture or hold sports equipment. In this case, you can apply a combined method - arrange platforms from solid material or carpet.
residual deformation. With all the elasticity in places of constant walking, over time, the crushing of cork veneer and crumbs becomes noticeable. The defect can be eliminated by sanding with sandpaper.
The rough surface of the panels suggests wearing slippers (socks will not last long). Rubber soles are not recommended for shoes.
Decreased efficiency of underfloor heating. From the “warm floor” system, only 1/5 of the heat generated will break into the room through the cork layers.
The stated service life is 10 years. Although, according to the characteristics of the constituent materials, cork laminate can be used for up to 30 years with care.

In general, this product requires the right approach, based on performance. For more information about the types of cork floor, see this video:

Comparison

You can visually evaluate the expected result from the installation of cork laminate and compare with other types of flooring, according to the proposed table:

The moderate performance of cork products in terms of operational parameters is complemented by safety for the health of residents, both in terms of the release of harmful substances used in processing, and simply mitigating the fall (important for small family members).

Signs of quality

Lamellas must have a smooth smooth edge

Self-acquisition, as well as do-it-yourself laying work, involves a preliminary acquaintance with the important nuances of the process.

In the trading floor, 2 methods are used: inspection and acquaintance with the attached documents.

You need to pay attention to the following checkpoints:

package integrity (no breaks, dents, nicks);
all panels in a pack of the same size and thickness;
when connected on a flat plane, the docking line is almost invisible;
boards have smooth edges, cut lines;
the back side is a dense surface without foreign inclusions;
wear resistance class - high.

The slats are packed and sold in packs of 8-10 pieces, so they are also not purchased individually. Excess whole packaging, retaining the receipt and presentation, can be returned to the store at the end of the repair with a refund.

In order for the expectations from the application of the selected type of coating to be justified, the product must have a quality certificate from the manufacturer. Otherwise, the behavior of the flooring in the long term is difficult to predict.

Assembly Methods

The developers have provided that the technology by which the cork laminate is assembled is simple and practically does not differ from the flooring of the usual floor coverings. To learn more about laying this particular laminate, see this video:

Depending on the size of the room and the wishes of the owner, 2 traditional laying methods for plank flooring are used:

Floating (without attachment to the base);
Glue.

Installation begins after the material has matured in "its" room, its temperature and humidity have caught up with the climate of the room.

Since the supporting base of the multilayer board is a wood board, the perimeter gap to the wall for thermal expansion is maintained by 0.8 - 1 cm (closed with a plinth).

A clean cut is achieved with an electric jigsaw

Heating pipelines are bypassed with round cutouts at the rate of pipe Ø + 5 mm. To get a clean cut, it is better to use an electric jigsaw and a saw blade with the appropriate markings.

Laying the laminate is carried out on a clean, flat floor. The concrete screed is preliminarily brought to a horizontal plane with self-leveling compounds. The plank floor is cycled and covered with plywood. On the GWP (dry screed), lamellas are laid immediately. For more information on cutting holes, see this video:

If the base has roughness, small defects no larger than 2 mm, they are eliminated by a substrate made of technical cork (expensive) or synthetic film materials (cheap).

A shock-absorbing substrate is not needed, and it would be appropriate to protect the bottom from moisture vapor with plastic wrap. Its thickness should start at 0.2 mm.

Linoleum, or traditional laminate, was quite common on residential and commercial floors. Today, the situation has changed somewhat; laminate, which has a cork coating, is gaining more popularity.

Cork laminate composition

This material is a modern interlayer floor covering. At the bottom there is an adhesive layer, as well as natural chips, which are fused under the influence of temperature and pressure. The next layer is a high-strength fibreboard, followed by an adhesive layer again, as well as natural chips. The surface is thin vinyl.

Varieties of cork laminate

Cork laminate is presented for sale in several varieties, among them it is worth highlighting:

technical stopper;
glue plug;
cork parquet.

The first variety is a building material that is made from cork chips and is quite often used instead of a substrate for laminate or wooden parquet. Such a cork is able to soundproof and hide small surface flaws.

Adhesive cork floor is a modern cork, it looks like square tiles of different sizes. The structure is assembled using glue and laid joint-to-joint. After the installation is completed, it is possible to form an even canvas that does not have any gaps in the slots. The seams are highly sealed, so they are moisture resistant, which allows the use of the coating in high humidity conditions - in the bathroom or in the kitchen. You can buy such a laminate (cork) at an affordable cost, it is the affordable price that distinguishes this coating.

Cork parquet is a material that is laid using the floating method. It is created on the basis of MDF and allows you to get a monolithic surface. For installation, there is no need to use additional devices. In the process, the panels are sawn to size and tightly fitted to each other. The material is suitable for finishing children's and bedrooms.

Benefits of cork laminate

Cork laminate is usually laid on the floor using floating technology. After the assembly is completed, it is possible to obtain a durable, deformation-resistant coating. The floor will be able to last more than 30 years without the need for major repairs. Environmental friendliness can also be considered an additional plus - the material is safe for human health and completely harmless. Its external attractiveness makes consumers choose this material more and more often.

After laying the floor will imitate valuable wood species. Such a coating has such a quality as thermal conductivity, so the surface will remain warm and pleasant to the touch. Laminate is slightly springy, which indicates its flexibility, so even glass objects will not break when dropped. Cork laminate is characterized by elasticity. It has the unique characteristics of a natural material: if dents form on the surface of furniture, they will straighten out over time.

Features of cork laminate

If you use cork-based laminate as a finish, you can get soundproof and soundproof floors that will reduce the noise level in the premises. It is quite simple to assemble such a structure; installation will be carried out using the same technology that is used when laying a classic laminate.

The material is moisture resistant, so it can be used in rooms with a high level of humidity. After installation, caring for the coating is quite simple, you can use any cleaning products for this. On a rough surface, dirt and dust will remain almost invisible.

Main disadvantages

Which company's products are better to buy? Which manufacturer has a good cork laminate? Leroy Merlin offers the consumer a wide range of flooring. However, before making a purchase, you should also pay attention to the shortcomings of the material. Among others, it should be noted:

insufficiently high reliability;
increased abrasion;
high cost.

If the point load is high enough, then the cork-based laminate can suffer various damages. During operation, it is characterized by abrasion, gaps and unsightly marks remain in the most passable places. The coating is natural and has many other positive features, but it has a high cost, which cannot be called an advantage. That is why consumers quite often choose other decorative materials for flooring.

Cork laminate reviews

If you decide to choose a cork laminate, it is recommended to read reviews about it in advance. Consumers say that cork-based floors will be a great solution for rustic interiors. Quite often, cork laminate is used for interior design in eco-style. As the main advantage of this natural material, consumers call the unique texture and unique appearance. Cork looks natural and natural.

Considering the cork laminate, the cons must be taken into account. Among others, consumers distinguish not always high-quality goods that can be found on the market. That is why when choosing, you should pay attention to the edges. If you notice burrs and irregularities in this area, then buyers are advised to refuse to purchase such a coating.

Laminated boards of one batch must have one size. If it is different, then the installation process will be complicated. Cork laminate, whose advantages will allow you to make the right choice, can be designed for laying in commercial offices. This coating has the highest wear resistance class. This material can be recognized by the designation 33. It is important to pay attention to the bottom layer of the board, which must be dense and free of foreign inclusions. Otherwise, the soundproofing properties will lose their positive qualities.

The cork substrate under the Leroy Merlin laminate (as well as under the products of any other company) must be used during installation. In addition, in the process of carrying out these works, consumers are advised to pay attention to joints that should not stand out. Otherwise, moisture will penetrate into the cracks, which in the end will negatively affect the quality of the material, which will become unusable. Cork is not a particularly reliable material, which is why the finish must have intact packaging. Consumers are advised to pay attention to the manufacturer so as not to purchase low-quality goods.

cork laminate cost

Cork laminate, the price of which is 2000 rubles. per square meter, are realized with different textures, imitations and shades, in addition, the material may have different features. For example, Fado NATURA 03 has the following dimensions: 10.5x295x905 mm. The connection is locking, the products have no chamfer. The surface imitates satin. But Artcomfort Stone has a smooth glossy surface, the design is made in the form of a wild stone. On the base there are different shades of brown with green accents. The dimensions of this material are 10.5x445x645 mm. A square meter costs 3200 rubles.

On sale you can also find cork laminate, the price of which will be equal to 2400 rubles. In this case, we are talking about Corkcomfort Glue-Down products, which are supplied without chamfers. This cork laminate has a gray tint and a matte lacquer on the surface that acts as a protection. The elements are connected by glue, the dimensions are 6x300x600 mm. On sale there is also a 3 mm cork underlayment for laminate. For 10 m 2 you will need to pay 780 rubles.

Cork laminate flooring has successfully taken a leading position among floor coverings. This material appeared recently, but has already managed to displace traditional linoleum from the market. Today it is used for arranging both residential and commercial premises. In addition, thanks to the chic choice of textures and colors, cork laminate is very popular in modern interiors.

It allows you to create an unusual atmosphere in the room, fills the space with natural beauty and comfort.

Peculiarities

Recently, cork flooring has been used for flooring. And not in vain, because this material, in addition to aesthetic appeal, also has excellent heat and sound insulation. Its structure resembles a laminate and consists of:

bottom layer. It is a cork substrate, which is made by pressing small crumbs. Its thickness reaches 3 mm, it is responsible for insulation and smoothes out small irregularities on the surfaces.
Moisture resistant board. They are made from MDF or plywood sheets. At the ends of the material, a spike and tongue are applied, which provides the coating with rigidity and quick assembly.
Layer of pressed cork. It is glued to the plate and performs the function of heat and sound insulation. In addition, this layer reduces the load on the floor.
decorative surface. It is obtained from cork oak veneer. The strength of the material and the appearance of the future coating depend on it.
protective layer. Provides the product safety during operation, prevents its abrasion and wear. To do this, the veneer is covered with a vinyl film or a special varnish.

Varieties

In the interior of modern housing, you can often find cork laminate. There are several types of this material, each of which has an individual design, texture and color. The most popular option is considered to be a classic style covering, it is made from handmade natural veneer, which is obtained from the bark of special tree species growing in Portugal. The cork layer is glued to the base in such a way that the thickness of the product does not exceed 6 mm. In addition, this laminate is presented entirely from oak bark and does not contain artificial additives.

The cork floor with photo printing looks elegant and stylish. His homeland is Switzerland. Thanks to the beautiful ornament, the use of such coatings in design has become limitless. Thus, today it is possible not only to make a floor covering from unusual types of wood, but also to decorate it with multi-colored boards with drawings imitating lawns, a hayloft or a map of the world.

The textured photo image is transferred directly to the cork, then primed and turned into a real work of art.

Cork laminate based on hydroplates is not afraid of moisture. As a rule, it is laid in rooms with high humidity. The main components of this material are a waterproof plate 2 mm thick and quartz. Such a floor is well suited for kitchens and bathrooms, as it allows you to save on additional heating. In addition, the laminate is characterized by strength and resistance to wear.

The flooring is also easy to install and is well suited for small apartments or studios. If you lay the same floor everywhere in the house, then the area of \u200b\u200bthe premises will appear visually larger. The material is easy to install and maintain.

No less popular is techno array. It is a cross between a parquet board and a laminate. The product received positive reviews, as it has a wide selection of images and shades, it can be used in the decoration of any room. The base of the techno-array consists of high-density fiber boards, it is covered with veneer on the sides. A digital composition is applied to the outer layer and fixed with hot varnish. Such a floor can be used for more than 20 years, it is wear-resistant, environmentally friendly and has an original look for interior decoration.

For lovers of unusual aesthetics, a good choice would be cork laminate, decorated under the skin. It is made from several layers, the top of which is recycled leather. Such a floor can imitate the pattern of crocodile or snake skin. The material is completely eco-friendly, it consists of crushed fibers of natural origin. In addition to a stylish look, such a coating also has good thermal insulation and is reliable in use.

Practicality should be in everything, especially when it comes to finishing materials on the floor. Therefore, lately, vinyl flooring is often chosen, which looks like ceramic tile, carpet or natural wood. As for performance and structure, the product is identical to the cork laminate. Thanks to unique processing technologies, such floors are highly flexible, resistant to moisture and do not fade in the sun. The top layer of the laminate is made of PVC and additionally protected with a special solution from exposure to ultraviolet rays.

A decorative pattern and texture is applied to the base of the cork and opened with vinyl.

In addition to the composition, the cork laminate also differs in the method of fastening. Distinguish castle and adhesive floor:

Castle. This is a multilayer material, the bottom layer of which is made of cork agglomerate. He is a substrate. The product also consists of fiber board and veneer. Various prints can be applied to the surface of the laminate, and the installation resembles installation work with a parquet board. The floor covering is fastened with special locks.
Glue. The thickness of such a product does not exceed 6 mm, the material is obtained by gluing cork chips and covered with veneer or vinyl. It will be difficult to lay such a floor on your own, since the base must be perfectly even and properly prepared. Otherwise, the coating will repeat the entire surface relief and the work will be spoiled. As a rule, adhesive laminate is installed in rooms with high humidity, fixing it with glue.

All about the features of laying cork laminate, see the following video.

Pros and cons

Cork floors have many positive characteristics, thanks to which the finishing material has taken the lead in design. Such a floor covering harmoniously fits into any style and in a special way fills the room with notes of wildlife. The main advantages of the product include:

Heat preservation. Laminate can even be laid on a concrete base and not worry about the fact that the cold will be transferred to the surface.
Environmental friendliness. The product is completely safe for the environment and humans. Excellent water, bacteria and dust repellency.
Noise absorption. Serves as good isolation from extraneous noise.
Unique surface. The laminate is springy and soft. Provides comfort when walking, reducing the load on the spine.
Combination with infrared heating. Provides even heat distribution. On this floor you can even walk barefoot without slippers.

Ease of maintenance. Cleaning can be done with a damp cloth and a vacuum cleaner.
Fast installation.
Resistance to mechanical and chemical influences. Cork laminate does not undergo decay processes, is not afraid of mold and fungi.
Aesthetic look. The product is presented in various decors and colors, imitates the texture of all types of wood.

Flaws:

It is subject to tears, so you can’t walk on such a floor in stilettos.
Requires good preparation of the base during installation work.
Short service life.

Unlike conventional laminate, cork can last no more than 10 years.

Design Ideas

Today it is impossible to attach a modern interior without such a floor covering as cork laminate. It is truly considered the main decoration of any room, as it harmoniously complements the overall decor of the rooms. In addition, the composition on wooden plates is not ordered and does not repeat, which makes the product interesting and bright.

The construction market is represented by many types of this coating, which are unique in their appearance. The cork floor with the texture of wood and marble looks beautiful. Traditionally, the color scheme of the material consists of sand, yellow and brown, but more contrasting shades are also found. For example, ocher or boards with colored splashes look unusual.

Although cork laminate is called so, it is solely related to the construction of the floor, i.e. with the way the boards are connected to each other. But the cork coating does not have a laminated top layer.

This type of laminate consists of several layers. At the bottom is pressed cork chips mixed with glue. This layer allows you to compensate for height differences on the subfloor of 2-3 mm, creates sound and heat insulation. Next is a plywood plate, which provides the floor with rigidity and allows the boards to be joined together due to grooves and protrusions. The next layer is pressed cork again. Cork veneer is placed on top of it. Due to the greater rigidity, it provides the floor with durability. The final protective coating is usually varnish or a thin film of vinyl.

Important ! A warm floor under a cork laminate is rarely done, because. this coating does not transmit heat very well.

It is believed that due to the springy structure, the cork laminate reduces the load on the spine when walking. In fact, this effect is not so great and noticeable. But falling on such a floor is much less painful than on tiles or even parquet. So, it is perfect for children's rooms.

What is good cork laminate

Pros of cork laminate:

long service life of the floor (up to 30 years under normal operating conditions);
pleasant appearance;
the floor is warm to the touch;
ease of installation (the technology differs little from laying a conventional laminate);
environmental friendliness;
hypoallergenicity;
the material is slightly springy, so fragile objects, as a rule, do not break when dropped;
elasticity, due to which dents from furniture on the floor disappear by themselves after some time;
the versatility of such a floor covering (there are types suitable even for rooms with high humidity);
high rates of noise and heat insulation;
Due to the rough surface, dust is less noticeable on the floor.

But cork-based laminate is still imperfect and has disadvantages:

high price relative to other species;
low floor strength at high point load (for example, with heavy large-sized furniture on thin legs);
Less wear resistance compared to laminated coatings. Over time, gaps and traces become visible in places with the greatest traffic. This problem can be solved by sanding the damaged areas and applying a special varnish coating for cork wood.

How to choose a quality laminate

Signs of a quality laminate:

high wear resistance class;
even cuts along the edge of the boards;
whole package without visible damage;
the same size of all laminate boards in a pack and an inconspicuous joint line when they are laid on the floor;
dense bottom layer without foreign inclusions.

Before purchasing cork flooring from a certain manufacturer, you should read reviews on it on the Internet. If possible, it is worth visiting the official dealers of the company in a particular city. As a rule, in their salons you can see a wide variety of cork laminate, not only in the photo, but also live, to evaluate how it looks on large floor areas.

Most manufacturers give a 10-year warranty on cork laminate, but with careful use, this period can be significantly extended.

Advice ! If there is any doubt about the authenticity of the product, then the store can always request quality certificates.

Cork laminate is sold in packs, i.e. it is unlikely that it will be possible to take exactly the required amount of it. If the whole package remains unclaimed, then if you have a receipt and keep its presentation, it can be returned back to the store.

Manufacturers

In the production of cork floors, Portugal retains its leadership. Its products are praised for their high quality, durability and wide selection. Specific brands: "Wicanders", "Сorkart", "ELITER". The Russian brand of laminate "MAESTRO" is also produced at the facilities of Portuguese factories.

Among other brands of floor coverings, popular are:

"Quick-Step" "Balterio" (Belgium);
Tarkett (Russia);
Pergo (Sweden);
Witex, Proteco, Kronotex, Egger, Aberhof, Parador (Germany).

Cork flooring and laminate are also produced in many EU countries and even in China.

How to install cork laminate

After delivering the cork laminate home, its packaging must be opened and the material left to rest on the floor for a couple of days. So it adapts to the temperature and humidity conditions of the room. If this “acclimatization” is neglected, then after laying the laminate may swell, or, conversely, shrink so that the joints of individual boards will diverge.

Since cork, like any other wood, tends to expand and contract with significant temperature fluctuations, a gap of 8-10 mm should remain around the perimeter of the room. Visually, it will not be noticeable, because. covered with plinth. To keep this gap when laying the laminate on the floor, wedges are placed against the walls, in the absence of which, in principle, any objects of a suitable size can be used, for example, small boards or trimmings of the floor covering.

All types of laminate are demanding on the evenness of the floor. If the height differences exceed 2-3 mm per 1 m of the length of the room, then the floor needs additional leveling from a cement-sand screed, self-leveling floor or other options.

If a wet floor screed was made, then it is necessary to check how well it dried. To do this, put a glass jar upside down on the floor at night. If condensation is noticeable on it in the morning, it means that it is too early to lay the laminate, it will begin to dampen, rot, and become a favorable environment for small insects and mold.

All debris, dust and dirt must be removed from the floor. Next, the substrate is spread along it butt-to-butt. The joints of its individual fragments are glued with adhesive tape or masking tape. Some manufacturers offer laminate with a substrate already glued to it, which greatly simplifies the work. But often you have to buy it yourself. At the same time, it is not at all necessary that the underlayment and the cork flooring come from the same manufacturer.

The most common version of the substrate is made of polyethylene foam. If additional thermal insulation is required, foil materials are used. The lining under the laminate can also be cork.

Laminate boards are mounted on the floor in a checkerboard pattern, i.e. in two adjacent rows, transverse joints should not be adjacent. For a tight and reliable fixation of the lock joints, the stacked fragment is tapped from the side with a soft hammer or an ordinary one, but through a plank or bar.

Advice ! To make the floor joints less noticeable, laying the cork laminate should start from the window.

Laminate care

Cork laminate cannot be called very fastidious, but following certain operating rules will preserve its aesthetic appearance and extend its service life.

Laminate flooring can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a damp (but not wet) cloth. Hard metal brushes and aggressive detergents should never be used to clean the cork floor.
To make the floor less squeezed, you should give preference to furniture with thick legs. They should be "shod" in small covers made of felt or similar material.
On the floor covered with cork laminate, it is not recommended to walk in thin heels and rubber shoes.

After dismantling or repairing the cork laminate, it can be easily laid again in the same or another room.

Although dust and dirt accumulate on the surface of the cork-coated laminate, they do not penetrate deep into the material, so they are easily removed during cleaning. The floor is impregnated with water-repellent mastic, so a damp cloth or even an accidentally spilled glass of liquid will not damage it. But large volumes of water, of course, will not be useful to the laminate.

cork floor

There are significant differences between cork flooring and laminate flooring. Such a floor consists of pressed wood boards with a top layer of veneer, which is varnished several times. Although the material itself will cost a little less than laminate, it will be necessary to buy additional glue and varnish, so both options for flooring will end up being about the same price.

The cork floor, according to numerous user reviews, is not at all afraid of water. It does not swell even after flooding by neighbors, pipe breaks, roof leaks and other troubles. But laying a cork floor is somewhat more difficult than a laminate floor.

A big disadvantage of installing such a floor is the strong smell of glue and varnish. So strong and unpleasant that for 1-2 days it is better not to stay indoors for a long time, and work should be carried out in a respirator.

Cork flooring is easy to repair - the damaged piece of the coating is simply cut out, and a new one is glued in its place.

Many consumers today are interested in one floor material - cork laminate. It appeared on the market not so long ago, there is still little information on it, so not everyone knows its technical characteristics.

What is cork laminate, and why is it so named?

Cork floors have recently been included in the category of exotic flooring. But the one who used this finishing material has already appreciated all its advantages:

This floor is always soft and warm.
It is an excellent heat and sound insulating material.
It never collects dust.
If you drop glassware on it, it is guaranteed not to break.

True, this flooring has a huge drawback - too high a cost. Therefore, for the mass consumer, it is still an inaccessible pleasure.

To solve the problem and reduce the cost of cork flooring, manufacturers decided to change the design of the material to include a cheap but strong enough base. So cork laminate is a panel based on either moisture-resistant chipboard or MDF board. But the front side is covered with cork material. It turns out that the new cork floor is cork-shaped panels that are easy to install using almost the same technology as conventional laminate.

Material design

The new cork flooring is very similar to conventional laminate flooring. This is a multi-layer structure consisting of different building materials. In appearance, it resembles laminate panels, that is, planks of a certain length. And if you don’t know that this is cork material, it’s hard to guess right away.

What layers does the cork laminate construction consist of? Let's start from the bottom:

The bottom layer is compressed cork chips.
MDF or chipboard.
Another layer of crumb cork.
Wood veneer. Often manufacturers use cork oak veneer.
Protective covering. It can be varnish or polymer - more often vinyl.

The design of the panels includes a lock connection. That is, a groove is made from one edge of the panel, and a spike from the other. This simplifies the process of assembling the laminate on the floor to a minimum. Even a beginner can handle it - installation is so simple. Of course, knowledge of some of the nuances is necessary, but more on that below.

Advantages and disadvantages

Cork laminate device

We have already mentioned the pros and cons of cork flooring. In part, they switched to cork laminate. However, it is worth adding something to fully highlight the characteristics of this coating.

Easy and fast installation. You can do it yourself and still save a lot of money.
High maintainability. A failed panel or several elements can be easily dismantled and replaced with new ones. Experts assure that such a cork floor can be transferred 2-3 times to any other room without compromising its quality.
Cork laminate is made taking into account such an indicator as moisture resistance. In addition, it is an environmentally friendly floor covering with high elasticity. Even traces of legs from heavy furniture are quickly restored.
When walking, the elasticity of the flooring and its softness are felt. This has a beneficial effect on the spine and joints of the human legs.
Huge choice in terms of decorative design of the front side of the panels. And compared to a solid cork floor, laminate flooring is several times cheaper.

Low tensile strength, so walking on cork laminate in stilettos is not recommended.
It has already been said about the high thermal insulation properties, so it is not worth laying a “warm floor” heating system under the cork material. The maximum that such a board can miss is 20% of the allocated thermal energy.
If we compare the strength of a conventional laminate and cork, then the advantage will not be in favor of the latter. Hence the low service life - up to 10 years.

Cork laminate flooring

Although the material is made of cork, it is still a laminate. Therefore, the technology of its laying is almost identical to the installation of conventional laminatin.

To begin with, a cork laminate floor is a floating structure. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances of such a process.

Training

Wood floor repair

First of all, the finishing material must be brought into the room where it will be laid, unpacked and left in this form for a couple of days to adapt. Like any wooden product, cork laminate quickly picks up the temperature and humidity of the place where it is located.

While the material is lying, we proceed to the preparation of the room, or rather, the floor. To do this, you will have to dismantle the old flooring, remove the baseboards and check the subfloor for defects. Please note that cork flooring, like conventional laminate, can only be laid on a flat and solid base.

Therefore, if floor defects are found, it is necessary to get rid of them:

If the floor is concrete, then the easiest method is to pour a cement-sand screed.
If the floor is wooden, you will have to repair the base, and then cover it with plywood sheets.

The next stage in the preparatory process is associated with the front door. Usually, when finishing a newly built house, doors are installed at the very last moment. They are ordered to the final dimensions - especially the height of the element. Here everything depends not only on the size of the opening, but also on the height to which the floor with the finish is raised. If the repair is carried out in an old house where the doors are already installed, you will have to remove them, lay the flooring, and then adjust the doors to the required dimensions. Usually they are sawn from the bottom if they are wooden.

If the doors are made of MDF, PVC or metal, then you will have to accurately calculate the height of the floor covering to be laid. Couldn't fit into the required size range? There is no way out - you will have to order new doors.

Further along the entire perimeter of the room along the walls at the level of laying, spacer wedges are installed and fixed with self-tapping screws. They can be wooden or plastic. Everyone knows that the floating floor structure does not come into contact with the walls of the room. This is her main requirement. Indeed, during the operation of wooden structures, their dimensions can change under the influence of different temperatures and humidity. Therefore, the expansion gap is an indispensable element of cork laminate. By the way, this unsightly gap will eventually be closed with a plinth, so it will not be visible.

Substrate mounting

Substrate laying

What is the purpose of the substrate? Mainly for leveling the base of the floor. Small differences can remain even after pouring the screed or installing plywood, and the substrate material hides such defects up to 2 mm in size. Today, manufacturers offer two types of substrates - technical cork and synthetic films. The first material is expensive and the second is cheap.

There is one important point in this case. Much depends on the room in which you will install the cork laminate. If this:

first floor, under which there is a wet cellar
floors laid on the ground
the second floor, under which there is a wet room,

Then option one - a synthetic film. Most often, ordinary polyethylene film with a thickness of at least 0.2 mm is used for these purposes.

It is laid out so that it completely covers the area of \u200b\u200bthe room with a slight overlap on the walls - 10 cm will be enough. If the width of the film does not completely cover the floor surface, it is placed in overlapping strips relative to each other. The joint must be fastened with construction tape. In fact, the polyethylene film serves not only as a substrate, but also as a hydro- and vapor barrier. Sometimes craftsmen put a layer of technical cork on top of the film, and then the cork laminate itself.

Installation of cork panels

Laying cork floor

Installation of cork laminate and conventional laminated panels is carried out using the same technology. Here is the sequence of actions:

It is necessary to start installation from the corner farthest from the front door. The first board in the first row is laid. The first board in the second row is cut in half. After all, a laminate floor is a structure mounted on the principle of brickwork.
The half is brought to the first laid board, the spike is inserted into the groove, after which the half of the board is lowered to the floor level. You will definitely hear a click, which indicates that the connection has occurred. After that, you need to install a special bar near the board and hit it with a hammer a couple of times. This is how finishing is carried out, that is, sealing the joint. It is also necessary to adjust the elements along the ends of the panels, that is, to knock out the board from the back side.
Most often, masters use this method of laying, when the first row is laid out completely, then the second is attached to it, and so on. There is an option when the rows are not fully laid out and filled as you move to the door. This is the so-called ladder technology.

Note! Some beginners face the problem of installing the last board. It is inconvenient to work with it, because the wall interferes. In a set of tools for laying laminate, manufacturers lay a special tool called a clamp. It facilitates the installation of the last element.

The last board is cut to the required size in length and placed next to the penultimate one. Then a clamp is inserted from the end, or rather, its end bent down. On the second end bent up, they knock with a hammer. Thus, the last board is brought to a tight connection with the penultimate one.
And the final stage in the process of laying cork laminate is the installation of skirting boards. For such a floor, a cork plinth is well suited, which is attached to the walls with an adhesive composition. You can install wooden or laminated plinths, which are fixed with self-tapping screws. And don't forget the door sill. It will hide the border between two finishing materials laid in different rooms.

Please note that the skirting boards must be mounted so that there is a distance of 1–2 mm between their lower plane and the floor.

Laying near pipes

Some novice craftsmen find it difficult to install cork laminate around pipes. There is nothing complicated here. It is necessary to measure the distance from the edge of the board laid on the floor to the center of the pipe, then transfer it to the panel being prepared. Here you will need a drill with a nozzle in the form of a crown. The diameter of the tool should be slightly larger than the diameter of the pipe. In the calculated place, a hole is made for the pipe. An undercut is made on the side for the pipe to enter the panel. When the board is installed, the gap between it and the pipe is sealed with a special stroke. It will close the gap and give the floor finish a beautiful look.

Conclusion on the topic

So, cork laminate is conquering the market. Not all consumers have yet realized what advantages this floor material has, and what advantages it has over conventional laminate. Of course, it takes time and positive feedback not only from manufacturers, but also from consumers who have already enjoyed all the delights of using laminated cork. This flooring is one of the best available today. After all, it contains the basic requirements of modernity - environmental friendliness, strength, beauty, heat and sound insulation at the same time.

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