The cork floor is environmentally friendly, easy to clean and warm to the feet, offers good impact sound insulation and fascinates with an attractive, natural look. So it's no wonder that it is one of the most popular floor coverings. But some builders are concerned that it is soft, very delicate and not suitable for every room. Is that actually true and what are the advantages and disadvantages?Natural materialactually has? We take a close look at these questions and try to give you an overview. We will also show you the latest collections from well-known cork floor manufacturers.
Laying cork flooring – an environmentally friendly material
The cork oak is a tree common in the Mediterranean region (particularly Portugal and Spain). The tree bark is used to produce cork. After the first formwork, a dark brown bark is obtained, which is known for its best insulating properties. The next formwork is done every 10-12 years - the material is significantly softer, but has the advantage that it is easy to work with. Bottle corks are usually made from this. The specificity of this process is the fact that after the bark is peeled, the tree can continue to live without any problems. Even more so - around 100 kg are gained from one tree over the years. That's why this renewable raw material is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to solid wood flooringLaminate. In addition, transport costs are saved for cork because the producing countries are in the immediate vicinity of Germany.
Laying cork flooring – which variant of floor tiles are available to choose from?
The cork floor covering is offered in three variants - the cork panels are pressed and delivered in a single layer, or they are delivered in a multi-layer version - i.e. the pressed raw material is then glued with a veneer / in a cork, wood or even concrete look. The so-called parquet is usually made from cork granules. What is referred to on the market as solid cork, i.e. cork from the first bark formwork, is usually only available in the mosaic tile variant. Normally, at the end of the production process, the surface is sealed with a special varnish - you should find out more about this before purchasing. If the surface is not sealed, that's not necessarily a problem - if desired, the buyer can then buy a suitable water-based varnish and apply a coat of paint to the surface. Of course, this variant should also be discussed with the local specialists before purchasing.
Installation - Cork tiles are glued and sealed to the substrate in a similar way to natural stone tiles. The cork floor can also be laid floating - a special spring mechanism connects the individual panels. The so-called click systems enable the simplest assembly without much effort and without any specific craftsmanship experience - they are easily assembled and removed.
Underfloor heating - The cork has a pleasant feel and is extremely comfortable if you would like to walk barefoot at home. In this case, the question arises as to whether underfloor heating would make sense. But cork is actually known for its thermal insulation properties - what does it look like when floor heating is installed underneath? Admittedly, underfloor heating cannot be integrated under every cork floor, but it is possible in some designs. However, it must be remembered that cork is not suitable for use in wet areas (bathroom, laundry room). Shown in the top three photos – designs by Wicanders
Laying cork flooring – advantages of natural material
Cork flooring is an extremely durable and long-lasting material that fits perfectly into modern interiors. It offers thermal insulation and is considered a sound-insulating floor covering. Compared to tiles and laminate, it is perceived as warm and pleasant. It is therefore ideal for areas subject to moderate wear and tear, such as the bedroom and children's room - people often walk barefoot there anyway, and therefore the choice of floor plays a crucial role in feeling good. The elastic material also protects your joints and back.
Natural flooring is also an option for households with allergy sufferers - if treated with special care products, cork becomes antistatic. It also scores points with an easy-care, dust-repellent surface. This is also beneficial for families with pets and small children.
The material is flame-retardant and abrasion-resistant. Small scratches cannot be repaired, but they are hardly noticeable - the attractive, natural look has a grain anyway.
In terms of price, the material is in the middle - the panels are available for around 40-60 euros, which is on average more than laminate flooring, or at least less than solid wood flooring and natural stone tiles.
Areas of application - rooms subject to moderate to high stress such as bedrooms, children's rooms, libraries. The living room can also be moved with this, but the kitchen and bathroom are only suitable to a limited extent.
Laying cork flooring – disadvantages of the material
Even though cork has so many advantages, there are also some disadvantages - when exposed to sunlight for a long time, the material can change color. Unfortunately, nothing can be changed afterwards. Stains and odors are also difficult to remove from cork flooring. This also applies to cleaning products and possibly even water. That's why you need to be careful when cleaning - it's best to wipe the floor with a dry or slightly wet cloth.
If the humidity in the room is below 50%, joints can be expected to form in the cork floor.
The cork floor is also soft, which means chairs and tables can leave visible marks. This can be avoided with a simple trick - you can move the furniture around the room. For example, slightly change the position of the chair when getting up from the dining table.
The stylish cork floors from Wicanders
Set up a stylish bedroom in neutral colors
Industrial-style living room with clinker brick walls and cork floor
Cozy living room with wooden furniture and cork floor
Bedrooms with cork floors look cozy and homely
Living room in white colors looks visually larger
The cork floor creates an attractive contrast to the white furniture and walls
Also for the home office - cork flooring adds a natural touch to the interior
Design a living room with cork flooring in a wood look
Design your living room in an exotic style – a wooden screen visually separates the kitchen from the seating area
Practically furnish the spacious living room in the family home
Hallway design in dark colors - wooden panels on the wall, cork parquet on the floor
Country house style furnishings with Biedermeier furniture and cork floors
Exotic living room with lanterns, cork floor and palm trees
Vintage furniture in the living room brings a touch of historye
The designs pictured above are includedWicandersavailable
The designs from Realcorkfloor – modern cork baseboards
To the designs from the collection ofRealcorkfloor
