Cork laminate: types, pros and cons

Cork laminate flooring has successfully taken the lead among floor coverings. This material has appeared recently, but has already managed to oust traditional linoleum from the market. To date, it is used for arranging both residential and commercial premises. In addition, due to the chic selection of textures and colors, cork laminate is very popular in modern interiors.

Recently, for the finishing of floors began to apply a coating of cork. And not in vain, because this material, in addition to the aesthetic appeal, also has excellent heat and sound insulation. Its structure is similar to laminate and consists of:

• Bottom layer. It is a cork substrate, which is made by pressing small chips.Its thickness reaches 3 mm, it is responsible for the insulation and smooths out small irregularities on the surfaces.
• Moistureproof plate. They are made from MDF or plywood sheets. On the ends of the material, a spike and a tongue is applied, which provides the coating with rigidity and quick assembly.
• Pressed cork layer. 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 made from cork oak veneer. It depends on the strength of the material and the appearance of the future coating.
• Protective layer. Provides product safety during operation, prevents its erasing and wear. To do this, the veneer is covered with vinyl film or a special varnish.

In the interior of modern housing can often be found cork laminate. There are several types of this material, each of which is distinguished by individual design, texture and color. The most popular option is considered to be a classic-style coating, it is produced from natural handmade veneer, which is obtained from the bark of special wood species growing in Portugal.The cork layer is glued to the base in such a way that product thickness does not exceed 6 mm. In addition, this laminate is completely made of oak bark and does not incorporate artificial additives.

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

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

No less popular is and techno array. It is something between a floorboard and a laminate. The product has received positive feedback, as it has a rich selection of images and shades, it can be used in the decoration of any room. The basis of the techno-array consists of high-density fiber plates, on the sides it is veneered. A digital composition is applied to the outer layer and fixed with hot varnish. This floor can be operated for more than 20 years, it is durable, eco-friendly and has an original look for interior design.

For lovers of unusual aesthetics, a good choice will be cork laminate, decorated under the skin. It is made of several layers, the upper of which is recycled leather. Such a floor can mimic the skin of a crocodile or snake. The material is completely eco-friendly, it consists of chopped fibers of natural origin.In addition to the stylish look, this coating still has good thermal insulation and is reliable in use.

Practicality should be in everything, especially for finishing materials on the floor. Therefore, in recent times vinyl coating 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 have increased flexibility, are resistant to moisture and do not fade in the sun. The top layer of the laminate is made from PVC and additionally protected with a special solution from exposure to ultraviolet rays.

In addition to the composition, cork laminate is also different way of fastening. There are castle and glue floor:

• Castle This is a multilayer material, the lower layer of which is made of cork agglomerate. It is a substrate. Also, the product consists of a fiber board and veneer. Various prints can be applied to the surface of the laminate, and the laying is reminiscent of the installation work with the floorboard.The flooring is fixed with special locks.
• Glue. The thickness of this product does not exceed 6 mm, the material is produced by gluing cork chips and covered with veneer or vinyl. It will be difficult to lay such a floor on your own, as the base must be perfectly flat and properly prepared. Otherwise, the coating will repeat the entire surface relief and the work will be ruined. As a rule, adhesive laminate is installed in rooms with high humidity, fixing it on glue.

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

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

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

• Easy to care. Cleaning can be done with a damp cloth and vacuum cleaner.
• Quick installation.
• Resistance to mechanical and chemical stress. Cork laminate does not undergo rotting processes and is not afraid of mold and fungi.
• Aesthetic look. The product is presented in different decor and colors, imitates the texture of all types of wood.

Disadvantages:

• Subjected to tears, so walking on such a floor in heels is impossible.
• Requires a good preparation of the base during installation work.
• Short life.

To date, it is impossible to put a modern interior without such a flooring 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, it makes the product interesting and bright.

The construction market is represented by a variety of types of this coating, which are unique in appearance. Cork floors look beautifully textured wood and marbled. Traditionally, the color range of the material consists of sand, yellow and brown, but there are also more contrasting shades. For example, ocher or boards with color blotches look unusual.

In order to make the interior of the room stylish, designers recommend using several types of laminate with different colors and structures at once. This technique will not only perform the zoning of space, but also give the room individuality. Often, a similar combination is used for children's rooms and living rooms. In this case, do not forget about the color of furniture and walls. Transitions shades should be smooth and not bright.

For the bedroom is best to choose the floor of light shades with a delicate wood texture. This will fill the room with romance and a sense of solitude.As for the kitchen, in this case, brown flooring will suit, which will perfectly complement the furniture made of oak. In the living room you can experiment with a print and lay the laminate with photo printing.