
Unlike laminate, linoleum, cork floor has a number of advantages due to its naturalness. Learn about all the features of the material, color combinations and options with photo printing. About all types of coatings with all their advantages and disadvantages later in the article.
Content of this article:
Material Features
The tree has such an interesting ability as "dropping" the bark. This happens when the tree reaches 30 years. This phenomenon occurs every 9-12 years. Then, the bark can be safely removed, without harm to the tree.
The peeled bark is collected, it is shallow, subjected to a specific treatment and heated in a hot oven. Following is sent under the press, which has a high pressure. The resulting ground mixture becomes suberin (this is the mass, which consists of oxygen bubbles and the tube itself). This is the basis of cork flooring.
Over a layer of suberin impose a layer consisting of resins, dust of wood and fix again suberin. The front layer is made of cork, vinyl, a thin sheet of wood.
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return to menu ↑ return to menu ↑We make cork floor in the interior
Cork in the interior is used because it has a good sound and noise insulation, and can absorb various odors. Also, this material is resistant to the effects of various household chemicals.
Decorative application of such a coating is quite diverse, due to the large choice of colors. The floor covering of warm natural shades will look original. These include brown Colour, yellowochery The shade is selected taking into account of furniturein the room the kitchen, living room the rest of the room design. The shade is selected from the darkest to the lightest.
Another plus that depends on the method of installation, the size of the panels themselves, and the lighting in the cork room will look different.
There is a traditional texture of cork floor, as well as unusual, original colors with bright inclusions, interesting design.
In addition to the usual cork there is also a photopark, photocap from cork. Such innovations made the flooring not dull and dull as before.
Technologies allow imitating cork under various rare and expensive woods, for example, pine or oak. For those who want something exotic, an unusual variant is offered - this cork is imitated as walnut, Karelian birch, zebrano, rosewood. This effect is achieved by applying a thin sheet of wood from 0.1 to 10 mm to the texture of the cork.
To get the effect of the coating of the array, you need to put the cork deck. Also, with its help you can imitate:
- pebbles;
- sand and stone;
- brick;
- the earth.
It will look like an interesting move in the interior not only of the room, but also of the kitchen, the hallwayliving room.
Cork will serve as a reliable coating, provided that it was made according to the rules and there were no errors during installation.
Laminate gives cold. The cork, on the contrary, gives off heat, it will be comfortable to walk on it with bare feet.
It is easier to clean it, because there are no puddles and various traces left on it, no dust accumulates. And in order to not see the dents from the furniture, you need to buy felt nozzles.
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return to menu ↑Design
The primary color of cork looks very interesting. Such coverage can be laid in any part of the house, even bathroom. It is soft and cozy, great for any room and would be appropriate in a classic interior, and in such styles as modern, high techvanguard minimalism.
Classic style housing will be perfectly complemented by such a coating. In such an apartment, everything will look clear, concise, with a minimum number of decorative elements, without anything extra.
Using a combination of cork and laminate can solve the problem of zoning. For example, to divide the same living room area and corridor. So you can make a smooth wave cork floor near the arch or doorway in the living room. If you pick up a light laminate, it will be interesting to look with the sand color of the cork, and the line of separation will be drawn.
To give some originality and originality in the interior, you can put a cork of the type of "forest trail". Cork is a unique material with which you can create a unique pattern.
A cork imitated as a natural stone is suitable for a Mediterranean-style living room.
For hi-tech, minimalism, loft suitable cork coating, simulated under the concrete bulk.Such material can be used even in the children's room, and it will not look boring. You must choose different bright color panels.
This coating is often used in the gym or gym. Since when heavy objects fall on the floor, there will be no trace, there will be no cracks or scratches, and there will be no such noise.
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return to menu ↑Color combinations
The interior design can be approached with the idea of combining colors. This helps create a stylish, unusual floor finish. By the way, this method is also used for wall decoration.
There is also a complex combination of traffic jams. This option is suitable for large living rooms. The picture, the pattern is chosen more difficult. For example, you can make cork with octagonal stars on it. Or put the cork in a checkerboard pattern, with alternating colors.
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return to menu ↑Photo printing
To create a stylish and original interior you can resort to the use of photo printing. Use technologies such as Print. A thin layer of the texture of any material that only exists in nature is covered over the cork. More often do imitation:
- granite;
- sand;
- marble;
- metal;
- different types of wood;
- sometimes even use straw print.
There are image layouts that are created by the program, up to 10 pieces.. This is necessary so that those floorboards that are stacked side by side do not repeat. They must create a kind of solid coating, which to the maximum corresponds to the original underlying.
With the help of cork you can add any interior. He will add to it freshness, lightness, will be able to give originality and originality. With such a floor as a cork, you can experiment at will, making the house beautiful, cozy and fashionable.
Cork is a good finishing material.. If properly cared for, it will last a long time. Also, a wide selection of colors, the ability to put a print allow you to create an interesting, unique design. If you comply with all the necessary conditions of the technology, then the cover can be laid independently, this will help to save a large amount. But, if knowledge in this matter is not enough, it is better to seek specialized assistance.
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return to menu ↑ return to menu ↑Types of coatings
The processed bark of cork oak falls to the consumer in this form:
- Technical traffic jam - produced in the form of rolls, plates. The rolled material can be used simply as a substrate for a finishing coating of various types.
- Lock plug (floating cork floor, cork parquet) - a simple laminate from pressed hardboard (MDF), which has clique locks. The cork is glued on top, bottom on it.
- Cork tiles of various sizes - using cork tiles created complex patterns, visually divided the room.
The choice of cork coating will depend on the wishes and preferences of the owners.
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return to menu ↑Benefits
The main advantages of cork come from the characteristics of its materials. It has a good porous structure. ATAll pores are sealed and contain a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen. Such a structure provides it with such characteristics as lightness, resilience, elasticity.
On this basis, the following positive qualities of cork can be distinguished:
- Deformation resistance. Traces of furniture may remain on linoleum, the same thing happens on cork. But, in the second case, this phenomenon is temporary, after the rearrangement, the surface takes on its former shape. In addition, if you drop a heavy object, there will be no trace left.
- Warm. Cork covering, unlike tile, linoleum, marble is warm to the touch, because slowly absorbs the heat that comes from the person himself.
- Environmental friendliness. This is made from natural material. On this basis, an additional advantage is protection against radioactive and other radiation.
- Slip Resistance. This advantage allows you to apply such a coating on the stairs, as well as in public places.
- Good sound insulation. Such a floor will be well suppress various sounds, noise in the premises.So, the neighbors will not hear the trampling of children, or the rumble of the damage of any heavy object. This applies only to the noise in this apartment, it does not eliminate the sounds from neighboring apartments.
- Hygienic. Cork has anti-condensation properties. On it mold is less formed, corrosion is not marked, and such material is well protected from steam effects. This floor does not require special care. If it is slightly soiled, wipe it with a cloth or use a vacuum cleaner.
- Hypoallergenic materials. No dust accumulates on this surface. It facilitates the daily life of allergies. This floor will be relevant to use in medical institutions.
- Durability. Depending on the quality of the installation and the characteristics of the coating, its manufacturers give it a guarantee of 10-20 years.
- Orthopedic impact. The coating has good depreciation rates, which helps to reduce the load on the legs, the spine while walking.
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return to menu ↑disadvantages
There are no materials that would be convenient in all respects and have no flaws. There are negative sides to the use of cork for the floor:
- High price. If this quality cork, made of solid veneer, it will cost a lot. The price of such coverage may exceed the cost. laminate flooring or parquet. This does not include the cost of installation, additional materials that builders need in the process.
- Poor tear strength. Cork is resistant to deformation, but not all. Coating can damage stiletto heels, cat claws, sharp furniture legs made of metallic material.
- Swelling. Due to exposure to high humidity floating cork is able to swell. All because MDF - the base of the coating, this material swells from moisture. Therefore, such a floor covering is not advisable to use in the bathroom and rooms with high humidity.
- Other inconveniences. There are also such negative sides as roughness. Therefore, the surface must be covered with various compositions. Difficulties may be dependent on the coefficient of friction. If it is high, then the soles of soft slippers and socks can wear off. If the rate is very low - this coverage will be how many.
VIDEO: Choosing cork floors
Cork
What is so good these floors?
Conclusion
All the pros and cons of such a flooring are relative. Everyone picks it up for certain qualities.
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