Cork backing the wall for wallpaper. Eco-friendly sound insulation with cork. DIY wall decoration from cork material

Cork, known for its impeccable characteristics, has enough wide area applications. Cork backing for walls is increasingly being used because it can impart sound and heat insulation properties to them. Also called technical cork, the material can be used everywhere - as insulation, as a base for flooring or as an independent decorative material– for example, wallpaper.

Properties, functions and characteristics of cork substrate

Cork backing for walls under wallpaper is produced by pressing pre-crushed cork oak bark. The gluing of the granules is carried out thanks to the natural substance suberin, which resembles wax.

Cork material consists of many hollow cells. Their peculiarity is the composition of the walls, characterized by a five-layer structure:

• Fiber, occupying two layers. Each of them is “attached” to air located in the cells.
• Two waterproof layers, the effectiveness of which is achieved due to their dense and oily structure.
• A woody layer that gives the cells the necessary rigidity.

Technical cork is available in three forms:

1. Leafy. The thickness can vary from 0.4 to 1 cm. The length is 0.915 m and the width is 0.61 m.
2. Rolled. The thickness ranges from 0.2 to 0.4 cm. The standard length is 10 m, but 25-meter samples can also be found. The width is 1 m.
3. Cork panels.

Cork has one type - cork agglomerate. It has a slightly lower density, but is also successfully used as a lining for wallpaper.

Functions of cork backing

• leveling the wall base;
• promotion thermal insulation characteristics premises;
• soundproofing the space;
• preventing condensation formation;
• increasing adhesion between cork and wallpaper.

Specifications

Like any wood product, cork backing for wallpaper tends to have high flammability, however, in most cases, the production stage includes fire-resistant processing of the workpieces, which makes them completely non-flammable (flammability class B1).

Benefits of cork backing

Cork backing for wallpaper is durable. The service life is calculated not just in decades, but in centuries. And throughout its entire operational life, it does not tend to “grow old.”

You can re-paste the wallpaper countless times. On technical specifications It won't affect the traffic jams at all.

Technical cork is extremely wear-resistant. It tolerates mechanical stress well, which is facilitated by sufficient elasticity. At the same time, the linear dimensions of the substrate remain unchanged even after prolonged exposure.

Inert to temperature fluctuations– even heated material is not subject to stretching. Extraordinary strength and density allows it to maintain its original shape and not shrink.

Gluing a cork backing to the wall under the wallpaper ensures the leveling of the base. Therefore, the puttying stage can be safely excluded if we are talking about minor shortcomings surfaces.

Agglomerate, like technical variety plugs, antistatic - does not conduct current, and also does not accumulate electric charges in the thickness. In addition, the substrate can protect the room from radiation.

Resistance to mold formation and antiseptic properties are due to the presence of suberin - released when the fabric is heated, it serves not only as an adhesive, but also as a disinfectant that can destroy bacteria.

In addition, cork backing for walls, despite the 100% content of tree bark, is practically not susceptible to pests and rodents. Protection is achieved through special sanitization carried out at the production stage.

Environmental friendliness is another undeniable advantage. Cork is an exclusively natural material that does not contain synthetic impurities.

The production process eliminates the use of harmful compounds, which makes the substrate absolutely safe and hypoallergenic.

It is immediately worth emphasizing that the cork is not capable of spreading flame - it is non-flammable. It only tends to smolder, without releasing toxic phenolic or formaldehyde substances.

And, of course, the main advantage of a cork substrate is effective sound insulation. The advantage is due to the porous structure of the material, filled air gaps, which allows you not only to absorb noise, but also to retain heat in the room.

Flaws

There were also a few drawbacks:

• Despite its elasticity and stability, prolonged exposure to heavy objects can cause the substrate to deform.
• The price is an order of magnitude higher compared to analogues.
• Cork is able to block outgoing noise, but at the same time it allows incoming sounds to pass through.

Cork backing for walls - practical and durable material. Cork does not tend to change its characteristics throughout its service life. It protects the surface from condensation and fungus, and also perfectly levels the base, heat and sound insulates the room.

Cork backing for walls, video

Cork oak bark is now actively used as a building material. highest quality for finishing residential premises. The strength, beauty, practicality and environmental safety of cork have reliably won the trust of consumers. But it was not always so.

History of cork

Cork coverings came to the world of interior design relatively recently. But already before our era, the versatility and quality of cork oak bark were noticed. Then shoes, barrels, floats, and lids for vessels were made from this material. Clogging wine bottles, according to legend, comes from the time of a monk named Dom Perignon, although this is a controversial point, since there is evidence of the use of cork for this purpose by Spanish navigators and the Duke of Bedford in 1665. And only since the 18th century the bark of the cork oak was used construction material The Portuguese were the first to use it, covering their homes with layers of bark from this tree. Their Capuchin monastery is especially famous, the walls and floor of which were already covered with cork.

In Europe, cork began to be actively used for finishing residential premises only at the beginning of the twentieth century. In Russia, it became known only about 15 years ago, and its popularity among other building materials is rapidly growing.

Types of cork wall coverings

Covering walls with cork is not a problem nowadays, you just need to know how to glue it correctly wall plug, and it is easy to purchase any variety of this material. Cork wall coverings can be different:

Wallpaper. Available in two types:

1. paper based;
2. rolled cork sheet.

Cork wallpaper on a paper base performs a largely decorative function: they have little sound and heat insulation effect due to their small thickness. Pros: they weigh a little, some are already treated with a varnish or wax coating. They can be mounted on both walls and ceilings.

Some cork sheets of this type do not require glue as they come already with adhesive composition: you just need to remove them protective film and fix it on the wall using the principle of self-adhesive film.

Cork roll sheet. More expensive than paper-based wallpaper, as it is denser and thicker. They are sold rolled into rolls; they should not be bent to avoid breakage or cracking. They contain no synthetic substances. Cork in rolls for walls is often sold untreated, so after installation it must be coated with varnish or wax to make it waterproof and more durable. Can be used as a wall covering for a kitchen or bathroom, or combined with other building materials.

Panels, plates, tiles. They are already coated with a protective varnish or wax layer, suitable for wet rooms, and are an excellent insulator of heat and noise.

Cork wall tiles can be single-layer or double-layer. In the latter, the bottom layer is usually painted, and the top layer consists of compressed cork chips (granules, veneer), due to which the colored fragments are visible. This gives the coating an even more original look.

Their installation is perhaps the easiest: even if you need to cover the entire wall, the tiles are simply laid according to the principle brickwork.

Cork backing. Typically used as an intermediate layer between flooring and laminate. But they are also used for walls, as they perform certain functions:

• has excellent heat and sound insulation;
• serves for additional adhesion of wallpaper to the surface;
• neutralizes wall defects (irregularities, dents, crumbling areas).

Considering quite pleasant appearance, the question is whether it is possible to glue cork backing on the walls, exhausts itself. You can mount walls with it, and it will look no worse than with other types of cork coverings. But at the end it is necessary to apply a protective varnish to the surface.

The use of cork coverings in the interior

In addition to walls, cork can be used to install floors, ceilings, and furniture, and it will look no less modern.

Floors. In order to cover the floor with cork, there is no need to remove the previous covering. Linoleum, laminate - all this can be left in place. You can assemble a floating cork floor very quickly, like a puzzle, and if you move, you can assemble it in reverse order and take it with you. Such floors do not absorb dirt, do not collect dust, can withstand heavy furniture, are useful for people with joint diseases, do not cause allergies, and soften sounds (clattering heels, falling objects).

Ceiling. Cork ceilings moisture-proof, mold-resistant. The same applies to coverings as for walls: roll wallpaper, tile. You can cover the entire ceiling, or you can cover it fragmentarily, as your imagination dictates. Before installation, the ceiling surface should be cleaned of the previous coating.

Stages of installing cork walls

Before the coating can be glued, you need to carefully prepare the walls and choose the most suitable suitable glue For cork covering.

Glue selection

Which glue is better to choose depends on many indicators:

1. toxicity level;
2. setting time;
3. reliability and durability.

Not every glue has only positive characteristics, but you still have to stop at some choice. Therefore, you can see how to glue the cork covering below:

• "Moment". You can glue a cork to a wall using this glue. The glue is universal, durable. Point or linear application is very convenient, especially if tiles are being glued. But there are disadvantages: it can destroy the cork layer or deform it. In addition, Moment is a rather expensive and toxic option. Therefore, if you choose “Moment” glue for cork, then it is better to take a special option - “Moment Cork”.
• "Traffic Moment." Great alternative standard “Moment”, non-toxic, water- and frost-resistant (can be used when pasting a glazed balcony), does not contain toxic solvents.
• "Decol Vern." It is used specifically for cork coverings, a very reliable option. But: highly toxic (you need to work in a respirator), its chemically active composition obliges you to avoid getting the glue on your skin. Flammable. Like Moment, Decol Vern glue sets quickly, so application to the wall must be precise the first time. For the same reason, it is not suitable for wallpaper.
• "PVA." Anyone who has glued cork to PVA knows that this option is not for wallpaper: the glue simply will not withstand their weight. Suitable for tiles, but with the risk of deformation of the cork covering due to water based glue.
• "Wacol", "Cork House". Great options, if you need odorless glue for cork. Also, these options do not contain solvents, are environmentally friendly, moisture-resistant, and quick-drying.
• Acrylic glue for cork. Used for one-sided gluing, when only the coating is applied.

If suitable option not found here, you can consult the construction department on what to glue the cork covering to. In the case of using the substrate as an intermediate layer, it is important to know how to glue the cork to the cork: any suitable glue is used here, but the surface of the substrate must be rough (without varnish).

Preparing the walls

Before pasting, the walls must be cleaned, dry, and leveled. It is also necessary to remove possible mold, damaged previous coating, and fill up crumbling areas. Don't ignore the need for primer.

It is better not to neglect these rules, otherwise the cork on the walls will lie unevenly, and in some places it may come off.

If fragmentary gluing is to be done, you need to mark it on the walls, and also draw a diagram for gluing the tiles.

Since cork is incompatible with gypsum, it is not recommended to cover or putty walls with primers or screeds containing it.

Gluing the coating

When everything is ready, you can proceed directly to pasting. To know how to glue cork to a wall, you need to follow the following rules:

Gluing the cork must be done at a temperature not lower than 18 degrees!

Something in the interior periodically needs to be changed, and sometimes in such cases the question arises: is it possible to glue wallpaper to cork? Yes, but it is better to do this over technical cork, which has a rough surface, or use acrylic primer for a regular coating, and then putty it.

Before pasting, the coating must “get used” to the room temperature and hang unrolled for 24 hours.

It is unlikely that cork coverings will lose their popularity, because they ecological cleanliness, versatility, beauty and ease of use - this is what the modern consumer needs.

Increasingly, people in the process of renovating houses or apartments prefer to choose various modern facing materials instead of the usual wallpaper, among which cork backing is one of the most popular. In this article we will take a closer look step by step process finishing the walls with cork with your own hands, which will imitate natural cork wallpaper.

Introduction

Cork wallpaper - quite versatile and beautiful facing material, but at the same time quite expensive. While cork backing for walls, which is used as a lining for a future floor covering installed using the floating method, costs much less than wallpaper, it can also be used to cover the surface beautifully and efficiently.

Today, the cost of 1 m² of cork wallpaper varies in the range of 15-20 dollars, while the cost of 1 m² of cork backing costs only 2-5 dollars, depending on the manufacturer and the thickness of the material. In our case, the cost of 1 m² of cork substrate with varnished surface cost approximately $3.5. Now we will look in detail at how you can cover walls with cork, which in its texture and quality will not be inferior to more expensive cork wallpaper.

Material used:

• Special glue for cork or wallpaper backing;
• Cork backing in the required quantity;
• Painting;
• Sharp knife;
• Wide varnish brush;
• Protective clear varnish;
• Fine-toothed spatula;
• Pencil and tape measure.

Today there are many glues available from different brands and consistencies for cork wallpaper, in our case it is a special inexpensive glue from Pufas. The main advantage of the glue is that it can be easily and quickly applied using a fine-toothed spatula on the surface of the walls, where it becomes elastic, allowing the glued cork backing to be easily adjusted. Pufas glue also has excellent adhesion and guarantees strong bonding of the surface.

Due to the fact that the cork backing is sold in rolls, it will need to be pre-cut into pieces rectangular shape and the required length. After this, we lay out all the cut pieces on flat surfaces and give them time to level out. It is best to press the cork backing on top with some kind of weight, which will allow the backing to straighten out faster. Otherwise, during the gluing process, the cork backing will begin to greatly complicate the work, curling up in the process. It is best to let the cut cork parts of the base sit on a flat surface under a load for 24 hours.

Standard rolls of cork backing -1 meter wide. In our case, each piece was 1.5 m long, and each sheet occupied only 1.5 m² in area. It is best not to cut sheets that are large in area, as they will be difficult to work with and may tear during the gluing process, even before you glue it to the wall. In our case, a 3 mm thick cork substrate was used.

Stage 2

Surface preparation. In order to properly and beautifully glue the cork backing, the future surface must be smooth, clean and hard. All irregularities and defects must be eliminated, and the entire surface must be thoroughly primed before gluing (you can use Ceresit C17). Now we move on to marking the walls, taking into account the order in which we will glue the cut cork sheets. It is best to mark the walls in a square or checkerboard pattern to make it easy to glue the cork. This method also allows you to hide the joints between adjacent sheets of cork. Painting tape should be applied to the surface next to the marking lines. Thanks to this, you can easily remove excess glue that protrudes from under the cork sheets during the gluing process. This way, the surface under the future sheet will be clean, which will allow you to leave the cork backing clean and perfectly adjacent to the wall.

Stage 3

Using a fine-toothed spatula, carefully apply our glue directly to the wall. You must try to carefully treat the entire surface and not go beyond the boundaries of the masking tape. When the glue is applied, it already begins to dry after 15-20 minutes, which will not allow the cork to be properly glued. It is for this reason that we coat only small surface areas with glue, in our case it is 1.5 m² according to the dimensions of the prepared cork substrate.

Stage 4

When the wall is thoroughly coated with glue, we begin to carefully glue the cork sheet. The gluing process itself is identical to the application process. simple wallpaper. We apply the cork sheets along the marked and glued surface, while pressing and carefully smoothing them. During the gluing process, you need to expel all the air from under the cork, carefully smoothing out all the resulting lumps of glue, allowing it to fill all the cork pores, creating a perfectly flat surface without grooves or bumps.

Recommendation! To effectively glue and smooth the cork, it is best to use a special rubber pressure roller, which is designed for processing wallpaper joints. If you do not have this opportunity, then instead you can take a standard roller with small bristles and a large diameter. Another method is to take a clean rag and carefully go over the entire surface of the cork glued to the surface.

In all places that are adjacent to the surface and in the corners, we remove the remaining glue with our finger, or you can simply wipe off the excess glue that has come to the surface in the area of ​​​​the joints. Thanks to this, we get a uniformly pasted surface without joints and cracks.

Stage 5

When you have glued the sheet of cork backing, remove the paint, peel it off, and at the same time press the cork backing to the wall at this junction. If you do not hold the cork, it may begin to peel off from the wall, since the applied glue has not yet had time to completely harden. Using a spatula or sharp knife, carefully remove all excess glue. If you find remnants of glue that has not dried, you can remove it with a damp sponge, without carefully smearing it on the wall or cork.

When the surface of the cork and the wall is cleared of glue residues, we begin gluing the next sheets. The entire marked area must be covered with masking tape, and each sheet of cork is perfectly sized. Using a spatula, apply glue to the wall and begin gluing the cork sheet, then remove excess glue and masking tape.

Ideally, you should get smooth glued surfaces without joints or cracks, as shown in the photo below.

During repair work use materials for high-quality shock absorption between the base and finishing coat. They are called substrates.

Let's consider the option of using a cork backing, the advantages and disadvantages of its installation, cost and other aspects that will help you choose the right one.

The cork backing is compressed crushed bark of the cork oak tree.

Cork backing shown as a roll

Why lay underlay under any floor covering? This is explained by the fact that the base of the floor is not always perfectly level. Due to the presence of unevenness, roughness and various defects, the laminate or other coating will be deformed. This could result in a broken laminate lock. When laying parquet on a curved floor, the boards will shift and creak when walking on it. Using the underlay will not only help solve the problem of floor covering pressing through, but also acts as sound insulation. The main thing is to know that the more flaws there are on the floor, the thicker the separator should be.

On an uneven floor, use underlay up to 2 cm; on a level floor, concrete floor do not use a layer of more than 2 millimeters. It is better not to use thick slabs unless necessary.

The cork backing is natural material. In addition, it has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Among the advantages are its durability and abrasion resistance. The service life of a cork is approximately 200 years. It happens that when changing the floor covering, replacement of the underlay is not required, since it remains in excellent condition.

The advantages include the possibility of using cork backing not only for the floor, but also on the wall. It is porous, holds its shape well, is easy to cut, has low weight and good thermal insulation properties.

In addition to the gasket, the material is used as a finishing material. Read what it is and what types it is divided into with the given characteristics.

One of the disadvantages of the natural layer is its softness; with prolonged contact with heavy things (furniture), it is pressed through and dents appear. Also, do not use cork as a substrate for heated floors due to its low thermal conductivity. Unless you use a gasket with a layer of foil for these purposes. In wet areas It is better to use another material as a separator-leveler, since natural cork absorbs moisture well and loses its properties. To do this, you can lay waterproofing layer or rubber-cork backing.

Cork bedding can combine several types of materials, which explains the presence of the following types:

• Bitumen-cork substrate;
• Rubber-cork.

The bitumen-cork gasket consists of kraft paper, which is impregnated with bitumen, and a layer of cork is applied on one side. This material is laid on the floor with a layer of cork, and the seams are glued together with tape. The peculiarity of this gasket is that it can be laid without waterproofing.

Rubber-cork underlayment consists of a combination of cork granules and synthetic rubber. This mixture is pressed, making the material a good shock absorber and sound insulator. This layer is good to use under laminate, which is one of the “noisy” floor coverings.

Review of manufacturers

Among different options Cork backing is a popular material made in Portugal. Give preference to these famous names, like Ipocork, Aberhof, Grun&WaldAmorim, MaestroClub. The Parkolag interlayer (Russia) has proven itself well.

The price of cork backing is high and depends on the thickness. The larger the layer, the higher the cost. On average, the price varies between 70-750 RUR. rub. per m 2 for a roll plug, and 400-1100 rubles. per m 2 per sheet. When laying a layer under a laminate floor, do not select cheap material. This can lead to performance problems with the flooring.

Even considering the high price, cork gaskets have a number of advantages. Don't skimp on material if you don't want to lose quality.

Some manufacturers offer a polyethylene-based cork and a foil layer. Prices for such materials start from 350 rubles. per m 2.

The substrate can be:

• In sheets;
• On a roll.

Cork sheet underlay can be used not only for floor work, but also for laying on walls. Has noise and thermal insulation properties, has a long service life.

Cork in rolls is easy to cut, lightweight, and easy to glue.

Both types of cork substrate are flexible and elastic, resistant to temperature changes, and have fireproof properties. Working with them does not require any special skills.

Fine-grained or coarse-grained

When using cork for laying as a finishing floor, the granularity index is important, since the presence of small and large granular particles gives beautiful view material. When using cork as a layer, grains are not selected by size for its production.

Cork underlay can be used for any type of flooring material. The method of laying is almost the same and does not depend on what is laid on top. But, important points, which you should pay attention to when installing and need to know.

Laying a cork backing helps remove all unevenness and defects in the base. After this, the floor covering will lie perfectly on this layer. The shock-absorbing properties of cork help avoid deformation and destruction of the flooring. A 3 mm cork backing will help with this, but no less.

When laying cork padding on a concrete floor, it is necessary to use a waterproofing layer to prevent the material from absorbing moisture. To do this, it is necessary to lay a polyethylene film up to 150 microns thick on the floor.

For interlayers, a cork backing is usually not laid under linoleum due to the impossibility of connecting the two materials with glue. As a result, deformation appears due to displacement of the coating.

If you want to get excellent shock absorption and reduce stress on the coating, then be sure to use under ceramic tiles cork backing.

Depending on the type of material (roll or sheet), installation is carried out differently. The rolled interlayer is cut into strips and laid starting from the wall. The sheets are placed on the floor with an offset.

Do not forget that an additional gap of 0.8-1 cm must be left around the perimeter of the room to allow the cork material to expand under the influence of humidity or temperature. Failure to comply this condition will result in swelling of the gasket or deformation of the floor covering.

Before laying the layer, check the base for unevenness, dust, dirt, and moisture. Only after eliminating all factors can you begin to work. Humidity can be checked using next way. Cover the floor with polyethylene or use an empty can, placing it upside down. If after 24 hours there is no moisture on them, then you can safely proceed with installation.

Despite his high cost, cork continues to be a popular type of covering in our apartments. She has several undeniable qualities that will always be of great interest, and these qualities are truly unique. It's all about the cellular natural structure. Millions of tiny sealed chambers make this the material is light warm and elastic. That's the whole secret. But fans of cork flooring also talk about the rapid recovery of deformation after removing the load, and excellent sound insulation. The popularity of cork has recently been added to by English scientists who discovered its inexplicable ability to absorb harmful electromagnetic radiation. Need I say after this that you will feel great in the office where the cork flooring is installed? Quiet, warm, cozy and no harmful phenomena from the outside. You can create your sophisticated world with your own hands.

SELECTING THE TYPE OF COATING

Cork is a general concept for many types of covering, and you have to choose the most suitable option for your office. Used for floor coverings cork tiles made of pressed chips with a top covering of thin veneer. To increase durability, the surface is additionally protected with transparent vinyl film or several layers of varnish. Plates with varnish coating are produced in thicknesses of 4 or 6 mm at standard sizes in 600×300 or 450×150 mm. This coating is not afraid of everyday stains and the pressure of heavy objects - the cork almost immediately restores its original shape. Tiles with vinyl protective coating can have square shape 300×300 mm or rectangular 900×150 mm with a thickness of 3.2 mm. floor plug You can lay thin tiles in different directions, combining light and dark tones - this allows you to create original pattern combinations.

A new solution in the creation of floor coverings has become cork laminate– panel with MDF base and front side from cork material. The design provides lock connection, and the installation of such a cork floor occurs using conventional laminate technology.

For decorative finishing The choice of walls is also varied. There are cork wallpapers without a base. This is a fairly dense material, but with low fracture strength. It is quite difficult to stick it on yourself. It is easier to work with pressed crumbs on a paper base - this process is no different from the technology of gluing wallpaper. You can make a choice in favor wall tiles made of pressed cork with wax coating. Agree that laying and precisely adjusting individual fragments is much easier than long canvases.

Expert advice

It is ineffective to install heated floors under cork, since cork is a good heat insulator. After turning on the heating, the expected result appears very slowly, and you warm up the ceiling of the neighbors below you faster. The cork itself is warm to the touch and even at low temperatures cannot be cold. It must be taken into account that with prolonged heating of such heated floors, the glue may dry out, seam gaps may appear and the tiles will peel off.

SELECTING GLUE FOR CORK

To install cork, two types of adhesives are used: universal acrylic and contact, which is used most often. The PVA glue we are used to for cork is not suitable. Universal glue is an aqueous solution of acrylic resins. It has virtually no odor, but it is recommended to work with it in a ventilated area. Its adhesive ability is always lower than that of contact compounds.

Contact adhesive is based on synthetic rubber. It is made plastic by volatile organic solvents with a pungent odor: toluene or hexane. They very quickly evaporate from surfaces, and as a result of curing of the adhesive layer, a thin elastic and fairly durable layer remains. The vapors of such solvents are really dangerous to health, so you need to work in protective half masks with replaceable filters for respiratory protection.

Expert advice

German chemists at Henkel recently succeeded in making the bulky molecule of artificial rubber more susceptible to water. As a result, Wakol D3540 water-based adhesive was born, which, after being applied to the cork, gradually changes its color, becoming transparent. This marker indicates the composition is ready for gluing. The glue is truly odorless, very economical, but has for a long time excerpts. Water still evaporates more slowly than volatile solvents. Water components take even longer to dry brands Stauf Multicontact and UZIN, which in practice turn out to be several times more expensive than adhesives in organic solvents.

TOOL FOR WORKING WITH CORK

You will definitely need a level and plumb line in order to check the geometry of the gluing lines. Very thin and sharp knife for cutting fragile material, metal ruler, flat and notched spatulas, corner, rubber mallet, rollers for smoothing cork and processing joints.

PREPARING THE BASE FOR THE CORK

You need to prepare the base for gluing cork with the same care as for gluing wallpaper. TO floor mounting Particularly stringent requirements apply. If minor errors under the laminate can be hidden by a soft substrate, then a layer of thin cork will reveal these irregularities immediately. The surface must be perfectly flat. After cleaning and priming concrete base recommended to use finishing levelers. Treat the surface with anti-mold compounds before gluing and allow time to dry. Apply a layer of primer that will strengthen and remove dust from the base and ensure reliable adhesion to the material. It is better to treat porous surfaces with two layers of primer.

WE MARK THE WALLS

When working with cork sheets, it is enough to draw a starting line in an exact vertical and then continue gluing, as with regular wallpaper. To install the tiles, you will have to draw a coordinate grid along the entire wall. Using a tape measure, plumb line and level, find the center of the surface to be covered. Draw two symmetrical axes and, from their intersection, determine the position of the first tile. Without such preparation, it will be difficult to avoid line distortions, especially on large area.

GLUE THE CORK TO THE WALL

Before installing the cork covering on the walls, all sockets and switches must be removed, and the mounting holes must be closed with pre-made templates made of cardboard or plastic. Please note that due to the special properties of the glue, removing it from front side Once the cork dries, it will be almost impossible to remove. Therefore, pasting must be done very carefully. Inaccurate cutting can ruin the beautiful appearance of the cork covering. You need to cut fragile material with a construction knife with replaceable blades, observing optimal angle tilt Cutouts for sockets and switches can be made using an exact plastic template.

Cork wallpaper is glued only end-to-end, without overlaps, and it is recommended to install the tiles according to the principle of brickwork with offset seams in adjacent rows. The adhesive composition can be applied only to the cork, using a one-sided method, or additionally to the wall. But the thickness of the adhesive layer should not exceed 2 mm. It must be applied with a notched trowel or velor roller, which allows you to distribute the composition evenly over the entire area. During work, you need to focus on the setting time and determine optimal area for processing. After all, you need to have time not only to fix the tile, but also, if necessary, to adjust its position. After applying the glue, you need to wait a while and only then press the plug against the wall. Its fixation begins from the bottom with gradual advancement upward. The entire area must be carefully rolled with a rubber roller. As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this technology of wall finishing.

Expert advice

After installation is complete, you can coat the cork with a protective layer of wax or varnish that is compatible with the new coating. Someone might argue that the tiles already have a factory protective layer, but we are also talking about the need to protect the joining seams from moisture.

STICKING THE CORK ON THE FLOOR

Preliminary preparation base ensures ease of use and quality of results. The concrete floor is leveled if necessary finishing screed, and the wooden one is covered with chipboard or plywood slabs with mandatory puttying of the seams.

Laying tiles usually starts from the center of the room, for which you need to make markings in advance. Apply the adhesive simultaneously to the tiles and to the floor area, allowing a short period of time to dry. This time is specified by the manufacturer. The strength of the cork fastening largely depends on the pressing force against the base. After laying, the surface should be rolled with a rubber roller and the tiles should be tapped with a rubber mallet to better contact. You can walk on the laid surface almost immediately, but it is better to move furniture only after a day. You will have time to carefully examine your updated office again to make sure it’s beautiful. unique interior created by your own hands.