Which is better: laminate or cork? What is cork laminate - its pros and cons

Many consumers today are interested in one flooring 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 called that?

Until recently, cork floors were included in the category of exotic floor coverings. But those who have used this finishing material have already appreciated all its advantages:

• This floor is always soft and warm.
• This is an excellent heat and sound insulating material.
• Dust never accumulates on it.
• If you dropped it glassware, it is guaranteed not to break.

True, this flooring there is a huge drawback - too high price. Therefore, for the mass consumer it is still an unaffordable pleasure.

To solve the problem and reduce the cost of cork flooring, manufacturers decided to change the design of the material, including a cheap, but sufficient solid foundation. So cork laminate is a panel whose base is 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 a cork-shaped panel that can be easily installed using almost the same technology as regular laminate.

Material design

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

What layers does the cork laminate 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. Manufacturers often use cork oak veneer.
• Protective covering. It can be varnish or polymer - usually vinyl.

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

Advantages and disadvantages

Cork laminate installation

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.

• Lightweight and quick installation. You can do it yourself and save a lot of money at the same time.
• 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 moved 2-3 times to any other room without reducing its quality.
• Cork laminate is manufactured taking into account such indicators as moisture resistance. In addition, it is an environmentally friendly floor covering with high elasticity. Even footprints from heavy furniture are quickly restored.
• When walking, you feel the elasticity of the flooring and its softness. This has a beneficial effect on the human spine and leg joints.
• Huge choice in terms of decorative design front side panels. And compared to solid cork flooring, laminate flooring is several times cheaper.

• Low tensile strength, so walking on cork laminate in stiletto heels 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 cork material. The maximum that such a board can let through is 20% of the released thermal energy.
• If we compare the strength of a conventional laminate and cork, the advantage will not be in favor of the latter. Hence its low service life - up to 10 years.

Laying cork laminate

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

Let's start with the fact that cork laminate flooring is a floating structure. Therefore, you will have to take into account all the nuances of such a process.

Preparation

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 for adaptation. Like any wooden product, cork laminate quickly gains temperature and humidity of the place where it is located.

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

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

• If the floor is concrete, then the simplest 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 preparatory process connected to the front door. Usually, when decorating 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 finished floor is raised. If the renovation 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. They are usually 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.

Next, along the entire perimeter of the room along the walls at the laying level, spacer wedges are installed and secured with self-tapping screws. They can be wooden or plastic. Everyone knows that floating floor design does not come into contact with the walls of the room. This is its main requirement. After all, during operation wooden structures their sizes may change under the influence different temperatures and humidity. Therefore, the compensation gap is required element cork laminate. By the way, this unsightly gap will eventually be covered with a baseboard, so it won’t be visible.

Installation of the substrate

Laying the substrate

For what purposes is the substrate used? Mainly to level the subfloor. Small differences may remain even after pouring the screed or installing plywood, and the backing 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 matter. Much depends on the room in which you will install the cork laminate. If this:

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

then there is only one option - 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 ​​the 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 strips overlapping each other. The joint must be secured with construction tape. In fact, polyethylene film performs the functions of not only a substrate, but also 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 flooring

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

• You need to start installation from the farthest from front door corner. 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 installed on the principle of brickwork.
• The half is brought to the first laid board, the tenon 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. Then you need to place a special block 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 necessary to adjust the elements at the ends of the panels, that is, to tamp the board on the back side as well.
• Most often, craftsmen use this method of laying when the first row is laid out completely, then the second is added to it, and so on. There is an option when the rows are not completely laid out and are filled as you move towards 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 gets in the way. Manufacturers include in the set of tools for laying laminate special tool, which is called a clamp. It makes installation of the last element easier.

• The last board is cut to the required length and placed next to the second to last one. Then a clamp is inserted from the end, or rather, its downward-curved end. The second end bent upward is tapped with a hammer. Thus they bring last board until tightly connected to 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 that is attached to the walls is well suited. adhesive composition. You can install wooden or laminated skirting boards, which are fixed with self-tapping screws. And don't forget about the door threshold. 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 bottom plane and the floor.

Laying near pipes

Some novice craftsmen encounter difficulties when laying cork laminate near 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 crown-shaped attachment. The diameter of the tool should be slightly larger than the diameter of the pipe. A hole is made for the pipe in the calculated location. An undercut is made on the side to allow the pipe to enter the panel. When the board is installed, the gap between it and the pipe is sealed with a special lining. It will close the gap and give the flooring a beautiful look.

Conclusion on the topic

So, cork laminate is conquering the market. Not all consumers have yet understood what advantages this flooring material has and what advantages it has over regular 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.

Publications on the topic

Cork laminate is a new material on the domestic flooring market. It appeared as an alternative to expensive cork floors and began to rapidly gain popularity. This unique finishing material combines the best qualities of natural and artificial surfaces– environmental friendliness, high strength, excellent insulating properties and presentable appearance.

Design

Cork laminate consists of five layers. The bottom one consists of pressed cork chips and performs a stabilizing function. It serves as a shock-absorbing layer between the subfloor and the main slab, and also protects the floorboard from moisture. Next comes a moisture-resistant sheet of particleboard or MDF. This layer is equipped with a Uniclick lock and serves as the frame of the structure. It has impact-resistant qualities and is responsible for the strength of the panel.

Above the main layer there is a cork layer, which performs sound and heat insulation functions. It is also responsible for the softness of the coating. Next comes cork veneer, which is a thin sheet of wood that forms the coating pattern. The top layer acts as protective film, which is formed from vinyl or water-based varnish. It protects the veneer surface from mechanical damage, exposure to moisture and ultraviolet radiation. The durability and level of wear resistance of the coating depends on the top layer.

All manufactured products comply with strict European standards and have certificates of conformity. The level of flammability of the coating corresponds to index B2 and class DIN4102. This means that upon contact with an open fire, the material does not release toxic substances.

Thanks to these indicators, laminate can be used in residential, children's and medical institutions.

Features and Benefits

Cork laminate is becoming increasingly recognizable and in demand not only in Europe, but also in Russian market finishing materials. The growing trend in popularity is due to the following undeniable advantages of the products:

• excellent noise and heat insulation properties are ensured thanks to the multi-layer structure of the panels and physical properties cork tree. This quality allows the coating to be used on the first floors of buildings, above unheated basements, as well as as a sound insulator in apartments located above noisy institutions: private kindergartens and entertainment centers. The coating is warm to the touch and, due to its antistatic properties, is not prone to dust accumulation;
• softness and good shock-absorbing qualities of the laminate are achieved through the elasticity of the cork layer. This makes it indispensable in a child's bedroom or game room. Dishes that accidentally fall on the cork floor will not break;

• the material is absolutely environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. No coating required special care and easy to clean by everyone detergents. The only exception is compositions containing abrasive particles, which, with frequent use, can cause abrasion of the surface. Laminate has high moisture-repellent properties, so it can be used in rooms with high humidity. But long-term accumulation large quantity Water should not be allowed on the surface of the coating.

If it appears, you must immediately collect the water and wipe the surface dry with an absorbent cloth;

• unique locking system allows you to independently install and dismantle the coating, without resorting to the services of master layers. The tongue-and-groove system is assembled like a construction set and has high tightness ratings. There are no cracks, gaps or height differences at the joints. Heat loss through the locking mechanism is eliminated;

• durability. Laminate manufacturers guarantee 10 to 15 years of impeccable coating service. It all depends on the operating conditions and model. Due to the elasticity of the material, dents received during operation straighten out after some time. The coating is repairable and lends itself well to spot repairs, without the need to change it entirely.;
• presentable appearance ensured by aesthetics natural material and the possibility of applying photo printing and drawings on it. This allows you to choose a coating for any interior.

Flaws

Along with a huge amount positive feedback and obvious advantages in operation, cork has some disadvantages:

• cost of products. Although it is significantly lower than the price of cork flooring, if we compare such material with classic coatings, it is expensive material;
• impossibility of installing the product on heated floors. The material has high thermal insulation properties, therefore, heat from the heating system will not enter the room;
• Cork flooring is more difficult to clean than regular flooring. This is due to the rough surface of the material and the tendency to accumulate dirt in the pores;

• poor durability of the coating under increased point loads. Heavy cabinets standing on thin legs can push through the coating. There is also less wear resistance compared to traditional laminated panels. In areas with heavy foot traffic, the varnished surface quickly fades and loses its original appearance. To eliminate abrasions, additional varnish treatment of damaged surfaces will be required;
• The tensile strength of cork laminate is low, so you should try to prevent heavy objects from falling onto the floor surface and avoid walking on sharp heels.

Criterias of choice

Before you start choosing a cork laminate model, you need to determine the foot traffic, humidity and purpose of the room. For bathrooms, kitchens and corridors you need to choose moisture-resistant options coated with a special varnish. In public places with high traffic it is necessary to buy products of wear resistance class 33. When choosing a model for living rooms and bedrooms, you can be guided solely by decorative properties coatings

Next, you need to decide on the style in which the room is decorated. For rustic and ecological interiors a good option there will be a coating of light colors with a distinct structure of natural pattern. IN classic interior and retro style, a laminate of dark, rich colors with varnished surface. For techno, minimalism and hi-tech, you can choose light matte surfaces with chaotic inclusions and the absence of a clear pattern structure.

An important point When purchasing cork laminate, it is the manufacturer's choice. The leader in production is Portugal. Its products are presented famous brands Wicanders, Corkart and Eliter. Russian Maestro It is also produced in Portuguese factories. German concerns Witex, Proteco, Kronotex, Egger, Aberhof and Parador widely known on the European market. Their products are highly durable and durable. In Russia, the company Tarkett produces laminates from cork.

Along with European manufacturers, Chinese companies are engaged in the production of cork coverings. Their products are slightly cheaper than their famous analogues, but given that China does not have its own raw materials, but buys them in Europe, and the cost is lower, then count on high quality products are not worth it.

When purchasing a laminate, you need to make sure that the packaging is intact and there are no defects in the product, check the integrity of the locking structures and the edges of each panel.

If roughness and unevenness are detected, it is necessary to replace the products: such lamellas will not provide sufficient tightness and integrity of the coating.

Care

When providing proper care and careful operation, The service life of cork laminate can be 20 years.

To ensure that the coating lasts a long time and does not lose its original appearance, wet cleaning must be done using wet wipes or a vacuum cleaner.

It is recommended to avoid excessive moisture even when processing moisture-resistant models. Using hard metal brushes and caustic chemical substances forbidden. If the room has large furniture, then you need to make felt pads and place them under the legs.

In conditions of elevated temperatures, it is necessary to regularly moisten the canvas to prevent it from drying out. In case of severe contamination, you need to carefully clean the surface using a fine sandpaper, and then coat it with a special varnish designed for cork floors. If the laminate has not varnish, but vinyl covering, it is recommended to rub with mastic at least four times a year.

Cork floors are gradually moving from the category of exotic to the familiar niche of popular floor coverings. And this is entirely predictable! A cork floor is always warm and soft, absorbs noise, does not accumulate dust and does not break dishes. The only drawback limiting its widespread use is the high cost of cork oak veneer, from the fragments of which cork is made. However, the manufacturers found a brilliantly simple way out of this situation. To reduce the price of coating, they began to produce cork laminate (otherwise known as cork parquet) - a symbiosis of cork and chipboard (or MDF). While retaining all the properties of solid cork, this coating has a more affordable price and, in addition, is very easy to install.

What kind of coating is this?

Cork laminate, just like regular laminate, is sold in the form of elongated strips with locking system fastenings Each plank consists of several layers:

• 1st layer (bottom) - natural cork (made from compressed crumbs);
• 2nd layer – fiberboard or MDF;
• 3rd layer – natural cork;
• 4th layer – veneer of cork oak or other wood species;
• 5th layer – varnish or vinyl protective covering.

Due to its multi-layer nature, cork laminate is much cheaper than solid cork, but in terms of performance properties it is practically not inferior to it.

Cork laminate panels are connected into a common covering using a “floating”, glue-free method. Due to the tenons and grooves located at the ends, the dies are combined with each other “into a lock” without being secured to the base. “Floating” installation is very simple, does not require construction skills and, among other things, makes the cork floor very repairable. That is, if one or more panels are damaged, you can easily replace them with new ones without opening the entire floor. The coating is quite durable in structure and in operation resembles parquet or laminate.

Step-by-step installation of cork laminate

Installation of cork “floating” floors is simple and is carried out in several stages:

1. Adaptation of cork laminate to room temperature and humidity. To do this, the cork laminate brought into the house must be left in the packaging to rest for 48 hours. During this time, the material adapts to the climate of the room and takes on its final dimensions (perhaps it will expand if the humidity is higher than in the store or, conversely, it will dry out and shrink).

2. Leveling the base of the floor.“Floating” laminate on a cork basis forgives some unevenness of the base, but it is still desirable that there are fewer errors. Therefore, the old coating that has become unusable is dismantled and the subfloor is leveled with cement screeds or self-leveling mixtures. It is necessary to ensure that the base for installation is level, clean, hard and smooth.

An impeccable subfloor is the main condition for the long-term, impeccable service of the laminate laid on top of it. Details about various options You will learn how to level the floor plane from the material:.

3. Installation of the substrate . An underlay for cork laminate is not required. It is needed if moisture accumulates on the base during operation. For example, when laying cork in a bathroom or on the first floor, below which there is a damp basement. Exposure of cork laminate to moisture is undesirable, as it leads to deformation of the coating. As a result, noticeable gaps appear between the joints of the cork panels.

Polyethylene can be used as a vapor barrier substrate. It spreads on the base base with an overlap on the walls (3-4 cm). The film sheets are laid overlapping, all joints are taped. Technical cork or a polypropylene backing is often laid on top of polyethylene, but they are used only for additional heat and sound insulation, as well as to level out remaining defects (irregularities) in the base.

4. Assembling cork panels using the “floating” method. The installation principle is the same as with conventional laminate. Cork panels begin to lay them in rows, starting from the far corner of the room. The seams of the previous and subsequent rows are shifted by a third or half of the panel to create a “checkerboard” pattern. The floor is assembled as follows: the groove is already installed panel Place the tenon of the next board at an angle, press on it and carefully lower it to a horizontal position. The tongue and groove lock snaps into place. Next, apply to the end of the laid panel wooden block, it is hit several times with a hammer to seal the joints. In this way, row by row is installed.

Cork-coated laminate flooring is easy to install thanks to the tongue-and-groove joint.

When performing installation, remember that between the walls and the cork covering, as well as around any obstacles (pipes, thresholds, etc.) there should be compensation gaps of a couple of centimeters. Over time, the cork-coated laminate will certainly expand and, if the width of these gaps is not sufficient, it will rest against the walls and swell and warp.

5. Installation of skirting boards. Deformation gaps that remain after laying the cork covering are covered with skirting boards. In this case, it is most effective to use products made from the same cork as the main coating. Although wooden or laminated skirting boards (made of MDF) are also suitable. In order to secure cork plinths to the walls, it is used assembly adhesive, wooden or laminated products are mounted using special clips, screws, dowels, and nails. The selected type of skirting boards is attached to the walls so as to overhang the floor at a distance of 1-2 mm.

How to choose the right one wooden baseboard from the array and install it yourself, we’ll tell you in an article on our website: .

Cork-based laminate is often used as an alternative to heated floors

The cork laminate flooring (cork parquet) is ready! You can immediately walk on it, arrange furniture and use it to its full potential.

Flexible laminate in your own way appearance almost no different from the usual one, but is characterized by special flexibility, wear resistance and ease of installation. We will talk about this material, installation methods and requirements for the base in a special article:.

Advantages of this material

Let’s summarize all of the above and evaluate the real advantages of cork laminate. Why is it so attractive to potential buyers? Here are just the main advantages:

• high maintainability. The floor can be assembled and disassembled 2-3 times without loss of quality and decorative appearance;
• warm surface;
• soundproofing properties;
• softness and elasticity, allowing to reduce the load on the joints and spine when walking;
• Compared to solid cork, lower cost.

That's all for today, ladies and gentlemen. If you have any questions or comments - write!

Cork flooring and regular laminate are materials familiar to most of us. But, modern technologies do not stand still, inquisitive minds are creating more and more new synthetic and combined materials for interior decoration.

Cork laminate is exactly the material that combines the advantages of laminate and natural cork. There are several types of such flooring, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Subject to installation technology and proper care, this coating will last you a long time.

We will provide brief instructions on the installation of this flooring, and also learn what you need to pay attention to when purchasing it.

Layers

Interlocking cork laminate has three layers:

1. The back side consists of cork crumbs mixed with glue and pressed. Layer thickness – 1 mm. The basis is a slab with a wood-fiber structure. density – HDF (extremely high). A connection is cut from the ends of the slab castle type. This allows the material to be laid in a short period of time without much effort.
2. The second layer is pressed cork 1 mm thick. Its function is to preserve heat
3. The third layer is wood veneer. The most commonly used veneer is cork oak. The top is applied using vinyl or.

Note.

Cork laminate is laid using the so-called floating method, the essence of which is the absence of glue for fastening to the floor. The boards are connected using the locking method, snapping each other into grooves. Even a beginner in this matter can cope with such a task, especially since additional equipment not required.

Advantages of cork laminate in the interior

Disadvantages of cork laminate

• It is unacceptable to lay the material on heated floors, due to the fact that their coefficient useful action will be only 20%. This is due to the good heat retention properties of cork laminates.
• They do not tolerate acupressure well. For example, walking in stiletto heels on this type of terrain will not be possible without damage.
• Expensiveness of the material. The price for cork laminate per 1 m² varies from 24 to 55 dollars.
• The protective covering, made of vinyl or varnish, must be renewed from time to time.

Scope of application of cork laminate

Directly depends on the class of material:

• Class 31 is used for flooring in rooms with low traffic levels (children's room, bedroom). Service life from 10 to 15 years with proper care.
• Class 32 has an average level of wear resistance. This material is laid in rooms with an average degree of traffic (children's room, corridor). Service life is about 15 years.
• Cork laminate 33 class is laid in rooms with a high degree of traffic (living room, corridor, kitchen, offices). Service life 20 years.
• Class 34 is the most wear-resistant cork laminate. Suitable for rooms with the highest level traffic, as well as in crowded places.

Types of cork laminate

Solid veneer

The most expensive cork laminate. Has large sizes with total area one slab up to 6 m².

Agglomerates

The material consists of cork and veneer. Price for this type laminate is average.

Made from fine cork chips

This laminate is the cheapest. Manufactured using the press method.

Important!

It is very difficult to understand by appearance what kind of material is in front of you - pure veneer or cork chips. Take the price as a guide. Qualitative natural material can't be cheap.

Cork laminate laying technology

Tools

This is due to the fact that the material does not like sudden temperature changes, which may affect its further operation. You will need the following tools for work:

Note.

After purchasing cork laminate, it needs to be given time to sit in order to adapt to the room in which it will be installed.

Stages of laying cork laminate

Note.

If there is excessive moisture, the cork laminate becomes deformed and gaps appear between the boards.

Caring for cork laminate

look aftercork laminateextremely simple:

• Clean it periodically with a vacuum cleaner;
• Wash with plain water without adding chemicals;
• Do not use substances with abrasive particles, they will scratch the surface;
• Forget about stiff bristled brushes;
• Renew the protective coating with varnish or vinyl;
• Apply mastic to vinyl flooring every 2 years;
• To avoid black streaks appearing on the cork, do not wear slippers with rubber soles at home.
• Glue special felt pads onto the knives of armchairs, tables and chairs.

How to understand how high quality cork laminate is?

Pay attention to the ends, they must have an even cut. The panels must be well packed, the packaging is intact without tears.

Cork board good quality has the same size, no gaps are visible when joining. The bottom layer of cork laminate is dense and strong without additional fractions.

Very dense, inclusion-free bottom layer. The wear resistance class must be high, then the floor will serve you for a long time. High wear resistance class, since the cork itself is not very durable.

IN Lately More and more owners are choosing cork or laminate. And this is not surprising, because these coatings look great and are superior in properties to many modern materials. So what's better? Each of these types of flooring has both its advantages and disadvantages, and besides, the personal wishes of the owners play an important role. Therefore, before purchasing “clothes” for the floor, let’s compare these two popular materials.

Design features

Cork

Typically cork flooring consists of five main layers:

• cork backing;
• high-strength fiberboard (fibreboard);
• pressed cork;
• natural cork veneer;
• permanent varnish on water based.

Laminate

Laminate, like cork, also consists of several interlocking layers, forming a strong cake:

• a layer of moisture-resistant tarred paper;
• high-strength fiberboard;
• a film that protects the coating from moisture;
• decorative film imitating all kinds of coatings;
• transparent layer of acrylic paint.

Sometimes manufacturers add to the laminate coating soundproofing substrate.

Laminate and cork have almost the same manufacturing principle, so if you compare them in design, they are almost equivalent.

Installation features

Installation technology cork and laminate flooring are similar to each other, but have some differences.

Laminate

Before laying the laminate, a backing made of polyethylene, polystyrene foam or any other lining material is installed on the floor. If the floor is uneven and there are height differences, then it is first leveled as horizontally as possible. Then the laminate slabs are laid, joining each other using locks.

Cork

Cork panels can be laid as cement screed, and on the floor made of boards. However, experts recommend pre-installing OSB slabs underneath them. The cork covering is glued to the base of the floor or installed in special grooves together, and after installation it is covered with varnish in several layers.

Wear resistance and moisture resistance

If we compare cork and laminate according to their wear resistance, then the first place in this matter should be given to the laminate, since it upper layer comprises artificial materials, which are the most durable. In addition, there are several types of laminate with different class wear resistance, which allow it to be used in rooms even with very heavy loads and traffic.

The traffic jam is more soft material than laminate, so it is possible that traces of furniture may appear, although later they gradually disappear. Over time, small cracks may also form on the cork.

From point of view moisture resistance cork is also inferior to laminate, since the chipboard layer is less protected from moisture than a laminate panel.

One of the undoubted advantages of cork compared to laminate is excellent soundproofing of floors.

Environmental friendliness

Cork is more natural than laminate. Moreover, its top layer consists of water-based varnishes. Plus it's enough warm material unlike cold laminate panels. Therefore, if you choose a coating based on the greatest environmental friendliness, the cork will ideal option, especially for a children's room.

Coating care

Laminate

Laminate flooring care boils down to this:

• avoid prolonged exposure to moisture on the floor;
• The laminate should be washed with a well-wrung out damp cloth, and it is best to use a vacuum cleaner or broom;
• Do not clean with powders or hard brushes, or use polishing agents;
• It is advisable not to scratch the coating with metal surfaces.

If these rules are followed, manufacturers guarantee more than 25 years of operation of the laminate without any special problems with its appearance.

Cork floor

Cork care also has several nuances:

• prevent contact significant amount moisture on the floor;
• wash with a damp cloth and mild detergents, avoiding the use of aggressive solvents;
• moisturize the floor during heating season to prevent it from drying out;
• It is allowed to remove heavy dirt with fine-grained sandpaper and then apply varnish to the area;
• eliminate pressure on the floor metal legs massive furniture.

Price

If we compare cork and laminate in terms of price, the price of the former will be significantly higher than the latter. But the high cost of cork is fully explained by its environmental friendliness, safety and long service life.

The price of laminate flooring also varies significantly. It all depends on the wear resistance class (the higher it is, the higher the price), the quality of the materials and the manufacturer.

So, tackling the difficult question: what laminate is better or traffic jam, it is worth, first of all, to deal with technical characteristics and the properties of these coatings, and, secondly, decide what is most preferable for you: practicality or environmental friendliness. If practicality is more important, then it is undoubtedly worth paying attention to laminate, and if naturalness comes first, then it is best to purchase cork. And only by carefully setting these priorities can you safely go to the store and buy required material for your gender.

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