How to properly lay cork flooring. How to lay cork flooring

Considering that buying natural material costs a pretty penny, laying a cork floor with your own hands will help reduce repair costs. Moreover, there is nothing complicated in the process if you follow the instructions. How to do it correctly - our article will help

Types of cork floor installation

Before laying a cork floor yourself, familiarize yourself with the installation methods depending on the format of the covering. They are varied:

1. Solid fabric big size. Used in living rooms and halls. Thanks to its flexibility, solid cork veneer is easy to lay and secure. It is considered the most premium class, hence the price. Installed with glue.
2. Boards or floorboards with locking joints.
They use the “floating floor” technology. The base is not tightly attached to the bottom layer, which is why this option has good maintainability - even after dismantling most of the floor, the damaged floorboard is replaced and the covering is reassembled.
3. Tiles.
This form is placed on glue and can be used for any surface - floors, walls, ceilings. Small form Convenient for DIY installation. This is the cheapest coating due to its small thickness. Installation should take place in rooms with guaranteed low activity.

Depending on the characteristics of the room and your own budget, you choose the shape of the cork floor and the method of its installation. If hope for own strength– no, professional services are always offered. This is a guarantee of quality.

Requirements for the rough foundation

To flooring material served the owners for the stated period, it is necessary to comply with the requirements for the floor under cork covering. More details:

1. The rough base must be perfectly level. A difference is allowed for each square. m no more than 2 mm.
2. It is important to waterproof the cork floor underneath with a special material with perforations to drain condensate.
3. Do not lay cork on unpolished concrete base. Due to the pressure from above, the screed will rub the cork from below like sandpaper. A substrate is required.

Leveling the floor is not difficult - it is similar for laying all types of flooring.

Installation instructions for cork flooring

So, flooring acquired. Laying a cork floor with your own hands, the video tutorial below, should be performed in the following steps:

Tools and materials

For quality work will need to be purchased additional components and tools:

1. Substrate. Its types are numerous.

Based on the characteristics of the room, choose your own option.
2. Glue. Only specialized formulations offered for the material in the store.
3. Leveling mixtures for rough screed. If the floor is wooden, you need to scrape it off and lay a layer moisture resistant plywood.
4. Tools for cement work: mixer, beacons, rule, level, reinforcing mesh.
5. Tools for laying cork: rollers, mallet, wide spatula, scissors or knife.
6. Measuring instruments – ruler, tape measure, square.

The main job is dirty. You need cleaning products and a lot of rags.

Preparing the base

The old coating is removed. You can lay cork on existing linoleum or wooden floors, but over time they are not in ideal condition. Therefore, they are torn off and the condition of the concrete screed is assessed.
Potholes and cracks, if they are small, can be filled with mortar and then sanded down. But if the damage is more than 10% of the entire area, this is a reason to prepare a new screed.
First, the entire surface is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and moistened. Next, I prime for better adhesion with the new screed.
They select the selected height, set the beacons and place a reinforcing mesh on them. You can pour the solution prepared and matured for half an hour.
It is important to fill small areas and finish the job in one go so that there is no delamination.

The finished screed is left until it sets completely. It can be used after 2–3 weeks, after being pre-primed.

Covering installation

Before installation, it is important that the cork acclimatizes to the room. To do this, it is laid out in the room for a day, freed from packaging. Depending on the chosen shape and type of plug, installation work begins:

1. Lay the substrate. The sheets are overlapped and secured with construction tape.
The substrate is placed on the edges of the walls to compensate for the linear expansion of the material.
2. Mix the adhesive composition according to the recipe on the package and leave to mature. It is better to make the solution in small portions, without allowing it to set.
3. Work with a floating floor is carried out from the far corner of the room, laying boards in the same way as installing laminate flooring. Each floorboard is inserted one into the other, carefully tapped with a mallet.
Elements of adjacent rows are shifted relative to each other by 1/3 or half the length. That is, laying a cork floor - the video illustrates this well - proceeds like brickwork.
4. Working with canvas is different. First, the glue is smoothed with a notched trowel over the surface of the base. Then lay down a whole sheet, tapping the corners and middle with a mallet. Then smooth it with a roller.
The joints between the sheets are immediately wiped of glue - it can change the color of the canvas.
5. The tiles are glued in the same way as the canvas, with the only difference being that installation begins from the middle of the room, in a spiral.
You should always have a level at hand to correct the position of the next unit.

Full setting finished surface occurs according to the adhesive instructions. Previously, it is prohibited to use the cork surface. If the experiment was a success, then carefully consider laying cork tiles on the walls - it is beautiful and unusual for the interior.

Final works

After the setting has occurred cork covering, a varnish layer is applied to the surface several times. It's all about the porous structure - it will absorb one layer of varnish like a sponge. The composition can be glossy, emphasizing the beauty of the patterns, or matte, making the cork warmer and more comfortable. Cork floors are often waxed, but then maintaining them is more labor-intensive.

Do not subject the surface to deformation. Wrap furniture legs in felt, introduce a ban on heels and street shoes, and give pets a place.
Take care of your cork every day. This way, it will get fewer defects and old stains in the future.
Periodically restore the canvas and boards - replace or sand the surface in a timely manner with mandatory varnishing at the end of the work.

Conclusion

Independent work saves the budget. This is an indisputable fact. If it allows free time and have the skill to handle the tool - go for it.

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Or any other useful area, you will need to select and lay the flooring. In addition to the already traditional ceramic tiles And moisture resistant laminate You can also use cork floors. What types of this flooring are there? Is it possible to use cork material for a balcony or loggia? How to lay cork flooring?

If you do not plan to use a balcony or loggia as a separate room, but as a continuation of an existing room, then you can use cork without restrictions. Any cork flooring options: laminate, tiles, MDF panels and cork boards can be used as flooring. The situation is completely different if the balcony, after insulation and finishing works will remain a separate isolated room. In this case, you will need to take into account several important nuances:

High humidity. Although cork itself copes well with moisture, lock fastenings Over time, under its influence, they fail. In addition, even if the joints are sealed with sealant, the locks will continue to let moisture through. Adhesive boards do not have this disadvantage.
Plane requirements. In this regard, slabs with a lock are in a more advantageous position. They easily hide small unevenness due to the backing, so they are recommended for use in rooms where the floors have small deviations from the plane. Adhesive panels in this regard, they are more demanding, so before installing them it is necessary to thoroughly level the base to “zero”.
Final result. Laying the adhesive material will require certain skills, as well as accuracy. Making joints invisible is quite problematic. The interlocking boards fit together like a laminated board. Even a non-specialist can handle their installation.

Important: If the balcony will be used as a separate room, it is better to choose a cork covering with an adhesive installation method. Material with a locking connection is suitable for the option in which a balcony (loggia) is used to expand the room.

Types of cork covering

Cork flooring is available in large assortment. Basically, all products are divided according to the type of installation of the product, so most often you can find information about glue and locking plug. But we can also separately highlight the following solutions:

Cork laminate. Completely identical to laminated boards. Refers to locking materials. Its installation is easy and does not require special skills.
Cork tiles. One of the most popular adhesive types this floor covering. Laying a cork floor with your own hands in this case requires special construction skills and accuracy.
MDF panels with cork layer. In this material, cork is glued as the top facing layer. As a rule, such material also has a locking system.
Cork board . It is made by gluing together several layers of material. Installs like laminate. It is one of the types of floating flooring. One of the most expensive materials.

Note: Some cork materials can be installed yourself. It is better to entrust work with others to professionals.

Preliminary work

Although interlocking and adhesive flooring have different performance requirements installation work, There is common feature, which distinguishes each of these materials. This is a fear of dampness. Accidental moisture cannot harm this coating. But constant dampness leads to deformation and swelling of the cork. It is for this reason that during the preparatory stages it is necessary not only to level the floors, but also to give them waterproofing properties. How to do it?

Concrete floors cleared of debris. If the floor slab of a balcony or loggia is in perfect condition, then special solutions can be used to increase the waterproofing properties. Typically used for this priming deep penetration . After application, it creates a film that prevents moisture from penetrating into the room. For screeding for the same purpose, you can use regular thick oilcloth.
Wooden floors. Leveled using lags. At the same time, work on insulation and waterproofing of floors can be carried out. Again, for this you can use regular oilcloth or penofol. It is laid with foil up. You can lay polystyrene or mineral wool. The top is leveled using plywood or OSB.

Cork can be used for more than just floors. Read about decorating walls with cork panels in our separate article.
Details waterproofing works on balconies and loggias are described here. Preparation rules, selection of materials and work technology.
Read about the types of metal balcony railings on this page

Cork floor installation

Methods for how to install cork floors may vary depending on the material chosen. Interlocking panels are installed in a similar way to laminated boards. Their installation begins from the corner and when laying it is required to observe general recommendations related to floating floor coverings.

Attention: Cork flooring with locks can be used for a balcony or loggia only if there is good thermal and waterproofing, and when heating is used. Manufacturers of such coatings recommend using it for rooms with high dampness only in exceptional cases!

Adhesive cork flooring is installed as follows:

Four tiles are laid on a leveled surface in the middle of the room without applying glue. The diagonal is checked and marks are made on the surface.
The glue is applied simultaneously to the floor and to the material itself with a spatula, after which you need to let it dry (approximately 20-30 minutes). It is necessary to use special glue!
The tiles are laid from the center towards the walls. You can press the tiles together with your hands or using a rule. Leave a 3-5mm gap at the walls.
The glue that comes out of the seams is immediately wiped off.
You can additionally tap the joints with a rubber hammer.

After installation, the cork flooring requires mandatory treatment. To do this, after the adhesive composition has dried (the setting time is written on the container), it is necessary to apply a protective layer. This is done as follows:

The floor is being cleaned. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any possible dust.
A layer of varnish is applied with a roller. It must be rolled out well over the surface. To perform these works, it is better to use a high-quality wide velor roller.
The second layer of varnish covers all imperfections and omissions. After applying it, you must wait until the paintwork has completely dried.
Using a spatula and fine abrasive paper, remove all irregularities and small sagging.
Apply the finishing layer.

By applying varnish three times, a reliable protective layer is created, which allows you to protect the coating from moisture and mechanical damage.

Should I do the work myself?

Obviously, work with adhesive-type cork should be carried out by professionals, or by people familiar with the principle of laying this material, described in our article, and capable of subsequently applying a protective layer of varnish. It is much easier to install the locking material, but its installation is only possible in rooms with reliable hydro- and thermal insulation, so it is better not to use it for balconies or loggias.

Cork floor installation video

In this section we bring to your attention a video on the topic of our article “Technology for laying cork flooring: how to lay it on the balcony.” You will be able to watch the process of laying the adhesive cork covering.

The growing popularity of cork floors is explained quite simply. Good sound and heat insulating qualities, impact resistance, and quick DIY installation make the coating very attractive in the eyes of homeowners.

But it should also be taken into account that the installation of an adhesive cork floor is more complicated than a conventional one, which is installed using the floating method ( lock system"tenon and groove").

Adhesive cork floor coverings are plates with a cross section from 4 to 8 mm and dimensions of 30x60, 15x45 or 15x60 cm. They are made from a mixture of granulated cork oak bark and thermosetting resins.

Often to emphasize beauty and create beautiful panels Manufacturers produce multi-layer products, which are based on a slab of fine-grained cork or PVC base, with cork veneer glued on top, coated with durable varnish (polyurethane or alkyd-urethane). Various decors - from natural wood to metal, stone. Veneer can repeat or imitate the texture of natural materials.

Before gluing cork floors, you need to stock up the right tool and choose the optimal glue for this job. Tools you will need:

Tape measure, square and pencil for marking.
A small rubber roller for subsequent rolling of floor elements.
Rubber comb spatula for spreading glue over the base.
Rubber mallet.
Drill for drilling holes for water pipes or heating pipes, columns and other immovable structures.
Jigsaw with blade for wooden parts(small teeth) for cutting the tiles of the final and wall rows or a hacksaw for wood.
A sponge or rag to remove residual adhesive from the surface of the cork.

When choosing an adhesive, you first need to focus on the quality of the cork tiles and the type of base. It would be a good idea to get advice at the place where you purchased the coverage. As a rule, manufacturers recommend that points of sale sell a certain type or brand of adhesive products that are ideal for cork. The same instructions are given in the instructions on the package insert or information brochures from the manufacturer.

Let's consider the most popular adhesive compositions from the point of view of companies that sell cork coverings:

Cascoflex. The adhesive has reactive components and does not contain a volatile solvent, therefore it is considered safe for people with diseases of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. The drying time is long - at least 2 days, so correction or adjustment of the tiles is allowed.
Decol Vern. Universal two-component neoprene adhesive composition based on solvent. Suitable for any type of cork tile, due to the hardener it quickly polymerizes, so correction is possible only in the first 10-20 minutes after applying the composition to the base and reverse side cork floor.
PVA. A water-resistant polyvinyl acetate compound that is recommended for installation of unsealed tiles with a protective polyvinyl chloride coating. Direct contact with the cork can cause the floor to swell and create cracks.
HomaCol. Quick-setting water-dispersion adhesive, well suited for gluing cork to concrete and wooden base, quite safe, non-toxic.
Thomsit UK 400. Universal adhesive composition, easy to use. Requires a perfectly smooth and dry base, applied to both surfaces to be bonded.

Proper gluing of cork tiles requires compliance temperature regime– from +18 to +24 °C, as well as a certain humidity – from 30 to 60%. Under these same conditions, acclimatization of the finishing material occurs.

Laying technology

The basis for laying cork flooring can be concrete screed or wood covering. The main requirement is a smooth, dry base without defects (pits, chips, potholes), oil and other stains.

If necessary, the concrete floor must be leveled using cement-sand screed(at large differences or damage to the base) or dry ready-made mixtures on a gypsum and gypsum-cement base (floor levelers and self-leveling subfloors).

The preparation period can last for a month, since this is exactly the period required for the screed to gain the required strength and dry completely. After the expiration of the period, it is recommended to treat the base with a deep penetration primer to strengthen and remove dust.

A wooden floor does not require less attention. The floor needs to be sanded or sanded with coarse sandpaper using parquet sanding machines, the “humps” must be removed, and various defects. Weak strips should be re-glued or tightened to the base with self-tapping screws.

If desired, you can lay plywood or OSB, secure with hardware in increments of 30-50 cm crosswise, sand the surface flat grinder. Additionally, to protect against mold or bugs in the future, you can prime the floor with antiseptic compounds.

A day before installation, it is recommended to bring the adhesive cork flooring into the room and leave it unpacked for acclimatization. The floor covering is removed from packaging immediately before installation.

All tiles must be inspected for defects or different colors; it is advisable to make a preliminary layout on the floor. This will show both the design and ways to minimize waste. After preparatory stage the base is marked.

Installation starts from the center of the room. To do this, cords or fishing line are pulled diagonally from the corners and secured to rods or nails. The center is taken to be the place where they intersect. In addition, you will need guides (profiles) - two perpendiculars relative to the walls of the room.

You can begin a trial installation of beacon tiles. The process is carried out without applying glue. At this stage, the dimensions of the wall tiles that need to be cut are specified. Their width should be at least half of the solid plank.

For convenience, laying the cork floor with glue is done in two steps: first one half of the room, then the other. The cut tiles are laid in a final row along the outer wall.

It should be taken into account that when using two-component or water-dispersion adhesive compositions, the surfaces are bonded quite quickly, so adjustments must be made as soon as possible.

The actual laying of the adhesive cork floor begins with gluing 6-8 tiles in two directions at right angles. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the tight fit of the elements - gaps between them are unacceptable.

The glue is applied evenly to both the base and the back of the tiles. Less often - only on the basis. Area covered adhesive composition The area of the main covering should be larger than the size of the tiles being laid.

After allowing the adhesive mixture to dry a little, the tiles are firmly applied to the base and tapped rubber mallet to improve fit. The surface of the tile along the edges is wiped with a damp sponge to remove any glue that has come out. Each subsequent row is pasted offset from the previous one, that is, in a checkerboard pattern. The last to be glued are the cut tiles.

Depending on the type of adhesive cork floor (varnished or uncoated), after drying it is coated with alkyd-urethane or polyurethane varnish. This significantly increases the wear resistance of the coating. Acrylic compounds It is not recommended to use them, as they wear out quickly.

What to do if the cork floor comes off after installation

Unlike floating interlocking floors, adhesive cork floors come away from the base much less frequently. The fact is that between the tiles mounted using the tongue-and-groove method and the base there remains air gap, under which moisture may get in. Plus, lock joints are not always perfectly tight.

If the installation is done poorly with adhesive, dampness can penetrate under the glued coating. In this case, there is a high risk of swelling of the cork floor and the appearance of mold and mildew. In this case, it is necessary to dismantle the affected area and treat it with special means.

You cannot glue old tiles; you will have to purchase new ones.

Also, cork panels can come off due to the “warm floor” heating system. The recommended level is no more than +25 °C. Failure to comply with this condition leads to the glue drying out, the appearance of cracks between the tiles, and finally, to swelling and damage to the integrity of the cork sheet.

Correcting the situation is quite simple. You don’t even have to resort to the help of specialists. You need to remove the peeling panel, dry it, clean the base and glue the tile back. If the moment has already been missed and a fungus has grown under the plug, then the affected panel needs to be replaced.

Video about cork floor installation technology and the main mistakes:

Search interesting solutions for apartment renovation? How would you like to install a cork floor? Don’t know what it is, what the benefits are for you and how to do it? Everything is very simple. Let's look at what cork flooring is and how to lay it correctly.

The material for making cork is the bark of the cork oak tree. The bark is removed from trees that are 25-30 years old, but it is not used in construction. Then, within 6-9 years, the bark is restored, it is removed again (if the technology is followed, no damage is caused to the tree). And this material is already used for the manufacture of various products.

According to technology, cork fabric can be divided into types:

veneer is the most expensive type of cork;
agglomerate - the most cheap option(made by pressing at high temperature crumbs with the addition of various resins);
combined - both pieces of veneer and crumbs are used for production.

Finished panels can be treated with various compounds that affect the properties of cork and give it greater strength and moisture resistance.

Pros and cons of the material

Benefits of cork floors:

excellent heat and sound insulation;
cork - the material is elastic and resilient, does not creak, does not slip, it is pleasant to walk on it;
cork does not rot and is fireproof;
the material is hypoallergenic, does not attract dust and does not accumulate static electricity;
cork floors can withstand high pressure, including point ones.

Flaws:

like anyone natural material, price cork panels higher than the usual laminate or parquet boards;
the base for the cork covering must be perfectly flat;
if there are cats or dogs in the house, then claw marks may remain on the cork flooring;
Over time, the protective layer wears off and tracks remain in areas of heavy traffic.

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Types and options of cork flooring

Floating type (you can find the name cork parquet). Available in the form of panels with locks and consists of a layer of cork glued to an MDF panel.
The adhesive type is produced in the form of square or rectangular shape. Sizes may vary. A protective layer can be applied on top.
Technological cork is sold in the form of rolls or plates and is used as a substrate.

For final finishing The first 2 types are widely used, it all depends on your choice. It should be taken into account that if you plan to lay cork in a bathroom or toilet, then you need to give preference to the adhesive type. This is due to the way it is processed special composition which prevents the floor from swelling.

Floating cork flooring is best used in a room with a low level of humidity: in a bedroom, nursery or hallway.

To lay a cork floor with your own hands, you will need:

Pencil.
Roulette.
Square for precise cutting of panels at right angles.
Long ruler.
Chop cord.
Construction knife. It can be used to easily cut adhesive-type cork panels.
Spatula or roller for applying adhesive to floors and cork boards.
Electric drill. Useful if you need to drill holes, for example, for heating pipes.
Fine-toothed hacksaw or jigsaw. These tools are useful for cutting floating panels.
Rubber hammer for fitting cork slabs into place.

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Cork flooring technology

Surface preparation

Before laying the cork covering, the surface must be leveled, if necessary. It must be dry, clean and primed.

You don’t have to remove the old flooring, but lay cork on top.

Laying cork flooring with glue:

Before laying the 1st row of cork tiles, you need to use a construction cord to mark the main line along which its assembly will begin. This can be diagonal from opposite corners of the room or laid in a straight line along the walls.
Draw a pencil line using a ruler along the chop cord.
When working with glue, you must use a respirator, for example RPG-67. Cork tile adhesive is flammable and has a pungent odor. After work, the room must be thoroughly ventilated.
Apply glue evenly to the base using a spatula or roller along the marked line.
You also need to apply glue to the panel and let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
Then attach the panel to the base and tap the entire surface with a rubber hammer.
In some places it will be necessary to adjust the cork panels. To do this, marks are made with a pencil, using a square or ruler, markings are made and construction knife the excess part is cut off.
After laying the tiles on the floor, it is necessary to cover it with 2-3 layers of varnish. A two-component polyurethane varnish is perfect for these purposes.
The glue dries within 24 hours. It is advisable not to walk on the laid panels during this time to avoid their displacement.

Cork flooring is an excellent material, undeservedly little widespread in Russia. Cork absorbs sound better than other natural coverings and retains heat. Moreover, cork flooring is an orthopedic covering, because... reduces stress on the spine and joints.

There are two main options for cork flooring - glue and lock. The lock allows for quick installation, but only on a perfectly flat base. The adhesive plug can be glued even to an uneven surface, but it must be coated with varnish on top. Finish coating varnish, however, makes the surface monolithic and protects the floor from spilled liquid. It is in the adhesive version that the qualities of cork are better demonstrated, because the cork layer is thicker.

Adhesive cork can be joined end-to-end with other coverings - for example, with porcelain tiles or parquet, and you can also lay cork flooring throughout the apartment without a single threshold. Glueless cork floors are connected only through thresholds, even if the same cork is laid in different rooms due to the nature of floating technology.

Preparing the base

In order for a cork floor to be stable for many years, not to swell or become loose, it should be laid on an ideal level. smooth surface. For a glueless cork this is required condition. Backlash in the connections of glueless cork boards causes squeaking and breakage of locks. There are several types of cork bases.

Plywood base. IN in this case sheets of moisture-resistant plywood or chipboard are attached to a leveled screed and carefully sanded to perfect smoothness. You can also use the so-called “adjustable floor” - in this case, sheets of plywood are leveled by tightening special bolts. If the cork floor already has a finished cork base layer, then there is no need to use an underlay on the plywood.
Linoleum. Laying on linoleum is possible only if the floor is smooth and level. If there are even the slightest swellings, bumps or holes on it, the linoleum should be removed and the floor prepared, as when laying cork on a screed. There is no need to lay additional underlay on linoleum.
Screed or concrete base. This is the most commonly used method for installing cork floors. In this case, the screed should be dried and leveled with a grinding machine or leveling mixture. The leveling mixture should be one that does not contain casein; it is advisable to add an enhancer like Primer to it to ensure proper adhesion. When laying on a screed, waterproofing is required. To do this, you can use either a moisture-proof underlay (for example, Tuplex) or lay plastic film 200 microns thick with a wide overlap under a regular substrate (cork, for example).

After the base has been prepared, you need to warm up the room until optimal temperature at 18-22 °C. Cork floor tiles should be left in the room for about a day to acclimatize.

The glue for installing the adhesive plug must also be warm. It is not recommended to use PVA glue or water-soluble adhesives for cork flooring - they lead to swelling and damage to the coating. The best option- a special adhesive for cork, which contains polychloroprene and synthetic rubber. This glue sets well, does not harm the coating and dries quickly - you can walk on the floor immediately after installation. A special feature of cork adhesives is their instant adhesion, so if you lean the cork sheet against the base, it cannot be moved; be very careful.

Step-by-step instructions for installing adhesive cork flooring

First you need to mark the room. The cork is laid from the center of the room towards the walls. To do this, mark the center of the room and draw parallel lines from it in the direction of the walls. It’s worth first “trying on” the tiles by laying them out without glue - it sets quickly, so if the tiles are laid offset, they will have to be torn off and the base re-leveled.
The glue is applied to the base using a notched trowel. It is desirable that this be a tool with triangular teeth spaced 2 mm apart.
The glue is left for 20-30 minutes (depending on the characteristics of the glue and its quantity), after which sheets of cork are laid on it end-to-end without gaps and pressed tightly. After installation, the cork floor is tapped with a rubber hammer or rolled with a special roller. If glue gets on the tiles during installation, it must be removed immediately. As a rule, the glue dries completely in 48 hours - for this the room must be well ventilated.
Near the walls, where whole tiles do not fit, you need to cut them. This leaves gaps between the coating and the wall of 3-4 mm. If there is a door in the room, its bottom should be cut to the thickness of the cork floor.
After installation, the cork floor is sanded and degreased. A protective cork varnish or wax is applied to its surface. How many layers of varnish to use depends on source material. Cork is available uncoated or primed. If the cork is uncoated, you need to cover it in 3-4 layers, if it is primed - in 1-2.

Laying glueless cork flooring

There are also ready-made solution, which does not require installation with glue, are cork boards with a plywood or wooden core, which are laid in a floating manner using a glueless joint. Such a floor, as a rule, is supplied immediately with a backing and protective layer- just carefully secure it by snapping the lock, like laminate.

Laying should be done from the edge of one wall to the other, row by row. The slabs need to be joined staggered or brickwork, preventing the joint of 4 plates at the same time.

The glueless cork can also be varnished for moisture protection. Or you can use specialized gel sealants for joints.

Cork floor care

Cork flooring can be washed with a regular damp sponge; it is not susceptible to impact. ethyl alcohol and solvents based on benzene or trichloroethane. At the same time, you should avoid contact with aggressive alkalis on the surface of the cork. If the surface is very dirty, you can carefully clean it using special means, an emulsion that gives the surface shine. If necessary, the contaminated surface can be sanded and recoated. protective agent- polyurethane varnish or cork wax.