Cork Rolls
Cork is a material that is increasingly used in our homes, due to its various properties: it is ecological and sustainable, universal and also hypoallergenic. A good way to include it is to use a coating based on this material in interior decoration.
Natural, versatile and sustainable. Cork is a material with unique properties. From homes to hotels, restaurants and libraries, museums and even offices, it can be used in countless structures and in a variety of ways, making buildings and spaces more environmentally friendly.
The topic of ecological products has been gaining more and more expression in recent years. This is because consumers are becoming more and more aware of these problems and are actively looking for products that have a positive impact on the environment.
Cork Roll Floor Underlayment
If you want to lay a new floor covering such as laminate, parquet or vinyl as a floating floor, there must be footfall sound insulation underneath. Impact sound insulation is made from a wide variety of plastics or natural materials such as cork. In this article you will learn the advantages and disadvantages of footfall sound insulation made of cork and what you should consider before buying.
Cork as an effective acoustic insulator
Living in a block of flats, an average person produces noise in the range of 40-60 dB, which should not significantly affect the quality of life. However, when one of the neighbors, not necessarily in the apartment directly adjacent to ours, starts renovation, the noise may increase to 70-80 dB or even more.
Experience shows that an attempt to communicate is rarely successful, so we are left with soundproofing and an investment in a good insulation material, such as natural cork. The noise we experience every day can be divided into three main types:
1. Moved by air
As the name suggests, the main medium is air. This is, for example, the sound of a vacuum cleaner (60-85 dB), TV (approx. 70 dB), noises from the bathroom (75-85 dB) or a crying child (110 dB).
2. Structural
In this case, a classic example is a drill (approx. 95 dB), electric saw (110 dB), hammer drill (120-130 dB)
3. From blows
This will be, for example, louder walking or running
The most frequently chosen acoustic insulator is cork underlay under wooden floors. In combination with parquet or cork panels, it can effectively reduce noise. For example, a 5 mm thick underlay reduces noise by as little as 17 dB.
Laying the substrate from a cork roll under the laminate
In order for the laminate to last as long as possible and to maintain the original quality of its arrangement, a special substrate is used during its installation. In addition, it performs a number of tasks - heat and sound insulation, leveling the floor surface. The material provides the strength of the coating, resistance to wear, and allows the weight to be evenly distributed over the surface.
Among the variety of product options, cork material is in particular in demand. In this article, we will consider the main advantages, disadvantages and nuances of using a cork substrate, and also learn how to lay the material.
Cork lining and its varieties
The substrate is selected taking into account the characteristics of the lining, operating conditions, as well as the material of the floors between the floors of the building. Many companies produce ready-made solutions especially for their skirting boards. Which substrate is better for a laminate is a non-trivial question.
Modern manufacturing companies offer models made entirely of bark raw materials. Also in the assortment there are options from a combination of materials - bitumen-cork and rubber-cork.
The composition of the classic substrate includes only natural material granules - corks. At elevated temperature and pressure, the peel particles are tightly glued to the substance that is released from the raw material when heated.
Other cork rolls underlays
Cork roll rubber model is made of the smallest particles of cork and synthetic rubber. The material is preferred due to its high degree of sound and noise absorption. This option is slightly more expensive than traditional cork products.
It is most often used in commercial and industrial premises, and also laid in rooms with wooden floors.
For the organization of the underfloor heating system, manufacturers offer an improved modification of the bark model. It is equipped with a foil surface that effectively accumulates heat energy.
It is unacceptable to use traditional options made of natural cork for warm floors, as they do not pass heat.
The advantages of a cork lining
The material retains cement dust. As a result, it provides full protection of the laminate zip system.
Cork lining has many undeniable advantages:
Naturalness and environmental friendliness
Cork lining for laminate is a completely natural and environmentally friendly material that is made of crushed wood bark.
It does not contain foreign chemicals, so the evaporation of toxic substances is impossible. Suitable for use in any room. The material is safe for allergy sufferers.
Uniformity of structure
The bark in the composition contains a natural glue - suberin. It tightly connects cork particles, makes the structure homogeneous. It is characterized by the same thickness over the entire surface, regardless of the mounting direction. The design excludes the formation of deformations, cracks, bulges.
Resilience
The strength index is up to 250 kg per cubic meter. The material is not afraid of intense loads.
Thermal and acoustic insulation
Thanks to its unique structure, it effectively retains heat inside the room, insulates sounds and noises. It dampens vibrations and acts as a blocking element for the floor, which is laid using a floating method.
Floor ventilation
Due to the natural porosity, air circulates between the carpet and the screed. At the same time, the risk of condensation, the reproduction of fungi and microorganisms is completely excluded.
Manufacturers additionally treat the cork with special antiseptic preparations against small pests.
Ease of installation
Installation of the coating will not be difficult even for an innovator. It is not necessary to use a special tool for laying and cutting - it is enough to use standard scissors or a sharp knife.
Low flammability
Fire resistance guarantees full fire safety of the entire premises.