Cork wallpaper: pros and cons

Due to the fact that modern trends suggest interior decoration with natural materials, cork wallpapers are rapidly gaining popularity. They can be found in almost all interiors of residential and public premises.

Cork wallpaper is a sheet or roll material made from the bark of cork oak, which grows in Italy, Portugal, Spain and the African Mediterranean coast. The leaders in the production of wallpaper are deservedly considered the Portuguese companies, which have vast experience and produce high quality products that are recognizable and in demand on the world wall coverings market.

The production technology consists in sequential grinding, pressing and heating of raw materials, as a result of which the resin is released and the cork mass is glued. Then the resulting veneer is applied to a non-woven surface or paper, a pattern is formed, the surface is colored, impregnated with wax and covered with a varnish.

Cork wallpapers are produced in three versions, differing in size, scope and structure of the canvas.

Roll execution is the most widespread species and is in high demand and popularity.

Available in two and three layers. In the second case, a thin foil sheet is added to the already existing veneer and base layers, located between them. Due to the presence of pores and voids in the top layer, it is possible to achieve a beautiful shine and play of light, and the foil can have a golden, copper and silver tint. The width of the roll wallpaper is 50 and 75 cm, the length is 5.5 and 10 meters, and the thickness, depending on the model, ranges from 2 to 4 millimeters.

The liquid wallpaper made of cork resemble liquid plaster and allow you to perfectly level the surface. Installation is characterized by the absence of joints. They include cork chips and acrylic glue. The material is versatile and can be used in any premises.

The third type of wallpaper - cork slabsconsisting of two layers. The lower one is made of pressed cork, and the upper one is represented by a thin veneer impregnated with a wax composition, which significantly increases the moisture-repellent properties of the panels and makes it possible to use the material in rooms with high humidity. Plates are available in three sizes: 30x30, 60x60 and 30x60 centimeters with a coating thickness of 3 millimeters.

The most common colors for cork wallpaper are grays, browns and ocher. The surface can be both homogeneous and containing inclusions. The color range of products is very wide and includes the entire palette - from light sandy shades to dark brown tones. The most popular are natural colors that blend harmoniously with any interior and create a favorable atmosphere in the room.

The paper and non-woven base of roll wallpaper is also available in a wide range of colors.Thanks to this, a huge number of unusual colors are produced, allowing you to choose a coating for every taste.

The advantages of cork cover include the following material properties:

• Natural origin of raw materials provides complete environmental safety. High hygiene of the coating lies in the ability to absorb and neutralize computer radiation, which makes it in demand for the decoration of offices and study rooms;
• Excellent decorative characteristics wallpaper allows you to use them as an independent design element. They will perfectly fit into any interior and will be harmoniously combined with furniture, natural and artificial stone, wooden floors, tiles and doors;

• Durability and high wear resistance due to the cork structure of the coating and the use of additional protective agents - varnish and wax. Processing and impregnation significantly increases the service life of products and allows you to maintain their original appearance for a long time. The cork surface is resistant to mechanical stress and abrasion. Manufacturers guarantee an impeccable service life of the coating for 10 years;
• Fire resistance of products ensured by the incombustibility of the material and its ability to withstand high temperatures, without undergoing deformation and without emitting corrosive smoke. This allows cork wallpaper to be used in crowded public spaces. Products do not fade in the sun and do not fade;

• Sound and heat insulation properties wallpaper is achieved due to the porous and soft cork structure, which is their indisputable advantage over other wall coverings. Due to its excellent noise absorption, cork wallpaper is often used in the equipment of music studios and entertainment centers located in residential buildings. The products are not prone to static electricity and are hypoallergenic.

By cons of cork wallpaper include the high cost of products, the complexity of installation, the need to purchase special glue and the impossibility of spot repair of roll coatings.

There is also a large amount of scraps when gluing, which is formed due to the small size of the rolls. Because of this, you either have to dock the canvases more often, or do not glue a short strip and start using the next roll.

Puttying the walls before gluing should be carried out with high-quality materials, otherwise, under the weight of the cork sheets, there is a risk of the wallpaper peeling off along with the putty.

Taking into account the performance of the coating and the manufacturer's recommendations, finishing with cork wallpaper can be done in any room:

• In children's rooms using such wallpaper would be a good solution. Safety, hypoallergenicity and a special warm structure of the material will create a healthy microclimate in the room and provide good sound insulation;

• In hallways and bathrooms you need to use moisture-resistant models that do not deform or peel off under the influence of moisture. Their surface is easy to clean and resistant to moderate mechanical stress. A combination of cork wallpaper with other materials is often used, for example, with artificial stone or decorative bricks;

• Material ability withstands high temperatures well and does not absorb odors, it can be used for decorating kitchens and dining rooms, which serves as an excellent alternative to tiles. For these premises, you must choose a moisture resistant model;

• Exploitation in living rooms, bedrooms and offices does not imply the specialized qualities of the material, therefore, when buying a coating for these premises, one can only be guided by the decorative characteristics of the products.

Wallpaper does not require expensive maintenance and painstaking care. It is enough to periodically process them with a damp cloth or sponge. Pre-treatment of the surface with varnish prevents the coating from accumulating dust and getting dirty quickly.

Handprints and all sorts of stains are poorly visible on the cork, but if they do appear, you need to remove the dirt with sandpaper. Abundant moisture and the use of bleaching agents and chemical compounds during surface treatment is unacceptable.

The first step in the selection should be to determine the desired form of release. It should be borne in mind that cheaper roll models are less convenient to install and give more waste when sticking them, which one person cannot do. It is much easier to deal with sheet models, and the presence of plates of different sizes allows you to reduce the amount of scrap to a minimum.

The second step will be to determine the necessary additional qualities, such as moisture resistance and fire resistance. They are provided by impregnation of the coating with special compounds. Information about this is indicated in the accompanying documentation, which must be in all products along with the certificate and instructions. Next, you choose a color scheme and a comfortable price.

The final step will be the choice of glue. It should be borne in mind that for paper-based wallpaper, you can purchase glue for heavy paper coverings, and for products with a non-woven base, glue for heavy vinyl or contact acrylic is suitable. If the choice fell on slabs that do not have a base, then you need to take glue for cork products.

Decorating the walls with cork wallpaper gives the room a special flavor and a unique atmosphere of natural motives. Acting as an independent decorative element, the material is able to decorate any room, as well as indicate the good taste and prosperity of the owners of the house.

The combination of decorative plaster and cork surface looks harmonious. The walls are made in the same style as the floor covering, which brings completeness to the image of the room and emphasizes the geometry of the space.

Cork wallpaper applications allow you to use the most daring decoration solutions. The contrast of color and simplicity of lines continue the thematic focus of the room and dispose to a comfortable rest.

Artificial stone and cork linen are excellent options for finishing modern interiors. Combined surfaces look great in hallways, loggias and public spaces.

The contrast between the color of the wall and the surrounding interior emphasizes the naturalness and nobility of the material, and also gives the room an exquisite look.

A cork covering, made to match the floor and successfully shading light surfaces, will be a good solution for decorating large premises, both residential and public.

How to choose and glue cork wallpaper in the room is the next video.