When it comes to choosing an eco-friendly gasket when arranging flooring, they usually think of a cork or coniferous substrate for a laminate. Coniferous wood products are not widespread in our country, but cork substrates have long and firmly entered the list of the most popular natural materials.
Cork backing is made from cork oak bark. The distribution area of this plant is limited to Mediterranean countries, and Portugal is the main supplier of this material. A feature of the cork tree is the ability to remove the cortical layer up to thirty times during the life of the plant. Each time after removing the bark, the tree is restored, its reuse is possible after 9 years.
Raw materials are subjected to natural drying and grinding. Fine fractions are processed using a special technology, resulting in a sticky substance suberin, which holds the cork web together.
Kinds
Cork substrate for the laminate produces several types. In some cases, additional substances are added to the cork granules, which are designed to adjust the technical characteristics of the main product in accordance with the purpose of the object where it is planned to lay the flooring.
There are four types of cork underlay for laminate flooring:
- Traditional. The lining is made exclusively from the base material without impurities.
- Bitumen-cork. To obtain a bitumen-cork substrate for a laminate, a special Kraft base is used, on which a layer of bitumen is applied and, on top of this insulating material, a cork layer. This version of the product perfectly copes with work in rooms with high humidity, but due to the presence of a refined product in the material, it is not recommended to use it for residential premises.
- Cork rubber lining. Also applies to material with waterproofing properties. In addition, such a substrate allows for sound insulation from a source of structural noise. This material is produced by mixing granules of bark of cork and artificial rubber.
- Foil cork lining. This material is necessary when installing underfloor heating. Cork is the base on which a reflective foil film is attached.
Specifications
When installing a laminate flooring on a concrete floor, it is recommended to consider the following characteristics of the cork lining:
- material density - from 180 to 260 kg / m3;
- material resistance - over 2 kg /2;
- initial state change (deformation) - at a pressure of 7 kg /2 within 10%;
- permanent deformation - after 120 minutes within 0.2%;
- material refractory class - B2;
- sound absorption ability - from 12 to 17 dB;
- thermal conductivity of the material - from 0.037 to 0.043 W / (m * K);
- the material belongs to natural antiseptics, does not rot, is not eaten by rodents.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cork under the laminate is an expensive and high-quality materials. However, the pros and cons of this coating still need to be carefully weighed before starting work to make sure that it is fully suitable for the room where the floor is planned to be laid.
Positive traits:
- Durability. Due to its exceptional characteristics and natural origin, this material can last at least 30 years without loss of quality. In this case, dynamic and static loads cannot change the elasticity and strength of the product.
- Soundproofing. Cork copes with the elimination of household noise, but is unable to cope with structural noise.
- Thermal insulation. The product has a small specific gravity and, at the same time, high density. These qualities allow you to keep heat in the house, reflecting it from the concrete floor.
- Environmental friendliness. Material of plant origin does not cause allergic reactions and is not a source of harmful fumes.
- Fire safety. The wooden base of this substrate has a high resistance to fire.
- Light weight material. Lightweight cork lining is convenient when laying and moving in height (on the upper floors).
In addition to the listed positive properties, cork material does not change its consumer qualities at low temperatures, is not a source of accumulation of static stress, does not rot, mold does not form on it and pathogenic organisms do not accumulate.
Cork Disadvantages:
- high price;
- the inability to use standard substrates in places with high humidity;
- the need for mandatory waterproofing for standard cork linings;
- can crumble and squeeze when exposed to large loads in small areas (thin legs in heavy furniture);
- does not have protection against penetration of structural noise (operation of a power tool, elevator);
- cannot be used as standard for underfloor heating equipment.
How to make a cork lining
Any home master will be able to lay the backing on their own, but in order to avoid commonplace mistakes, it is recommended to adhere to the following instructions:
- Before starting work, it is necessary to allow the material to acclimate at room temperature for about a day;
- if roll material is used, the substrate is marked and cut out, after which it is left for a day so that the sheets straighten and take the correct shape;
- cutting is performed with an indent from the wall of 8-10 mm, for convenience, you can use the indent rail around the perimeter of the room;
- in some cases it is recommended to lay sheets on double-sided tape & mdsah; this ensures reliable fixation of the material;
- laying of the backing sheets is carried out end-to-end, it is recommended to glue the joints with tape;
- if a lining is applied in the form of separate sheets, it is necessary to provide a checkerboard pattern of joining & mdsah; for this, a new row begins with laying half of the sheet, the next again with the full one, and then in the same sequence;
- when installing floors on objects with high humidity, rubber-cork and bitumen-cork linings & mdsah; when laying them, it is necessary to turn the natural layer to the concrete surface;
- it is not recommended to walk on the lining, so the substrate flooring is combined with the installation of the laminate & mdsah; After completing the installation of several rows of boards, they continue to lay the substrate, then they again install the laminate and so on until the work is completed.
What thickness is better to use
Based on the technical characteristics, we have already decided on in which cases it is better to use a cork substrate for a laminate. What thickness to choose - the next question that inevitably arises before buying a material.
- For a flat surface of the base and a small thickness of the laminate board, it is enough to use a lining with a thickness of 2 mm.
- If there are more significant shortcomings of the concrete base, a cork substrate with a thickness of 3 mm should be used.
- The use of 4 mm linings is recommended for the installation of floors from thick laminate boards.
- Lining with a thickness of 5 mm or more is not used in housing and is intended for the equipment of industrial premises.
The main thing that should be learned when choosing a substrate is that thickness is not a sign of quality preparation for laminate flooring. Excessively thick lining in combination with thin boards of the laminate contributes to the rapid wear and breakage of the lamella locks, as a result there is a need for a complete replacement of the coating.
Popular manufacturers
The following brands are among the most popular substrates from Portugal:
- Wicanders;
- Sedacor;
- Vintage
- Egen.
In addition to Portuguese companies, in domestic retail you can pick up products made in Germany (Tarkett), Poland (Decora) and Spain (Ibercork).