The most popular decorative material for walls, of course, are wallpapers , but many people perceive them as something trivial and boring. Especially for fans of exotic manufacturers, non-standard decoration materials, one of which are cork panels for walls. They have a number of advantages that distinguish them from classic paper wallpapers, tiles and plasters, namely:
- excellent thermal insulation qualities;
- resistance to rot / mold;
- soundproofing;
- ecological compatibility;
- hypoallergenicity (can be used even in the children's room);
- do not attract dust;
- do not ignite, do not emit toxic substances.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the interesting design of wall panels , which is achieved by veneering and incorporating metal and glass granules into the surface. Thanks to this, a unique pattern is created that can not be repeated in factory conditions.
But manufacturers do not hide that along with the above benefits there are a number of shortcomings as well. The cork slowly restores the structure when it crumples, and at constant pressure dents remain forever. If the surface of the tile is constantly exposed to direct sunlight, the color may burn out and become less expressive.
brief information
Cork tiles are made by cork granules. Can be single or double layer. The granules of the cork are placed under the press, after which they take the desired texture and shape. Then the surface of the tile is covered with protective wax, which gives it additional strength and moisture resistance. The substrate usually has a width of 2-3 millimeters.
In the production of two-layer tiles, a glue composition made of natural components is applied to the layer of the pressed cork, which is additionally opened with agglomeron cork veneer. With the help of colored inclusions the plate is painted in a certain color, making the shade more saturated and interesting. The standard sizes of cork tiles have the parameters 3х300х300 and 3х600х300 mm.
When the decorative layer is applied, the material is covered with a special wax, which can be used in rooms with high humidity. Thus, the tiles can be used to wall the bathroom and kitchen.
How to glue cork panels on walls?
For gluing it is recommended to use polychloroprene or acrylic glue. Both kinds of glue have their advantages and disadvantages. Polychloroprene glue has a strong unpleasant odor, and its evaporation is hazardous to health. However, this is compensated by excellent adhesive properties. Acrylic composition has no pronounced odor, is safe for humans and is easy to use. But the rate of solidification and the connection with the surface are much lower here.
The process of gluing the cork plate is quite simple. A special primer is applied to the previously leveled walls with a roller or maklovice. After the composition dries onto the wall, it is possible to fix the tile. It is better to start from the inner corner, moving horizontally to the right or to the left. The second tile glue closely to the side and so to the opposite wall. If there are no more places for the whole tile in the line, then it can be cut using a knife for gypsum board or a metal ruler.
The next rad of panels is recommended to glue with the splitting of joints in relation to the bottom row, since the dimensions of the panels may differ by a couple of millimeters and it will be very difficult to obtain the correct matching of the seams. In this regard, the next is better to move from the first to third tiles. With this arrangement, the seams of the panels will be almost invisible.
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