Many people have stopped using wallpaper, parquet and other well-known materials for interior decoration . They want their apartment to be unique and not look like everyone else. Therefore, cork for walls has gained great popularity. It is an absolutely environmentally friendly and safe material with good heat and sound insulation. Thanks to a special impregnating material, the cork for walls does not absorb moisture and unpleasant odors.
Main characteristics
Cork for walls has several advantages. First of all, it is universality. The material is used for wall decoration not only in residential buildings, but also in industrial, cultural and mass institutions. To use it in your premises, you must have design skills. That is, the material should correctly fit into the interior of the room.
The next quality is porosity and density. Thanks to this, the cork absorbs special substances that protect it from moisture and unpleasant odors. It is environmentally friendly, so you can stay in the room for a long time. Cork is a fragile material. To increase its wear resistance, the product is coated with ceramic chips. Such material is used in production shops.
Types and their features
Cork for walls is used for various types of coatings, but the main place is the walls. Product selection depends on personal preference. There are such types of wall coverings:
- cork wallpaper;
- cork panels;
- board or tile;
- liquid plug;
- technical.
Further we will consider each of these options in more detail.
Cork Wallpaper
This is the most affordable and cheapest option that is easily mounted on the wall. The technology is no different from gluing paper wallpapers. By design, it is a decorative cork for walls, which is applied on a paper base, which ensures quick and easy gluing. Self-adhesive wallpapers are also produced. To attach them to the wall, you must remove the protective film from the back and attach it to the wall. These types are used to solve complex design decisions.
In addition, they have their drawbacks. Cork wallpaper is too thin, therefore, can not serve as a soundproofing material. Also, they are not recommended for use in rooms where high humidity.
Cork panels for walls
This material is more durable and dense, it is also not exposed to moisture. Such panels will serve for a long time if they are additionally saturated with a special solution.
Cork tile or wallboard
This is the most durable type of material that does not absorb moisture. Such a product can be used in rooms with high humidity, for example, in a bathroom or pool. These plates are still laid on the floor, while it will be safe to move around.
Fluid plug
This type of material is used for decorating exterior walls. This product consists of cork chips and an acrylic binder component that contains various types of resins. The finished wall is not exposed to moisture. This composition is applied to the surface by spraying. The process is used for the erection of building facades and roofs. In addition, liquid plug is a good heat-insulating material.
What colors are there?
Since its inception, cork for walls has not pleased users with its color assortment. Such materials were produced of the same type, since there was not much demand for them. Over time, when they became more popular, there was a need to produce other colors. This made it possible to solve any design problems. Cork on the wall in the interior is indispensable for many buildings and premises. And expert reviews confirm this.
Cork wall decoration
This process begins with the preparation of the necessary materials and tools. Cork for walls, the price of which ranges from 1000 to 2000 rubles, is available in sizes of 300x300 or 300x600 mm. Before starting work, rollers, an assembly knife, scissors, a ruler and a spatula are purchased.
Cork tiles or boards are attached to the wall using a special composition. Glue for cork on the walls should be on an acrylic or contact basis. It must be applied not only to the surface of the product, but also to the wall. The cork plate can change its size, so before you start working, you need to put it in the room for a day. Thus, the material will adapt to temperature and humidity. This procedure will help to avoid future deformation on the walls.
Surface treatment
After selecting materials, it is necessary to prepare the walls. Humidity in the room should be 65%. This can be achieved with a special humidifier. Temperature should also be noted. It should not fall below 18º.
So, we proceed to the processing of the walls. Their surface must be leveled and primed. It is not recommended to use gypsum-based plaster, as well as one that is incompatible with tile adhesive. Next is the center of the wall through which the vertical and horizontal lines are drawn. As a result, the wall is divided into two parts. This procedure is performed using a plumb line and an iron ruler.
Tile fastening
A layer of glue is applied to the product and applied to the wall. First, the lower part is glued, and then everything else. The material should fit snugly and not have any bumps. In this case, the origin of the tile is taken into account. Some models may collapse, so they are not recommended for corners.
Then the whole row of tiles is glued. It is better to do this according to the “run-up” method - vertical lines will not be visible. The next row fits with a shift relative to the first. If the tile was unevenly laid, it can be moved as the glue does not harden quickly. Using a special roller, iron the corners of each tile so that they fit snugly against the wall. Many craftsmen performed laying according to this technique. This is nothing complicated. It is only necessary to adhere to the laid first tile.
Edge sticker
This procedure is an important element in the decoration of walls with cork. To do this, lay one plate on another so that one of its edges touches the corner of the wall. This is exactly the amount of cork you need. Next, with the help of a mounting knife, the required size is cut out, a layer of glue is applied and the product is applied to the wall.
It so happens that sockets or pipes become in the way. In this case, special patterns are used. They are applied to the cork sheet and cut out. As templates use thick paper or plywood.
How to care for tiles?
If the work is performed for the first time, then you need to be prepared for the appearance of small gaps between the tiles. This is due to the fact that the sheets can change their sizes, that is, expand and narrow. This problem is easy to fix. To do this, cut out a cork strip. The sheet near which the gap is formed is gently lifted at the corners. Using a brush, glue is applied to the gap. Then apply the corners of the whole tile. So that they do not move away, they should be pressed with a special roller. Excess glue is removed with a mounting knife.
To increase the life of cork boards, as well as increase their wear resistance, it is necessary to treat the material with a special solution. As a rule, products are coated with oil or wax. This method has been known for a long time.
Today on the market you can buy a liquid in which these two elements are connected. The impregnated tile can be used in rooms with high humidity, for example, in a bathroom or kitchen.
Many masters advise varnishing the material. For this, a special composition based on acrylic is sold. It should be noted that cork tiles do not tolerate direct sunlight. When exposed to it, it burns and changes color. To do this, curtains are hung on the windows.
Reviews
Many people who have finished the walls with cork slabs are pleased with them. They give the room a pleasant appearance and protect the walls from moisture. At its low cost, cork is a reliable material. Wall decoration work can be done independently. All you need to do is just stick to the instructions.
At the end of the work, gaps between the tiles may appear, which arise due to a change in the sizes of the sheets. However, this problem can be quickly fixed with your own hands. If necessary, a special team of masters is called.
So, we found out what the cork wall decoration is, and also examined how to care for this coating. The choice is yours!