The modern market offers an extensive assortment of materials that are designed for thermal insulation. Especially popular is cork insulation, which has a lot of advantages. This material is environmentally friendly and natural in origin.
What it is
Cork insulation is a 100% natural material, which is made from the bark of a special oak growing in Mediterranean countries. The cork structure is similar to honeycombs - miniature prisms of the correct proportions. Each square centimeter has approximately 40,000,000 similar cells.
The structure itself includes several layers:
- One fibrous that provides rigidity.
- Two in the form of fiber.
- The following are fatty and dense, water repellent. There are also two of them.
The middle layers are suberin and wax. These elements provide special elasticity and are considered the most dense. The prisms inside are filled with special gas, which in chemical composition is similar to air, therefore it is completely safe for human health and the environment.
Specifications
Cork insulation can have a different shape, on which its technical characteristics depend. The following averages are available:
- Soundproofing. Noise absorption coefficient varies from 17 to 22 decibels. For walls, cork insulation is used as a complete sound insulator. Often it is installed in music studios.
- Thermal conductivity. The coefficient is 0.04 W / m. The indicator is almost the same as that of mineral wool. But the thickness of the material is significantly less.
- Moisture absorption. Cork insulation does not absorb water, so it does not affect the technical characteristics of the material. Its structural cells, even in boiling water, are not destroyed.
- Resistance to fire. In accordance with the official classification, the material has a fire resistance class M3. It is difficult to set it on fire; it does not spread the flame well and emits a minimum of hot particles and smoke. No harmful elements are produced during combustion.
- Density. It is quite high at the cork and reaches 200-230 kg / m 3 .
- Biological resistance. The material does not deteriorate by rodents, it is not a favorable environment for the propagation of mold, fungi and bacteria.
- Strength. Roll cork can withstand maximum compression of up to 2.5 kgf / cm 2 . The tensile strength is 0.94 kg / cm 2 .
- Environmental Safety. Cork insulation for walls consists entirely of natural raw materials, therefore it is hypoallergenic.
- Chemical resistance. The cork is completely inert, so it does not react with many types of chemicals that are used in construction.
- Operational period. The material almost does not decompose, therefore, it is durable. Manufacturers usually give a guarantee of at least 50 years.
Varieties
The production technology of the material is called agglomeration. Therefore, all varieties of cork roll insulation are divided into white and black agglomerate.
It is also classified by form of release:
- rolled;
- in the form of panels;
- plates;
- in the form of mats.
The density and thickness of each form is different, however, as is the scope. For example, you can buy cork insulation on the floor in the form of a roll. After all, it is considered an ideal substrate for parquet and laminate. It is also used in the installation of floor screed. Thickness varies from 2 mm to 6 mm. Cork floor insulation has a standard roll size of 1 m * 100 cm.
Mats and slabs are often used for walls, and they perfectly absorb sounds. Panels are the most thick and dense material that has found its application in the insulation of the external sides of the building, foundation, facades and roofs. A number of manufacturers equip the strata with a locking system to facilitate installation. The scope of the cork is huge. For example, how can you use cork insulation in the garden? Sometimes they close the walls of the greenhouse in the cold season, and some owners of private houses use it in chicken coops.
White cork agglomerate
Such material is created from the bark of oak branches. It looks perfect as a decorative coating. Therefore, having insulated the walls with white agglomerate, it will not be necessary to finish. Often they make roll and tile material from it.
Black cork agglomerate
This material is created from the bark of tree trunks. It must be subjected to heat treatment. The result is one of the most effective natural materials. Usually it is produced in the form of panels of various sizes.
Benefits
According to reviews, cork insulation for walls and floors has a huge number of advantages, in comparison with synthetic analogues. The material is characterized by the absence of emission of harmful substances. It can quickly restore its shape after bending, twisting or compressing.
Cork insulation for wallpaper has a high degree of elasticity. Even many years after installation, it will not lose its original performance.
The undeniable benefits of cork include:
- lack of rotting for many years;
- there is no electrification and accumulation of static electricity;
- the presence of natural antiseptic properties;
- resistance to insects and rodents.
It is important to note that any kind of cork does not undergo degradation due to the negative and strong influence of ultraviolet rays, since the material does not pass them through itself.
In the event of accidental fire, the insulation will not release harmful substances into the air, such as chlorine, cyanide and phenol. To minimize combustibility, the manufacturer exposes the products to flame retardant treatment.
Reviews of cork insulation show that it has:
- low heat conductivity;
- increased soundproof qualities;
- long operational period;
- security.
It is also important to note that the technical plug can retain its original properties even during operation at negative temperatures. In addition, the insulation is resistant to alkaline environments.
disadvantages
The cork has no significant flaws. Users only note a few weaknesses:
- The material has a considerable cost. Given the excellent performance and the lack of synthetic additives, the price of the material is quite justified. It is also worth noting its long service life, which eliminates the need for periodic replacement.
- Insulation, which is characterized by a low density - from 95 kg / m³ to 130 kg / m - transmits vibration waves well. Accordingly, it cannot be used as a barrier barrier, which prevents the penetration of noise and vibration into the object. To protect against them, experts recommend considering cork insulation, the density of which begins at least 130 kg / m³.
- The insulating wall substrate can deteriorate if this type of finish is used at the objects of the target industrial purpose and when metal cutting or other types of processing are performed in the premises. This is due to the fact that metal chips can degrade the heat-insulating qualities of the material. Its pores will clog with solid particles. In this case, prolonged operation will provoke a violation of the structure of the cork.
The material will protect against noise if the user fulfills the basic condition, that is, provides a high frequency range of 1.5 kHz.
Criterias of choice
If you need to buy cork material for roofs, floors, floors, walls, it is important to determine the amount of heat insulator and a reliable manufacturer. Quality products will always be securely packaged. There should be no damage to the box. If all is well, you need to continue to inspect the material itself. The main characteristics of the cork, which are visible during inspection, are elasticity, smoothness, elasticity and soft texture.
The structure of the roll, mat or plate must certainly be uniform without intersperses. The reverse situation indicates that the manufacturer added waste to the material, so it will not be durable.
You can try to break off a piece of cork. High-quality insulation will not give in easily and will not crumble. It is advisable to ask the seller for quality certificates, this will make sure that the product is original. The best-known cork from Portugal, which is represented by several manufacturers.
Amorim
Amorim has been specializing in the manufacture of all kinds of cork oak products for many years. She is considered the world leader in the creation of cork insulation. It is worth noting that many companies use the corporation's production facilities to produce their own products. The cost of Amorim material depends on the modification and thickness of the plates.
Wicanders
Wicanders offers its customers a rich assortment of cork insulation for wallpaper. Delivery of products is carried out on the territory of Russia. The assortment includes wall cork coatings that can be used simultaneously as decorative finishes and heat insulators.
Izora
Manufacturer Izora produces white and black cork agglomerate. Usually it is presented in the form of panels for insulation of walls, floors and roofs. The cost depends on the density and thickness of the material.
Sedacor
Sedacor brand specializes in the production of substrates, technical cork and finishing materials. It implements sheet and roll cork.
Floor and wall insulation
In the role of insulation for walls, tiles and rolled material are used. It can be glued under the wallpaper. Use for walls is recommended such a cork, the thickness of which is large. This allows you to better keep the heat in the building. For maximum adhesion of the agglomerate, contact or acrylic adhesive is used. This cork material is also used for floor insulation. It performs the function of a substrate for the finish coating, because it makes it possible to distribute the load throughout the sheet. It is important to know that under the parquet and laminate it is forbidden to use a heater with a thickness of more than 2-3 mm. This is due to the fact that the maximum height difference of the base for such coatings is 2-3 mm / m 2 . If the thickness is greater, then after a certain time, a strong deformation of the substrate is formed, as a result, the lock joints will be broken.
Quick Installation Guide
Installing cork insulation on walls or floors is easy. For high-quality fixing, use special glue - contact adhesive for flooring, universal acrylic for walls. If the last compound is used, then only one surface can be lubricated. Contact adhesive certainly requires processing on both sides of the surface.
The scheme of work is as follows:
- Cleaning the work surface. The floor and walls should have perfect evenness. All mounds should be cleaned, cracks and crevices should be covered.
- If there is any leftover wallpaper, they should be removed.
- The surface is primed with a deep penetration composition.
- Roll insulation is mounted on the walls, similar to wallpaper.
- The material is lubricated with glue, and the strips are fixed butt.
- If the slabs are laid, then marking on the floor should be done first.
- The first fragment must be placed in the middle, the others parallel or perpendicular to the floor.
It is important to remember that the cork should not be glued to a damp surface, because it simply does not fix. In addition, humidity is an excellent medium for the propagation of fungus. What can be glued to cork insulation? Of course, wallpaper, both heavy vinyl and ordinary.
Cork insulation is an environmentally friendly modern material with many advantages. It is resilient, lightweight, provides reliable sound and heat insulation, does not support combustion, and, of course, is completely safe for people and the environment. You can apply the material for insulation, foundation, frame structures and roofing. Cork has proven itself on the positive side, so many people prefer wall and ceiling decoration with it, despite its high cost, in comparison with artificial materials.