The use of cork surfaces in interiors has been extremely popular recently. Cork is a material, on the one hand, quite popular, on the other hand, it is being used in an increasingly original way. Its original design will decorate many an interior and bring a bit of warm atmosphere to it.
Geometric cork panels on the wall
Photo: Michal Mlynarczyk © Modify - Interior Architecture
Advantages of cork veneer
Corkcladding is a modern solution that cannot be passed by indifferently. This material is formed from the bark that grows on cork oaks, found mainly in the Mediterranean region. It is extremely lightweight, so don't worry about putting too much weight on the wall structure.
Cork board is distinguished by its high heat coefficient - it is about 0.040 W/(m²-K), which gives a pleasant feeling when touching such a wall. This is a great solution, especially when there is a bed adjacent to the wall. It will no longer be repelled by a coolness to the touch. Also, beds without a headrest will find themselves well near a wall clad in cork.
Cork also has excellent acoustic properties. All due to its uneven structure, which promotes the absorption of sound waves. Thus, they will be suitable for finishing staircases, which will affect the reduction in the formation of reverberation. They will also prove useful as a soundproofing surface in a music room.
Interestingly, cork is anti-electrostatic, so it does not attract dust. So keeping such a surface clean does not require much effort. It is also distinguished by its neutral odor, and, very importantly, it is also an aesthetic material even after the passage of time, as it ages over a fairly long period of time.
A variety of cork lining structures
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Choice of format
Cork l ining is most often available in the form of rectangular tiles measuring either 30 × 60 cm or 30 × 90 cm. On the market you can also find sheets of hexagons, rhombuses or planes with a circular surface. The variety of cork lining, allows you to arrange the interior in any way you want, either as a decoration on the whole wall, or on its part.
To choose from, to color
The most common is cork in a natural beige shade. There are also dyed versions. In modern interiors, bleached veneer will be ideal, while subdued arrangements will be perfectly composed with browns or reds. Cork veneers of bold colors - pink or green, for example - are increasingly likely to be incorporated into projects. You can also paint the cork yourself with paint, varnish or stain.
We can also cover the corkwall with a satin surface, which makes it more pleasant, silky to the touch.
Price and dimensions of cork veneers
Cork veneers can be found for as little as $7 to $25 per sheet. Better quality boards range from 90 to 160 zlotys per format. The price depends on both the thickness and the uniqueness of the design.
Cork mats are also available for sale. Their thickness usually does not exceed 1 cm. The width, on the other hand, can be up to 150 cm.
Geometric cork panels on the wall
Photo: Michal Mlynarczyk © Modify - Interior Architecture
How to lay cork wallpaper?
Cork panels are glued to the walls using water-based ecological glue, applying it to both the panel and the wall. Thus, this is a safe operation that does not require ventilating the room or painstakingly waiting. We can also use typical mounting adhesives or stronger versions for wood. During gluing, it is worth helping yourself by pressing the plane with a wallpaper roller, and in some places hitting it with a carpenter's hammer.
If the edges of the boards are straight, then we can get an almost uniform surface by laying the sheets side by side. It is recommended to spread them out for about 3 days in the room where they will be installed, which will avoid gaps at the joints.
