Recently, cork wall decoration has gained momentum and popularity. The consumer is attracted by its insulating properties, with which you can solve sore problems. That's just not everyone can afford such a tool. Cork wall prices at Leroy Merlin, for example, are higher than alternative coatings. But nevertheless, why is this material attractive, and why are there buyers of this product, despite the high cost?
Material characteristics
Cork as a finishing material is suitable for any surfaces: ceilings, floors, walls. This material is also called universal due to the fact that it can be used for decoration in any room of the house, whether it is a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or hallway. Cork wall coverings, the prices of which are quite high, attract not only the original appearance, but are of interest, for example, in the struggle for silence in the apartment.
Short list of material advantages
The main advantages of cork coating include the following characteristics:
1. Weight. Compared to drywall, cork boards are much lighter; they can even stay on the surface of the water. One and a half square meters of cork board weigh about one and a half kilograms.
2. Isolation from water and gases. Neither the first nor the second medium with proper installation and processing can penetrate into the material, and also let them pass further to the walls. Therefore, such moisture-consuming places as the bathroom and the restroom can also be corked on all sides.
3. Thermal insulation.
4. Soundproofing and vibration protection.
5. Strength and resilience. Cork wall covering in Leroy Merlin, which is presented in the form of a board, justifies its high cost.
How often do you re-stick wallpaper?
How much wallpaper can a wall keep looking? After a couple of years, dirt begins to settle on them (especially if the wallpaper was embossed), after a while they begin to turn yellow, peel off, etc. It is rare that a hostess suffers this for more than five years, and starts a new repair for “joy” spouse. Cork coating is guaranteed to retain its appearance for up to twenty years, while mechanical impacts such as impact by some part of the body or household appliances for these plates are not terrible. The surface due to its elasticity quickly restores its former shape.
Cork Types
All of the above characteristics apply specifically to cork boards or slabs. But besides them, there are other types of this coating on sale.
1. Cork tiles. The material used to make cork tiles is granular cork. It lends itself to processing, giving the desired shape, texture, and then cover with a wax material to increase moisture resistance, wear resistance. Of the above advantages of cork material, only a weight advantage is not suitable here. Cork tiles are not as light as cork boards, but nonetheless light in comparison with other finishing materials. For example, a cork wall covering in Leroy Merlin of the cork tile type with parameters 300x600x3 (in millimeters) has a weight of 3.3 kg. By the way, there are basically two possible sizes of such tiles - the aforementioned 300x600x3 and 300x300x3 (mm).
2. Spray cork coating.
An interesting solution is cork spraying. This material consists of cork crumbs (96% of the material), and the remaining four percent account for the presence of binders and dyes, as well as flame retardants. The sprayed cork coating can be applied practically everywhere: on a wooden surface, on concrete or even metal. As a result, you get the same cork slabs, but at the same time, installation errors do not creep in, there will be no joints or the possibility of improper installation. Such a coating does not even require special surface preparation - just clean it from dust and dirt.
Cork wallpapers and rolls
Cork wall coverings in rolls are easy to manufacture and use. In fact, it is very similar to ordinary wallpaper, the difference is that on a paper or non-woven base, a thin layer of cut-off cork - veneer is glued. Their advantages include the absolute inability to electrify, and therefore they do not attract dust, germs and bacteria. They are elastic and have antibacterial properties.
But of the important advantages of cork, there is no sound insulation and thermal insulation, and the price is much higher than conventional non-woven. Of course, they have an interesting look that is suitable for any interior; Plus, there are many colors and shades of this material. Therefore, many designers are adopting cork wall coverings at Leroy Merlin or other popular online stores. So far, not every house can be found such wallpaper, because the tendency to unusual coverage continues.
Cork price
At Leroy Merlin, the consumer can take one of two options: tile and board. The first category is a floor covering, but for walls such tiles will do. A square meter of such will cost the consumer an amount of 806 rubles or more. Cork wall covering - prices for a board of about 2220 rubles for an incomplete 1.5 sq. M - as you can see, a little more expensive. A kilogram of cork spraying costs from 360 rubles, and its consumption per square meter is about two kilograms.