Cork wallpaper

Cork wallpaper - one of the many typeswallpaper, widely used in interior design. Cork - the bark of cork oak - has long been used in decorating premises. Previously, for the finishing of walls, cork slabs were used, covering them with walls like plywood. But with the development of technology, it became possible to do more subtle and comfortable than a plate of wallpaper made of cork.

When making cork wallpaper, the bark of the cork tree is crushed and pressed at high temperature. The resulting thin veneer (its thickness is about 0.1 mm) is applied to thick paper - this is how the cork wallpaper is obtained.

Cork wallpaper may have natural porous structure, and can be impregnated with wax or coveredspecial varnish. Lacquer, used to cover the cork wallpaper, does not interfere with air exchange and preserves their properties. Most often the color of cork wallpaper is natural, but sometimes there are wallpapers made of cork with colored impregnations.

Advantages of cork wallpaper

What are the advantages of cork wallpapers? The main advantages of this type of wallpaper include:

Durability. The structure of the cork coating is such that it is practically not subject to aging. The plug is resistant to the effects of household chemicals, humidity, high and low temperatures.

Sound and heat insulation. Wallpapers of cork - what you need for panelhouses, where you often hear each neighbor's sneeze. Not without reason cork cover is used in professional music studios. And thermal insulation properties help to maintain a comfortable microclimate in the room all year round.

Refractoriness. Despite the fact that the cork is made of woodand, in theory, it should burn well, this material, on the contrary, is refractory. Cork wallpaper not only does not burn, but also helps to slow down the spread of the flame in case of fire.

Antistatic, anticondensation, antibacterial properties. Cork wallpaper does not collect dust and does not absorb foreign smells. Thanks to the porous structure, the plug protects against steam, prevents condensation, mold and corrosion.

Easy installation. Glue cork wallpaper is quite simple - forthis does not need any special skills. So with the gluing of wallpaper from the cork it is quite possible to cope on your own, relieving yourself of the need to pay for the services of specialists.

Ease of care. Cork wallpaper is very easy to care for,thanks to this wallpaper from the cork can be glued even in the kitchen. To remove light dirt, just wipe the wallpaper with a damp sponge or clean with a vacuum cleaner. The spots can be carefully removed using a fine-grained sandpaper. But cleaners should not be used.

How to glue cork wallpaper?

Usually cork wallpaper is produced in rolls of different sizes or in the form of sheets. They can only be cut into strips and pasted onto the wall. But first you need to prepare the surface: remove the old coating, plaster the cracks and cracks, align and primed the wall. The surface under the wallpapering should be dry and clean.

After that, apply glue. Wallpaper of cork can be glued only with special glue for cork or heavy wallpaper on a paper basis. Where to apply glue - on the wall or on thewallpaper? Here, the opinions of repair specialists diverge. Someone thinks that glue should be applied only to wallpaper, someone - that on the wall, and someone advises to smear with glue and wall, and wallpaper. It is best to follow the manufacturer's instructions, which are attached to each roll.

Cork wallpaper only glues to butt. It is best to do this together - one keepsa cloth at the top, and the second aligns it vertically. In order for the seams to be as noticeable as possible, you can apply a bit of glue with a thin brush in places where the edge has not grasped well, and then evenly press in the place of joints of the panels with a roller to process the joints.

Particular attention should be paid to gluing wallpaper in the corners. When folding the wallpaper for a break, the cork can crack,so you need to glue the corners very carefully, without pressing the wallpaper into the corner. Speakers for the skirting of the edge of the wallpaper are cut not with a knife, but with scissors: the knife can tear a thin cloth impregnated with glue.