Cork substrate: beautiful floor for a long time

Repair will be incomplete without a beautiful and practical floor, the flooring of which requires patience and some knowledge. For example, let's talk about a suitable lining. Among a wide variety of materials, a cork substrate is allocated. It is a roll or sheet of crushed bark, which are laid under the floor covering. On the basis there can be rubberized impregnations.

Porous and airy material dampens the sound vibrations that occur when walking. For a rubber-cork substrate, a mass of ground cork and synthetic rubber is pressed. Rubber gives the material increased damping and noise insulation properties.

Bitumen-cork substrate for the floor is made of kraft paper with bitumen impregnation. In the production process crushed crumb is poured onto paper, it is glued to the substrate. Under the floor covering such a sheet is put up with paper. The lower cork layer will protect the floor covering from moisture and ventilate it.

Characteristics

• Ecological - in the production process, synthetic components are not used, because the plug has a binder called suberin.
• Thermal insulation - cork substrate has a low thermal conductivity, which ensures the preservation of heat in the house.
• Sound insulation - the cork absorbs sounds well.
• Obstruction of fungus and condensate formation - the floor covering will be durable.
• Hypoallergenic and antistatic - natural material does not harm health and does not cause allergies.
• Aligning small irregularities and surface roughness - additional floor leveling may not be required.

The cork substrate is usually 3 mm thick, although manufacturers produce coils up to 6 mm. The canvas goes in sheets of 2-4 mm.

Stacking

Before laying, rolls are left for acclimatization for a day. It is also necessary to level and dry the substrate. On it put the waterproofing film overlapping, with the approach to the wall (5 cm). Adhesive tape is attached. The material is laid without gaps. The parts are then bonded with a self-adhesive film. The substrate can be laid directly on wooden boards, but then it should be covered with a layer of chipboard. The plug is not recommended to be fastened with nails.

Bitumen-cork cloth does not require the laying of a waterproofing film.

If the cork substrate has a thickness of 6 mm, then the base can not be leveled, it is necessary to fill the cavities, voids and cracks with epoxy mortar and sand the surface. When working, you should monitor the humidity level, which should not exceed 5%, and the temperature (up to 20 degrees).

Substrate thickness of 3-4 mm will have cushioning properties that will increase the service life of the floor covering (laminate, ceramic tile, parquet). The cork substrate does not fit under the linoleum, as it is poorly bonded to this material. As a result, a displacement or deformation of the surface will appear.

With a cork substrate, the floor covering will be beautiful and durable. This is the best option for both a city apartment and a country house.