If you are a fan of environmentally friendly materials in the design of housing, then pay attention to cork floors made from pressed cork particles of cork oak. They are good both from a practical and aesthetic point of view, however, like every thing - the cork floor has its pros and cons. We approach this issue objectively and tell you about all the advantages and disadvantages of this type of flooring.
Cork floors: pro and contra
If you have not decided on the purchase, let's see if it's worth doing at all, because the cork floors have their advantages and disadvantages.
Let's start with a pleasant - the advantages of this kind of coverage. So, firstly, the cork floor is not afraid of moisture with all the ensuing consequences like mold, blisters and other things, that is, it can be easily cleaned with any cleaning agent that does not contain abrasives. Secondly, the cork floor is warm and pleasant, you can walk around barefoot on it, which is an undoubted plus if there is a small child in the house. Thirdly, on this floor there are no dents and scratches, it is quite dense and well soundproof.
However, the cork floor has its own disadvantages, for example, it can not be laid on the floor in places with increased cross-country traffic, because in this case, it is practically impossible to avoid cracks and creases. The cork floor is difficult to get dirty, but if you do it - it will be almost impossible to wash it. In addition, the cork will not withstand the differences in the surface of the floor, that is, it is laid on a perfectly flat surface. And finally, remember that the cork floor can not be repaired, in case of damage it will be necessary to change the entire damaged panel entirely, and since the cork is not a cheap pleasure, such a little pads will please.
How to choose a cork cover?
If you still made a choice in favor of this floor covering, here are some tips on how to choose a cork floor.
First, decide on the type of floor: the lock option resembles the design of the laminate. It should not be placed in the kitchen or in the bathroom, as it is afraid of flooding. Adhesive version is more durable, but it is not desirable to lay it without the help of professionals. When buying, take a picture of the country of the manufacturer, because it is more logical to buy a cork from the country in which cork oaks grow, that is, from Spain, Portugal and other countries of the Mediterranean.
Quality cork plate is well packed, has ideal cuts and a flat surface, the reverse side without inclusions of foreign materials, smooth and dense. Right in the store you can conduct a test, taking two plates from different packages and folding them face-to-face: the quality plates will ideally match in size, and will fit tightly to each other.
When buying a cork cover, adapt the purchase to the room in which it will be located,
For quality cork floor care is a pleasure. It simply washed with a damp cloth and vacuumed, but remember that when cleaning, you can not use rubber and metal brushes, and the floor itself must be covered with mastic twice a year. To prolong the life of the cork floor, glue pieces of felt or foam rubber onto the legs of the furniture or cover the floor with a carpet without a latex base. If you adhere to a few simple rules for care, then cork will last you for many years.