Cork wallpaper in the interior (22 photos)

An interesting option for decorating rooms is cork wallpaper for walls. They are more original than the usual rolled sheets and have a high level of durability, which is very important for those who prefer to make repairs as little as possible.

Features of cork wallpaper

Cork is the household name for cork oak bark, which is characterized by rapid regeneration. Trees grow up to 200 years. The cork tree bark is removed every decade without any damage to the plant. The world leader in manufacturing quality products is Portugal.

The bark has a structure similar to honeycombs, expressive and diverse, with a rich palette of shades from dark ocher to milky beige. The porous structure provides its special physical properties - strength with low weight, good heat and sound insulation. It is from this bark that cork wallpapers are made. Another option for quality paintings is cork bamboo wallpaper, which is made from the corresponding plant.

The thickness of the decorative coating of cork veneer does not exceed 0.5 cm on the canvases. The basis is paper or non-woven. The gluing of the layers occurs due to the resin released during the pressing of the material under the influence of high temperature.

The rough surface of the cork is polished and varnished, due to which the wallpaper gets a gloss and smooth texture. By changing the colors of the base, the sizes of the fragments and their location, wallpaper designers create coatings of a natural and at the same time attractive texture, sometimes using natural dyes.

After the process of waxing or coating with a special varnish, cork wallpaper in the interior looks especially chic and lasts an unusually long time.

Kinds

Canvases vary in design, style, method of attachment and other parameters. The main types of cork wallpaper according to technical characteristics are divided into 4 large groups.

Due to the warm pleasant feeling from the surface layer and high water-repellent properties, wall decoration with cork sheets or panels is very attractive. A certain uniformity of the natural color is abundantly compensated by modern staining methods.

Pros and cons of acquiring

In order to finally make a choice, it is important to evaluate all the pros and cons of cork wallpaper, to “see” and evaluate the design that the material can give before starting work.

Pros:

• 100% environmentally friendly.
• Do not cause allergies.
• Absorb sound.
• Waxed fabric is moisture resistant.
• Repel dust.
• Fireproof. Do not emit harmful substances.
• Restore shape after exertion.
• Easy to paint.
• Keep warm. In summer they lower the temperature, in winter they raise it.
• Due to the active access of air, infection with the fungus is prevented.
• Easy to clean.
• Waxed canvases do not “fade” in the sun.
• Glued on the walls of any level of curvature. Can be used for furniture decoration.
• Durable. After waxing, serve from two decades.
• Create a cosiness and pleasant atmosphere.

The disadvantages of cork wallpaper fit in a much smaller number of points:

• Untreated wallpapers absorb odors and moisture.
• Requires aligned walls for pasting.
• The adjustment of the plates is necessary once, it is impossible to tear it off the wall a second time.
• With spoilage, it is almost impossible to replace a single piece of canvas.
• Wallpapers love to damage animals.
• There are many scraps, because the rolls are small in length and width.
• Fairly high cost of material.
• A narrow range of colors.
• Wall decoration with cork wallpaper looks especially advantageous with dark polished furniture and laminate or parquet on the floor.

Features of color and style

The color of cork wallpaper should match the style and features of the room. The natural color palette is ocher brown or gray, white is not found. There may be pink, purple and other tinted options.

In small spaces where light walls are recommended, cork is not used at all to create a design.

For the design of other rooms - a few useful tips for comfort:

• To "revitalize" the color environment, it is advisable to alternate cork wallpaper in design with other types of coatings so that the room does not come out boring. With different thicknesses of the joints, the joints are masked with moldings or ornament.
• Instead of a monophonic coating, the walls can be decorated with a pattern cut out of cork paintings, placing it in combination with wallpaper of a cold color spectrum.
• Great combination with stone and wood.
• Saturated brown cork wallpaper is successfully combined with chestnut, green-chestnut and sand tones.
• Lemon-brown canvases look beautiful "next door" with a beige or purple palette.
• Combined coatings for light cork cork - patchwork-style textiles.

The best interior styles for cork wallpapers:

Classic. Symmetrical decoration - wallpaper or slabs, the same in all respects.

Ethno. Cork alternate with bleached or plastered areas.

Vanguard. Asymmetric elements alternate along the walls.

Cork sheets in the interior

Thanks to perfect environmental friendliness, solid wear resistance and wide possibilities of the original design, cork or bamboo wallpapers can be used in almost any room.

Cork Wallpaper Rules

The thoughtful design of the room requires the correct gluing of cork wallpaper, since the curvature of the paintings or applying them with gaps will categorically ruin the design of any room.

Preparatory work:

• Putty or even with starting plaster.
• The wall-covered piece of wall is free from dust.
• Grunt.
• When gluing with plates - first, the edges are fixed to the wall (with a slight bend), then the plate is pressed into the allotted space.
• Calculate the number of wallpapers.
• Unpacked rolls “cure” in the room for 2-3 days.

Suitable types of glue:

• Glue from the manufacturer of wallpaper.
• Acrylic for tiles.
• Universal glue is absolutely not suitable for fixing cork wallpaper on the wall.

Work sequence:

1. Stir the glue according to the instructions.
2. Rolls are cut and laid out for straightening.
3. The glue is applied to the wallpaper, as directed by the manufacturers, and to the wall.
4. The first sheet is glued on a plumb line.
5. Press the canvas clearly and evenly, butt.
6. The bottom allowance is cut with scissors.
7. The glue at the joints is cut with a knife after drying. On the wallpaper itself, it is impossible to clean it, it is really only possible to replace it.
8. Possible scratches on the waxed surface are removed by heating - the wax softens under the action of the hair dryer and the traces disappear.
9. Dried 3 days indoors.
10. It is important to remember that when working, wallpaper can not be bent and deformed. The glued cork veneer can be varnished in several layers with furniture varnish.

Care

Qualitatively glued cork wallpaper does not require special care. It is understood that you will cover them with wax or varnish, which prevent the accumulation of dust. Wet cleaning is periodically permissible, but “without fanaticism” - cleaning and detergents are not recommended.

Paper cork sheets require particularly careful handling. Dry options for cleaning contaminants - a vacuum cleaner or fine sandpaper. Proper handling and care of the wallpaper will extend their lifespan to 20 years or more.

Eco-friendly, modern and beautiful wallpaper made of cork is not included in the category of “budget” options for decorating walls, but taking into account their practicality and ample opportunities for design, many fans of various styles choose their cork cloths. Health and beauty are the key to these magnificent coatings.