Cork rolls are a popular choice as a substrate due to their insulating properties, durability and environmental friendliness. Here's how they work in practice:
1. Heat and sound insulation
Thermal insulation: cork is a natural insulator, which makes the floor warmer to the touch. In the colder months, it helps reduce heat loss, which can reduce heating costs.
Sound insulation: Cork absorbs sounds well, especially footsteps and other impact sounds. It is therefore an excellent solution in multi-storey apartments, where noise reduction can be crucial.
2. Vibration reduction and floor protection
Cushioning: Cork acts as a shock absorber, reducing pressure on the floor, which helps protect your floors from warping and other damage.
Floor protection: thanks to its flexibility, cork adapts to minimal unevenness of the floor, which reduces the risk of damage to panels or other floor elements.
3. Durability and moisture resistance
Cork is resistant to moisture, but can absorb water if it is exposed to large amounts of water for a long time. For this reason, in damp rooms, such as the bathroom or kitchen, it is worth additionally strengthening the cork with a special impregnation or choosing a laminated version, which is more resistant to water.
4. Easy to install
Cork rollers are light and easily spread over the floor surface. In the case of standard installation under panels or boards, simply unroll the cork roll and cut it to size. Some models may require the use of adhesive to stabilize them during floor installation.
5. Ecology and health
Cork is a natural and biodegradable material, which makes it environmentally friendly. Moreover, it does not emit harmful substances, which is especially important for people sensitive to allergens and chemicals.
Although commonly used today, cork rolls have a relatively young production history, which began in the 19th century, with the development of the cork industry. A key moment in cork production was the invention of Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (French inventor famous for his hot air balloon), who in 1891 developed the first method of producing cork granules.
The process of cork production in the 19th century
Obtaining the raw material: Cork comes mainly from the cork oak (Quercus suber), which grows in Mediterranean countries such as Portugal, Spain, France and Morocco. The process of harvesting the bark, which is the raw material for cork production, does not destroy the tree - the oaks are "peeled" every 9-12 years, allowing them to regenerate naturally.
Milling and creating granules: The first production process involved grinding pieces of cork and making granules from it. Montgolfier used a welding process that combined the cork granules into a single mass. This is how the first version of agglomerated cork was created, which was the basis for further processing.
Roll forming: Over time, the technology developed so that the granulate could be formed into thin sheets and then into rolls. The use of special presses and rolling made it possible to obtain a uniform structure, which gave the cork durability and stability.
Further processing and improvements: As the technology developed, various types of glues and curing agents began to be used, which allowed for better bonding of the cork granules. Thanks to this process, it became possible to produce durable cork rolls of different thicknesses, adapted to various needs, including floor underlays.
Why did cork rolls become so popular?
Cork turned out to be a material with exceptional insulating properties, moisture resistance and strength, and was also relatively easy to form and process. As a result, it became an ideal material for the production of floor underlays, acoustic and thermal insulation and other products that require flexibility and insulation.
Cork rolls are a versatile insulating material that can be used in unusual rooms, such as basements, attics, workshops, and even in caravans and boats. Thanks to their thermal insulation, sound-absorbing properties and resistance to moisture, cork rolls can be an effective solution for insulation in places with special requirements.
Applications of cork rolls in unusual rooms
Basements
Moisture insulation: Cork rolls, in combination with additional protective layers, can protect basement floors and walls from moisture. Cork itself is resistant to mould and fungi, making it suitable for humid spaces.
Heat and sound insulation: Thanks to the thermal insulation of cork, the basement can maintain a more stable temperature. Additionally, cork dampens sounds, which is important when the basement is used as a practice room or music studio, for example. Attics
Protection against extreme temperatures: Cork rolls help insulate attics that heat up in the summer and cool down in the winter. Cork reduces heat loss, which is especially useful in older buildings with less efficient insulation.
Acoustic insulation: Cork dampens sound, which can be beneficial if the attic is used as a living room, office or relaxation space.
Workshops and workshops
Sound and vibration dampening: Cork rolls on the floor of a workshop can dampen sound and vibrations resulting from working with tools, which is especially important in apartment buildings or when the workshop is located in a home.
Floor insulation: Cork rolls can also act as a shock absorber, reducing the strain on the legs and spine when working standing for long periods of time.
Caravans and boats
Moisture protection: Cork is resistant to moisture and mould, making it ideal for rooms with high humidity, such as caravans or boats.
Lightweight insulation: Cork is lightweight, so it does not significantly increase the weight of a vehicle or boat, which is important for means of transport. Additionally, this material provides thermal comfort and soundproofing.
Practice rooms and music studios
Soundproofing: Thanks to the sound absorption of cork, cork rolls on the floor or walls can reduce noise. This is an ideal solution for rooms where loud sounds are generated, such as music studios or training rooms.
Important aspects to consider when using cork rolls
Impregnation: In rooms with increased humidity, it is worth additionally impregnating the cork to increase its resistance to water.
Combination with other insulating materials: In places requiring intensive thermal or acoustic insulation (e.g. music studio), cork rolls can be combined with other insulating materials, such as polyurethane foam or mineral wool.