Recommendation points
In order to glue the cork cover, it is not necessary to resort to the services of professional craftsmen. After reading our article, you can easily do this work yourself.
Cork has excellent heat and sound insulation properties, high resistance to mechanical damage, does not support combustion, is not afraid of moisture and does not rot. All modern cork coverings are wax or varnish impregnated, which improves their water repellency and durability.
Choice of material and tool
Now in hardware stores there is a wide selection of cork. You can easily select the material of the desired size and desired color. Cork is cheaper in rolls than sliced cork. But you need to understand that the quality of the material in rolls is much lower, there are more defects and it is harder to work with it..
Two types of glue are used for gluing the cork coating: acrylic or polychloroprene. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages. Acrylic does not have an unpleasant odor, it is more convenient to work, safer for the human body. However, it has a slower curing rate and a less strong bond with the surface.
Polychloroprene adhesive has a persistent pungent odor. Its vapors are more dangerous for the human body, but at the same time it has excellent adhesive properties. Craftsmen often use these two adhesives at the same time during work. When gluing flat surfaces, acrylic is used, and where the outer corners or edges of the cork are pulled up, apply universal polychloroprene glue.
To glue the cork, you will need tools: universal acrylic or polychloroprene glue, deep-impregnated primer, paint brush, scrubber, drywall knife, trowel, spatula, tape measure, pencil, wallpaper roller for seams, comb-trowel, ruler and damp sponge.
Preparing the walls
Inspect the wall before gluing the cork. It should not have visible flaws in the form of large chips or adhering debris. All exterior and interior corners must be carefully reviewed. They often have fillings that need to be removed..
After priming the wall, wait about two hours for it to dry. The wall can be primed with a sheet or roller. In the room where the work is carried out, the air temperature must be at least +15 ° С.
Cork coating gluing
On the wall at a distance of 31–32 centimeters, or 61–62 centimeters from the floor (depending on how you glue the tiles to the wall – vertically or horizontally), you need to draw an even horizontal line. Next, acrylic glue is applied to the entire back surface of the tile..
After applying the glue on the tile, you need to brush it for better adhesion to the wall surface. After that, the cork is applied to the wall. You need to start from the inner corner, so that the top edge of the tile touches the outlined horizontal line. The next tile is glued close to the side, and so on to the opposite corner. If the row also ends at the inner corner, then the tile is trimmed in width by 1.5–2 mm. Trim the tiles on a flat, hard surface using a metal ruler and a drywall knife.
Polychloroprene glue is applied to the surface of the cork with a paint brush. Usually glue is applied only to the cork.
The next row of tiles is glued with a spacing of the seams to the bottom row, since the dimensions of the tiles may differ from each other by 1–2 millimeters and it will be problematic to get a perfect match of the seams in this case.
Therefore, the next row must be shifted from the previous one by half or a third of the tile. With this arrangement, the seam plugs will practically not be visible.
When gluing the tiles, glue may appear at the joints; it must be removed with a damp cloth or sponge. This must be done very carefully so as not to stain the tile surface with glue, since after complete drying it can leave traces and white stains.
To avoid this, leave 2-3 millimeters dry around the perimeter of the tiles, especially if acrylic glue is used. On contact with the wall, the adhesive will disperse under the tiles and fill this surface. Outside corners can be pasted over with cork or wooden decorative corners. They can be found without any problems in stores of building and finishing materials. It is advisable to glue them after the glue has completely dried on the wall..
Drying time for polychloroprene glue is from four to six hours. Acrylic glue dries in about twelve hours. Cork looks great with natural materials like wood or stone.
Can anyone provide some guidance on the proper technique for gluing cork to walls? I want to make sure I do it correctly and ensure a long-lasting bond. What type of adhesive should be used? Any tips on preparing the wall surface or applying the glue? Appreciate any advice or recommendations!
When gluing cork to walls, it is essential to use a strong adhesive that is designed for bonding cork material. A solvent-based contact adhesive or a strong construction adhesive is typically recommended. Prior to applying the adhesive, make sure the wall surface is clean, dry, and free of any dust or debris. It is also helpful to lightly sand the wall to create a rough surface for better adhesion.
When applying the adhesive, spread it evenly on both the back of the cork sheet and the wall surface. Press the cork firmly onto the wall, starting from one corner and working your way across. Use a roller to smooth out any air bubbles and ensure a strong bond. Allow the adhesive to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions before hanging any items on the cork.
Following these steps should help you achieve a long-lasting bond between the cork and the wall. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the adhesive you choose to ensure the best results.