Cork Rolls

1. Raw material acquisition – cork oak bark

Source: Cork comes from the cork oak (Quercus suber), which grows mainly in Portugal, Spain, parts of France and North Africa.

Bark collection:

The trees are not cut down – only the bark is collected every 9–12 years.

The first “stripping” of the bark can occur after about 25 years of the tree’s life.

The cork from the first harvest is of lower quality and usually goes to industrial applications (like cork rolls).

Durability of the tree: The cork oak can live for over 200 years and be used many times.

2. Drying and seasoning the bark

After harvesting, the cork is placed outside in piles.

Drying time: from several weeks to several months.

Purpose: evaporation of moisture, stabilization of the structure, improvement of elasticity.

3. Cooking and cleaning

The cork is put into large tanks where it is boiled in hot water.

This process:

Softens the cork, making it easier to process further,

Removes impurities and increases elasticity,

Expands the cellular structure of the cork, improving its elasticity.

4. Crushing and grinding

After drying, the cork is mechanically ground into fine granules (fractions of different sizes).

This stage is typical in the production of so-called agglomerated cork, which is used in rolls.

5. Agglomeration (combining granulate)

Cork granules are mixed with natural or synthetic binders.

The resulting mass is pressed in molds (blocks) and heated to fix the structure.

After hardening, blocks of agglomerated cork are obtained, ready for cutting.

6. Cutting and forming rolls

Cork blocks are precisely cut into thin layers.

These layers are rolled into rolls, usually 1 m wide and several to several dozen meters long.

It is also possible to produce rolls of different thicknesses (e.g. 2 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm).

7. Quality control and packaging

The finished rolls are checked for thickness, uniformity and density.

They are then packed and stored or sent directly to customers (wholesalers, DIY stores, flooring manufacturers).

Summary

The production of cork rolls is an ecological and sustainable process that:does not destroy trees,

is based on a renewable raw material,uses almost 100% of the material (in the form of blocks, granulates or waste).

Cork roll as an underlay for panels, parquet or tiles

1. Application of cork roll as an underlay

Cork roll is a popular technical underlay used for the installation of:

laminate and vinyl panels,

wooden floors (parquets),

ceramic tiles (mainly on walls, less often on floors).

It is used to improve the performance parameters of the floor and increase comfort.

2. Main functions and advantages

Acoustic insulation

Cork effectively dampens impact sounds, such as footsteps or knocks, improving interior acoustics.

Thermal insulation

The material reduces heat loss through the floor, which is especially important in the case of floors above unheated rooms or on the ground floor.

Subfloor leveling

The cork roll eliminates minor irregularities, which reduces the risk of damage to the floor during use.

Ecologicality

Cork is a natural, renewable raw material that is safe for health. It does not contain toxic substances and can be fully biodegradable.

3. Thicknesses and selection for the type of floor

Cork rolls are available in various thicknesses, most often from 2 mm to 10 mm.

2 mm thickness is used for thin floors, e.g. vinyl.

3–4 mm is a universal solution that fits most panels.

5–10 mm will work well for wooden floors and where additional insulation is desired.

However, too thick an underlay may disrupt the operation of the installation system of some panels, so always check the manufacturer's recommendations.

4. Installing cork under panels or parquet

Preparing the substrate

The surface must be clean, dry, even and stable. The cork should be previously acclimatized to the room for 24 to 48 hours.

Laying

The cork is unrolled from the roll and laid evenly over the entire surface.

In the case of floating panels, it does not need to be glued to the substrate.

The cork strips can be connected with assembly tape or slightly overlapped.

Under tiles

When using cork under tiles (mainly on walls or in acoustic systems), it is necessary to glue the cork to the substrate and select the appropriate adhesive and finishing layers.

5. Advantages of cork compared to other underlays

Compared to polyethylene foams or XPS underlays, cork is characterized by much higher resistance to compression, better sound insulation and natural origin. Although its price is slightly higher, the durability and quality of use usually compensate for this cost.

6. Summary

A cork roll is an excellent choice as an underlay for panels, parquet or some types of tiles, especially in rooms where silence, comfort and durability are important. The natural properties of cork make it an environmentally friendly material and safe in everyday use.

Creating cork boards using cork rolls – step by step. You can use this process at home, at school, in the office or as a DIY project.

Creating a cork board – step by step

1. Prepare materials and tools

To make a cork board from a roll, you will need:

a cork roll (usually 4–10 mm thick),

a base (e.g. MDF board, plywood, HDF board, mounting foam or cardboard),

mounting glue, spray adhesive or double-sided tape,

a wallpaper cutter, a utility knife or sharp scissors,

a ruler, a spirit level and a pencil,

optionally: a frame, wooden strips, paint, fabric or decorative accessories.

2. Choose a format and prepare the substrate

Determine the dimensions of the board. The most commonly used formats are A3, A2 or your own – adjusted to the space.

Cut the base board to the selected size. Make sure the surface is clean and dry.

3. Cutting the cork

Unroll the cork roll on a flat surface.

Measure and mark the required dimension.

Cut the cork with a knife, guiding the cut along a ruler or spirit level to obtain even edges.

Tip: Before gluing, it is worth unrolling the cork first and pressing it with heavy objects for a few hours to straighten it out.

4. Mounting the cork to the substrate

Apply the glue evenly to the surface of the board or directly to the back of the cork. You can use spray glue for even coverage or a stronger mounting glue.

Place the cork on the board, starting from one edge and gradually pressing the whole thing down to avoid air bubbles.

If necessary, apply a weight (e.g. books) to the entire surface and leave for a few hours to fully set.

5. Optional finishing

You can frame the board - e.g. from wooden strips cut at a 45-degree angle and glued at the corners. Another option is to sew the edges with material (e.g. canvas) or paint them with acrylic paint.

For better aesthetics, you can add hooks, pendants or handles to the back of the board.

6. Wall mounting

Light boards can be attached with mounting tape or self-adhesive Velcro.

Heavier structures should be hung on pegs or wall hangers.

7. Use

A ready-made cork board is great for pinning notes, photos, plans, inspirations or educational materials.

The cork holds pins well and does not crumble with frequent use - especially with a thickness of over 5 mm.