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8 Reasons for using cork underlays when renovating your home
8 reasons for using cork underlay when renovating your home
If you are currently trying to decide on which flooring to use in remodelling your home, and if your main concern is the choice of look that best suits your home decor, there is one factor you should not overlook in this process: choosing an underlay that will guarantee maximum comfort and durability.
An underlay is much more than just something you place under the flooring. The underlay is part of a solid foundation that can determine the floor’s performance in terms of acoustic properties and comfort, while also adding to its lifespan. Even though it is not visible, it can still be felt and perceived thanks to the value it adds to the space in which it is installed.
Compared to other synthetic materials, cork is the right option if you are looking for high performance, comfort and a sustainable, eco-friendly solution.
The ability to absorb impact is one of the great features of cork, which makes it much more comfortable and ergonomic for walking. And the combination of this sustainable material with other composites, like recycled EVA and recycled rubber results in great products suitable for use with several types of flooring like ceramic, laminate, engineered wood, solid hardwood, LVT or linoleum.
1 - Easy and simple to install
The installation of the underlay is easy, simple and effective. The material is lightweight, but extremely durable. With less than 6 steps, anyone can easily apply an underlay to the floor. Check out installation instructions here.
2 – Say goodbye to flooring imperfections
A cork underlay protects your flooring against imperfections that might appear in the underfloor, eliminating the telegraphic effects caused by using the floor. This quality can also result in material and labour savings in many cases, eliminating the need for patching or repairing minor substrate defects.
3 – What about water and humidity?
No! Cork or cork blend underlays are dimensionally stable and do not expand in contact with water or high humidity conditions. We offer several options with attached vapour barriers, which provide moisture protection for moisture sensitive finished flooring products. It avoids the diffusion of the water vapour through the floor, while also maintaining thermal resistance. The result is a floor with better performance.
4 - Forget all about cracks on the floor
The flooring detachment problem is also solved. The cork underlay will guarantee such protection, by preserving the uniformity of the floor, which will remain joined at the intersections. Protection? It is effective and permanent.
4 - Forget all about cracks on the floor
The flooring detachment problem is also solved. The cork underlay will guarantee such protection, by preserving the uniformity of the floor, which will remain joined at the intersections. Protection? It is effective and permanent.
5 – Do not worry about marks on the floor.
The natural resistance of cork to crushing helps eliminate permanent dents or deformities caused by heavy objects placed on the floor, like furniture, or the impact of falling objects.
6 – Benefit from better acoustic and thermal insulation and more comfort.
Day-to-day noises and footfalls in other rooms of the house spread easily. The installation of a cork underlay reduces the sound of footfalls both within the room and in the space below, in the case of installations on 2nd and upper floors, as it reduces impact as well as reflected walking sound. Cork underlays can make on grade and below grade floors feel much warmer with their thermal insulating qualities.
7- Benefit from comfortable walking
The resilience of cork provides a cushioning effect, which makes the floor much more comfortable to walk and stand on.
8 – Be proud to protect the environment.
In addition to all these benefits, there is also environmental sustainability. Cork is a 100% natural and recyclable raw material. Compared to synthetic materials, the natural qualities of cork add unique benefits that contribute to high performance and comfort.
Remember: cork underlay cannot be missing from your checklist!