How did I choose my flooring and why did I choose cork? Its advantages and disadvantages during operation

During the repair, the question of replacing the old chipboard with a new modern coating became an edge. And I went shopping….

The important qualities of the choice were:

-high thermal insulation so that you can walk on the floor barefoot;
- ease of installation, because we were going to do the editing ourselves.

In hardware stores, I felt everything I could touch: laminate, parquet board and cork. Block parquet and solid wood boards were not liked due to the high cost and the need to hire craftsmen.

I didn’t like the laminate because it was cold and some kind of "plastic", more suitable for office space. The parquet board was pleasantly surprised by the price and quality. But still something was missing in her.

And then I put my hand on the cork cover... It was an unforgettable feeling, as if it was heated from below. It felt warm and slightly rough to the touch.

Yes! This is what I was looking for !!!

I was offered a lock and glue stopper of my choice.
I chose the castle because it does not require:

-special tools and skills when laying;
-perfect foundation. A smooth cement screed is suitable.

Looking ahead, I will say that we completed the installation of the coating in the hall with an area of ​​20 square meters in a couple of hours.

Useful tips I learned in the store

It is necessary to pay attention to the indicator of the HDF base of the cork board (lamellae), has increased strength. It should be over 800 kg / m3. This ensures that the coating is resistant to moisture. If it is low, the seams on the cork diverge.

When choosing coatings from one company, even if all models have one HDF indicator, you must choose the one that is more expensive in price.
And on the advice of a sales assistant, I bought felt pads for furniture. Suddenly we will want to make a rearrangement in a year or two, and although the traffic jam is recovering after exertion, but not completely.

Exploitation. Pros and cons of cork

The advantages immediately include:
-high thermal insulation. It is pleasant to walk on it (it is better only to walk on the grass in summer);
- it springs well. Previously, for gymnastics, I had to spread a special rug (bones hurt on the "bare" floor). Now you can do it without it;
- absorbs sounds and is durable;
-can be used even in the kitchen (in the bathroom, due to humidity, it is better to use a glue plug).

Cons:
- traces remain from sharp objects (scratched with a nail);
-Rubber bicycle wheels leave black stripes that are difficult to clean;
-Do not use abrasive products (they damage the varnish).

Cork is more expensive than laminate and parquet boards on the market. But the merits are so compelling that price is of secondary importance. What do you think?