Cork

From MaterialProject.org, the free architectural material catalog

Material Catalog · Material by MasterFormat · Help

Contents 1 Material analysis 1.1 Traditional uses 1.2 Emerging uses / trends 1.3 Finish and aesthetic qualities 1.4 Surface forms / shapes 1.5 Cost analysis 2 Material properties 2.1 Primary structural use 2.2 Material performance 2.3 Dimensional and opening restriction 2.4 Acoustic property 2.5 Manufacturing process and assembly 3 Environment and Life Safety 3.1 Environmental impact 3.2 Flammability rating 3.3 Coefficient of friction 4 References 4.1 Notes 4.2 Student contributions 5 See also 5.1 Similar materials 5.2 Building references 6 External links 6.1 Additional resources 6.2 Leading manufacturers

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 09700

Traditional uses

• Flooring
• Wall covering
• Furniture
• Veneer
• Underlayment for resiliency or acoustics
• Wine bottle stoppers
• Bulletin boards

Emerging uses / trends

• Use on walls
• Laser cut inlaid designs
• Vibrant colors

Finish and aesthetic qualities

• Cork is very lightweight, resilient, compressible and impermeable
• It is available in a variety of natural colors as well as dyed colors
• Varied texture with no definite pattern or design

Surface forms / shapes

• Tiles are usually square, although custom options are available.
• Sheets can be cut into custom made designs.

Cost analysis

• Tile from $5.00 to $6.00 per square foot.
• Plank from $6.50 to $8.00 per square foot.

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Cork is an applied finish material; it is not structural.

Material performance

• Because cork's tissue is made of 90% gaseous matter, the density is very low which makes it an efficient insulator for acoustics, heat, and mechanical vibration.
• It is a resilient material because after being subjected to pressure, cork recovers quickly to it's original shape.
• Cork is impermeable; The presence of Suberin, an inherent waxy substance, renders cork impervious to both liquids and gases, and therefore doesn't rot.
• It is anti-microbial and is inherently resistant to molds, mildews, and common pests such as termites.
• It is hypoallergenic because it does not absorb dust that causes allergies.
• Cork is extremely resistant to ear, because it's less affected by impact and friction than other hard surfaces, due to it's cellular composition.
• Cork is a natural flame retardent and will not spread flame or release toxic gases during combustion.

Dimensional and opening restriction

• Tile – 3/8” - 3/16” thick, 12”x12” tiles (custom options available)
• Plank – maximum dimension is 30’ in either direction
• Underlayment -- available in 4’ x 50’ rolls in thicknesses of 5/64”, 1/8”, and 1/4“,
• Also available in 2’ x 3’ sheets in thicknesses of 1/4” and 1/2”.

Acoustic property

• Cork has very good sound absorption, and is often used for this reason.

Manufacturing process and assembly

• Cork is the outer bark of the evergreen cork oak, a tree from the beech family, which grows mainly in Western Mediterranean countries, such as Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy, and the Maghreb.
• Cork is made from agglomerated cork granules. These are bound together with resins, baked in a mold, and then sliced, rested, split, and sanded.
• It is finished with either a polyurethane acrylic or a water-based finish, which can be applied before or after installation.
• Regarding installation:
  • Sheets or tiles should be left unwrapped in space for 24 hours prior to installation to prevent warping.
  • Use manufacturer- recommended adhesive on well-prepared sub-surface.
  • Tiles should be laid in staggered pattern for easier installation.
  • Not usually recommended for wet areas.

Environment and Life Safety

Environmental impact

• Cork is sustainable. It is harvested by stripping the bark of the cork oak tree every 9-14 years.
• Each cork oak tree provides an average 16 harvests over its 150-200 year lifespan.
• Cork tiles are biodegradable, non-allergenic, sound and thermal insulating, and nontoxic.

Flammability rating

• Very good, as long as appropriate adhesives and sealants are used.
• Fire rating: ASTM E648: Class II
• Smoke density: ASTM E662: Flaming 103, Non-Flaming 109

Coefficient of friction

• Good, as long as appropriate sealants are used.
• 0.74 +/- 0.04
  • Dry: .7048
  • Wet: .7293

References

Notes

Student contributions

• Abigail Joyce, Fall 2005
• Christina Gerke, Spring 2007
• Janna Frapart, Spring 2008
• Janet Lasher, Spring 2010

See also

Similar materials

• Other types of resilient flooring such as linoleum and rubber flooring.
• Sometimes stained to simulate the look of wood.
• Cork Fabric

Building references

• The Daily Grille, Georgetown Inn, Washington, DC
• The Lenox Hotel, Boston, MA
• First Congregational Church, Chicago, IL: Entire church area installed in 1890. Still in use.
• Falling Waters House, Mill Run, PA; Frank Lloyd Wright, 1937

External links

Additional resources

• Cork Flooring website
• Expanko website
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations website
• Gerbert Limited website
• Hard Wood Installer website
• Ifloor website
• Natural Cork website
• Old House Journal Online website
• Sustainable Flooring website

Leading manufacturers

• APC Cork Floors
• BHK Glueless Cork Flooring
• Dodge Cork Tile
• Cork Concepts
• Eurocork Cork Floor
• Expanko
• Globus Cork
• NovaCork Flooring
• Parador Cork Floor
• Westhollow Cork Flooring
• Woodstock Cork