Can cork be used as insulation material?
You can! Have you ever heard of cork insulation? NO? You are not the only one. It is a new insulation material made from the bark of the cork oak. It is super durable and has many advantages over traditional insulation materials.
Firstly, it is good for the environment because it comes from a renewable source. Plus, it keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer, meaning your energy bills will be lower. It's also great at dampening sounds so you can finally get the quiet bedroom you've always dreamed of.
Also, when it comes to insulating your home, there are many options available. An emerging trend in the field of insulation materials is cork insulation. Cork insulation is a durable and effective material that has many advantages over traditional insulation materials, which we will list below:
What is cork insulation?
Cork insulation is made from the bark of the cork oak. This bark is naturally insulating and has a low weight. Cork is processed into insulating material in the form of boards, panels or granules.
It is a universal material. Cork offers the following benefits:
Sustainability: Cork is a renewable and natural material that is sustainably sourced. The bark of the cork oak can be harvested every nine years without damaging the tree. This makes cork insulation an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional insulation materials.
Insulation value: Cork insulation has excellent insulating properties and retains heat in winter and cool in summer. This can lead to lower energy bills and less reliance on heating and air conditioning.
Sound insulation: Cork insulation also has excellent sound-absorbing properties, making it a good choice for rooms where peace and quiet are important, such as bedrooms, offices and media rooms.
Moisture Resistant: Cork insulation is naturally resistant to moisture and mildew, making it a great choice for humid environments such as basements and bathrooms.
Fireproof: Cork insulation is fireproof and can slow down the spread of fire.
There are many questions about cork insulation. I have answered most of the questions below:
Installation of cork insulation Insulation
cork can be installed in several ways, depending on the type and shape of the insulation. It can be installed in the form of boards or panels on walls and ceilings or as granules in recesses. It can also be used as an underlay for floors and carpets.
Cork insulation can be installed by a professional, but if you are skilled, you can also do it yourself. It is important to take proper precautions when working with cork insulation, such as wearing gloves and a dust mask.
What is the service life of cork insulation?
Cork insulation can typically last ten years without much maintenance. Thanks to its good moisture resistance, cork does not rot and is even resistant to moisture. Cork naturally requires little maintenance and is easy to maintain.
What types of cork insulation are there?
Cork insulation is available in the form of loose grains and cork sheets. Loose granulate is ideal for filling cavities. Cork boards, on the other hand, are suitable for insulating walls, roofs and floors.
Applications of cork insulation
Cork insulation can be used in a variety of situations, such as:
Roof insulation: Cork sheets can be attached quite easily to the battens of the roof structure by hammering them in. These boards can be cut to size and are not very heavy.
Floor insulation: cork slabs can be attached to the concrete substrate with cork glue. Cork backing is perfect for carpet floors, for example, as it provides additional damping. Cork as floor insulation provides both acoustic and thermal insulation.
Facade insulation: Facade cork is suitable for the outside of the house. It is waterproof and weatherproof.
Wall insulation: cork as wall insulation can come in handy in a variety of situations. For example, if musical instruments are played in the room, the sound can be attenuated by gluing insulating cork tiles to the wall or by using a roll of cork.
The cork can be easily attached with the cork glue provided for this purpose. In addition to sound insulation, wall insulation also provides thermal insulation.
Flat roof insulation: Expanded cork is ideal for (flat) roofs. These cork boards have good insulating properties, are water and mildew resistant, lightweight and easy to saw. In addition, they are non-toxic and anyone can work with them without protective clothing. The PVC roof sheathing can be glued to the cork insulation boards.
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There are several advantages and disadvantages of cork insulation. The advantages are:
The material absorbs sound.
Cork is naturally fire resistant.
Cork is not attractive to rodents and insects such as termites.
The insulating material is resistant to moisture and mold.
The disadvantage of cork as an insulating material is that it is more expensive than other materials in the initial purchase. However, since cork is more durable and the insulating value hardly diminishes, it is not a more expensive purchase in the long run.
Is cork insulation expensive?
No, compared to other materials that only last for a limited time, cork insulation is not expensive, especially when you look at the insulating value of cork compared to other materials. Due to the unique composition of the material, cork has unlimited possibilities and life. Cork as insulation is therefore not an expensive but sustainable choice.
What is the R-value of the insulating plug?
In plain language, the R value of an insulation material indicates how well it insulates. The higher the number, the more difficult it is for heat to pass through the material. A higher R number therefore means better insulation.
The exact R value of cork insulation depends on several factors, such as the thickness of the insulation cork and how it is manufactured. Cork has a very good λ (lambda) value: between 0.038 – 0.040 W/mK.
Is cork insulation moisture resistant?
Cork insulation is waterproof, mildew resistant and vapor permeable. This prevents condensation problems. Thanks to its moisture-resistant properties and low risk of moisture ingress, it can be used, for example, in roof structures or walls.
Different thicknesses of insulating plug
The most important thing about an insulating cork is, of course, that it insulates well. This is done in several ways. For example, the thickness of the insulating plug plays a role, but so does the way it is manufactured. For example, expanded cork has different properties than roll cork or facade cork. This makes it difficult to indicate how thick the insulation plug should be. We offer cork in thicknesses from 2mm to 70mm depending on the product. If you are not sure which thickness is right for you, you can contact us so we can help you further.
Not all types of cork insulation are available in our store. Our cork roll is also often used as insulation material. But please don't hesitate to contact us and I'll see what we can arrange.
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