Varnish for cork coating consumption. Varnish for cork floors - application instructions

1. Matte the floor surface with the finest sandpaper.

2. Carefully remove all dust with a vacuum cleaner and wipe with a damp cloth (let dry).

3. Apply Loba ws2k Contact primer. To do this, mix 2 components, the floor surface should be +18 °C. Primer drying time is 2-3 hours.

First, thoroughly shake both components, then add the hardener and mix thoroughly by secondary shaking. Mix both containers completely. In the container with the main mass there is a free volume specifically for the hardener. Use within 2 hours after mixing the components.

4. After the primer has dried, apply the first layer of Invisible Protect varnish.

Mix the main varnish component with the hardener. Shake the container vigorously. Let sit for approximately 5 – 10 minutes. Use the mixed varnish within 2 hours.

Apply the first coat using a special varnish roller over textured surfaces with high, dense pile.

Drying time 4-6 hours. After drying, it is advisable to intermediately sand the surface with fine sandpaper to remove fine adhering dust. Carefully remove all dust with a vacuum cleaner and wipe with a damp cloth (let dry).

5. Apply the second layer of varnish according to the same scheme as the first layer.

6. 24 hours after applying the last layer, the floor can be subjected to light traffic. Final strength is achieved after 6 days. Before this period expires, wet cleaning, installation and movement of heavy furniture, and laying carpets are not recommended.

The surface must be well sanded, dry, free of oil, grease, wax, silicone and wood dust.

The room temperature should be 18°C ​​– 25°C.

Relative air humidity: 45 – 65%.

Safety precautions

When working with varnish, the usual workplace precautions should be observed; eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited. It is necessary to use gloves and ventilate the room, avoiding drafts. Any remaining varnish that gets on your skin or clothes should be washed off with water.

Cork floors are constantly increasing in popularity. Their environmental friendliness and sophisticated appearance, of course, simply captivate people. Everyone wants such a floor to last as long as possible, to be reliable, not scratched and constantly pleasing to the eye. Therefore, you need to take care of the varnish coating in advance to increase its durability. In this article we will take a closer look at the coating process itself.

• • Preparatory work
  • And in conclusion...
• Secondary floor varnishing

The varnish layer is the final stage of cork installation

Varnishing the floor is not a necessary step in the installation itself. However, if you want a durable coating, there is no way around it. This stage should be given a lot of attention: a minor carelessness will then ruin your whole look, and your mood to boot.

Is it worth covering an environmentally friendly material with something that is not clear? This should not be done; there is no need to give preference to cheap and, as a rule, promotional materials. We all know where the free cheese is. Let's not step on the same rake twice - we use absolutely harmless varnish for this purpose.

Floor varnishing technology: putting everything on the shelves

Let's find out specifically what varnish to use for coating, what alternatives exist, and what is the complexity of the procedure. You can also use wear-resistant vinyl film. Of course, the word “wear-resistant” is immediately captivating; now we can achieve good reliability indicators. However, is this our goal? The film itself is alarming, because we remember very well vinyl wallpapers, which are so toxic that they are prohibited from being used in children’s rooms, bedrooms and living rooms. Is it worth talking about the environmental friendliness of such a film?

Preparatory work

We remember what varnish is. Therefore, before applying it, you need to ensure that the floor is in perfect condition. What is meant? There shouldn't be a single speck, not a single hair on the cork floor - absolutely nothing. Otherwise, this minor error will ruin the whole effect. Naturally, this is not fatal, you can walk on such a floor, but it will be noticeable. And the girlfriends who come to visit will have another topic for discussion.

After laying the cork floor, at least 36 hours must pass, after which it is time to begin varnishing. Some masters wait three days. However, the surface must be cleaned thoroughly - using a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth.

The cork floor varnish itself

We do everything step by step:
1. First, make sure that all preparatory work has been completed and the cork floor is absolutely clean.
2. Choose a varnish (for example, STRATO 442, LOBADUR WS 2K DUO), take it with a reserve.
3. Apply the varnish with a roller in three layers. Don't forget about matting: sand each layer with abrasives, it is better to use fine-grained ones. The time between layers is sometimes very different. It is better to clarify this in the instructions on the package. Sometimes manufacturers indicate one day as a period. In total, this stage will take you at least 48 hours.

4. Any cracks found in the floor are not a problem. Acrylic sealant will help with this.
5. Let the cork dry.

And in conclusion...

The varnish has been applied, the master has finished the work, it would seem that everything... However, there are several nuances. Dried varnish is not yet a guarantee of a strong and reliable coating. In fact, the first few days after coating are the most vulnerable period. The varnish has already been applied, but it has not hardened enough. In this regard, it is strongly recommended to walk along it in socks, and not to wear shoes with rough soles, much less heels.

No matter how much you would like to bring furniture to your apartment after renovation, don’t rush. This is a serious load on a cork floor. Give him time - literally 3-4 days, then he will finally get stronger and be ready for any test.

Secondary floor varnishing

No matter how much cork flooring is praised, its service life is not endless. Accordingly, at one point you will no longer be satisfied with the appearance of the floors. There is no need to get upset and look for a replacement for them. The amount will be quite large. Why spend a lot of money on replacing floors when you can simply update them. And this can be done with the same varnish. It will perfectly hide all floor defects and give you their original appearance.

As for the varnish, you need to choose one that will allow the cork to “breathe”. Vinyl coatings will not provide this, that’s for sure. Such floors themselves are warm, which allows little ones to climb on all fours and play while lying down or sitting. Having a button in the house, you need to understand that it spends a lot of time on the floor, so why save on flooring?

Sometimes they sell already varnished cork. What to do in this case? Is an additional procedure for applying varnish necessary? Is there any difference in cost? If you varnish the floor yourself, the price will be much lower, because you will do a significant part of the work with your own hands. If you buy a cork that is already varnished, the cost of materials will be higher.

The technology for varnishing floors (not just cork floors, by the way) is not that complicated in itself. The main thing is to make the right choice of environmentally friendly composition. For beginners, there are many instructional videos on varnishing floors.

Flooring made from cork panels (cork laminate or adhesive boards) requires high-quality care. Especially if the top coating of the material consists of a special thin polymer. Cork varnish needs to be renewed every 3-4 years, but depending on operating conditions. Only in this case will your cork floor look like new and last for many years in full accordance with the specified warranty period.

Information about which cork floor varnish (on what basis) to choose in each specific case is provided below.

Cork floor - beautiful and practical

You can purchase initially varnished cork laminate in the store, but in this case the price of the material will be many times higher

Cork flooring is becoming increasingly popular, even though the price of the material is quite high (around $20 per 1 m2). Such increased demand is formed by the positive qualities of flooring, such as:

• Absolutely environmentally friendly;
• Softness, elasticity and excellent noise-absorbing properties;
• Increased thermal insulation of the room;
• Fireproof characteristics of cork;
• Resistance to rotting and mold formation;
• Possibility and ease of self-installation;
• Good antistatic properties;
• Attractive appearance and varied design;
• Durability (on average, the service life of a cork is 15-20 years).

And no matter what material you use (with a locking connection or an adhesive base), it requires proper care with a mandatory coating of a layer of varnish.

Important: you can purchase initially varnished cork laminate in the store, but in this case the price of the material will be many times higher. While polymer coating of a cork floor can be done independently.

Types of varnish for cork floors

Water-based varnish is considered the most durable and has proven itself among modern consumers.

Among the variety of products offered for covering cork floors, it is worth choosing those that are water-based. It is this composition that allows the elastic cork to be sufficiently moistened and impregnated without forming cracks on the floor surface during operation. Since other polymer-based varnishes can not only crack on the surface of the cork, but also distort the performance characteristics of the coating, such as:

• Clogging the pores of the cork and preventing the ventilation of the material;
• Dry out the cork floor too much;
• Create a rough, hard film over the coating.

Therefore, only the following types of products can be used for cork flooring:

• Water-based polyurethane product with admixtures of hardener;
• Polyurethane material containing ceramics or aluminum oxide;
• Polyurethane coating with the addition of acrylic (but water based);
• One- or two-component UV-curing varnish.

Varnish brands for cork coating

Two-component varnish Lobadur WS2K Supra

Modern manufacturers offer a large selection of polymer liquids for treating cork floors. But the most popular are:

Two-component varnish Lobadur WS2K Supra based on polyurethane

This coating from a German manufacturer is perfectly applied to cork floors, gently filling the pores of the material without compromising its elasticity. Lobadur WS 2K Supra has a matte finish and is applied to the cork using a soft roller or brush. The varnish dries within 3-4 hours after application. Final use of the floor is permissible 3-4 days after applying the product in two or three layers. During this time, Lobadur WS 2K Supra dries completely, enhancing its performance characteristics.

Thanks to Lobadur WS 2K Supra varnish, cork floors are reliably protected from abrasion, mechanical chips and scratches. The price of Lobadur WS 2K Supra on the market is about $150 for a 5 liter canister.

Varnish Eukula Strato

The consumption of Eukula Strato varnish is only 100-120 g/m2

The product from Germany is water-based with the addition of a fine-grained hardener. This coating is intended for use on cork floors in rooms with high loads (offices, gyms, cafes, etc.).

The consumption of Eukula Strato varnish is only 100-120 g/m2, which indicates its economical use. It is recommended to work with such material at temperatures of 15-25 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 55-65%. Eukula Strato makes cork floors strong, resistant to mechanical stress and possible scratches.

Advantages of Strato varnish:

• Resistant to aggressive chemicals. That is, the structure and appearance of the varnish remain unchanged even if solvent is spilled on the floor.
• The ability to enhance the natural shade of cork and its resistance to fading under the influence of sunlight.
• Does not have a strong chemical smell.
• Subject to additional tinting. That is, if necessary, you can change the shade of the varnish.

The price of Strato Eukula on the modern market is between $120-150 per 5 liter canister.

Varnish Tikkurila

Tikkuril varnish consumption is 100-120 g/1m2

This type of varnish for cork floors can be either glossy or matte. Which one to use in your home is up to you.

The consumption of Tikkuril varnish is 100-120 g/1m2 (subject to application with a special roller). This varnish can be used for both cork floors and parquet. The floor covering is considered completely ready for use after painting 12 hours after applying the last layer of varnish. However, the manufacturer advises installing furniture and cleaning the room no earlier than 7 days after treating the floor.

It is necessary to care for Tikkuril varnish only with a well-wrung out damp cloth soaked in water with a neutral PH. That is, no aggressive detergents are needed.

Cork varnish Loba 2K Supra Cork

Cork varnish Loba 2K Supra Cork

The liquid is produced by a German concern and has a price of $120-150 for one 5 liter canister. The material is water-based and only 68 grams of volatile compounds per 1 liter of product. That is, floor varnishing work indoors is completely non-toxic for the master.

After application, Cork varnish gains strength within 5-7 days. Therefore, it is not recommended to use cork floors harshly during this period.

Only walking around the room in socks and dry cleaning is allowed. The consumption of Cork varnish is 100 g/m2.

Rules for storing and using varnish for cork floors

Considering that only water-based varnish is used to cover cork floors, the conditions for its transportation and storage must be special:

• So, first of all, when purchasing a material, you can and should pay attention to the date of its production and shelf life. Since such a coating can only be used within 12 months from the date of manufacture.
• You need to choose a varnish depending on the degree of gloss of the finished coating. There are matte, semi-matte, ultra-matte and glossy varnishes. Moreover, if you bought a certain type of material, then in the future you can only update the floor with a polymer with the same composition.
• When storing varnish, avoid exposing it to sub-zero temperatures. Otherwise, the water-based coating will simply deteriorate.
• For large volumes of work, it is better to buy a canister with a capacity of 5 liters. This will allow you to use it rationally (to cover the floor in several layers) and at the same time save your budget. But between stages of varnishing the floor, seal the canister tightly.

Important: you can use varnish to cover cork both on adhesive floors and on interlocking floors.

Rules for applying varnish to cork floors

Before applying varnish, you must wait until the glue has completely dried.

By following special rules when varnishing a cork floor, you can achieve the maximum effect from the use of the floor covering. Experts recommend adhering to the following principles when painting cork with water-based varnish:

• Before applying the varnish, you must wait until the glue has completely dried (if you are varnishing an adhesive cork surface);
• When varnishing, be sure to clear the cork of any debris. There should not be a single speck or hair on the floor. Otherwise, it will spoil the appearance of the finished floor. Therefore, thoroughly vacuum the cork before varnishing.
• Before applying the varnish, be sure to mix it well and pour a small amount of material into a special container. Close the rest tightly in the canister.
• The varnish should be applied in 2-3 layers and it is better to maintain an interval of 3-4 hours between painting stages.
• The final coating requires polishing before using the floor.
• Cork varnish reaches its final strength and hardness 5-7 days after application.

How to care for varnished floors?

1. The varnished floor should only be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and wiped with a damp cloth without excessive wetting.
2. It is recommended to put or line soft felt pads on thin furniture legs.
3. Avoid abrasive substances and various scrapers during cleaning.
4. In the room, it is advisable to maintain an optimal temperature no higher than +25 degrees Celsius and humidity in the range of 50-65%.
5. The varnish coating needs to be renewed once every 3-5 years (depending on operating conditions).

Cork flooring is produced in 2 types - for “floating” with a locking connection and for the adhesive installation method. Coatings with interlocking joints are varnished directly during manufacture and do not require additional processing. The cork floor, which consists of square or rectangular tiles, is coated with varnish when laid on glue.

The varnish provides the floor covering with:

• additional aesthetics;
• increased wear resistance;
• resistance to moisture;
• protection from scratches and damage;
• extension of service life.

Varnish selection

Cork coating has a peculiarity - a tendency to reversible deformation under mechanical influence with a subsequent return to its original state. Varnishes that form a hard film after curing are not suitable for treating cork; during the operation of the floor covering, they become covered with cracks.

Suitable for cork flooring:

• water-based polyurethane compositions with a hardener;
• polyurethane-acrylic coatings;
• one-component ultraviolet curing compounds;
• two-component coatings.

How to apply varnish

The varnish is applied 36 hours after laying the cork floor, after the glue has completely hardened. Before varnishing, the base is vacuumed, wiped with damp microfiber and dried. All dirt, grease stains, traces of wax and silicone are carefully removed. There are no drafts in the room and a stable temperature and humidity regime is maintained (15–25°C, up to 70%).

• The first layer of varnish is applied with a roller in an even layer without smudges or lumps, dried and sanded with fine-grained sandpaper;
• a 2nd layer of varnish is applied and also sanded after drying;
• apply the 3rd layer of varnish for the cork floor;
• after a day - careful movement on the surface is allowed;
• after complete drying and curing (after 8 days), the coating is ready for use.

The manufacturer Saicos offers environmentally friendly compositions based on water-based polyurethane:

• do not have a pungent odor;
• safe for humans;
• ready for use (without dilution);
• easy to apply;
• forming an elastic film;
• Suitable for treating floors with high load levels.

We sell cork flooring with factory-varnished surfaces. Such materials do not require any additional finishing coating of the front surface after installation. Cork floor varnish is needed only for cheap types of coatings or during periodic cosmetic repairs.

All types of special varnish for cork floors cope well with their tasks, some of them are more resistant (and more expensive) to mechanical and chemical influences. And there are materials that are not designed for great forces, used only in rooms with little traffic. In order not to needlessly overpay and at the same time have high-quality cork floors, you should briefly familiarize yourself with the main types of varnishes.

One of the features of cork floors is the ability to deform and return to its previous state under the influence of loads. Such properties are associated with the physical characteristics of the flooring material - low density and, accordingly, thermal conductivity. This means that all varnish coatings should also be slightly deformed and not form microcracks or peel off from the surface. Not all varnishes have plasticity; this should be kept in mind when choosing a brand of varnish. Depending on the technical characteristics, all varnishes are divided into the following groups.

According to the degree of gloss, varnishes can be semi-matte, matte, ultra-matte and glossy. The latter type of coating is recommended for use only in residential premises with minor loads on floor coverings. During repair work, it is strongly recommended to use exactly the same varnishes that were used by the flooring manufacturers. If for some reason it is not possible to select an identical composition, then before purchasing a large batch it is recommended to test the compatibility of the coating on a small area of ​​the floor. In all other cases, old varnishes will have to be completely removed.

Pay attention to the storage conditions of varnishes in distributors' warehouses. Many of their types are water-based; if in winter the temperature in warehouses drops below zero, then it is not recommended to buy such a product; freezing significantly reduces the original factory characteristics of varnishes. If the guaranteed shelf life has expired or is at the “limit”, then it is also not recommended to purchase varnishes.

List of most commonly used varnishes

Unfortunately, domestic manufacturers do not yet know how to produce varnishes for cork floors of the required quality. Professional builders use only imported world famous brands.

LOBADUR® 2K SupraCork. It is characterized by fairly high abrasion resistance and can be used in rooms with average and above average loads on the flooring. Suitable for halls, small corridors, offices.

Loba 2K Supra Cork. A cheaper type of varnish coating, universal use. Recommended for bedrooms and children's rooms. Contains acrylic, which increases strength. Water based.

WS 2K Supra / W 2000. Polyurethane, medium price category and with the same average performance characteristics.

Pallmann Pall-X 96. Completely environmentally friendly, can be used for varnishing cork floors in kindergartens, hospitals, etc. In terms of wear resistance, it falls into the average category. It hardens quickly and has no restrictions on use by government sanitary organizations.

The final coating is very resistant to scratches and abrasions. Used to increase the service life of floor coverings in public spaces.

To increase the service life of coatings, special protective compounds should be applied to protect the varnish from scratches and other mechanical or chemical damage. Protection is applied only after the varnish has completely dried, but before the premises are used. The varnish must be absolutely clean and smooth, with minimal damage.

Step-by-step instructions for applying varnish to cork floors

Covering a cork floor well is not quick, easy, or difficult. If you don’t have any experience doing this kind of work, don’t take it on. Cork flooring is expensive, and eliminating defects in some cases may require deep sanding, which reduces the thickness of the floor covering with all the negative consequences.

Prepare only the amount of varnish that you can use at the time specified by the manufacturer; during the preparation of the varnish, strictly follow the manufacturers’ recommendations.

Step 1: Preparing the floor.

Most varnishes are transparent and cannot hide various stains. Preparing surfaces for coating is a very important and very responsible stage. The floor should be thoroughly swept and vacuumed, paying special attention to corners and other places where dust and dirt may accumulate.

Important. The cork floor is varnished with a roller. As soon as dust gets on it, within a few minutes its traces will become visible on a large area of ​​​​the varnished floor. Don't allow such situations to happen.

One more thing. As soon as stains of various origins have been identified on the surface, measures must be taken immediately to eliminate them. Do not rush to use various solvents; they will be deeply absorbed into the cork coating and are very difficult to remove. Practical builders recommend using fine sandpaper. Sand the dirty area very slowly and very carefully, removing all rough edges. Remove dust again and check the cleanliness of the entire floor.

Step 2: Prepare your tools. You will need a special container for varnish, brushes of various widths and a roller.

If varnishing is done with varnishes based on aggressive solvents, then personal respiratory protection equipment is needed.

The coating is done in several layers, surface unevenness is sanded with fine sandpaper. This can be done manually (long, difficult and of poor quality) or using electric machines. Professional builders almost never use manual methods; for each technological operation there are appropriate devices and tools. With their help, they not only increase labor productivity, but also significantly improve its quality.

Step 3. Prepare the varnish. It can be one or two components, read the instructions carefully. Remember that a two-component varnish cannot be thinned after a slight drying. It hardens not as a result of drying, but after irreversible chemical reactions of polymerization of the components.

Step 4. Using a brush, varnish difficult corners, junctions of utility networks and pipes.

Practical advice. It is much easier and better to varnish floor skirting boards separately. The elements are fixed into place completely ready and onto the varnished floor. If the skirting boards are installed, it is better to remove them. Lost time is compensated when varnishing the room around the perimeter with a brush.

Step 5: Use a roller to apply the first coat.

In practice, you need to do at least three layers. If there is little experience, then the number of layers increases, and each time you have to correct the defect. The next layer is applied only after the first one has completely dried. You should know that the quality of varnishing a floor depends not so much on the number of layers of varnish applied, but on the professionalism of the builders.

Step 6. After the varnish has completely hardened, the first sanding is performed. The floor surface cannot be perfectly flat; partial leveling must be done with varnish coatings. It is much better to grind with special electric machines; they increase productivity and improve quality.

Wash the floor after sanding

Step 7. Check the quality after each coating, if everything is normal, there is no need to grind in vain. Do not rush to do all the operations at once; the total time for a full cycle of work can be a week or more.

At the first opportunity, before starting to varnish the floor, try the varnish on any section. Before doing this, shake the brushes vigorously several times; this technique will help remove loose bristles from them. Clean the roller as well.

Make the first layer with a fairly liquid varnish. Almost all of it is absorbed into the coating; any existing irregularities are removed faster. In addition, drying time is significantly reduced, which minimizes the likelihood of dust from the air entering and sticking to surfaces. Immediately after completing the work, all doors and windows must be closed. Let the varnish dry longer, but the risk of clogging it with drafts is eliminated.

Choose the right type of varnish and technology for its application. There are varnishes that can be poured over the surface and leveled using long rules; in other cases, leveling occurs independently. But such technologies require not only professional knowledge, but also an absolutely flat floor surface. Only professionals can carry out construction work of this complexity.

Sometimes the varnish takes a very long time to dry, but there is no need to be upset. There may be several reasons: poor-quality or expired varnish, a damp surface, a violation of the preparation technology. Wait until the crust dries, then you can use fans and heaters, create drafts, etc.

Never sand the final coat of varnish. If problems are found, they should be eliminated and another layer applied. It is highly advisable to cover the varnished surface with a protective layer. There is a sufficient selection of different types available; select them taking into account the components of the varnish used.

After some time, the varnish begins to peel off and swell - a big problem. Occurs due to the fact that during varnishing several layers had incompatible solvents. When such a problem occurs, there is only one way out - to completely remove the layers with a sanding machine and begin the process of coating the cork floor with varnish again.

Coating any surface, especially the floor, with varnish is a complex technological process. If you have the slightest doubt about your qualifications, it is better to seek help from professionals. The work will be done not only faster and better, but in many cases much cheaper in the end.

Select types of varnish depending on the load on the flooring. The least traffic is in the bedrooms; here you can use cheaper types. The living room and kitchen require high-quality expensive materials.

And lastly, regarding environmental friendliness. You need to keep in mind that all the furniture in the apartment is covered with the same varnishes. And old furniture contains quite harmful compounds. Do not be afraid that the floor covering will be the last straw; with the correct ventilation modes, the concentration of harmful substances will never exceed the values ​​​​recommended by regulatory documents.

Video - Durability of varnish coating