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HOW DO YOU INSTALL CORK TO A WALL?


For installation instructions, please refer to the instructional video below. For additional instructions, read our DIY Cork Wall Installation guide.



Prepare Walls: Bangor Cork bulletin board cork rolls and sheets can be stuck directly onto walls which are compression and deformation resistant, smooth, rigid, flat, dry, clean and free of all foreign materials such as dust, paint, grease, oils, solvents, sealers, and old adhesive residue. This is to ensure proper bonding with the adhesive. It is always best to conduct an adhesive bond test prior to installation.

Prepare Cork: Lay cork sheets flat to allow them to acclimate to the room for at least 24 hours prior to installation, if possible. Back roll sheets once in the reverse direction to release roll stretch. Bancork EZ Clean Bulletin Board cork shrinks lengthwise (1% at maximum) and expands slightly widthwise.

Cut cork orders are normally shipped a bit oversized for final trimming on site before installation. Cutting or trimming cork is quick and easy, and requires a minimal toolset. See our full cork cutting guide for detailed instructions on how to properly cut your cork for your application.

Linoleum/Cork L910W Adhesive: It is important that you use the proper adhesive. For best results, use L910W cork adhesive, which is available from Bangor Cork. It is a trowelable linoleum/cork adhesive which is SBR solvent free. If using this adhesive, use a 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/16” V-notched trowel. Apply adhesive to the wall with a putty knife and spread with trowel in the area of the sheet being applied. If necessary, apply 10 to 12 inches of contact adhesive or acrylic dispersion adhesive to the upper part of the wall and to the back of the cork to prevent the sheet from sliding down along the fresh adhesive. Working time for L910W Adhesive is 10-15 minutes.

Contact Adhesive: When using a press, the use of high-quality polyvinyl acetate dispersion (contact adhesive, available from any home improvement store) may be used in a double-stick method. This adhesive is less forgiving and adheres to the surface almost instantly. Put two coats of adhesive on the cork, as it tends to absorb it slightly, and one coat on the wall.

Adhering and pressing cork into adhesive: Adhere the cork onto the surface of a backing board or wall and press in firmly with a hand roller or with a press. Start with the top edge and the side along a perpendicular pencil line. Work from the top downwards, widthwise first. Firmly roll through the width, then the length with a hand roller to ensure proper transfer of adhesive and to remove air bubbles. Remove adhesive residue immediately with a damp cloth. Mineral Spirits may be used to remove dried adhesive. NOTE: On non-porous walls it is best to let the adhesive flash off at least 50% before applying the cork material. This will give better initial tack and allow the adhesive to cure properly.

Sawing/milling to size and finishing edges: Test the cork for proper adhesion. Then saw or mill to size. You can also finish the edges by fitting a frame around or beveling the edges. NOTE: Always use sharp tools for best results.

How should I clean my cork products?


Colored Cork
  • The surface can be wiped or washed using any common, PH neutral cleaning method (PH 7-8.5). (In our shop we use Formula 409 and Fantastik spray cleaners)
  • Abrasives or alkaline cleaners should never be used
  • Use a soft, lint-free cloth
  • Rinse with clean water after cleaning
Natural Tan Composition Cork
  • Natural Cork requires cleaning with mild soap and water on a damp soft cloth
  • Rinse with a clean cloth dampened with clean water
  • Stubborn stains may be removed with fine sandpaper but due to fading the sanded spot may look lighter or darker than the rest of the cork surface

HOW SHOULD I CUT MY CORK?

Cutting is normally done with a sharp utility knife and a straight edge taking care to put something beneath the cork to protect any surface the knife blade may contact. It is usually recommended to take one scoring pass with the knife then cut through using additional passes with the knife blade. When sheets are to be butted together undercutting the cut slightly after the scoring pass allows the cork to fit tightly together at the outward facing surface. Seams should be test fit before final gluing.

WHAT’S THAT SMELL?

Cork products have a very distinct smell, and can be unfamiliar. Depending on which Bangor Cork product you order, the reason behind these distinct smells differ. Good ventilation will help dissipate any odors.

Colored Cork

Fatty acids from the natural oxidization of linseed oil. Pine rosin, linseed oil, granulated cork, limestone, natural pigments and a jute (burlap) backing are the abundant and easily renewable ingredients which allow colored cork to be classified as a “Green” building material.

Natural Tan Composition Cork

Wood smell. The cork used is the bark layer of the Quercus suber oak tree.