Do you build technically and sustainably with cork?

With the aim of promoting cork in construction, we have reached different agreements with Official Colleges of Architects. In our conferences, we can explain to architects the wide range of sustainability that cork offers for construction and interior design. Although there are still people who mistakenly believe that all cork is the same, every day more experts trust the various cork solutions for their projects. There are big differences and different qualities.

Logically if you want better quality, the price will be higher. However, it is worth budgeting for a good product, so we can make sure that the finished work will give us great satisfaction and perfect results.

Cork has been used for a long time. In ancient times it rewarded excellence, hence our interest in highlighting it to you. The insulation capacity, its lightness and, of course, its resistance to the elements, are some of the traits that we can assure you of cork.

The collaboration of different universities and laboratories has allowed us to have an extensive range of cork. Thus, apply it both in construction, as nautical and aeronautical, mixed with other products.

Today we analyze some characteristics of cork in construction. We cannot forget that this product is mainly Iberian, so we do not have to bring it to you from other countries. In this way, you will be able to save on transport, also contributing to less pollution during logistics.

Cork is a plant tissue, which is made up of cells, in the form of a polyhedron. Said dead cells are found in number from 25 to 45 million per cm3. This totally impermeable natural product will prevent the necessary communication between living bast cells and the atmosphere. To avoid this, the testicular canals are reddish in color due to oxidation of the tannins.

The intercellular membrane is original and very complex. Each wall that separates two adjacent cells is made up of joined sheets of unequal thickness. As each wall is common to two cells, each membrane is actually double. It consists of two outer sheets of cellulosic nature. Two thicker sheets formed in turn by 100 to 150 alternate layers of suberin wax and a double central sheet, which is lignified. The suberin is what allows, when applying a high temperature and an extreme press, to join the cork in a natural way, without having to apply any external component.

We want to highlight some of the many advantages that cork has. Let’s start by emphasizing that it is a light product. The large amount of trapped air or gas of a similar nature 89.7% and the relative lightness in cellular 3.25 allows a specific gravity of 0.12 and 0.25.

Its elasticity is also architecturally remarkable. A one-inch cork specimen was subjected to a load of 6350 kg without breaking and after being released from said pressure it recovered 90% of its original height, without increasing its length and width measurements. This test was a resistance close to 1000 kg cm2.

Thanks to the resistance of its cell walls, cork is impermeable to liquids and gases, as well as to plasmodesmata, which allow this extraordinary pressure to be relieved without bursting its cells. That is why tests and trials are already being carried out in companies that manufacture different mortars. In order to improve first and foremost the weight of said cements and also the resistance to thermal bridges. Thus, we will improve safety in buildings. Do you build technically and sustainably with cork?