Cork sheets are a great material for creating cork maps that can be personalized, marking different places, journeys, destinations, photos and other mementos. Such a map can be used both at home, in the office and in schools.
Here are some things you should know about cork boards for cork maps:
1. Types of cork boards
Natural cork - ecological, durable and easy to repair in case of scratches. Usually comes in a natural, beige color.
Technical cork - more compact and durable, ideal for intensive use, e.g. in offices.
Colored cork - cork boards are available in different colors, which can liven up the map or allow for color marking of continents and countries.
2. Board thickness
Cork boards are available in different thicknesses, most often from 3 mm to 10 mm. For cork maps, it is best to choose boards with a thickness of 5-7 mm - they are thick enough that pins hold well, but are not too massive. 3. Dimensions and shapes
Cork boards can be purchased in standard dimensions, e.g. 60x90 cm or 100x150 cm, but larger and custom-made versions are also available.
If you want an unusual map, you can cut out a cork board yourself or buy one already cut out in the shape of continents, countries or states.
4. Installation
Self-adhesive cork boards - easy to stick on the wall, although it is worth checking in advance whether the glue will not damage the paint.
Installation with pins or frames - larger and thicker boards can be screwed to the wall, which ensures stability.
Portable options - you can also consider attaching the board to a frame or a base that can be moved.
5. Additional personalization options
Pins, pins and flags - for marking places you have visited or want to visit.
Stickers and stencils - useful if you want to add the name of a country, city, or create a more precise political division.
Paints and markers - useful for creating your own lines or marking routes.
6. Where to buy?
Cork boards are available in DIY stores, stationery stores, and online stores. They can also be found on platforms such as Allegro or Amazon, where you can choose sizes and thicknesses.
Cork boards differ in terms of, among other things, granulation, i.e. the size of the cork particles from which they are made.
Granulation affects the appearance, strength, flexibility and resistance to mechanical damage. It is worth paying attention to these properties when choosing a board, because they are important depending on the planned use (e.g. cork map, acoustic insulation, flooring).
Here is an overview of the most important types of granulation and their properties:
1. Fine granulation (0.5–2 mm)
Characteristics: Boards with fine granulation are dense and uniform in structure, which gives them an aesthetic, uniform appearance.
Application: Due to their high density and stability, they are ideal for cork maps, notice boards and as decorative surfaces. They are also suitable for small DIY projects.
Properties: They are relatively hard, hold pins and tacks well, and are also resistant to deformation. They work well as thermal and acoustic insulation, although slightly less effective than coarser granulations.
2. Medium granulation (2–5 mm)
Characteristics: Medium granulation boards have visible, but not very large, cork fragments, which makes them slightly more flexible than fine-grained boards.
Application: Often used as wall coverings, floor and wall insulation, but also for the production of cork boards. They are a popular choice for home decorations and cork maps.
Properties: Medium granulation provides good acoustic and thermal insulation and resistance to damage. They still hold pins well, but may be more susceptible to minor deformations.
3. Coarse granulation (5–10 mm and larger)
Characteristics: Cork boards with large cork particles are clearly thicker, with visible fragments. They are less uniform, but softer and more flexible.
Application: Ideal for acoustic and thermal insulation (e.g. under panels or floors), where a perfect aesthetic match is not required. Often used in places exposed to moisture, e.g. in basements or technical rooms.
Properties: They are characterized by excellent acoustic and thermal insulation, they absorb vibrations, but have a lower surface hardness. They do not hold pins as well as finer granulations.
Other properties of cork boards
Flexibility: Cork boards are naturally flexible, which makes them well suited to various shapes and surfaces. The finer the granulation, the harder the surface, but at the expense of flexibility.
Insulation: Cork, regardless of the granulation, is an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator. Coarser granulations usually provide better insulation, especially sound insulation.
Durability: Cork is resistant to abrasion, moisture, mold and insect attacks, making it a durable and long-lasting material. However, finer granulations may be more susceptible to cracking.
Ecology: Cork is a fully natural and biodegradable material, as well as renewable, because it is obtained without harming trees (from their bark).
Summary of applications depending on granulation
Fine: Cork maps, boards, decorations.
Medium: Wall coverings, floor insulation, walls in offices and apartments.
Coarse: Floor and wall insulation with high acoustic and thermal requirements.
A well-chosen granulation allows you to use the full potential of cork, adapting it to specific needs.
Expanded cork sheets are a special type of cork sheets, produced in a way different from traditional natural cork sheets.
Expanded cork is appreciated primarily for its exceptional thermal and sound-absorbing properties, which is why it is widely used in construction as an ecological insulation. Below I present the production process of expanded cork and its properties.
1. Expanded cork production process
The production of expanded cork is based on the use of the natural properties of cork oak bark, but it differs from the production of standard cork sheets. Here are the main stages of the process:
a) Raw material acquisition
Expanded cork comes from cork oak bark, which is collected without harming the tree - the process of peeling the bark does not destroy the trees, which allows them to grow again.
The raw material used is mainly finer cork particles, which are not suitable for the production of fine-grained products, so their reuse in expanded cork is ecological and economical.
b) Heat treatment (expanding)
Cork particles are exposed to high temperatures (around 300°C) without the addition of chemicals. This process is called expanding because the cork expands under the influence of heat.
During heating, suberin, a natural cork resin, is released, which bonds the cork particles together. Thanks to this, the tiles are homogeneous and do not require additional glues or chemicals.
c) Forming the boards
After expansion, the hot cork material is pressed in special molds. This creates cork blocks, which can then be cut to the desired sizes and shapes.
The resulting boards have a distinct, darker color, which is the effect of the cork expanding and baking. As a result, light but dense boards with excellent insulating properties are created.
2. Properties of expanded cork boards
Expanded cork boards have unique properties that make them valued in construction and insulation:
Thermal insulation: Thanks to the porous structure and properties of cork, expanded boards are an excellent thermal insulator, preventing heat loss in winter and overheating in summer.
Acoustic insulation: Expanded cork perfectly absorbs sounds and vibrations, which is why it is often used in rooms that require soundproofing, such as recording studios or walls between rooms.
Moisture resistance: Cork is naturally resistant to moisture, mold and fungi, which makes it perfect for rooms exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms, basements and kitchens.
Ecology and health: Expanded cork is a natural and ecological product that does not use additional chemicals. Its production is environmentally friendly, and the material is hypoallergenic and safe for health.
Compression and vibration resistance: Expanded cork is resistant to compression and does not lose its insulating properties even under heavy loads, which makes it a good underlay material, e.g. under floors.
3. Applications of expanded cork boards
Due to their properties, expanded cork boards are used in various industries:
Construction: As thermal and acoustic insulation in walls, roofs, floors and ceilings.
Industry: For insulation of devices and machines, vibration damping and protection against noise in production halls.
Home DIY projects: Expanded cork also works well in smaller projects, e.g. as a decorative wall finish or material for cork boards.
Expanded cork boards are an excellent solution for people looking for ecological and durable insulating materials that will work well in various conditions and provide both thermal and acoustic comfort.