Cork wallcovering — a guide to cork walls and how to hang it
Cork on the wall combines the best of two worlds: the warmth of a natural material and an almost graphic, marbled surface unlike anything else. It is also quiet — cork dampens sound better than most wallcoverings. Here is the guide to the characteristics of cork wallcoverings and how to hang them.
What is a cork wallcovering?
Cork wallcovering is made from the bark of the cork oak, which is harvested every nine years without felling the tree — the bark grows back. The cork is shaved into thin layers and laminated onto a paper or non-woven backing. Several designers lay the cork sheets over a foil in gold, silver or colour, so that glimpses of the ground shine through the cork's natural openings — as in Kanoko Cork from Osborne & Little. See our cork wallcoverings here.
Characteristics — pros and cons
- First-class acoustics: the cellular structure of cork dampens both footfall and room noise.
- A warm surface: cork feels warm to the touch and makes the room feel snug.
- Natural marbling: every drop has a unique pattern — the wall becomes a collage by nature.
- Sustainable: harvested without felling, with a long lifespan.
- More durable than textile: an elastic surface that forgives more than woven cloth and grasscloth.
- Light and moisture: strong sun can fade the cork, and wet rooms are ruled out.
How to hang a cork wallcovering
- Preparation: the wall should be smooth and evenly primed — the thin cork layer can telegraph larger irregularities.
- Acclimatise: let the rolls rest at room temperature for 24 hours.
- Paste the wall: paste the wall using a strong adhesive intended for heavy natural wallcoverings.
- Hang edge to edge: cork drops are rarely pattern-matched — the natural sheets make the join discreet. Press into place with a rubber roller, working from the centre outwards.
- Trim: a sharp snap-off blade against a steel straightedge; cork cuts easily but can chip with a blunt edge.
Care and choice of room
Dust or vacuum; blot the occasional stain with a slightly damp cloth. Cork wallcovering suits living rooms, studies (the acoustics!), bedrooms, hallways and a cloakroom without a shower. In the home office it is doubly clever — it quietens the room and doubles as a noticeboard.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cork wallcovering?
A cork wallcovering consists of thinly shaved genuine cork — often in irregular sheets with natural marbling — laminated onto a paper or non-woven backing, sometimes over a metallic foil that glimmers through the openings in the cork.
How do you hang a cork wallcovering?
Using the paste the wall technique and a strong adhesive for heavy wallcoverings. The drops are hung edge to edge and pressed into place with a rubber roller. The cork surface tolerates careful handling but must be kept free of paste.
Is a cork wallcovering durable?
Yes, cork is one of the more hard-wearing natural materials for walls: the fibre is elastic, sound-absorbing and naturally antistatic. The cork is also harvested without felling the tree, making the material one of the most sustainable choices.
Can a cork wallcovering withstand moisture?
Cork copes well with normal room humidity but is not made for wet rooms. Avoid shower areas; in a cloakroom without a shower it usually works very well.
How do you clean a cork wallcovering?
Dust or vacuum with a soft nozzle. Light stains can be blotted with a barely damp cloth — the natural waxiness of cork makes it more forgiving than textile wallcoverings.