Spray Cork is a lightweight, energy-saving and eco-friendly insulation material.
Suitable for internal and external application to residential, industrial and commercial properties, it is a cost-effective and innovative solution which, while growing in popularity, is not on everyone’s radar.
If you’re new to Spray Cork insulation, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. So, this guide explains all you need to know about this specialised product, including the many benefits it offers.
What is Spray Cork insulation?
Spray Cork is a coating supplied by Vipeq and sold under the brand “Spray Cork”. As the name suggests, it is based on naturally growing cork. Specifically, the cork is sustainably sourced from the bark of the quercus suber (or cork oak tree). The cork granules are broken down and mixed with a sprayable insulation solution to create Spray Cork.
Why cork? Well, among other things, it is naturally lightweight, impermeable and compressible. As you’ll see later in the guide, its properties make it the ideal insulating material which offers many other benefits. Aside from insulation, cork already has applications in homes and commercial buildings, including flooring and acoustic panels.
What are the applications of Spray Cork insulation?
Due to its properties and versatility, Spray Cork insulation has a wide range of applications for commercial, residential and industrial buildings.
Internal application: When applied as thin internal wall insulation (TIWI), Spray Cork provides a mould-resistant and flame-retardant layer. It can be plastered over and provides both thermal (heat) and acoustic (sound) insulation.
External application: When applied as external wall insulation (EWI), Spray Cork goes beyond just improving thermal efficiency. It provides a long-lasting, weatherproof layer which also adds to the aesthetic look of the building.
In addition to general applications, Spray Cork insulation can be used for specific purposes, including:
Corrugated roofs: When the material is applied to corrugated roofs, it creates a watertight and weatherproof seal, which offers acoustic insulation and eliminates condensation.
Encapsulating asbestos: Spray Cork is a certified and highly effective solution for encasing asbestos and making sure the potentially hazardous fibres remain safely intact.
Conservatory roofs: Applying Spray Cork to a conservatory roof provides thermal correction, making the temperature inside comfortable year-round, while offering noise reduction.
Applying Spray Cork insulation
Spray Cork is applied evenly to surfaces using specialist equipment consisting of either a gravity-fed hopper gun or a spray machine. Two coats are generally required, with drying time in between.
The nature of the material means it can be applied to all kinds of substrates, including brickwork, pebble dash, plaster and metal. The only exception is pure silicone. It is resistant to sea salts and algae, making it a great solution for coastal properties. Pre-treatment is sometimes required to make surfaces suitable for application.
Spray Cork dries as a thin coating, so there is no need to remove or replace things like electric sockets, skirting boards or soffits. The thickness, when both coats have been applied, is an average of 4mm. For TIWI applications which require a finish plaster and paint, the total thickness will be around 6-8mm.
Spray Cork is available in a variety of colours, so it can blend in with – or enhance – the aesthetics of the building. Cork is naturally fire retardant, with Spray Cork achieving a Euroclass safety rating of “B”, which means it is effective against moderate fire exposure.
Why is Spray Cork insulation better than the alternatives?
When choosing an insulating material, options include cavity wall insulation, foam panels and fibre-based systems. So, why would you choose Spray Cork? We’ve already touched on some of the benefits Spray Cork offers over the alternatives. However, here is a closer look at why it is the best choice…
Insulation
When applied externally or internally, Spray Cork insulation offers highly effective thermal insulation, regulating the temperature inside and cutting energy consumption (and bills). Spray Cork insulation can cut heat loss by up to 30%. This is especially impressive when you consider the modest thickness of the material (as a comparison, foam panels are around 50mm).
Cork also has excellent sound-absorbing properties, so it provides significant acoustic insulation. Spray Cork can reduce noise by up to 38 decibels, contributing to a quieter environment.
Water resistance
Spray Cork insulation creates a tight, waterproof barrier which protects external surfaces from the elements. As well as being water resistant, cork is a naturally breathable material. This means it offers an effective solution to condensation, rising damp, and mould.
The combination of its thermal insulation properties, moisture reduction and air exchange means sprayed cork creates a healthy internal environment. This is another way in which Spray Cork insulation is superior to the alternatives.
Eco-credentials
Cork is natural, sustainable and carbon-negative. The material used in Spray Cork is harvested by hand from tree bark, which regenerates, with no trees felled. On average, cork oak trees live for 300 years, with the bark renewing every nine years.
Beyond the sourcing, Spray Cork offers eco-benefits, including:
Contributing to lower global carbon emissions in the building sector
Reduced energy consumption
Less waste generated compared to other types of insulating material
Supplied in 100% recycled packaging with waste returned for recycling
Flexibility & durability
As you’ve seen, Spray Cork is a highly versatile insulating material. Resistant to cracking and deterioration, Spray Cork comes with a 25-year product guarantee, highlighting its durability. Given its hard-wearing properties, applying spray cork means less maintenance and lower associated costs.
Overall, Spray Cork is an excellent and cost-effective insulation solution which supports the move towards a more environmentally friendly and sustainable world.
How can you benefit from Spray Cork insulation?
Vipeq Spray Cork is a specialised product, which is available exclusively through TIWI Cork Spay.
As a trusted partner of Vipeq, TIWI Cork Spray offers an accredited, experienced and highly rated service. We take the utmost care over every application to ensure a professional, high-quality finish every time. Our service also includes aftercare, so you enjoy full peace of mind.
Contact us today for a free (no obligation) quote or to find out more about the many benefits offered by Spray Cork insulation.