COMFORTABLE

EXCELLENT THERMAL INSULATION
The natural function of cork is to protect the living parts that are generated by the tree. Its  alveolar structure (blocking the circulation of air), the low water content and the lack of conductivity of its components allows it to effectively funcion as an insulator.  It has the capacity to resist heat loss 30 times more than concrete does.

EXCELLENT ACOUSTIC INSULATION
Cork is an excellent acoustic insulator. Its cellular structure acts as a shock absorber in the  transmission of sound waves, providing excellent filtering properties both in acoustic correction as well as in the reduction of aircraft noises and percussion instruments. Its particularly effective when covered with a layer of plastering.

EXCELLENT INSULATOR AGAINST VIBRATIONS
Its cellular structure provides it with extraordinary elasticity. Even when subjected to high pressures (up to 12 tons per m2) the sheets of cork expand absorbing the waves of pressure produced without transmitting them to the adjacent structures.

CLIMATIC REGULATOR WITHOUT EFFECTS OF CONDENSATION
One of the unique properties of cork is of isolating and at the same time allowing transpiration between the isolated surfaces. This property allows for the exchange of gases without losing the ability to insulate, avoiding the emergence of condensation, stains of damp, mould and fungus.

SAVE IN ENERGY CONSUMPTION
A good insulator allows you to save up to 40% in energy bills. This percentage may vary depending on the grade of insulation, the climatic zone and the orientation of the living quarters.

NO ACCUMULATION OF STATIC ELECTRICITY
Unlike other insulators, of synthetic origen, cork doesn't accumulate static electricity, avoiding the risk of electrostatic discharges, migraines and other nuisances provoked by the magnetic fields generated by electrical equipment and devices in the home.

STABLE THERMAL COEFFICIENT
Cork maintains its insulating properties at the same level during all its lifecycle. This characteristic guarantees that at the end of 10 or 50 years your home with have the same level of insulation as it did from day one.

ECOLOGICAL

100% NATURAL
The process of toasting causes the fusion of the suberin, a biopolymer present in the cellular structure of cork that acts as a binder and allows the material to be formed into sheets in a totally natural way without the need for chemical additives. 

RECYCLABLE Y REUSABLE
The sheets of cork can be reused independent of how many years have passed since their fabrication y installation.  For example, during 2009 some cooling chambers, that had been constructed 70 years before, were disassembled. The cork obtained was crushed and reused as granules for thermal insulation.

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
There exists more than 2 millon hectares designated to the cultivation of cork trees with an annual production of 340.000 tons, of which Portugal produces 50%. During the process of extraction the tree is not cut down, allowing for its regeneration and succesive pruning.

DURABILITY

NOT ATTACKED BY INSECTS AND MICROORGANISMS
Cork is made up of only 6% water. This low water content, together with 45% suberin makes the proliferation of microorganisms impossible, which in turn gives it unlimited durability. Unlike wood, cork never rots.

NIL PUTREFACTION
Putrefaction and degradation of whatever material is mainly caused by insect lava, fungi and microorganisms and the main factors for their survival is water and the temperature. The higher the humidity and the temperature, the quicker the decomposition of the materials. Cork, due to its low water content is not attacked by any of these organisms resulting in it being completely free from putrefaction.

TOTALLY RESISTANT TO THE OUTDOORS
The basic function of cork  in the cork oak tree is to protect the tree in case of fire. This is acheived by only the outer layer of the tree burning, leaving the interior closed to the entry of air, and as a consequence, combustion. In this way, although the foilage is destroyed, the vital parts of the tree remain intact so it can regenerate once the fire has passed. This special cellular structure adapts to climatic changes giving it total protection against the outdoors. 

UNLIMITED LONGEVITY 
Thanks to being free from purefaction and its capacity of resistance to atmospheric variations , the life-cycle of cork is unlimited. We guarantee the sheets of cork last a lifetime.

RESISTANCE

HIGH MECHANICAL RESISTANCE
The distribution of cells in cork follow a rigid order of radial threads, similar to the spokes of bicycle wheels, without there being any gaps between them. This distribution, together with the presence of air in their interior, creates a high level of mechanical resistance without the cork losing its weightlessness or elasticity.

HIGH RESISTANCE TO COMPRESSION
This is the resistance to compression that a material has to recuperate its original form after experiencing impact. In the case of cork, the area affected by the impact is not only protected but also this resistance to compression prevents the effect of the impact extending to adjoining zones, which provides an excellent solution to the lessening of impacts and vibrations.

DOESN'T EXPERIENCE SIZE CHANGES OVER THE YEARS
Thanks to not experiencing putrefaction and its capacity of resistance to outdoor temperatures, Cork does not suffer from changes to its dimendions. Sheets of 1000x500 after 40 years will continue to have exactly the same dimensions as they did on day one. This is especially important in thermal applications as you avoid thermal bridges due to shrinkage of the material.

DOESN'T LOSE ITS SHAPE
Due to its resistance to variations in humidity, heat, etc, it doesn't experience shape loss. It always maintains its dimensions.

DOESN'T LOSE ITS PROPERTIES
Cork maintains its properties during the length of its life-cycle.. Tests carried out on the reuse of cork fabricated 70 years ago give results of thermal properties, pressure and water absorption as being equal to those obtained in current productions (samples available).

SAFE

RESISTANT TO THE ACTION OF HYDROCARBONS
Inert to the action of hydrocarbons, acids y oils.

DOESN'T CONDUCT ELECTRICITY
Due to the lack of metalic elements or minerals in its cellular structure it doesn't conduct electricity.

DOESN'T PROPAGATE FIRE.
The basic function of cork in the cork oak tree is to protect the tree against fire. This is acheived by only the outer layer of the tree burning, leaving the interior closed to the entry of air, and as a consequence, protected against combustion. In this way, although the foilage is destroyed, the vital parts of the tree remain intact so it can regenerate once the fire has passed. Cork is difficult to burn, it doesn't propagate fire and is self-extinguishing.

DOESN'T RELEASE TOXIC GASES
In the case of there being a fire, the smoke produced is mainly water vapour. It doesn't release chloroform nor cyanide nor any other compound which is toxic to human beings or corrosive for the structures of the building.

COMPLIES WITH CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
The products of agglomerated cork distributed by Barnacork comply with the harmonized norms UNE/EN13170, that regulate the application of agglomerated cork in thermal and acoustic insulation.