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Expanded insulation cork board 40x500x1000mm - BESTSELLER!

Unit Price from 1 pcs. 141,54 USD / pcs.

Unit Price from 2 pcs. 79,56 USD / pcs. Unit Price from 3 pcs. 58,39 USD / pcs. Unit Price from 4 pcs. 47,67 USD / pcs. Unit Price from 6 pcs. 37,24 USD / pcs. Unit Price from 8 pcs. 32,14 USD / pcs. Unit Price from 16 pcs. 31,16 USD / pcs. Unit Price from 24 pcs. 30,43 USD / pcs. Unit Price from 80 pcs. 25,86 USD / pcs.

(incl. VAT)

Based on 537 Reviews

Model/Product no.: KE-40

Weight: 2.3 kg

Stock status: In stock

pcs.

Accessories

Cork contact adhesive Wakol D 3540 0,8kg

135,39 USD
(incl. VAT)

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Cork contact adhesive Wakol D 3540 2,5kg - BESTSELLER!

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Cork contact adhesive Wakol D 3540 5kg

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Semi-matt varnish for cork floors and cork walls WS EasyFinish 1L (Wicanders W-700)

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9 Pieces Paint Roller Set 18cm - complete kit for gluing natural cork tiles!

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Sample set of best-selling cork products - "Basic" - about 30 pcs.

144,83 USD
(incl. VAT)

Delivery time: 1 week

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Sample set of best-selling cork products - "Complete" - about 40 pcs.

158,62 USD
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Delivery time: 1 week

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Polystyrene is one of the most widely recognized insulation materials, largely because its affordable price has made it a popular option for many projects. If keeping upfront costs as low as possible is your main concern, it can be a practical solution. But when you’re looking for more than just a budget-friendly choice, there’s a natural alternative worth considering. Expanded Cork Insulation combines effective insulating performance with the benefits of a completely natural material. Could expanded cork be the right fit for your home or building? Explore the key advantages below and see what makes this insulation solution stand out.

Insulation Made from 100% Natural Material

Comfortable Living in Every Season

Lower Energy Costs

No Added Chemicals

More Warmth with Less Noise

Reliable Performance for Years to Come

Questions About Expanded Cork?

WHAT IS EXPANDED CORK INSULATION?

Expanded cork is a 100% natural insulation material available in the form of rigid boards. Its manufacturing process is often compared to popping popcorn. Cork granules are heated to extremely high temperatures, above 350°C, which causes them to expand and increase significantly in volume. This process creates the unique cellular structure of expanded cork, made up of millions of tiny air-filled pockets. Those microscopic cells are responsible for much of the material’s insulating performance. In simple terms, expanded cork acts like a natural thermal barrier, slowing down heat transfer while also helping absorb unwanted sound.

When the cork is exposed to heat, it releases suberin, a naturally occurring resin-like substance found within the material. Suberin works as a natural binder, allowing the granules to fuse together into a solid block. Because the particles bond on their own, there is no need to add synthetic adhesives or chemical binding agents during production. The result is an insulation product that remains entirely natural.

The finished board is both lightweight and durable, with a low thermal conductivity (λ approximately 0.036–0.040 W/mK). Its open cellular structure also helps absorb and diffuse sound waves. Depending on the wall, ceiling, floor, or roof assembly, expanded cork may contribute to a substantial reduction in noise levels.

WHEN DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO USE EXPANDED CORK BOARDS?

Expanded cork can be a practical solution for a variety of common comfort and insulation issues, including cold wall surfaces, rooms that overheat during hot weather, excessive echo, and everyday noise.

You may want to consider expanded cork if:

your home loses heat quickly and maintaining a steady indoor temperature is difficult,
rooms cool down soon after you lower the thermostat, causing the heating system to run more often,
your home heats up too quickly during the summer and you frequently depend on air conditioning,
you can feel cold coming through exterior walls, floors, ceilings, or the roof,
background noise or sound transmission is affecting your comfort,
you want to reduce echo and improve the acoustic quality of a room,
you are building or renovating an energy-efficient home,
you are looking for a natural alternative to mineral wool, fiberglass, or foam-based insulation,
you need insulation for a flat roof, sloped roof, or green roof system.

Expanded cork may be less suitable if:

your main goal is simply to purchase the cheapest insulation material available,
your project requires an extremely thin insulation layer, such as only 2–3 mm.

Not sure whether expanded cork is the right match for your project? Contact us and tell us what you are trying to improve, whether it is a wall, a room, a roof, or a specific insulation problem. We can help you choose the most appropriate solution.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STANDARD CORK AND EXPANDED CORK?

Many familiar cork products, including flooring underlayment, wall tiles, and decorative cork panels, are made from agglomerated cork. In this process, cork granules are combined with a binder or adhesive to form a finished material. This is what we refer to here as standard or “regular” cork. It is typically lighter in color, smoother in appearance, and well suited for decorative wall and flooring applications, but it is not primarily designed for higher-performance insulation projects.

Expanded cork has a noticeably different appearance and structure. It is dark brown to almost black, more porous, and generally offers stronger insulating characteristics than conventional agglomerated cork. For this reason, it is usually selected when thermal or acoustic performance is a key part of the project.

If you mainly need a decorative cork finish or a thin cork layer, agglomerated cork will often be the better fit. If your priority is natural thermal and sound insulation in a thicker, performance-oriented material, expanded cork is usually the more suitable option.

HOW LONG DO EXPANDED CORK INSULATION BOARDS LAST?

Expanded cork is highly durable. It is a stable material designed for long-term use in properly built wall, floor, ceiling, and roof systems. Cork naturally contains suberin, which helps protect the material from moisture and biological deterioration. As a result, expanded cork has natural resistance to moisture, mold, insects, and rodents. When installed correctly, it also does not serve as a food source for them.

Another advantage is its excellent dimensional stability across a very wide temperature range, approximately –180°C to +120°C. The material meets the requirements of EN 13170 and EN 13172 and carries a French A+ indoor emissions rating, which indicates very low emissions of volatile substances.

POLYSTYRENE OR EXPANDED CORK – WHICH INSULATION IS A BETTER FIT?

Polystyrene is usually more affordable, which is one of the main reasons it is used so widely. It can provide effective thermal insulation at a relatively low cost. However, when it comes to sound control, its impact is often limited and may be difficult to notice in everyday use.

Expanded cork costs more, but it offers a broader combination of benefits. In addition to slowing heat loss, its natural cellular structure can help improve indoor acoustics. Unlike polystyrene, expanded cork is produced from a renewable natural raw material rather than a petroleum-based synthetic material.

Here are some of the main differences between the two:

Moisture and mold – cork is not a food source for mold or fungi and can support a vapor-permeable wall assembly. This may help reduce the risk of trapped moisture in certain construction systems. With polystyrene, moisture can become trapped depending on the wall design, which may eventually affect insulation performance.
Sound control – polystyrene generally provides limited acoustic improvement. Cork, by contrast, has a cellular structure that helps absorb and scatter sound energy.
Fire behavior – cork behaves differently from many petroleum-based foam products when exposed to flame. Rather than melting, it tends to char, and it does not release the same types of combustion gases associated with some synthetic insulation materials.
Environmental impact – polystyrene is made from petroleum-based raw materials and can be difficult to recycle after use. Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork oak without cutting down the tree. It can also be recycled, making it a more natural option for projects focused on material sustainability.

HOW SHOULD A WALL BE PREPARED BEFORE INSTALLATION?

Begin by cleaning the surface thoroughly. Remove dust, dirt, loose paint, old adhesive, and wallpaper. Even newly finished walls may have a layer of construction dust on the surface. That residue should be removed because it can reduce the strength of the adhesive bond.
Check the wall for defects and uneven areas. Cracks, holes, and larger surface irregularities should be repaired and leveled before the cork boards are installed.

DO EXPANDED CORK BOARDS NEED TO ACCLIMATE BEFORE INSTALLATION?

Yes. Before installing the boards, leave them in the room where they will be used for about 72 hours. This allows the cork to adjust to the local temperature and humidity conditions. Since cork is a natural material, installing it immediately after delivery can sometimes lead to small dimensional changes later, such as slight expansion or contraction. Allowing time for acclimation helps reduce that possibility.

HOW DO YOU INSTALL EXPANDED CORK INSULATION BOARDS?

For bonding the boards, we recommend Wakol D-3540 cork contact adhesive. It is a product we use in our own cork installation work and one that has performed reliably in practical applications.

As a general guideline, plan on using about 100 g of adhesive per board. That works out to approximately:

8 boards from a 0.8 kg container,
25 boards from a 2.5 kg container.

For a strong, long-lasting bond, make sure the wall is dry, clean, stable, and reasonably flat before applying the adhesive.

CAN EXPANDED CORK BE INSTALLED OUTDOORS?

Standard expanded cork insulation boards are primarily intended for indoor applications. If your project involves an exterior wall or facade, Facade Expanded Cork is the more appropriate product for that type of installation.

CAN EXPANDED CORK BE USED IN A TERRARIUM?

Yes. Expanded cork is lightweight, easy to cut, and useful for creating a natural-looking terrarium environment. If you are looking for cork products specifically suited to terrarium setups, you may also want to explore our selection of cork branches, cork tubes, and other decorative natural cork pieces. These products can be used to create hiding areas, climbing surfaces, and a more realistic habitat.

CAN YOU PAINT EXPANDED CORK?

Yes. For the best results, we generally recommend using paint formulated for cork surfaces.

Keep in mind that expanded cork has a naturally porous, textured surface. Because of that texture, achieving a perfectly smooth and completely uniform painted finish can be more difficult than it would be on drywall, plaster, or another flat surface.

Do your walls still feel chilly even when the heat is on? Are you spending more on heating but not getting the comfortable indoor temperature you expect? Poor thermal performance can make a home harder to keep cozy and may contribute to unnecessary energy use over time. That is why more homeowners are considering expanded cork as a natural way to improve insulation and create a more comfortable living environment.

Black text WHY choose it? with cork on the right against a white background.

#1 YEAR-ROUND COMFORT WITH LONG-TERM ENERGY SAVINGS

Expanded cork provides effective thermal insulation that helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while keeping conditions more stable throughout the year. During colder months, it helps slow heat loss so more warmth stays inside your home. When summer temperatures rise, cork insulation helps reduce how quickly indoor spaces heat up. As a result, your heating and air conditioning systems may require less energy to maintain comfortable conditions in every season.

The benefits are designed to last. Expanded cork panels can retain their insulating performance for decades, with a service life of around 50 years in many applications. When installed correctly, a single layer of cork insulation can continue doing its job for years without frequent replacement or ongoing maintenance.

#2 NATURAL INSULATION WITHOUT SYNTHETIC ADHESIVES

Expanded cork stands apart from many conventional insulation products because it is made entirely from natural material. It is produced from cork granules without synthetic glues or artificial resins. It does not release harmful substances or generate dust, making it an appealing choice for homeowners who care about maintaining a healthier indoor environment, especially in households with children or people with allergies.

Considering how much time we spend inside our homes, the composition of building materials deserves attention. Appearance and performance matter, but it is equally important to understand what the materials around you are actually made of. Plastics and synthetic products are already a common part of everyday life. Choosing natural building materials can help reduce the amount of synthetic material used throughout your living space.

#3 A RENEWABLE CHOICE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

With cork, environmental responsibility goes beyond a marketing claim. Cork is a naturally renewable and environmentally responsible material obtained from the bark of the cork oak tree. Harvesting the bark does not require cutting the tree down. Instead, the bark is carefully removed and naturally regenerates over time. As it grows back, the tree absorbs increased amounts of carbon dioxide, helping cork production maintain a very low carbon footprint.

In contrast, common insulation materials such as polystyrene and mineral wool generally have a less favorable environmental profile. Manufacturing these materials relies on energy-intensive industrial processes that place greater demands on natural resources and the environment. Cork takes a different approach: it is renewable, natural, and environmentally responsible by its very nature – not simply because a product label describes it as “green.”