Covering the Walls with Cork

Cork can be a fun alternative to traditional wall-coverings. It creates an instant message space and art gallery. It also offers visual texture to a wall. Installing cork on the walls is not a difficult task, but it does require some simple tools. Follow the easy steps below to make covering the walls with cork a practical and fun project.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is the best way to begin covering walls with cork. Decide where exactly the cork will be placed. Will it be at a child's height or at an adult's eye level? Will it run lengthwise or vertical on the wall? How will it be used? By answering those questions, it will be easier to understand what else is needed for the project.

Next, determine how much cork is needed by measuring the wall or part of the wall that will be covered. Be sure to add a few inches to the measurements, as this project requires the cork to be wrapped around the edges of another material. Once the measurements have been gathered, purchase cork that is about 1/4" thick and sold in a roll. It can usually be found at craft shops, as well as, some home improvement stores.

Preparing the Cork

Besides the cork, a piece of fiberboard or foam board the size of the space being covered will be needed. Fiberboard is stronger and sturdier, but inexpensive foam board works just as well and may actually be a better option for cork walls in children's rooms or play areas. The foam board underneath the cork is necessary, because it prevents the push pins from going directly into the drywall or plaster and leaving hundreds of tiny holes behind.

Begin by laying the foam board flat and rolling the cork out on top of it, making sure that there is enough cork to curve gently over the edges of the foam board. Remove the cork and spread a layer of non-flammable adhesive onto the foam board. Carefully place the cork back on top of the board and gently curve the cork edges over the edge of the foam board. Staple the edges to the board with a staple gun. Be careful not to bend the cork too hard or it will rip; a gentle curve, however, works well.

Hanging the Cork

No matter how large of an area the cork will be covering, hanging it properly and securely will make for a safer environment. Screw the cork covered boards into the walls at all four corners. If the board is particularly large, add a few more screws along the sides and ends. Once the cork board is hung, it is time to decorate or begin piling up messages

Cork covered walls can be a catchall for notes, paperwork, and children's art work. Use cork in kitchens to hold recipes while cooking, in home offices to post timelines and notices or in children's playrooms to display the alphabet or colored pictures. Cork is a great way to hide a blemished wall for a relatively inexpensive price.