The Expanded Cork

It is not a secret that cork is one of Galula favourite materials. And our passion for this material does not lie only to its beauty, but above all to its characteristics and technical features!

That’s why it is so present in our collection.

We present this material in two forms:
1 - Composite Cork (Light)
2 - Expanded Composite Cork (Dark)

In this post, we want to talk about the Expanded Cork.

In our product presentations, sometimes we receive some doubts and questions regarding this type of cork and colouration: “Is it painted?”, ‘Is it fragile”?, “Why that has this smell?”

The expanded cork is made from the raw material called falca, which comes from the pruning of oak trees. Everything from the pruning is used to be transformed. Nothing is wasted.
The falca is grinded on the first stage. After grinding, the final granulated (already without any impurities) is for the production of blocks.
These blocks are made on a mold. They are injected with superheated steam for more or less 20 minutes. And with the high temperature, the cork expands about 30%!
Inside the mold with pressure the cork granulates bind naturally on their own resin, so it is a 100% natural process.
That’s why this type of cork has a smell so characteristics, that reminds us of a fireplace when it goes out.

The expanded cork not only is a sustainable material, sensorial and offers a warm feeling. Perfect for furniture, lighting, acessories…

The Expanded Composite Cork can have many weights and densities.

Looks good with bright or neutral colours. We have both in the Galula collection. With the sun the cork can get lighter, but one thing is for sure, it will look beautiful anyway!

Cork can have multi propose, and home objects are just one good example. Cork can be used in architecture, floors, art…
Below we show to cases where was used in architecture with great results!

Bay Window Tower House

The architect's duo Takaaki Fuji and Yuko Fuji discover the material in Portugal after seeing a building that really impressed them. And they wanted a material that will be aged well. 
Bay Window Tower House is a building with 908 m2 covered by expanded cork. Isn’t it beautiful? 
Get to know more about this house here. 

Architect: Takaaki Fuji and Yuko Fuji
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Year: 2020

We invite you to see this great video from Pro Sober explaining perfectly and visually how this great type of cork is made. 
Check below: