The range currently includes four products covering the main installation scenarios: a professional polymer-water adhesive in two sizes for cork wall tiles, a high-quality contact adhesive for cork sheets and underlays, and a fast-grab silicone for flexible fixing and repair work. Whether you're fitting a single feature tile or tiling an entire room, there's a product here matched to the scale and nature of your project.

Professional Polymer-Water Adhesive for Cork Wall Tiles

The polymer-water adhesive is the primary recommended product for installing CorkSystem decorative cork wall tiles. It is available in two sizes: a 1.5 kg tub covering approximately 3 m² (32.29 sq ft), priced at £16.99, and a 5 kg tub covering approximately 10 m² (107.63 sq ft), priced at £38.99. Choosing the right size is straightforward - calculate your wall area, match it to the appropriate tub, and add a small allowance for waste and edge application.

This adhesive is water-based and polymer-modified, which gives it a number of practical advantages over solvent-based alternatives. It does not damage the cork surface, does not emit harmful fumes during application, and is safe to use in enclosed spaces without specialist ventilation. Once cured, it provides a strong, flexible bond that accommodates the natural movement of cork without cracking or delaminating. It is compatible with all colour and finish variants in the CorkSystem wall tile range, including the full Pack of 11 and single tile collections, and works reliably on plaster, plasterboard, and most painted wall surfaces.

Application is straightforward: apply the adhesive evenly to the wall surface using a notched trowel or spreader, press each tile firmly into position, and apply even pressure across the full tile surface. Work section by section and check alignment as you go. The working time is sufficient to adjust tile position before the bond sets, giving you the control needed for a precise, professional finish.

Cork Contact Adhesive W160 - High Quality Bond for Sheets and Underlays

The Cork Contact Adhesive W160 is the right choice for applications where a polymer-water adhesive isn't the ideal fit - primarily cork sheets, cork underlays, and cork rolls where both surfaces need to be coated before bonding. Each unit covers approximately 2 m² (21.52 sq ft) and is priced at £15.99.

Contact adhesive works differently from wall tile adhesive. You apply it to both surfaces - the back of the cork and the substrate - allow both coats to become touch-dry, and then bring the two surfaces together. The bond forms on contact and is immediate and strong, which means positioning needs to be accurate before the surfaces meet. For cork sheet applications, this method produces an exceptionally tight, flat bond with no risk of the sheet lifting or bubbling at the edges.

The W160 is a high-quality formulation that maintains flexibility after curing, making it well suited to cork's natural character as a slightly compressible material. It is compatible with cork sheets across all thicknesses available in the CorkSystem range, and works effectively on wood, MDF, plywood, concrete, and most smooth building substrates. For projects combining cork sheets with wall or floor installations - including cork sheets 10mm used as acoustic or thermal underlays - the W160 is the adhesive of choice.

Everbuild Instant Nails White - Fast and Flexible Fixing

The Everbuild Instant Nails White silicone, available in a 290 ml cartridge at £4.60, is the most versatile fixing product in the adhesives range. It's not a specialist cork adhesive in the traditional sense - it's a high-grab, solvent-free construction adhesive that bonds quickly, cures flexibly, and works on virtually any clean, dry surface.

In the context of cork and panel installation, Instant Nails is particularly useful for smaller repairs, edge fixing, and situations where a tube-and-gun application is faster and more convenient than a trowel-applied adhesive. It is fully compatible with XPS ceiling and wall panels, making it an ideal companion to the coloured ceiling and wall panels range. It also works well for bonding cork tiles in awkward areas - around corners, along edges, or in spaces where applying a full notched-trowel adhesive is impractical.

The white colour of the silicone is deliberately chosen to remain discreet if any adhesive is visible at tile edges or joints after installation. It can be painted over once cured, making touch-ups straightforward. The 290 ml cartridge fits a standard skeleton gun and provides enough product for a meaningful amount of fixing work - repairs, partial installations, and feature tile applications are all well within its capacity.

Choosing the Right Cork Adhesive for Your Project

With four products in the range, the choice is simple once you know what you're installing:

• Cork wall tiles (decorative range, Pack of 11 or single tiles) - use the Professional Polymer-Water Adhesive. Choose the 1.5 kg tub for smaller areas up to 3 m², or the 5 kg tub for larger installations up to 10 m².

• Cork sheets, cork rolls, or cork underlays - use the Cork Contact Adhesive W160. Apply to both surfaces, allow to become touch-dry, then bond.

• XPS ceiling and wall panels - use the Everbuild Instant Nails White silicone, or the dedicated polystyrene adhesive available separately in the store.

• Repairs, edge fixing, or awkward areas - Instant Nails White is the fast, flexible solution for any fixing task that doesn't suit a trowel-applied product.

For any project that combines multiple product types - cork wall tiles on the walls alongside cork sheet underlay on the floor, for example - you may need more than one adhesive from this range. Both the polymer-water adhesive and the W160 contact adhesive can be used within the same installation without any compatibility concerns.

FAQ - Cork Adhesives

Q: Which adhesive should I use for CorkSystem decorative cork wall tiles?
A: The Professional Polymer-Water Adhesive is the recommended product for all decorative cork wall tile installations. It is available in 1.5 kg (covering 3 m²) and 5 kg (covering 10 m²) sizes. Apply to the wall surface using a notched spreader, press tiles firmly into position, and allow to cure fully before any further finishing work.

Q: What is the difference between the polymer-water adhesive and the contact adhesive W160?
A: The polymer-water adhesive is applied to the wall surface only, and tiles are pressed into the wet adhesive - it's a one-surface application. The contact adhesive W160 is applied to both surfaces - the cork and the substrate - and the bond forms when the two touch-dry coated surfaces are brought together. The W160 is better suited to cork sheets, rolls, and underlays where a full contact bond across the entire surface is required.

Q: Can I use Everbuild Instant Nails White on cork wall tiles?
A: Yes, for smaller repairs, edge fixing, or feature tile applications where a cartridge gun application is more practical than a trowel. For full wall installations, the polymer-water adhesive is the preferred choice as it provides more even coverage and a stronger bond across larger tile surfaces.

Q: Are these adhesives safe to use indoors?
A: Yes. The polymer-water adhesive is water-based and solvent-free, making it safe to use in enclosed indoor spaces without specialist ventilation. The Everbuild Instant Nails White is also solvent-free. The W160 contact adhesive should be used with adequate ventilation as with all contact adhesives - open windows and allow air circulation during application and curing.

Q: How much adhesive do I need for my project?
A: For the polymer-water adhesive, the 1.5 kg tub covers approximately 3 m² and the 5 kg tub covers approximately 10 m². For the W160 contact adhesive, each unit covers approximately 2 m². Calculate your project area, select the appropriate product and size, and add a small allowance - around 10% - for edge application and waste.

Q: Can these adhesives be used on damp or newly plastered walls?
A: No. All adhesives in this range require the substrate to be clean, dry, and fully cured before application. Newly plastered walls should be allowed to dry completely - typically a minimum of four weeks for new plaster - before any adhesive is applied. Damp or powdery surfaces will significantly reduce bond strength and may cause the installation to fail over time.

Q: What should I do if a tile lifts or comes away after installation?
A: Remove the tile carefully, clean both the tile back and the wall surface to remove old adhesive residue, and re-bond using a fresh application of the appropriate adhesive. For edge lifting on otherwise well-bonded tiles, a small bead of Everbuild Instant Nails White applied carefully to the lifted edge and pressed back into position is a quick and effective repair.

CorkSystem - Natural Cork, Outstanding Performance. Free delivery available on 90% of products across the UK.