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Wondering which adhesive to choose for cork? We often reach for an “all-purpose” glue, but that’s not the best option. It might work, it might not – you can never be sure if it will do the job properly with natural cork. And if it doesn’t, you’ll be stuck with touch-ups, wasted time, and extra costs. Over the past dozen years, we’ve tested scores of adhesives – mainly in our own homes – and we’ve found the best one: Wakol D-3540. A strong, durable, and reliable contact adhesive that works perfectly with cork.
Quality Contact Adhesive
Strong Bond
Designed For Cork
For Indoor Use
Secure Fixing
Cost-Effective
You’ve probably got a few questions – let us answer them!
WHAT MAKES WAKOL D-3540 STAND OUT, AND WHERE CAN IT BE USED?
It’s a contact adhesive based on an aqueous dispersion. Its raw material base is a latex-acrylic dispersion – which means it contains no solvents, making it safer and more convenient to use.
It’s suitable for bonding all types of natural cork – from flooring (natural, veneered, waxed, or pre-lacquered), through decorative wall coverings, to insulation and technical boards.
Important: Wakol D-3540 is intended for indoor use only.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONTACT AND STANDARD ADHESIVE?
A contact adhesive works differently from an ordinary one. With a standard adhesive, you apply it to one surface, press on the material, and wait for it to dry. With a contact adhesive, however, you apply it to both surfaces – both the cork and the substrate. You then wait until the adhesive evaporates and turns transparent before pressing the elements together.
HOW LONG DOES THE CORK ADHESIVE NEED TO EVAPORATE?
The evaporation time depends on the type of substrate:
- Absorbent substrate – around 30–45 minutes.
- Non-absorbent substrate and the back of the covering – around 60–90 minutes.
HOW LONG DOES WAKOL D3540 REMAIN ACTIVE AFTER APPLICATION?
The open time of the adhesive is:
- Around 2–3 hours under standard conditions.
- 1–1.5 hours for lacquered cork tiles.
The above values refer to standard conditions (20°C and 65% relative humidity). Under different conditions, the open time may vary.
HOW LONG DOES WAKOL ADHESIVE FOR CORK BOARD TAKE TO DRY?
It’s best to allow 24 hours – after this time the adhesive reaches full strength, and the surface can be used or finished as normal.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO APPLY WAKOL GLUE FOR CORK?
The adhesive is best applied with a short-pile velour roller. This ensures an even, thin layer – which is essential for a long-lasting result.
WHAT IS THE COVERAGE OF WAKOL CORK ADHESIVE?
When bonding cork, the average consumption is 150–250 g/m². For example, a 2.5 kg package is sufficient for approximately 12.5 m² of surface area.
HOW TO PREPARE THE SUBSTRATE BEFORE GLUING CORK?
- The substrate must be even, dry, and clean – free from dust, grease, wax, care products, or any other contaminants.
- Cork coverings require a smooth and level surface. If the substrate is uneven or rough, it must be levelled with a cement-based filler.
- For substrates such as anhydrite, magnesite, poured asphalt, and similar, a compulsory levelling layer of at least 2 mm must be applied.
- If wall plaster is uneven, it must also be smoothed with filler before gluing.
- Adhesion should only begin once the primer has completely dried.
AT WHAT TEMPERATURE CAN WAKOL D3540 BE USED?
Wakol D-3540 should only be applied at temperatures above +15°C for the substrate and +18°C for the room. The optimal conditions are normal room temperature – this is when the adhesive performs best and cures the fastest.
If it has been stored in a cool place, it should first be brought into a warm room and left until it reaches the correct temperature.
HOW TO APPLY WAKOL D3540 CORK ADHESIVE?
- Prepare the adhesive: Stir the adhesive thoroughly before use.
- Apply the adhesive: Spread it evenly on both surfaces (the back of the cork and the substrate). The layer should be thin, uniform, and continuous – without lumps.
- Allow to evaporate: Wait until the adhesive dries and becomes transparent.
- Join the surfaces: Place the cork onto the substrate and press firmly (a rubber mallet may be used).
Remember: natural cork can only be lacquered or impregnated 24 hours after bonding.
CAN NATURAL CORK BE BONDED TO THE CEILING?
Yes, Wakol D-3540 is perfectly suitable for bonding cork to ceilings. It forms a very strong bond, ensuring the cork panels stay securely in place. This makes it an excellent choice if you want to finish a ceiling with decorative or insulating cork.
Just make sure the surface is properly prepared and press the panels firmly after the adhesive has evaporated.
CAN WAKOL D-3540 BE USED WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING?
Yes, the adhesive is suitable for use with underfloor heating.
HOW TO CLEAN ADHESIVE STAINS?
Fresh adhesive can be easily wiped away with water. Once it has dried, however, removing stains is much more difficult – so it’s best to clean them straight away.
HOW SHOULD THE ADHESIVE BE STORED?
Store the adhesive in its original, tightly sealed container, in a cool, dry place. The product is sensitive to freezing, which permanently damages its properties.
When stored correctly, the adhesive retains its full performance for 12 months from the date of manufacture.
DOES WAKOL D3540 HAVE A SMELL?
It does have a characteristic odour, but since it is solvent-free and very low-emission, the smell is far less intrusive than that of traditional solvent-based adhesives.
WHAT COLOUR IS THE CORK ADHESIVE?
Once dry, the adhesive remains transparent.
Worried that the cork won’t hold properly and might start coming away after a few days? Nothing spoils a renovation quite like panels falling off and having to redo the work. With Wakol D-3540, you don’t have these problems – it’s a proven contact adhesive that bonds cork firmly to the substrate. Professionals have been choosing it for years – because it delivers a reliable, long-lasting result.
#1 EFFECTIVE
Wakol D-3540 is an adhesive that gives you confidence at every stage – from the first stroke of the roller to the final press of the cork. It creates an even, strong layer that holds the material firmly in place, preventing any shifting even when working with larger panels. That’s a huge advantage, as there’s no need to worry about corrections.
Crucially, the adhesive has been specially developed for cork. It doesn’t stiffen or deform it, but instead works in harmony with its natural properties. This means both cork floors and walls look neat and professional straight after installation.
It’s this effectiveness – secure bonding, a flawless finish, and lasting durability – that has made Wakol the choice of professionals for years, and the go-to recommendation for anyone who wants their renovation done without the stress.
#2 A SAFE CHOICE
Wakol is a solvent-free adhesive, making it safe for everyday use. It has been thoroughly tested for emissions and meets the strictest European standards – holding the EMICODE EC1 PLUS certification as well as a French VOC emission class rating.
In practice, this means that the release of volatile organic compounds is kept to the lowest possible level. It’s an officially certified standard of quality that ensures the adhesive is both health-friendly and environmentally responsible.
#3 VERSATILE FOR CORK
Cork comes in many forms – from natural floor tiles to veneered, waxed, or pre-lacquered surfaces, right through to decorative wall panels. Wakol D-3540 has been developed to handle them all. This makes it just as effective for large-scale renovations as it is for smaller finishing projects, always delivering a stable and attractive bond.
Its strength lies in its versatility – one adhesive for different types of cork. It’s a practical solution that makes the job easier: instead of searching for several different products, you only need Wakol. That way, you can be sure that whatever type of cork you’re working with, the result will be consistent, reliable, and long-lasting.
| Product type | Contact adhesive |
| Volume | 0.8 kg |
| Dispersion | Latex-acrylic |
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