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Cutting cork requires minimal physical effort, but it can be slightly tricky to ensure the edges of the cut are neat. So, which tools and techniques will help one achieve a satisfactory result?
The Best Way To Cut Cork
Mark the cork with a pencil or blade (steaming is optional) and stick tape on either side of the marking if cutting a straight line. Cut with a utility knife, scissors, or small fine-toothed hand saw (power saws are also suitable if cutting thicker wine bottle corks), and use sandpaper to smooth the edges.
Step 1: Choose A Tool
Many tools are suitable for cutting cork-based materials, such as:
- utility knives
- scissors
- coping saws
- jigsaws
In most cases, a utility knife is the optimal tool for cutting cork, especially when making straight cuts. When you also change coping saw blade the cut is tightened and precise. You can also learn more about how to use coping saw in baseboard.
Scissors are also more than adequate for cutting thin layers of cork-based materials. It is also easier to cut irregular or curved lines with scissors than it is with utility knives.
| Cork-based Tools | Cutting Patterns |
| Utility knives | Optimal tool for cutting cork, especially when making straight cuts |
| Scissors | Adequate for cutting thin layers of cork-based materials and irregular or curved lines |
| Coping saw | Cutting curves in wood |
| Jigsaw | Straight and curved cuts with speed and precision |
You can also achieve success with small, fine-toothed hand and power saws, which are advantageous choices for cutting thick layers of cork. Jigsaws are particularly effective because they enable you to make straight and curved cuts with speed and precision.
Additional cutting tools include:
- tape-measure or ruler (for straight cuts)
- pencil or marker pen
- adhesive tape (optional)
- sandpaper
Step 2: Unroll, Relax, And Acclimatize Sheets
If one is cutting cork sheets that are in rolls, it is worth performing this preparatory step.
Unroll the sheet and flatten it out. Let the sheet sit for a day or two, allowing it to relax and regain a flatter shape.
Leaving the sheet to stand for 24 to 48 hours is also beneficial because cork is sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations. This waiting period will allow this natural material to adjust or acclimatize to the ambient temperature and humidity levels.
Another reason people let the sheet stand is to remove some of the smell. Cork has a specific odor that is quite noticeable and some folks don’t particularly enjoy it. Allowing the sheet to air out for a day or two helps reduce the smell considerably.
Step 3: Mark The Cut
The next step is to mark the line for the cut. Take the relevant measurements (if necessary) and use a pencil or blade to indicate the cut line.
If one is cutting in a straight line, it is highly beneficial to stick tape along the length of the cut. It is also advisable to place tape on both ends of the cut. This step helps prevent the cork from crumbling during the cutting process.
Step 4: Steam Or Soak (Optional)
Once one has made the marking, an optional step is to steam the cork or soak it in hot water. This water treatment causes it to swell, making the cells of the material more tightly and evenly packed together. Steaming or soaking also softens the cork, so less effort is required to cut it.
The softening and swelling of the cork result in neater cuts, reducing the likelihood of making the material crumble.
If one performs this optional step, do not steam the cork for more than half an hour, and avoid soaking it for over 24 hours. Remember, the material will shrink as it dries, so make the measurements and markings before hydrating it.
Steaming or soaking can be helpful, but this step poses two risks worth highlighting. After exposure to heat and moisture, cork-based products sometimes become discolored. There is also a possibility that the material will become slightly misshapen and uneven once it dries.
Step 5: Make The Cut
After the material is prepared, the following step is to perform the cut.
Cork is easy to cut through due to its softness. Assuming one is using a utility knife, you can cut thinner layers (¼ inch or less) with a single pass of the blade. If the material is thicker (more than ¼ inch), make a scoring line and try to cut in two or three passes.
Remember, the goal is to cut the edges neatly and prevent them from crumbling or chipping. It is critical to cut the cork with the minimum number of passes of the blade, and to ensure the tool is as sharp as possible!
It does not matter which side you cut into first. The exception is if one is cutting a piece of colored corkboard that has burlap on one side. In this specific case, it is advisable to place the board with the burlap side facing upward (so one cuts into this layer first).
Step 6: Sanding For A Smooth Finish
The final step is to create a smooth, neat finish by sanding the edges of the cut.
Use a finely-textured grade of sandpaper. Sandpaper with a minimum grit rating of 220 to 240 is advisable. You can also achieve excellent results with an extra-fine 360 grit.
Make sure to sand the edge of the cork slowly and gently so it does not chip or crumble at this critical point in the process.
A Quick Overview Of Common Types Of Cork
A basic understanding of the various types of commercially-available cork increases one’s chances of cutting the material as neatly and efficiently as possible.
It’s is a unique and versatile material harvested from the bark of living cork oak trees (Quercus occidentalis or Q. suber). Due to its geometrically-ordered cellular structure and high wax and lignin content, cork is strong, buoyant, and thermally insulating. For this reason, the raw version gets made into countless different products.
Solid cork is made from the highest quality bark and usually gets transformed into wine bottle stoppers. You can try and make a DIY wine cork projects.
Composite (granulated) cork is significantly more common. This kind of product is composed of finely-shredded fragments of low-quality natural cork bark held together with synthetic glues. Composite cork usually comes in flat boards or sheets (often sold in a rolled-up form).
Granulated cork sheets and boards are available in two primary variations:
- natural tan
- colored
Natural cork products consist of pure oak bark granules. These products boast an attractive organic look and feel and are self-healing. Colored cork is composed primarily of linoleum, which manufacturers combine with small amounts of natural cork and dyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
For those interested, here are the answers to four questions people frequently ask about how to cut cork.
What Is The Easiest Way To Cut A Cork In Half?
The easiest way to cut a cork in half is to steam the bottle cork and cut it with a bandsaw jig. Put the cork in a colander and steam for roughly ten to fifteen minutes. You can also cut through the softened material with a non-serrated kitchen knife, though this approach requires more time and effort.
How To Cut Cork Circles?
You can cut cork circles with a utility knife and a circular stencil (or a solid round object). All one has to do is place the stencil on a cork sheet and trace the utility knife blade around it! Sand the edges with fine sandpaper for a smooth finish.
How To Cut Cork Flooring?
The optimal way to cut cork flooring (tiles or sheets) is to use a laminate flooring cutter (which resembles an office paper guillotine). If one doesn’t have access to this specialized tool, then a utility knife is also suitable for the task.
Can You Cut Cork With Scissors?
As noted earlier, you can cut cork materials with scissors. It is crucial to emphasize that scissors are most suited for cutting thin sheets of cork. Cutting thick sheets (¼ inch or more) with scissors is likely to prove arduous and impractical.
Conclusion
Cutting cork requires minimal time, effort, and skill. In most cases, a utility knife is an ideal tool for this job, though one can also cut it with scissors, small hand saws, and using jigsaw blades. Steaming or soaking the cork helps to prevent it from crumbling but is not essential. Sanding ensures that the cut edges look clean and feel smooth.
