This section is meant to help you by addressing frequently asked questions about our products, raw materials, applications, and so on. The questions are categorized under collections to make it easier and faster to locate the information you’re looking for.
We hope the answers below may help you clarify your doubts. If necessary, please contact us at marketing@muratto.com
Muratto is a Portuguese company, and all the raw materials it uses in its manufacturing processes are 100% Portuguese.
You must send an email to marketing@muratto.com, and from there we will give you all the information and support you need.
Cork is the bark of the Quercus Suber L. tree, which is the species name. The cork oak tree is indigenous to the Western Mediterranean Basin, where it thrives under optimum growing circumstances such as soil, weather, temperature, and altitude.
It is eco-friendly, easy to maintain, provides thermal and acoustic insulation, is pleasant to the touch, anti-microbial, provides a distinctive design, and is extremely durable.
Cork is one of the most renewable sources for walls and ceilings for a variety of reasons. The use of cork helps to a more sustainable environment. Cork oak trees in the Montado area help manage the water cycle, preventing desertification, and absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, preventing climate change. These cork oak tree forests have a high biodiversity rate, ranking them one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots.
Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree, and it is harvested via an ancient and laborious method that does not harm or cut the tree. Cork is harvested for the first time when the tree is 25 years old and the trunk perimeter measures can reach 70cm. The bark regrows and subsequent harvestings take place every nine years, between the months of May and July. These trees have an average lifespan of 200 years, which means that they can be harvested 15 to 18 times during their lifetime.
Only 240g of waste is produced per square meter of product, however 100% of this is recycled. All waste is regranulated and reused in other manufacturing processes. This zero-waste process assures that no waste is disposed of in a landfill.
Yes. Cork’s ability to insulate sound is entirely natural, and can be found in the cellular structure of cork itself. Cork, like memory foam, may compress and release to regain its original shape. This structure acts as a sound-blocking and dispersing barrier. Using cork on walls can reduce the sound level of noise caused by impacts on the surface, such as those caused by people moving, dragging furniture, or falling objects.
Yes. In reality, cork is an excellent thermal insulator. The reason is due to the chemical composition of cork. Cork is made up of thousands of small air-filled cells. The air serves to effectively block most heat from getting through a layer of cork. To understand why cork is a good insulator of heat, you just have to look at where cork comes from. Cork begins life as bark, protecting the trees it shields from fire and harsh temperatures. That’s one of the reasons why cork is one of the most effective heat insulators around.
Cork burns without a flame and does not emit toxic gases during combustion.
Yes. You can use various fire retardant varnishes/sprays. You should always consult if they are indicated for the raw material cork.
Yes. Cork’s naturally anti-microbial properties combat mould, and its anti-static surface prevents dust and toxin absorption, making it a suitable material for people with allergies and a substance that contributes to cleaner air space. Cork also contains antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties, as according to a study from the University of Porto.
Only 240g of waste is produced per square meter of product, however 100% of this is recycled. All waste is regranulated and reused in other manufacturing processes. This zero-waste process assures that no waste is disposed of in a landfill.
Flexible concrete is an engineered cementitious composite that exhibits the property of ductile material unlike the brittle nature of conventional concrete. The material composition of conventional concrete is altered in order to impart flexible nature in concrete.
Preserved moss is natural moss, undergoing preservation process to maintain the appearance and texture of a fresh product over time. The moss used in our products does not belong to any protected species. They are harvested from private fields, under the authorization of the National Forest Office, according to certification by our supplier.
Yes. Exceptions may relate to samples or products that do not require a one-box minimum.
No. Muratto does not have an installation service. In any case, we provide installation videos of all collections so that the installation can be carried out under the right conditions. The videos can be found on the B2B page, or on our youtube channel, muratto natural surface design.
As a general rule, add 5-10% of the total square meters/footage to account for waste. This is determined by the layout’s complexity and the installer’s expertise. Measure the lento and width of each room separately, then multiply the total square meters/footage. Repeat for each room. The amount of waste and cuts you make are determined on your skill level and the layout of the place. Diagonal layouts or floors with curved walls may require a more precise estimation of the required quantity.
It depends on the collection, but as a general rule, in all. The only thing that may be needed is a cleaning of the wall, a smoothing, or the use of a primer varnish that will give adhesion to the surface. Ideally, watch the installation videos (B2B page) or ask us for installation instructions.
The surface on which the materials will be applied must be clean and smooth, free from dirt, wax, polish, old adhesives, paints and voids.
Organic Blocks must be installed using an adhesive in water dispersion of high performance, with low emission in volatile organic compounds (VOC) - we recommend, for example, the glue Ultrabond Eco 575, from the Mapei brand. You can use another similar glue if it is not available in your country. Installation is very simple - you can see all the steps on the B2B page, or on our youtube channel, muratto natural surface design.
Concrete Flex must be installed using a glue such as Soudaflex 40FC, for example, which is a high quality sealant and adhesive for construction joints, neutral, elastic and one-component polyurethane-based. You can use another similar glue if it is not available in your country. Installation is very simple - you can see all the steps on the B2B page, or on our youtube channel, muratto natural surface design.
Stone It is applied manually using spatulas. However, it is important that there is a specific method of application for each surface, because Stone It allows you to create three-dimensional patterns. Installation is very simple - you can see all the steps on the B2B page, or on our youtube channel, muratto natural surface design.
The normal cleaning of the product should be done with a dry and soft lint-free cloth or a dry sponge. If stained and stronger cleaning is required, then rinse thoroughly with clean water, changing water often to insure it remains clean and clear. After cleaning an area, be sure to dry with na absorbente cloth so it can be examined to assure complete cleaning. Never use abrasive cleaners or mix cleaning reagentes together – violent reactions may occur which could result in serious injury. Observe all label precautions when using any cleaning agents. For cleaning deeply embossed grains, you may vaccumed with a clean v acum cleaner brush.
Yes. You can spray paint the tiles. You should look for in your country, in a DIY store, a spray that can be used on cork and that is of good quality.
Yes. But there is one collection in particular, the Organic Blocks, which are especially recommended if you are looking for soundproofing. This is because the acoustic effect is achieved through two factors: absorption and diffusion. As the products within the Organic Blocks collection are three-dimensional and quite voluminous, they act as sound diffusion reducers, and also help in sound absorption. Within this collection there are three ranges. Their acoustic efficiency, in order, is: acoustic panels (specially developed together with experts in acoustic insulation); design blocks (not as effective but still very good); and finally the cork strips, which due to their thinner thickness have less acoustic efficiency than the previous ones. Even so, all other products made of cork (cork bricks, korkstone and primecork) have some sound insulation capacity, even if considerably smaller, as this is one of cork’s great advantages.
We do not advise. In any case, we have several customers who have used our products outdoors and their feedback has always been positive - they did so using an outdoor varnish to protect the material.
Yes. The important thing is that the products are not in direct contact with heat or fumes.
Yes. When it comes to cork and cement products, you should apply a water-based varnish to the material itself once installed - this will protect the joints, preventing moisture from seeping into the material. As far as the Stone It collection is concerned, this is a material suitable for use in damp areas, even in bathrooms, so Muratto sells its own varnish for application in these places.
Yes. You can use various humidity varnishes. You should always consult if they are indicated for the raw material.
Extreme humidity conditions (up to 65% of humidity) and extreme high temperatures (up to 35 degrees) can affect the dimensional stability of the tiles.
Yes. Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause color deviations, similar to what happens, for example, with wood products.
Yes.
Yes, mainly due to cork’s properties (an anti-static surface that prevents dust and toxin absorption, making it a suitable material for people with allergies and a substance that contributes to cleaner air space; antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic). Also, in what concerns the Organic Blocks collection, it has a class A on VOC’s (French Norm EN ISO/IEC 17025), which means it is ideal to have indoors.
Yes, but to produce a custom format it is necessary to develop a specific mold for that format. In any case, it is best to contact us directly so that we can discuss the project’s feasibility.
Yes, but developing a special color takes a long time. This is due to the fact that ral codes, for example, never correspond to the final color obtained by combining the desired pigment with the cork granulate. As a matter of fact, we recommend that the customer spray paint the tiles.
Depends on the collection. The Stone It collection, yes. In relation to the other collections, it’s different because the mixture of the raw material (cork or cement) with the pigment means that the color obtained at the end of the process is never the same as what we see initially, hence it is very complicated to produce special colors, as mentioned above.
If there is any question for which you have not been able to find an answer, do not hesitate to contact us at marketing@muratto.com.
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