Ch 6 Selection of Materials, Finishes & Furnishings Flashcards
When specifying finish products….
All of the actions taken by the interior designer should be documented.
What must be done before specifying products?
Obtain as much information as possible, inform client of the products being selected and notify the client of any potential problems or risks, ask the mfg. and/or rep about any particular problems with the product, for each item on the list of comparable projects, obtain the names of the design professional responsible, and the installing contractor’s name and contact these people, notify the mfg. in writing of the intended use of the product and ask for confirmation in writing for intended use, follow the mfg.’s recommendations for detailing and specifications, visit site to verify proper installation, if difficult installation area, have a mfg. rep present at site, and investigate the production capabilities and financial condition of the mfg., distributor and installing contractor.
What are the 5 groups of criteria for the selection of materials and finishes?
Function, Durability, Maintainability, Safety/Health, & Cost
What are acoustic qualities of a material?
Relates to the material’s ability to absort sound or to block the transmission of sound, For most finish materials, sound absorbtion is the more important criteria and is typically measured in NRC’s.
What does NRC stand for?
Noise Reduction Coefficient
For open office plans _____ class of ceilings may be important.
Articulation
What are the elements of the function of materials?
Acoustic Qualities, Aesthetics, Availability, Choice & Installation Method
What is durability?
Relates to the serviceability of the product or material when in use.
ASTM F793
Durability standards for wall coverings
Attachment
The method by which one material is connected to another. Attachment is one criterion that applies to nearly all materials and that must be reviewed as part of a systematic view of the entire detail of which the material is a part.
Blocking Resistance
The capability of a material to resist adhesion to sticking between two surfaces of a wall covering. Per ASTM D4946: Significance and Use: Dry paint often comes in contact with itself especially in window and door areas and, depending on its hardness, the pressure, temperature, humidity, and duration of time the surfaces are in contact, sometimes sticks to itself (blocks). This stringent test method can be used to compare and rate subjectively the resistance of paints to blocking.
Breaking Strength
Refers to the load that, when placed on a material, is just great enough to break the material. In Interior Design, it typically refers to fabrics and other textiles where the load is applied in the plane of the material, with the material laid flat. It may also apply to tile, stone and other materials subject to a localized load.
Chemical Resistance
A material’s resistance to damage, change of finish, or other deleterious change resulting from exposure to chemical. Because there are so many possible combinations of chemicals and finishes, most manufacturers specifically state which chemicals their products are resistant to.
Coating Adhesion
Refers to the ability of a thin coating, like wall covering or paint, to adhere to its substrate.
Cold-Cracking Resistance
The resistance of coated or decorative surface to cracking when they are exposed to low temperatures.
Colorfastness
The resistance of a finish to change or loss of color when exposed to light, most commonly the ultraviolet light of the sun.
Corrosive Resistance
A products resistance to deterioration by a chemical or electrochemical reaction resulting from exposure to moisture, chemicals or other problems. Corrosion is typically a problem when metal products are exposed to moisture.
Crocking Resistance
A material’s resistance to the transfer of color from a wall covering surface when rubbed.
Fabrication Quality
The measure of how well a product is assembled in the factory. Each industry establishes measurements of fabrication quality (e.g. AWI’s 3 grades of woodwork - Economy, Custom, Premium)
Heat-Aging Resistance
A wall covering’s resistance to the deterioration caused by high temperatures over an extended time.
Light Fastness
The ability of paint or other finishes to resist loss of color when exposed to sunlight. Similar to colorfastness.
Scrubbability
A material’s ability to be cleaned repeatedly with a brush and detergent.
Shrinkage
A decrease in dimension when a material is exposed to moisture. This characteristic is most typically applied to fabrics.
Stain Resistance
A material’s resistance to a change in appearance after the application and removal of another material. As with chemical resistance, all products are resistant to some staining agents more than others, so the manufacturer’s literature should be consulted to verify if a material is resistant to staining agents likely to be present in a particular application.
Strength/Structure
A general criterion referring to the inherent ability of a product to withstand any loads that may be placed on it. This may be as simple as the ability of one part of a detail to support the weight of another part of a detail, or as complex as the ability of a product or detail to withstand complex gravity and wind loads that may require a structural engineer to calculate.
Tear Resistance/Tear Strength
The resistance of a thin material, like fabric, to the propagation (the process of spreading to a larger area or greater number) of an existing tear.
Washability
A material’s ability to be cleaned repeatedly with a sponge and detergent solution, to remove surface dirt.
Cleanability
Refers to the ease with which a material can be cleaned using whatever methods are appropriate for the material (e.g. a carpet must be easy to vacuum, wall finishes in a restaurant should be easy to wash). This is one of the most important criteria to consider when selecting fnishes.
Repairability
A product or material’s ability to be repaired when damaged. The designer should avoid details that make it difficult or expensive to repair or replace one of the component parts.
Resilience
A material’s capacity to recover its original size and shape after deformation caused by some load. Typically this is applied to soft floor covering, such as vinyl tile, but it also may be an important consideration for wall covering materials.
Self-Healing Quality
A material’s ability to return to its original configuration after it has been deformed or temporarily changed, like a corkboard. It is similar to resilience but can be applied to any product.
Sustainability
A broad term that means meeting the needs and wants of the present generation without harming or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Finish Safety
Relates to the surface and edge condition of products.
Flammability
The likelihood that a material will combust. This is one of the most important criteria for material and finish selection.
Steiner Tunnel Test / ASTM E 84
The most common test developed for flame spread and smoke.
Mold and Mildew Resistance
This is important to prevent the growth of these microscopic organisms. Many materials are inherently susceptible to the growth of mold and mildew because they provide an organic nutrient that, when combined with moisture and a suitable temperature, will provide a growing medium for these biological contaminants. Most materials can be treated to resist the growth of mold and mildew.
Outgassing
The release of toxic gases from materials, most commonly after the material has been installed. These gases include formaldehyde, CFCs, and others listed in the EPA’s list of hazardous substances. This is an important component of IAQ (LEED).
Security
Providing protection against theft, vandalism, intentional physical harm, or a combination of all three. Door, glazing and hardware are common products that are available with various levels of security.
Slip Resistance
The ability of flooring material to help prevent accidental slipping, commonly measured with the coefficient of friction (COF). Although both the IBC and the ADA require flooring to be slip resistant, there are not specific requirements for the COF or other measure.
VOC Emissions
Results when chemicals that contain carbon and hydrogen vaporize at room temperature and pressure.
What are the two aspects of Cost?
First cost and Life Cycle Cost
First Cost
The initial amount of money required to purchase and install a product.
Life-Cycle Cost
The entire cost of a product over its life or the life of the building and includes the initial cost, maintenance cost, energy cost, financial costs, and replacement costs.
What is the best source of material information?
Product Manufacturer, who can provide literature, catalogs and advice via rep, as well as websites.
Sweets Catalog
Annual multivolume catalog of catalogs organized according to CSI Specs.
What is a good way to compare similar materials?
Showrooms in Merchandise Marts or Design Centers
What are the two leading standards-writing organizations?
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute). In Canada, it is the CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
Whose standards are an excellent source of unbiased, accurate information on a particular material or product type?
Trade association standards
Negligence
The failure to use care ordinarily exercised in similar cases by other qualified members of the profession and the failure to use reasonable diligence and best professional judgement in the exercise of work. Documentation can provide evidence that the interior designer acted appropriately and professionally, should product problems later develop in a project.
FFE
Describes freestanding interior components that are not physically attached to the construction and that are usually purchased under a separate contract.
What are the three major categories of furniture?
Ready-Made, Custom-Designed and Built-In
Ready Made Furniture
Purchased from a selection of standard products of a particular manufacturer. Advantages include being able to see/touch in showroom, knowing its cost, having a guarantee, and being able to judge its quality based on a finished piece.
Custom-Designed Furniture
Allows the designer and client to get exactly what they want, but the burden of correctly designing the piece, having it manufactured and being responsible for its ultimate quality is placed on the designer.
Built-In Furniture
Custom designed, but it becomes part of the architectural construction of the project. Makes more efficient use of space and is often less expensive than ready-made furniture for the same function, and its design is usually more consistent with the architecture of the space. It is less flexible and more difficult to change when styles change or the room’s function changes.
When planning dining and conference tables, how much space should be planned per person?
24” - 30” per person along the edge
Workstations
Single pieces of furniture or groups of components providing a work surface and storage.
What are the basic parameters of storage?
The types and sizes of items to be stored, the location of the storage, how often stored items need to be accessed and the visibility desired.
Systems Furniture
A collection of modular components designed to fit together in various ways to make up office workstations.
What are the three basic varieties of systems furniture?
(1) Freestanding panels with conventional freestanding furniture (2) Panels of varying sized that link and provide support for worksurfaces and storage units that are suspended from the panel. (3) Self contained “L” or “U” shaped workstations that include the work surface, storage and other required components. The storage is usually high enough to serve as a privacy barrier. Both (2) and (3) usually contain task lighting and sometime ambient light.
What are the two types of natural fabric?
Cellulosic (from plants, like cotton and linen) and Protein (from animals, like wool)
Wool
One of the best natural fibers for all types of fabric, including carpet. Individual fibers are weak but yarn has excellent resilience and elasticity and wears wears well. Although wool will burn when exposed to flame, it is self-extinguishing when the flame is removed.
Why is resilience especially good for upholstery and drapery?
Because creases and crimps fall out easily for a smooth appearance. Wool has an excellent resilience.
