Suez University

Faculty of Industrial Education

Course Title: Design of Interior Spaces

Sem. I 2017/2018
Lecture No: 6
Finishing Materials: Categories,
Characteristics and Selection
Lecture Topics:

1- Introduction

2- Floor Finishes

3- Wall Finishes

4- Ceiling Finishes

5- Sourcing Materials
Introduction
Materials have the unique ability to help us connect at an
elemental level through touch and sight with the intent and soul
of a project. The look or feel of a material can communicate
mood and emotion in a very special way

Natural materials (wood and stone, for example) suggest

a certain quality and honesty about the design, whether or
not the materials are expensive. In addition to this emotional
response to materials, the designer needs to consider the
practical aspects of the material choice, but this is another
instance where it is the designer ’s responsibility to find the
balance between practicality and aesthetics.
 Core Materials
• Stone provides a real connection to ‘earth’, and has an open, honest quality.
Often limestone, slate, granite and marble are the first choices of stone, but even
within these basic forms the variety is infinite. Surface finishes show off natural
pattern to best advantage. Make full use of the expertise of suppliers when
judging which material is appropriate and how it can be shaped, fixed and
finished.
• Wood is another elemental material that connects us to nature. Broadly
speaking, wood may be supplied as solid timber cut straight from a felled tree,
or it may be in the form of timber products such as plywood and MDF.
Timber products (sometimes called panel products) can have many different
surface treatments applied (real wood veneers, spray paint, powder coating)
but their use can feel ‘cheap’ and dishonest to some clients. Wood has a warmth
and beauty that is hard to match.
• Metal finishes can be supremely practical in some situations and they can also
be very decorative. Different types of metal have different visual qualities that
the designer can exploit. It gives an interior a sense of modernity, strength and
usually also a masculine edge. Some surface finishes are not as durable as
might be imagined, so careful selection is needed. Fabrication of some items
can also prove costly and time consuming, and it pays to work closely from the
outset with the people that know this material well.
Specialist finishes add a A plain metallic surface Architectural metal
distinctive feel that has been mesh is a relatively new
to an interior scheme. simply engraved to create material that has many
Commissioning pieces pattern and texture. decorative and practical
from craftspeople allows Finishes such as this can possibilities.
the designer to inject be used in many The meshes come in
a scheme with a unique applications – they can be different weave patterns,
element. used in furniture and many can be wrapped
manufacture or applied to around a structure or
walls, for example. framework.

Beautiful and simply expressed
materials are powerful tools for
the designer and can evoke all
sorts of responses in the viewer.
Here, the rosewood face of a
peninsular kitchen unit meets the
terrazzo floor. A small separation
between the two materials allows
the inclusion of concealed lights,
making the unit appear to float
over the floor.
Concrete, an apparently utilitarian
and coarse material, is made
delicate by this engraved floral
pattern. Any discord between our
expectations of a material and the
reality that we come across peaks
our interest and fascination with
the material. Concrete is a material
with lots of possibilities
that can be used in various interior
applications.
The lower floor of this London
restaurant is intended for
private functions and hence is
more moody and intimate than
the ground floor above. The
brass screen to the staircase
picks up the flickering flame
of the mirror-framed fi replace
that is the focal point of the
room. This is a good example
of a rich but well-balanced
palette of materials.
(Function)
Finish given to the wall to enhance the exterior
look of the structure.
Wall finishes used for the interiors are quite delicate and
need maintenance.
The new contemporary trend has brought about great
deal of increase in the usage various types of wall finishes
for the aesthetic purpose.
Concrete, masonry wall may be left exposed or plastered.
Wood or metal stud walls can support a variety of finishes.
• Cement Textured Finish:
This is a decorative finish and its mortar is prepared in cement
based material. It is applied faced plaster with a trowel and after
that it is coloured with paint.
• Cement plastered Finish:
It is prepared in the form of mortar with cement, sand and water
in proper proportions and masonry manually to achieve a
smooth finish or sand faced finish.
Transparent Paint layer
Can be applied in multiple layers to
create a complex coloured surfaces.
A coloured glaze can be applied in
a broken pattern with a rag or sponge,
dragged with a tool, or painted as
colour wash.

Stenciling
 Can be used to apply border
or larger repeating patterns
Distressing Techniques
 These are used to give a painted surface the appearance
of wear and tear.
Wood wall panels
Consists of a series of thin
sheets of wood framed
together by strips of wood.
The vertical strips are know
as stiles and the horizontal one
as rails.
Wood panels include solid
lumber paneling, wood veneer
paneling and plastic laminate
faced wood paneling.
Solid wood offers durability
and create texture.
Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic tiles are one of the most
attractive wall coverings.
The very small size of the tiles can
create great compositions by pieces with
different hues.
Can also be used as wall decorative
element and be combined with ceramic
tiles of more big size.
The size of the one glass tile is 10×10
mm and before application these tiles
are mounted on berglass sheet of 327 x
327 mm.
Mosaic tiles are more difficult to fix
than usual ceramic wall tiles but these
glass tiles can create an amazing
energizing effect and give unlimited
creative freedom.
Flexible wall coverings
 Plastered walls and gypsum board walls can
be finished with a variety of flexible wall
covering.

 Examples:
⁻ Wallpapers
⁻ Cloth/paper backed vinyl wall covering
⁻ Fabrics
⁻ Cork
Wallpapers
Wallpapers have a paper
face and a paper back.
It is not commonly used in
commercial design as it is
subject to soiling, abrasion and
fading.
Sourcing materials
• Finding materials that are new and inspirational for the client. This will
generally mean looking at specialist suppliers that are geared to dealing largely
with designers and architects, rather than the general public. It doesn’t
necessarily follow that exclusive must be expensive, but this will often be the
case. For projects with smaller budgets, the designer may need to be
ingenious in their sourcing and use of materials if the feeling of exclusivity is
to be maintained, but it is still possible to create memorable interiors.
• Sourcing with a purpose – that is with a definite idea in mind about what
it is that is required – will make sourcing expeditions efficient. It is still
good practice to keep your mind open for the unexpected find though. Try
to think how it might be possible to introduce unusual materials or
common materials used for uncommon applications.

• Sourcing begins with the concept. Ask yourself what ideas you are trying
to communicate, and what materials reinforce those ideas? For a city loft
that is meant to mirror the professional and sophisticated outlook of the
owner, brushed or polished metal, glass and leather might all be appropriate.
In a home that is intended to provide a sanctuary from the bustle of the
outside world, sheer fabric, mother of pearl and unfinished timber could all
be good choices.
• When looking for materials rather than specific items of furniture, it is
possible to source different materials that support the concept without
actually knowing at the time of sourcing where those materials will
be used. Once a selection of materials is assembled, it can be edited,
and materials assigned to different tasks within the scheme, all the
while making sure that practical considerations are being taken into
account..

• Timescales during projects can be short, so it will help to be

continually on the lookout for new and interesting ideas that could be
used at some future date. While many designers now source via the
Internet, there is still something to be said for the old practice of
maintaining a product library in the form of printed brochures:
information and samples that are categorized and filed away for
reference. The product knowledge gained by looking at magazines
and requesting information from manufacturers and suppliers will
equip the designer with an easy source of ideas for use in projects.