KP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING Contents Contents CHAPTER 1. BUILDING MATERIALS. 11 TIMBER 11.1 CLASSIFICATION OF TIMBER... 1.1.2 CROSS-SECTION OF TIMBER, 1.1.3 SAWING OF TIMBER...... 114 SEASONING OF TIMBER....... 115 PRESERVATIVES FOR TIMBER... 14.6 DEFECTS IN TIMBER....sssnsssnnnnnne 11.7 ENGINEERED TIMBER vise 1.1.8 BAMBOO IN CONSTRUCTION... 12 BRICK rg 12.1 | MUD IN CONSTRUCTION 122 TYPES OF SOIL sic 123 CLAY BRICK MANUFACTURING, 1.2.4 COMPOSITION OF COMMON CLAY BRICKS. 1.2.5 STANDARDS FOR CLAY BRICKS. 1d 1.26 — CLASSIFICATION OF CLAY BRICKS. estes ener 0 12.7 BRICK ORIENTATIONS, GUTS &SHAPES......... asa 22 128 DEFECTS IN CLAY BRICK... 26 129 ALTERNATIVEMATERIAL FOR BRICK..... 27 13: STON Bhvnngggnnlgfenm tonnes tester 28 1.3.1 CLASSIFICATION OF NATURAL ROCKS. . o 28 1.3.2 STONE FINISHES ......c0ss0ennnnnnnininnnnnninnnnnnnnnnsses SO 1.3.3, SM DEFECTS IN STONE .....csnne stent onesnnsene SL 13.4. ENGINEERED STONE IN CONSTRUCTION .. 1.4) CONCRETE wissesnseiennne 14.2 CEMENT ee 33 1.42 AGGREGATE IN CONCRETE. 34 143 WATER-CEMENT RATIO 36 1.4.4 WORKABILITY OF CONCRETE wwesss 14.5 ADMIXTURES IN CONCRETE 14.6 GRADES OF CONCRETE .. 14.7 CURING OF CONCRETE 148 TYPES OF CONCRETE 42 i KP GATE Classes, New Delhi | Coaching for GATE & Other Recruitment Tests in Architecture & PlanningKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING 1.5 OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS ......000000 151 152 153 15.4 16 CHAPTER 2. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION oo... MORTARS METALS & ALLOYS. GLASS... PAINT... PRACTICE QUESTIONS... 2.1 STONE MASONRY. 244 212 21.3 2.2 2.21 2.22 223 224 2.25 2.3. TIMBER & STEEL TRUSSES... 231 232 233 234 24 241 242 243 244 245) 246 2a, 248 25 CHAPTER 3, ESTIMATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT 3a ada 312 313 TERMINOLOGY JOINTS IN STONE MASONRY CLASSIFICATION OF STONE MASONRY ..... BRICK MASONRY enone . TERMINOLOGY sev TOOLS USED IN MASONRY scons BONDS IN BRICK MASONRY. CONECTIONS IN BRICK MASONRY TYPES OF MASONRY JOINTS... TERMINOLOGY (TIMBER TRUSSES). TYPES OF TIMBER TRUSS... TERMINOLOGY (STEELTRUSSES) TYPES OF STEELTRUSS... IMPORTANT BUILDING COMPONENTS... FOUNDATION & ITSITYPES .occesesne ROORE ITS TYPES... STAIRCASE. DOOR winoow ARCH ... RETAINING WALLS.. DAMP PROOF COURSE PRACTICE QUESTIONS... ESTIMATION snnnnnnnnininnnnnnnennnnnnnn BASIC FORMULAE ....ssssninestinnnnniinnnnnnnnnnnnsne UNITS OF MEASUREMENT .....ssnsssenminnnnnnnnnnnnee METHODS OF APPROXIMATE CONSRUCTION COST ESTIMATION 45 45 46 a7 49 SL 58 son 5A 57 58 63 so so 68 65 69 73 sou son TA 75 7 78 80 80 so 82 86 89 st 93 96 98 99 100 101 seonened OL sone 03 105 KP GATE Classes, New Delhi | Coaching for GATE & Other Recruitment Tests in Architecture & PlanningKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING 3.2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT. nnn 106 3.21 — CRITICAL PATH METHOD (CPM). 106 322 GANTT CHARTS 106 3.23 PROJECT COST AND PROJECT CRASHING. ses seve dO? 3.24 — PERT... ese ses ene 0B 3.2.5 — CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS ween 110 CHAPTER 4, BASICS OF STRUCTURES woes 4.1 BASICS OF STRENGTH OF MATERIALS...... sessenennnnnnnnnnnn 3.2.6 PROPERTIES OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS 14 32.7 THEORY OF ELASTICITY 115 44.1 HOOKE’S LAW vines enna 116 4.1.2 STRESS-STRAIN DIAGRAM... 119 4.2. BASICS OF SUPPORTS & BEAMS... 120 3.28 TYPES OF STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS...... . 120 329 TYPES OF BEAMS AND SUPPORT REACTIONS 122 4.3 SHEAR FORCE & BENDING MOMENT 124 3.2.10 SFD AND BMD. se se 124 3.2.11 MAXIMUM SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT..... 126 4.4 BENDING STRESSES & SHEAR STRESSES. 126 3.2.12 BENDING STRESSES... ooo snes evenness 26 3.213 MOMENT OF INERTIA 128 3.2.14 SHEAR STRESSES icon 130 4.5 STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF BRIDGES ..0.0.00 132 3.2.15 132 8.216 ARCH Grn tinrnmnnnnnnsinsnsesennnn 182 3.2.17 SUSPENSION). a snes onesie 82 3.2.18 CANTILEVER... a snes cones 83 3.249 CABLE-STAYED 133 4.6 MISCELLANEOUS. nnn nesses pened Mh 3.2:20.... LONG VS SHORT COLUMN ..ssseesse 134 2.2.21 ONE-WAY VS TWO-WAY SLAB w....ssnnnnninnnnnnnnnnnnnsnnninn 135 3.222 STRUCTURAL PRINCIPLE OF ARCH ...0. sn 135 iii KP GATE Classes, New Delhi | Coaching for GATE & Other Recruitment Tests in Architecture & PlanningKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING CHAPTER 1.” BUILDING MATERIALS 1 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING 11 TIMBER Wood derived from trees is processed into planks for use in construction. Such wood prepared for use in construction and carpentry is termed as “timber”. 1.1.1 CLASSIFICATION OF TIMBER Timber can be classified into categories based on many criteria, Few such parameters are; growth characteristics, wood characteristics, and grading. Based on growth characteristics, timber is classified into exogenous and endogenous. Exogefous trees grow outward by adding distinct consecutive rings known as growth rings or annual rings, In'such trees it is possible to estimate the age of timber by counting the number of rings. Endogenous, trees. grow inwards. In these trees, fresh fibrous mass is in the inner most portion. Examples of endogenous trees are bamboo and cane, Based on wood characteristics, timber is classified into hardwood and softwood. HafdWiood is generally derived from deciduous trees (characterized by broad leaves). Hardwood'ls generally dark and heavy with good strength and fire resistance. Softwood is generally @erived™from coniferous trees (characterized by cone shaped fruits). Softwood is generally light in Colour and weight with lower strength and fire resistance compared to hardwood. Based on grading as per IS 883:1994, timber is classified into three Groups. The classification is based on strength properties, namely, modulus of elasticity (E)and extreme fiber stress in bending and tension (f), The classification is tabulated below: Group A E above 12.6 x 10° Nimmé, f abovalté.0 Nimm? Group B E above 9.8 x 10° Nimm? and up f6 12.6 x 10° Nimm?; f above 12.0 Nimm? and up to 18.0 N/mm? Group C E above 5.6 x 10° Nigim? and up to 9.8 x 10 Nimm*, Fabove 8.5 Nimm? and up to 12.0 imme 1.1.2 CROSS-SECTIONORTIMBER Cross-section of timber for a typical exogenous tree is characterized by concentric growth rings. The dead inner rings are called “heartwood” which is relatively dry and living outer rings are called ‘sap ‘wood’ which is relatively moist. Other important parts are marked in the figure below: Sap wood Our bare SS Heart wood iE Pam Inner bark ‘Annual ring ‘Cambium layer Medullary rays 1 Cross-section of Timber 2 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING a. Pith: Iti the inner most part of the tree and hence the oldest part of exogeneous tree when the plant becomes old, the pith dies and becomes fibrous and dark. It varies in size and shape. b. Heart Wood: This is the portion surrounding pith. It is dark in colour and strong. This portion is Useful for various engineering purpose, This is the dead part of wood. It consists of multiple growth rings. c. Sap Wood: It is the layer next to heart wood. It is composed of newer growth and contains sap. It takes active part in the growth of trees by allowing sap to move in upward direction. The growth rings of sap wood are light in colour. Sap wood is also termed as alburnum. d. Cambium Layer: Itis thin layer of fresh sap lying between sap wood and the inner bark(It contains ‘sap which is not yet converted into sap wood. e. Inner Bark: It is an inner skin of tree protecting the cambium layer. f. Outer Bark; Itis the outer skin of the tree and consists of wood fibers. Sometimes it contains fissures and cracks. 9. Medullary Rays: These are thin radial fibers extending from pith to cambium layer. They hold annular rings together. In some of trees they are broken and sométimes may not be visually prominent. 1.1.3 SAWING OF TIMBER Tree logs (trees after felled) if not cut/sawn for aelong'duration, would result in circumferential shrinkage due to moisture drying from the outer part (sapwood). The outer most rings shrink more as compared to inner rings. As a result, star shakes or cracks (discussed under defects) would appear on the surface of log and deteriorate the timber quality. There are four main methods of sawing! They"re; Ordinary sawing, Quarter sawing, Tangential sawing and Radial sawing, Tangential Sawing Riftor Radial Sawing 2.Sawing of Timber a, Ordinary Sawing: This is the most economical and widely used method of sawing. Here, long parallel planks are cut from the tree log. As the inner portion (heart wood) is hard and outer portion (sap wood) is soft, after drying there can be unequal shrinkage. So, the planks are liable to wrap and twist. b. Quarter Sawing: In Quarter sawing the logs are cut or sawn in quarter and each quarter is then cut in such a way that the sawn members bend in transverse direction, This method is generally adopted ‘when no distinct medullary rays are present, 3 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING ¢. Tangential Sawing: Tangential sawing is generally used if annual rings are well formed and medullary rays are not well formed. In this method, cuts are made tangent to the annual rings. Planks obtained by this method wrap too much and must not be used for costly structural works or for flooring, d. Radial Sawing: In this method logs are sawn parallel to medullary rays and perpendicular to annual rings. This method gives least shrinkage but has highest wastage. This method gives most decorative grain patterns in which medullary rays are marked. This method yields timber planks ‘with least shrinkage because of the property of medullary rays to resist shrinkage. This method is also known as Rift Sawing 1.1.4 SEASONING OF TIMBER Controlled reduction of moisture content from timber is termed as “Seasoning”. Moisturé contént of trees may sometimes be as high as 60 percent. Proper seasoning of timber brings, down this,moisture Content to as low as 10 percent. Seasoning of timber is necessary to reduce the moisture content and thereby increase the strength of timber. Seasoning of timber also reduces development of shrinkage defects and rests in longer life of the timber. ‘Methods for seasoning of timber can be classified into two types’ Natural seasoning and Artificial seasoning. Natural seasoning is of two main types; Water seasoning and Air seasoning. Artificial seasoning is of four main types; Seasoning by boilig, Kiln seasoning, Chemical seasoning and Electrical seasoning, The flowchart below summarizes the, classification of methods for seasoning timber: Air Seasoning Nérural Seasoning Water Seasoning Seasoniti’ Of Timber Seasoning by Boiling Kiln Seasoning (| amtificial Seasoning Chemical Seasoning Electrical Seasoning 3 Classification of Timber Seasoning A. Natural Seasoning: Seasoning of timber using natural elements like air and water is called ‘Natural Seasoning’. This type of seasoning does not make use of extemal energy sources like fuel, electricity or chemicals. Natural seasoning is of two main types as explained below, 4 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING ~ Air Seasoning: This process involves exposing timber to air flow for seasoning. At first, a platform or block piers are built on the ground to about 300mm height from ground level. Then the arrangement of timber in layers is prepared above the platform. Air circulation is maintained between timber planks to help reduce the moisture content. Even though this is a slow process, itis an economical method suitable for large scale seasoning, Sloped roof Sticker Level surface Brick upstand 4 Air Seasoning - Water Seasoning: This process is carried along riverbanks or streams where removal of wood sap is achieved by immersing logs into water flows, This helps in replacement of wood sap of ‘wood cells by water. The water-saturated. wood, dries quicker as compared to sap-saturated ‘wood. This is a time-consuming process but aff economical method. B. Artificial Seasoning: Antficial seasoning is a faster alternative process for seasoning timber but is costlier compared to natural processes. Types of artificial seasoning processes are discussed below: = Seasoning by Boiling: Seasoning of timber is achieved by boiling it in water for 3 to 4 hours. ‘After boiling, timber'isyallowed to dry. For large quantity of timber where boiling can be difficult, hot steam i8 passed through timber logs in an enclosed space. The boiling or steaming process devélops the strength and elasticity of timber but it is costlier process, - Kiln Seasoning: inthis method timber is subjected to hot air in an air tight chamber. The hot air.irculates betwieen the timber logs and reduces the moisture content. The temperature inside the chamber is raised with the help of heating coils. When the required temperature is obtained ‘moisture content and relative humidity gets reduced and timber gets seasoned. Even though it is acostly process it gives good results with respect to strength. = "Chemical Seasoning: In chemical seasoning, timber is stored in suitable salt solution for some time. The salt solution used has the tendency to absorb water from the timber. So, the moisture content is reduced, and then timber surface is allowed to dry. Even though this a quick process, it may sometimes affect the strength of timber. = Electrical Seasoning: Dry wood is non-conductor of electricity while moist timber is a conductor and can allow alternating current to pass through it. So, in this method alternating current is used for drying the cells of timber by creating heat. As electricity is used, this process is not economical 5 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING 1.1.5 PRESERVATIVES FOR TIMBER Timber being an organic material, it may decay with time, This process of deterioration may be rapid in some exposure conditions. Generally, rotting of timber due to growth of fungus or insects like termites, is seen in moist or humid conditions. There are many timber preservatives available which can reduce decay of timber by controlling the growth and spread of fungi and termites. These preservatives can be applied by using a suitable process like, brushing, spraying, injecting under pressure, etc ‘Some important timber preservatives are discussed below: Coal tar: Itisa thick dark liquid which isa by-product of coal gas production. Coal taris‘applied to preserve timber from growth of fungi. It penetrates into wood tissue and s6 can have high degree of performance for a long duration of time. It has unpleasant smell and also results in unpleasant surface appearance on timber. ASCU preservatives: ASCU (from chemical symbols for Arsenic and, Coppa) preservatives are dissolved in water to prepare preservative solution. This odorféss solution is sprayed on to timber to protect it from white ants Chemical salts: Water soluble chemical salts like copper sulphatey'mercury chloride, zinc chloride, sodium fluoride, sodium fluosilicates, etc. are used toxprepare a water based liquid solution and are applied onto timber surface. The demerit iftUsing these salts is that they can be ‘washed away if the timber is exposed to moist conditions. Solignum preservative: Solignum paints/@te appliethin hot condition using brush. They ere ‘well suitable for preserving timber from white ants. Solignum paints can be used by adding colour pigments and so the timber can have good appearance Creosote oil: Creosote oil is prepared.by the distillation of tar. Its black or brown in colour. It has an unpleasant smell Its applied in a process where itis injected into timber under pressure. Itisa flammable oil and s0 is avoided for timber works near fireplaces. It is generally used for railway sleepers and woodentpoles. There are some alternative titber preservation processes like charting and use of termite shields. Charting: Itistcommon method used for preserving timber poles and posts that are to be dug into the ground. The outer part of the lower ends is charred (incompletely burnt) before insertion into the ground. The charcoal layer so formed is an easy safeguard against attacks by fungi or termite (as these organisms do not find any food in charcoal). Termite shields: The base of major timber columns may be preserved against organic attack by ‘constructing a suitable barrier between the timber and the ground. These barriers are termed as “Tetmite Shields’ FLOOR voist § Termite Shield 6 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING 1.1.6 DEFECTS IN TIMBER Defects in timber can develop due to different reasons, viz., defects due to natural forces, defects due to attack by insects and fungi, defects due to defective seasoning, etc. Various defects in timber are categorized below: A. DEFECTS DUE TO NATURAL FORCES: Defects in timber may arise due to natural forces like wind or natural phenomenon like tree growth characteristics. Some important defects under this category are listed below: @ Knots - Most common defect caused due £0 natural forces = When lower branches die, they remain inthe tree as it grows. These) bases create imperfections known as knots = Knots are of 2 types 1ivé"Riozs which are sound and firmevs ‘dead knots” which are loose caused by damaged’ branches drying and falling out Gi) Shakes Cup shakes 1 ) ‘Shakes afe timber defects that occur around the annual ring or growth ring of a timber. In ‘Other words, cracks or splits in the woods are called shakes, which are of four types (a))Cup shakes: Shakes which result in partial separation along the growth rings (b) Ring shakes: Shakes which result in Complete separation along the grovith rings (©) Star shakes: These shakes start propagating from bark towards the sapwood along the medullary rays. These shakes are usually wider at bark and narrower inside. (@) Heart shakes: These start propagating from the pith to the sapwood along the lines Of medullary rays caused sue to shrinkage of interior part Improper cutting of branches causes abnormal growth of bark, called Rind gall Wood from this portion lacks strength - When wound of the tree is covered by a soft skin, itis called as callus ~ Upsets in various wood indicate that the tree was subjected to crushing or compression. Improper felling of trees, heavy wind blowing during the young age of the tree these are the main reasons behind this type of defect. 7 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING B. DEFECTS DUE TO ATTACK BY INSECTS: Insects like beetles, termites or marine boars eat ‘wood, make holes and weaken the strength of the wood. Beetles are small insects that make holes in almost all the sapwood. The larvae make tunnels through the sapwood in all directions and turn ‘wood into powder. Termites live in a colony. They are very fast in eating woods and making tunnels through it. Only a few good kinds of wood can withstand the action of termites. CC. DEFECTS DUE TO ATTACK BY FUNGI: There are multiple types of defects that may arise in timber due to growth of fungi. Growth of fungi is generally stimulated by presence of moisture Some important defects under this category are listed below: @__ Stain ‘When fungi feed only on sapwood, where the food materials ara stored, it causes a stain, = Heartwood doesn’t contain these kinds of food materials andis not affected by it - Stain action causes colour but does not affeet’the strength of the wood. = Wood eating or wood destroying fungus is.résponsible for this type of defect in wood. = Thistype of fungi breaks down thé cell structure, Both sapwood and heartwood are affectediby them. = Considerable stréngth reduietion occurs due to this defect, = Dry rotis caused By ceftain type of fungi which actually eats wood for their living, They make food by converting timber into dry ppovider form. = This occurs mainly when there is no ventilation of air or if the wood improperly seasoned. Sep This Can be prevented by using well-seasoned wood and also by painting the timber surface with copper sulphate. Gi) : rot iv) Wetfot ~ Wet rot is caused by fungi which decomposes the timber and Converts it into grayish brown powder form. - Wet rot causing fungi growths mainly due to an alternating dry and ‘wet conditions of timber. v) Heart rot - Heart rot is caused in the trees when the heart wood is attacked by fungi through its newly formed branch ~ This type of fungi makes the tree hollow by consuming heart wood This defect is known as heart rot. (vi) Othertypes [= Brown rot: wood brownish defect is called as brown rot ~ White rot: Unaffected cellulase results in white rot ~ Blue Stain: Defect caused by some fungi which makes timber bluish 8 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING D. DEFECTS IN TIMBER DUE TO DEFECTIVE SEASONING: Faulty method of seasoning causes serious defects in woods. During seasoning of timber, exterior or surface layer of the timber dries before the interior surface. So, stress is developed due to the difference in shrinkage. In a perfect, seasoning process, stress is Kept minimum by controlling the shrinkage. Some of the defects resulting from defective seasoning are as follows: Bow: Curvature formed in | Cup: Curvature formed in the | Check is a kind of crack that direction of the length of the | transverse direction of the | separates fibres, but it doesn’t timber is called bow. timber is called a cup, extend from one end to another. Split: Split isa special type of | Twist: Twist is formed when | Honey.Gémbing: Stress is heck that extends from one | the timber piece is spirally | developed. inythe heartwood end to another. distorted along its length. It | during’the drying process or looks like propeller blade after | seasoning. For these stresses, twisting. cracks-are created in the form ‘ofhoneycomb texture. Case Hardening: Case is the | Collapse During drying, some | Wrap: The loss of shape of top surface of wood which'\,part of the wood may dry | wood due to stresses dries rapidly during | rapidly while some may not. | developed during drying is seasoning, but the inner part,| Because of this improper | called warping. did not. Then.this defect is drying shrinkage of wood called as case hardening ‘occurs which results the defect called collapse. 1.1.7 ENGINEERED TIMBER Engineered wood, also termed as composite wood, or manufactured board, includes a range of derivative wood products are manufactured by binding or fixing the strands, particles, fibres, or veneers or boards of wood, together with adhesives, or other methods of fixation to form composite ‘material. Some important types of engineered wood are discussed below: 9 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALSKP GATE CLASSES, NEW DELHI - INDIA’S No. 1 Architecture COACHING sheets of laminated veneer bonded under heat and pressure with durable, moisture resistant adhesives. Panel strength and stiffness in both directions is maximized by cross- orienting alternate layers, Cross-orienting is altering the grain orientation of veneers from layer to layer. ‘A. Plywood: Plywood is a wood panel manufactured from Particle board: Particle board is manufactured from wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even sawdust, and a synthetic resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded. Particle board is cheaper, and more uniform than conventional wood and plywood. So, it is substituted for them when cost is more important than strength and appearance Fibreboard: Fibreboard is made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. Processed wood fibres are compacted to various degrees to, give various grades of fibreboards; Low-density fibreboard (LDF), Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and High- density fibreboard (HDF). Oriented strand board: Oriented strand board (OSB) i8\a) ‘wood structural panel manufactured from, rectangular- shaped strands of wood that are oriented lengthwise and. then arranged in layers, laid up into mats, and bonded together with moisture-resistant, heat*cured adhesives. The individual layers can be? cfass-oriented to provide strength and stiffness to the/panel. ‘Most of the engineered timber,surfaceS are not finished to give good interior appearance (like in plywood). So, engineered timber is finished with laminate or veneer on the external surface, Sheets of laminate or veneer are Struck onto the surface of engineered wood using adhesives. Laminate Veneer Engineered from paperand pl ‘Made from natural hardwood ‘Appearance achieved from printed sheet on top ‘Appearance is from natural grains of wood Available if numerous colours and shades with textured, high gloss, soft and matte finishes Since itis a natural material, limited number of shades available Easier to maintain. They are scratch-resistant, ‘waterproof and usually retain their look for years. Require more maintenance. Veneer surfaces should be polished from time to time Usually affordable Costlier than laminates 10 CHAPTER 1: BUILDING MATERIALS