Wall Coverings

Paper
Thousands of patterns

and colors to choose from. Many treated with varying thicknesses of vinyl. Low to high cost. Can be washed or scrubbed depending on type of paper.

What is the difference?

Wallpaper: Has been used since the Colonial days in the US and for about 5 centuries in Europe. Known as the poor mans tapestry because only the wealthy could afford the real thing. Paper is not easily cleaned, cannot be scrubbed unless vinyl coated. It is priced by the single roll, although it is sold in a double roll. It is typically 27 wide. Vinyl Wallcovering: More durable, usually fabric backed, does not stretch and tear during installation and is 54 wide. It can be purchased by the yard on a bolt. Typically used in commercial use and is more expensive than paper. It is categorized into two types: Type 1 and Type 11. (there is even a type III) Type one is lighter in weight (12 -15 ozs per yard) and Type II is heavier, usually 20 - 24 oz per yard and up.

Wall Coverings

Paint
Less expensive than other

wall coverings

Types
Oil-Based
Durable and washable Chosen for walls and

ceilings in bathrooms and kitchens

Latex
Easily applied Often used for living,

dining and bedrooms.

Finishes
Gloss, semi-gloss, satin and

flat

Paints and Coatings

What is paint? Paints are made up of four components: pigment, binder, solvent/liquid carrier, and additives.

Varnishes, which form transparent or semitransparent films, are made up of the last three components, with colored varnishes containing small amounts of pigment.

Paint is manufactured to meet specific needs

Types of Paint
water base paint solvent base paint
these are the two basic types of paint generally available. paint may have physical or chemical characteristics such as:

matte surface, semi gloss surface, high gloss surface non-drip paint, primer, undercoats, anti-condensation, fire retardant paint (intumescent), metallic, concrete floor paint, porch paint, anti-fungus paint, heat resistant paint

Pigments, which give color and opacity/covering power, are finely dispersed solid particles. In some cases they can be used to impart certain protective properties, eg rust prevention, and to control gloss levels

The binder is the material that forms the film, giving protection to the substrate and keeping the pigment in place and evenly dispersed. It may be made up of a single, or a combination of polymers. The binder may be dissolved in a solvent, or in the form of an emulsion or colloidal dispersion in water. This results in solvent-borne and water-borne paints, respectively.

The solvent/liquid carrier is used to effect application of the coating. It may be water or an organic solvent, or a mixture of both, and thins the paint or varnish, allowing it to be brushed, sprayed, dipped or rolled. Once on the substrate, the solvent evaporates, leaving the dry film coating. The term 'liquid carrier' is preferable because the liquid may not be a true

solvent for the binder.

Additives are used, in small amounts, to modify the film or paint. Examples are driers, which promote the drying time of some coatings; flow-control agents, which give a smooth surface; defoamers, which prevent the formation of bubbles that could dry in the film; and anti-skinning agents to prevent the paint from forming a 'skin' in the can

Water Base Vs. Solvent Base

Water-based: non-flammable, clean up with water, quick drying in good conditions, low VOC content, low odor, non-yellowing Solvent-based: better drying in cold, damp conditions, better low-temperature storage, no can corrosion problems, less wood-grain raising, higher gloss

Fire retardant and fire resistant coatings

flame retardant paints slow the rate of flame spread

intumescent coatings bubble up, or expand, when exposed to extremely high heat fire resistant paints are not as effective at controlling the spread of flames as intumescent, or fire retardant paints. fire resistant paint does not burn, but it also does not help control the spread of the flames

Wall Coverings

Fabric Large variety of patterns and colors Mounted in different ways Not as practical in areas that get a lot of wear or dirt. Average to high cost Vacuum to remove dirt and wash if possible.

Wall Coverings

Paneling
Warm and attractive

appearance Requires little maintenance Different forms and price ranges

Wall Coverings

Molding
Strips of wood used for trim or

ornamentation in a room. Main purpose is to finish off a window, door or wall.

Baseboard molding Crown molding Chair Rail Picture Rail

Stone used as a wall finish

typical stone used for wall finishes include: granite, marble, limestone, slate, sandstone. manmade products, such as cast stone, can mimic the visual and material qualities of natural stone.

Stone tiles and panels

stone tiles, and panels, used as wall finish materials have definite size constraints. the term tile means a small, (generally no larger than 12x12) thin, modular piece of material. tiles can be made of metal, glass, wood, leather, plastic, ceramics, cork, and nearly any other material. tile does not always mean ceramic.

the table on page 252 of "Interior Construction and Detailing" lists a variety of stone types and size limitations or requirements.

details in stone wall finish installation

stone used as a finished wall surface can be achieved using two different approaches: tiles: thin, small, modular, pieces, typically no larger than 12" x 12".

panels/slabs: 3/4" up to 4" thick.

Stone tiles:
granite, quartzite, multi colored slate, black slate, green slate, multicolored

Stone wall panels:

marble panels attached to a sub-surface wall

Olivetti showroom, Venice, Italy: designed by Carlo Scarpa

marble stairs, bench, balcony low wall

stone tiles

stone panels

marble floor tiles, wall tiles

granite wall panels

marble floor tiles

pattern making using tiles

slate flooring

Ceramic tiles with LED lights embedded in each tile.

Finnish designer Maija Puoskari has taken inspiration from nature to create this concept of snow print tiles. Each tile looks like a silver patch of snow which is adorned with footprints of an animal.

ceramic tile

ceramic tile

Ceramic tile is especially useful in kitchens and bathrooms because it is water-resistant and easy to clean and extremely durable. Made from a mixture of clays and fired at high temperatures, tile is used for wall coverings, floors, showers, countertops, bath surrounds, and more. Tiles used on walls and counters are generally glazed

Grout, a kind of mortar, is spread between tiles to lock them in place and fill the joints between them. Grout may be white or colored with pigment.

Ceramic tile may be applied directly over drywallif the room is likely to be damp, special moisture-resistant drywall should be used. Or tile may be applied to a mortar bed or a backer board made of a ceramic aggregate core that is coated with a thin fiberglass mesh.

mosaic tiles are typically joined into a sheet

Ceramic tile: pattern making

Mosaic tiles

Ceilings
Long ago were often painted with murals and designs. Average height is 8 feet. Higher ceilings lend a feeling of dignity Lower ceilings create a warm and informal room.