This semester, in design school, I took a class called Materials and Resource I.
To give you an idea of what’s covered in the class, read this class description: Emphasizes the background knowledge necessary for selection of interior finishes for walls, floors (textile and non-textile), ceilings and other non-textile components needed in interior environments. Topics include: selection criteria and resourcing for interiors, documentation, specification and code compliance for finish applications..
Our end-of-semester project was to write a report and create a photo collage (mine is shown above) of one featured material from a list provided to us (see list below).
This is the final project as assigned by the Instructor:
INDS 1130Materials and Resources
Final Project Instructions
Spring 2012
Step One
Choose one featured material. This could be from any category we have studied throughout the semester. Select one material that interests you or that you would like to spend more time learning about. Spend focused time learning about the product, locating it from a manufacturer/dealer, even going by a local showroom. Request samples, literature, or photos as appropriate. Learn everything you can about the product:
- What it is made of
- How it is manufactured or fabricated
- What would be required for installation and how the material interfaces with surrounds or substrate
- Manufacturer, vendor, or distributor info where it can be purchased or specified. Do they work with the general public or to the trade only?
- Quantity packaging/pricing
- Maintenance factors
- Environmental and code considerations
Material Categories:
- Concrete
- Brick
- Stone
- Metal
- Glass
- Wood
- Carpet
- Resilient Flooring
- Tile
- Terrazzo
- Composites
- Wallcoverings
- Paint
- Plastics and Laminates
- Cabinets
- Plumbing
Step Two
Decide on a location within the health club floor plan to use your selected material. Write a complete specification for its installation. The specification document outlines are provided, and will need to be altered based on your material. Refer to your textbook CD specification checklists. Attach drawings as necessary.
Step Three
For the room/space that you chose in the health club, select the other materials that you would use. Fill out a finish schedule listing these materials and key the floor plan appropriately. Create a photo or sample collage of these materials for presentation. Key the collage to the finish schedule for reference.
For any given space, you will need to address a minimum of floors, walls, ceilings, trim, and hardware.
Step Four
Assemble your documentation. You will need to submit:
- Featured material presentation (sample or photo with descriptive info)
- Featured material specification
- Finish schedule listing all materials in your chosen space
- Photos or samples of other materials selected
- Floor plan with keyed references to finish schedule
Prepare to share with the class. Format should be professional, such as a design board, power point, or portfolio notebook.
Step Five
Present your project to the class on May 2, 11:00 am.
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This is the written portion of my final project:
Susan Chambers
Materials and Resources
INDS 1130
Final Project
May 2, 2012
Hickory Engineered Hardwood
Specifications
Manufacturer: Armstrong
Wood Species: Hickory
Collection: Century Farm
Construction: Engineered
Product Number: GCH484MTLG
Finish System (protective surface coating): Permion Urethane
Look
Color: Mountain Smoke
Design/Texture (flooring surface appearance): Hand-scraped
Gloss Level: Low Gloss
Edge Type: Pillowed Edge/Pillowed Ends
Measurement
Width: 5”
Length: Varying Lengths: 9 – 48 in.
Thickness: ½ “
Square Foot per Carton: 28
Installation
DIY Level: Intermediate
Installation Location: Below/On/Above Ground Level
Installation Method: Glue or Staple or Floating
Product Classification
Board-to-Board Color Variation
Wood is a natural material that features changes in color and tone. The board-to-board color variation is more pronounced in some species, less in others. If you like the look of contrasting light and dark tones, select a species that offers most color variation. If you prefer consistent color from board to board, choose the least color variation.
Hardness Scale
The density/hardness of the wood species and its ability to withstand foot traffic, children and pets will impact its wear performance, and will vary from species to species. Strong, resilient Oak is used as the industry benchmark. The hardness scale shown to the left shows the relative hardness of this wood species.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered wood flooring is built up of layers of wood. It consists of three to ten layers, called plies that are glued together. This multi-ply structure gives engineered wood superior stability, greater than solid wood, which reduces concerns associated with shrinking and expanding when temperature and humidity change. Engineered wood can be installed below ground level making it a great choice for finished basements.
Installation
While it is not necessary to acclimate engineered flooring, it is best to store it in the environment in which is it expected to perform prior to installation.
Engineered flooring may be installed below-, on- or above- grade level. Do not install in full bathrooms.
This flooring can be glued, stapled or installed as a floating floor. For glued installation use Armstrong ProConnect Professional Hardwood Flooring Adhesive or Armstrong 57 Urethane Adhesive or Armstrong EverLAST Premium Urethane Adhesive.
For floating installation only, use a pad or underlayment. Armstrong recommends a polyfoam underlayment, Armstrong Quiet Comfort or Armstrong Quite Comfort Premium underlayment. The recommended wood glue for joint gluing of floating floor is Armstrong 99 Hardwood & Laminate Flooring Adhesive.
Purchase
This product can be purchased from many specialty retailers and home centers. Specialty retailers in Marietta, Georgia which carry the product include Select Floors, Inc., Enhance Floor Trends, Hackney Carpet and Wallpaper, Amazon Floors, Hardwood Floors Unlimited, Restor-It Flooring Systems, and Carpets by Dennis. Home centers in Marietta, Georgia which carry the product include Lowe’s and Home Depot.
Quantity Packaging/Pricing
The Armstrong website includes a Project Estimator tool which homeowners can use to get a sense of project budget, materials and installation needs. This product is sold in cartons of 28 square feet. The price ranges from $6.00 to $7.00 per square foot depending on where purchased.
When ordering flooring, 5% must be added to the actual square footage needed for cutting and grading allowance (10% for diagonal installations).
For floating installation only, a pad would also need to be purchased. Armstrong sells a product they recommend called S-1836 Quiet Comfort Underlayment Premium, which according to their website provides a moisture barrier with superior noise reduction and greater underfoot comfort. E-Floors.com sells this product for $69.99 for a 100 square foot roll.
Cleaning/Maintenance
Armstrong considers the term hardwood floors to include both engineered and solid hardwood floors. To care for Armstrong hardwood floors, first, dry mop or vacuum, then clean with Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner in the spray bottle. It comes in a ready-to-use, no-rinse formula, and it’s suitable for all gloss level finishes. For highly worn areas of your floor, try Bruce’s Fresh Finish to restore the shine.
Remember, dry mopping is fine for a quick dusting, but if all you do is dry mop, you will eventually grind the dirt into the surface of the floor. Use only cleaning products specifically designed for hardwood to remove soil.
Never use any cleaner that requires you to introduce water to hardwood floors – even sealed floors. Water will seep into and around the planks and cause serious damage to your floor.
