Essential Insights on Exterior Surface Materials for Floors and Walls

Applied materials for exterior surfaces define an important part of interior design. Therefore, in this regard, it is necessary to choose materials with an architectural perspective, because furniture and joinery play an important role in creating a favorable atmosphere. In this note, we intend to provide you with a summary of the necessary information in this regard by enumerating the characteristics of materials on external surfaces. The determination of external surface materials is done according to functional, aesthetic and economic factors.

Functional criteria

Safety and comfort:

The chosen materials for covering the surfaces are different and each one has an effective role in providing environmental comfort. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure their health and efficiency. Also, applied materials should be safe against pollution, moisture penetration and vermin, especially in areas where there is a lot of work and traffic.

Durability and stability:

Durability, resistance and durability of materials all refer to its useful life. Since external surfaces are in direct contact with all kinds of physical damage and environmental changes, it is necessary to evaluate the stability of materials against destructive factors.

Ease of cleaning, maintenance:

Cleaning different surfaces is done in different ways depending on their material. But what is important; It is easy to clean and maintain. Materials that require frequent cleaning mainly by absorbing pollution from the surroundings or that are difficult to clean are usually not a suitable option for use on external surfaces. Today, some self-cleaning materials are available in the market, which are popular due to their ease of maintenance.

Fire resistance:

One of the important criteria in choosing materials for external surfaces is how it is stable against fire, which should always be considered.

?Optimal acoustic properties:

One of the other factors to measure the applied materials on external surfaces is the acoustic issue. The selected materials should be a barrier against disturbing sounds and prevent them from penetrating into the space. Of course, the acoustic issue is checked and necessary measures are taken according to the performance of the space in its structure and before the carpentry stage. But in connection with practical materials, the use of sound absorbing materials in floors, walls and ceilings prevent the passage of sound. For example, using elastic acoustic foam flooring in a child's room is a good measure to prevent the spread of game noise. Also, due to the shock absorption of these floors, the safety of the space is also improved and the child can easily experience various games.

Aesthetic criteria:

These criteria include color (natural or synthetic), texture and pattern, each of which affects the user's choice and thus the feeling of the space. For example, using a light color for the floor gives extra brightness to the room, while the color Darkness absorbs a lot of light. Bright warm color gives a beautiful effect to the floor surface, and on the other hand, a sense of security can be induced by using warm and dark color. Light and cold color makes the space appear wide and dark and cold color gives depth and weight to the surface.

Economic criteria:

The costs of using materials on external surfaces are divided into two primary and secondary categories. The initial costs are related to the purchase of desired materials and their installation in the desired location. After that, the desired surface is faced with various damages that require secondary expenses for cleaning, repair, maintenance or replacement. Thus, the available costs are as follows:

·???????? Initial and installation costs

·???????? Cleaning costs

·???????? Maintenance cost up to the expected lifetime

·???????? The cost of replacing materials if needed

?Characteristics of applied materials on the outer surfaces of the floor:

The floor covers most of the surface of the room, so choosing the right materials is a little sensitive. Because the space user is usually looking for materials with good performance and beauty. The most important factor in choosing floor materials is to pay attention to its durability because the surface of the floor is regularly exposed to traffic, movement of furniture and furniture, wear, scratches, corrosion and other environmental damages, so its durability is an important criterion in choosing materials. It is suitable. Also, the comfort of walking on the floor surface depends on its flexibility and warmth. Floor materials are usually heated through radiant heat, their own thermal mass, or insulation. Also, if the surface of the floor has an appearance with soft textures, the degree of darkness and brightness is darker and the color is warm, it will look warm.

It is important to pay attention to the climate and the location of the building in its interior design and the selection of materials in different parts of the roof, floor, walls, etc. For example, it is not recommended to use hard and smooth materials in humid and rainy climates. Hard surfaces disrupt the peace of space by reflecting sound, while elastic floors reduce sound intensity, so users usually tend to use it.

In addition to the efficient role of inducing a special visual feature, floor coverings can play a useful role in the structure of the space due to color, design and background. Also, the floor surface, unlike the wall and ceiling surfaces, can convey its tactile characteristics, including its texture and density. The physical texture of the floor materials and how they are placed are directly related to the created visual message, and it is the visual texture that conveys the nature of the materials and the characteristics of a space to its user. This visual role can be used to define spaces, show the direction of movement, etc.

Characteristics of applied materials on the external surfaces of the walls:

In some cases, the outer surface of the wall is a complete part of the wall structure. While in some cases, the external surface is a separate layer that is connected to the wall frame. Also, in some cases, the external surface consists of a thin coating that is used on the surface of the wall.

The external surface of the walls is also exposed to the eyes of the users, just like the floor. Therefore, the criterion of beauty, including pattern, color and texture, is important in choosing its materials. Also, economic and functional factors are among the other issues that are taken into consideration in determining the materials of the external surfaces of the walls. In this regard, various questions are asked, each of which affects the work process in some way.

?Some examples of common questions are as follows:

·???????? What cover does the wall accept?

·???????? How much resistance does the desired material have?

·???????? How easy is the repair in case of damage?

·???????? How much sound absorption, light reflection and fire resistance is required?

·???????? How much does it cost to buy, install and run it?