Building Decorative Materials

Buildings should not only be functional but aesthetically pleasing. This requires the use of decorative materials both on the exterior and inside a building. Building decorative materials reviews the range of materials available and their potential applications. The book begins by considering the main types of decorative material and the physical, mechanical and other properties they require. It then discusses types and potential uses of decorative stone materials such as marble, granite, slate or gypsum. It then goes on to discuss the ways cement and concrete can be used for decorative effect, before considering the role of ceramics in such areas as tiling. The following chapters review decorative glass for windows or facades, metals and wood before assessing polymer materials such as plastics and textiles. The final group of chapters discuss coatings, including waterproofing materials, multi-functional materials used for such purposes as soundproofing and thermal insulation, and the use of more sustainable decorative materials. Building decorative materials is a useful reference for architects, civil engineers and those studying civil or structural engineering. Reviews the full range of materials available for both the exterior and interior of buildings and their potential applications beyond conventional uses Considers the main types of decorative material and the physical, mechanical and other properties they require as the role of sustainable materials Discusses types and potential uses of decorative stone materials such as marble, granite, slate or gypsum and explores how cement and concrete can be used for decorative effect

Over the concluding decades of the twentieth century, the historic preservation community increasingly turned its attention to modern buildings, including bungalows from the 1930s, gas stations and diners from the 1940s, and office buildings and architectural homes from the 1950s. Conservation efforts, however, were often hampered by a lack of technical information about the products used in these structures, and to fill this gap Twentieth-Century Building Materials was developed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service and first published in 1995. Now, this invaluable guide is being reissued—with a new preface by the book’s original editor. With more than 250 illustrations, including a full-color photographic essay, the volume remains an indispensable reference on the history and conservation of modern building materials. Thirty-seven essays written by leading experts offer insights into the history, manufacturing processes, and uses of a wide range of materials, including glass block, aluminum, plywood, linoleum, and gypsum board. Readers will also learn about how these materials perform over time and discover valuable conservation and repair techniques. Bibliographies and sources for further research complete the volume. The book is intended for a wide range of conservation professionals including architects, engineers, conservators, and material scientists engaged in the conservation of modern buildings, as well as scholars in related disciplines.

Written by an architect with many years' experience in practice and teaching, this book is a well-illustrated introduction to the great range of materials used in much of the world's building and construction. It is the only book of its type on the market, and suitable for anyone teaching or studying for building trades, architecture, building, landscape design, structural engineering, and allied disciplines. When first published, a reviewer commented, "This book has filled a large gap in publications available to both students and the building professions." The Fourth (2009) Edition is now available, incorporating many references to current standard codes, research, manufacturers, and other authoritative information on the internet, to expand content further if needed.

Organized by types of materials and applications, this guide helps designers successfully address material evaluation and selection of interior components. Engagingly written, highly detailed, and helpfully illustrated with more than 550 color illustrations, Materials for Interior Environments is a comprehensive guide to everything a designer needs to know about the materials available for interiors—from aesthetic qualities to manufacturing and fabrication, applications, installation and maintenance, and specifications for materials used in commercial and residential applications.

Although steel and glass dominate modern cities, Britain boasts innumerable beautiful examples of more traditional construction methods. Many date from the period before easy nationwide transportation, when materials were usually grown or extracted locally, and as a result Britain has a varied legacy of vernacular buildings that reflects its multitude of different landscapes. They display a rich and colorful palette of materials, from the honey-colored stone of the Cotswolds to the red earth of Devon and grey granite of Aberdeen. In this book, buildings historian Matthew Slocombe looks at the range of materials used for walls and roof coverings, explores the processes involved in their extraction, production and manufacture, and outlines the diverse range of skills required for their use in construction.

This publication reveals for the first time the singular contribution that the architects George & Edward Blum made to the design of the New York apartment building. The Blums' buildings, designed between 1910 & 1930, are superbly embellished with complex brick patterning & are highlighted by unusual detail in terra cotta & art tile. This book investigates the influence of Parisian design on the Blums' work & places their apartment houses within the larger context of residential development in New York City. It also explores the varied designs & innovative handling of decorative materials found in these in buildings.

"First published in Great Britain in 2003 by Laurence King Publishing Ltd, London."--T.p. verso.

Hi-early cement. Aiguille. Darby. You' re in the middle of a home improvement project and suddenly you' re confronted with words you' ve never seen before. You don' t know what these things are, how to use them or how you' re supposed to even recognize them at the hardware store. Help is here for every homeowner or do-it-yourselfer who' s ever stumbled over strange terminology, misleading instructions or inadequate explanations. Now, with this unique, fully illustrated dictiona you' ll have the one tool every successful do-it-yourselfer needs-- a complete understanding of your next home improvement project. This comprehensive dictionary features: Straightforward, plain-English explanations covering 4,000 building tools, terms, materials, and techniques-- 850 of which are shown in practical, helpful, cross-referenced illustrations Complete coverage of building, plumbing, electrical wiring, solar heating, hardware, architecture, heating, air conditioning, and more-- including everything from archaic and slang expressions to the latest technical information Dozens of useful charts, tables, and illustrated guides to common abbreviations, lumber, and plywood grades, hardware specifications, construction measurements and formulas-- a wealth of reference information Full cross-referencing and grouping of related terms under a single heading to keep all the information you need accessible and ready to put to work Tackle your next project with this do-it-yourselfer' s reference power tool and feel the self-assurance that comes from knowing every professional term, technique, and tool-- no matter how obscure.