FLOOR FINISHES

Types of Flooring

Laminate
Laminate flooring has now become a popular choice in homes. It combines the warm effect of wooden flooring with
strength and durability.
It succeeds where real wood, vinyl and carpet fail with exceptional resistance to impact as well as high resistance to shoe
heels, scuffs, spillages, dirt and staining.
As such, it is ideal for kitchens, childrens bedrooms and hallways.
Laminate flooring is maintenance free and does not need polishing, sanding or sealing.
Almost all laminate floors can now be fitted without glue using a 'click' system. This makes it fast, clean and simple to
lay and can be dismantled and re-installed if necessary.

Engineered
Engineered floors are also sometimes known as veneered floors or real wood laminates.
They provide a softer, more natural look than laminate floors using a real wood veneer but are not as resistant to abrasion
or impact.
A number of engineered floors are also now being manufactured with a 'click' system.
A huge benefit of engineered floors is stability, which makes them the preferred choice in rooms with underfloor heating.

Solid
Commonly referred to as hardwood floors, solid floors are made from real wood throughout and are seen by many people
as an investment rather than an expense.
Solid floors are generally 18-20mm thick and can be re-sanded, re-stained and re-sealed many times over.
Solid floors are genuinely floors for life.

Why Wood?
Here are just some of the reasons why more and more people are choosing wood floors in their homes today.

Wood is a natural, renewable source.

Wood floors are durable and can last for generations.

Wood floors beautify homes.

Wood floors are great for those who suffer from allergies and are often recommended by doctors - they have been shown to trap less animal fur, dust, pollen
mould.
Wood floors add value to homes.

Colours and Finishes

All flooring types come in a variety of colours or species. Lighter colours, such as ash, beech, maple and light oak remain the most popular. Medium shades
cherry, are also popular but there is a growing trend towards the darker colours, such as smoked oak, walnut, merbau, jatoba and teak.

Wood floors also come in a number of different finishes. A lacquered finish in either matt, satin or gloss for durability or an oiled finish to enhance the natu
the wood.
All floors come in an extensive array of designs and in a variety of different widths and lengths, each creating a different look and feel to the room.
Wood floors in particular can be laid in some very attractive patterns, herringbone being the most popular.

Here is the list of the Wall Finishes for decorating the Interiors and
Exteriors:
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8.

Stained Glass Finish

Pebbles Finish
Flakes Finish
Coral Finish
Canfor Finish
Tile Cladding
Wood Paneling
Sand Textured Finish

Stained Glass Finish

It involves lot of creative work. The glass is decorated with itching, frosting, glass pasting and
finally colouring with suitable colours according to the theme. The stained glass panels are used
on walls and ceilings.

Stained Glass Finish | Wall Finishes

Pebbles Finish
This a very simple and attractive finish obtained by pasting small pebbles on the walls with
cement mortar as an adhesive.

Pebbles finish is usually preferred for exterior facade. It is also commonly used to give nice
flowing effect to the waterfalls that are created especially designed for Hotel Interiors or as a part
of Exterior Landscaping.

Pebbles Finish | Wall Finishes

Flakes Finish
It is a special material used to enhance the elevation treatment of the building. It is majorly used
for the exterior facade. It has also been used for the interiors but to a very small extent.
Application of flakes finish is avoided in the interiors because chipping off of flakes is a trouble.
The flakes are applied with a trovel on walls over a coat of adhesive.

Flakes Finish | Wall Finishes

Coral Finish
Coral finish is similar to Plaster of Paris Finish and Gypsum Plaster Finish. Coral is the name of
a type of plastering material. It gives a rough edgy finish.

Coral Finish | Wall Finishes

Canfor Finish
Canfor finish is also known as Faux finish. This material is used for the interiors of residences. It
adds a unique aesthetic appeal to the place. It comes in 6mm thickness and in different designs.
This finish is chosen when a false finish is to be given. It gives a stone wall or brick wall effect.

Canfor Finish or Faux Finish | Wall Finishes

Tile Cladding
Different tiles, for example, granite, marble, glazed tiles or vitrified tiles are used for tile
cladding. Tiles are available in a variety of colours and shapes. The selection of tiles depends on
the place where it is to be applied i.e. interior facade or exterior facade.

Tile Cladding | Wall Finishes

Wood Panelling
It is a decorative treatment done with wooden panels on the walls in various designs. The
material used can be plywood or wood covered with veneer or laminate.

Wood Panelling | Wall Finishes

Sand Textured Finish

Sand Textured finish is used to give fine texture to the wall. This wall finish is not very
commonly used because of its grains coming out.

Sand Textured Finish | Wall Finishes

The range of wall finishes could be used to achieve desired effects. The aesthetic appearance of
the interiors and the exteriors could be enhanced by the use of these finishes appropriately.

Different Kinds of Ceiling Finishes

The Many Different Ceiling Styles and Finishes
NEW - Use what price to find a tradesman for all types of decorating work, from painting to
plastering
The Medieval age saw the rise of awe-inspiring Cathedrals that even with today's construction
technology will be quite challenging to duplicate. The Medieval man had this quest of reaching
out to the heavens as exemplified by the spires and vaulted ceilings of the Middle Ages.
Frescoes, executed by great artists of those times like Michelangelo, were commissioned by the
church to further give emphasis to "looking up and reaching out" to heaven.
Today, the market is flooded with different ceiling finishing materials. There is no need for a
"Michelangelo" to do your ceiling "frescoes" as you can readily buy a roll of decorative sheet
and glue the sheet yourself on the ceilings. However, the great ceiling styles of the past are still
being employed up to now. Though most homes have flat ceilings to conform to the generic
construction materials available in the market, there are buildings that depart from the norm for
aesthetics or structural functions.
Basic Ceiling Styles

Architects strive to give their clients unique, functional and aesthetically pleasing designs. The
ceiling is one great feature to do details on as its wide expanse draws one's attention to it. There
are different ceiling styles that were used and still being used today. Modern construction
technology no longer requires decades to construct magnificent ceilings.

Conventional ceiling - It is usually 2.40 metres high to fit standard construction material.
The finishing is usually drywall or plaster.

Suspended ceiling - It is also a type of conventional ceiling. The difference is that a

suspended ceiling is flat ceiling built under an existing ceiling.

Cathedral ceiling - As the name implies, this is a sloping ceiling attached to the trusses
of the roof up to the ridge.

Shed ceiling - This type is similar to a cathedral ceiling but only one side is sloped.
However the rise of the ceiling is not as steep as the cathedral type.

Vaulted ceiling - This type has an angle or arch that starts from the top of walls or
columns to the ceiling for a dramatic, high and spacious feel.

Tray ceilings- This type aims to resemble an upside down tray. The centre is flat with
side sloping from the walls.

Cove ceiling - This type is actually a flat ceiling that has rounded corners joining the
ceiling and the wall.
Different Ceiling Finishes
Just like the walls of a house, the ceiling has to be decorated or "finished" to some extent. A
building's ceiling is in direct proportion to its floor that is why special consideration should be
attributed to a ceiling's finishing too.
Plaster - Plastering is probably the "oldest" form of finishing there is known to modern
construction. Even the great Cathedrals centuries ago used plaster for their interior finishing.
Plastering has evolved over the centuries. There are now various techniques to make your plaster
finish more interesting.
o Plain Plaster -This is plain cement plastering that could be used as base for other types of
ceiling finishing.

o Sand face plastering - A cement mortar with a 1:4 cement and coarse sand ratio is applied.
After a week, the second coat is applied this time in a 1:3 ratio. The result is a plaster finish that
has a sandy look and feel.
o Rough Cast Plaster - The plaster is a mix of sand and gravel splattered on wet cement plaster.
The finishing has a rustic feel.
o Pebbled Dash Plaster - It is the same as rough cast plaster but 6mm pebbles are used instead.
Drywall - Is the term applied to a method of construction using gypsum boards. These are panels
made of gypsum plaster that is pressed between thick sheets of paper then kiln dried. This
method of construction and material is easier and faster to install that plastering. There are
different types of drywall materials available in any home depot. There is the regular white board
from ' to ' thick. Some subtypes that came out in the last two decades are: fire-resistant
boards; blueboard; greenboard; cement board; soundboard or acoustical board; soundproof
drywall; mould-resistant boards; foil-backed drywall; ceiling boards that are stiffer than the
regular " boards and of course the environ board, which is needless to say is made of recycled
materials.
There are drywall ceiling finishing that can add interest to a flat drywall ceiling. Some of these
textures are now being used extensively in modern structures as they are cost-effective and
simple to apply to a point.
Skim coating - A professional can plaster a type of skim coating to

seal up joints in the drywall and add a little texture to the finishing.
Mud Swirl - A thin compound is applied to the board and a

finishing "swirled" with each swirl overlapping. The technique could be done by a regular DIYer with practice.
Popcorn ceiling texture - The special finishing can be done with

the use if a specified machine containing joint compound that has an air hose to blow the
compound on the ceiling surface. The effect is stunning more so if you could add some glitter
with the compound for effect.

Plaster Stencilling - The raised plaster stencilling could add focal

points on a flat and boring ceiling.

Artex - Is a type of surface coating used in ceilings. The mixture can be applied on the ceiling
and you can basically do you own designs in application by using a roller brush with design,
plain brush or by using a piece of rug and go freestyle. Up until the 1980s Artex was made with
asbestos. It is safe to assume that only Artex prior to 1980 are unsafe.
Other ceiling finishings that are worth considering are: wallpaper with matching borders;
painting the ceiling with textured paint; metal ceilings; and faux stucco.

Flat
Matte, or flat, finishes refract light and therefore produce low or no luster on your exterior walls. This
finish is often a preferred choice for old wooden siding, or siding with bumps, cracks or imperfections.

Satin
Satin finish is considered to be a more universal exterior finish. It looks and feels at home on many
types of exterior walls, such as manufactured siding, wood and cement. It delivers a subtle degree of
sheen, similar to the shine on brand new siding, while offering a durable surface that can be washed
to remove soils, stains and other airborne particulates.

Semi-Gloss
A semi-gloss paint is very durable and washable, and will produce a visible shine on your exterior
surfaces. Semi-gloss paint is typically used for doors, gutters, shutters and trim. It is ideal for
environments that may experience frequent cleaning or require added durability due to abrasion or
other performance flaws.

Gloss

Gloss finishes deliver the highest level of shine and durability and can highlight doors, trim and other
architectural elements. Generally, gloss paints are not used for exterior walls.

For exterior doors, shutters, gutters or trim, use a semi-gloss or high gloss finish.

For exterior walls and siding, choose flat, satin or semi-gloss finish.

For wood siding, use a flat or satin finish.

On masonry or block, use a satin or semi-gloss finish.

With manufactured sidingaluminum, steel, vinyl or fiber cementuse a satin finish.

3 Exterior Types of Paint Finishes:

Flat paint finish is the most porous of the three and doesn't reflect light.
It works great for painting older houses and can help hide many flaws and imperfections on the
walls, but is not suitable for painting high traffic surfaces like doors or windows.
Plus, flat paint gets soiled faster, which is especially noticeable with lighter paint colors.

Satin paint finish is the most popular among homeowners.

It is neither dull nor shiny and has a subtle sheen that is ideal for painting walls. It really dresses
up the house and is easy to maintain and keep clean with regular pressure washing.
Satin paint is more durable than flat paint, but still not hard enough to be used for painting doors
and windows.

Gloss paint finish is the toughest and the easiest to clean, but must be used sparingly.
Glossy paint used for painting the entire body of a house? That would be too much of a good
thing and would make you home look plastic.
Besides, this shiny finish reflects light and will magnify every little surface flaw ten times, so it's
better to use this heavy duty paint in places that really need it, like doors and door
frames, windows, handrails, etc. Or, you can draw attention to some architectural detail on
your house and make it really stand out by painting it with a glossy paint finish.
How to Choose an Interior Paint Finish
Choosing a paint finish for interior walls depends on the desired amount of shine and durability.
The most common interior paint finishes (paint sheen) are flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and
high-gloss. Choosing the right paint finish for your interior project depends on the look,
durability, and ambiance you want.

Flat finish: Available only in latex paint, a flat finish is opaque and sophisticated. It
works great on interior walls and ceilings. As the least shiny finish available, it doesn't clean
well and isnt suited for kitchens, baths, or childrens bedrooms.
If you have kids, choose carefully. The only way to get rid of fingerprints and scribbles on a
flat-finish wall is to paint over them.

Eggshell finish: An eggshell finish is often used for decorative finishes because it
provides a low luster. It cleans up better than a flat finish, but probably not as well as you
would want in a kitchen or bathroom.

Satin finish: The most popular paint sheen is a satin finish. It has more sheen than
eggshell or satin and cleans better too. This finish is a good choice for woodwork, walls,
doors, and hallways. It's also great for bedrooms and dining rooms.Satin is washable but it
isnt scrubbable, so you probably don't want to use it around your toddler's craft table.

Semi-gloss finish: A semi-gloss paint will give your room a subtle shine. Its scrubbable
and good for moldings, doors, windows, kitchens, and baths.

High-gloss finish: A high-gloss finish has a shiny, polished look. Its also stain resistant
and very scrubbable, which makes it a good choice for the areas of a home that get the most
wear and tear, such as kitchens and baths. Food splatter or even crayon marks will clean up
easily on a high-gloss finish.

When youre deciding on which sheen you want to use, remember the higher the sheen, the
darker and more intense the color will be. Also, high-gloss paint reflects light and makes
imperfections in your walls more noticeable. So before you apply this paint finish, take the time
to prep your walls and make them extra smooth.
Although most paint finishes are available in either latex- or oil-based paints, you'll want to
evaluate the pros and cons of latex- and oil-based paints to determine which is right for you.

6 Types of Interior Wall Paints Explained

There are several different types of interior wall paints. The more you know about appropriate
paintable surfaces and the effects that paint can achieve, the easier it is to make the right choice
among the varieties. Its also feasible to mix different types of interior wall paint within a room.
Matt Paint
Matt color is the most common of interior wall paints. Theres no shine or sheen to the finish,
making it ideal for walls and ceilings where you don't want any visual distractions. Its easy to
apply, although it can often take more than a single coat to create a good solid color. Matt paint
can be applied with a brush or roller and works well on walls that have imperfections. This
makes it ideal for older houses. On the downside, matt paint is easily marked. Although some
marks can be removed with a damp cloth, matt paint needs regular retouching.
Matt Enamel
Matt enamel is very much like matt paint, but tends to be far more durable. Its much easier to
clean and rarely needs retouching, giving it a great advantage, especially if you have young
children. It is also excellent for the kitchen, where youll regularly need to wipe walls. The visual
effect is very similar to matt paint and it can be applied in the same way.
Satin
Satin finish is one of the types of interior wall paint that many people know of, but few really
understand. The finish is somewhere between matt and gloss and produces a low, soft sheen. This
makes it ideal for areas where youll need to clean the walls regularly. However, you shouldnt
use a satin finish where you have a wall with imperfections because it will make them more
apparent.
TIP: Painting professional Edward Kimble, author of Interior House Painting Blog, notes,
semi-gloss and eggshell paint go further than flat paint. One gallon of shiny paint will go a lot
further than one gallon of flat paint.

Eggshell
An eggshell finish has a shine thats extremely subtle but without the same smoothness as a satin
finish. Thus, it doesnt highlight imperfections quite as much, making it much more suitable as
an interior wall paint. Its easy to apply and can often cover in a single coat, making it a better
choice for many people.
TIP: Edward suggests, Shiny paints bring out imperfections. Trust me on this. Spackle spots
and other repairs are greatly accentuated by shiny paint, and they have to be perfect. Flat hides,
shiny brings out repairs. Also, spackle spots must be primed or they will show up as flat spots in

the shiny paint. The best way (this is my secret) to cover spackle and repair patches under semi
gloss is to buy a quart of flat paint tinted to the color of the finish coat and spot prime the repairs.
Semi-Gloss
Semi-gloss is another common interior paint, although its more commonly used on trim rather
than the walls. It offers a hard finish, is suitable to heavy use and is easy to clean with just soap
and water. The shine produced is less than full gloss paint, but its usually easy to achieve a good
covering with just a single coat.
Gloss Paint
Apart from matt paint, gloss paint is the most common interior wall paint. Its one you can use on
most walls, although some people use it sparingly on these surfaces and prefer to use it on
woodwork because of its high shine. Gloss paint shows up all the imperfections on a wall and
achieving an even coverage on a wall will often need more than a single coat of paint.
TIP: Edward reminds you, Note that shiny paints take longer to dry, so plan your project with
hours of drying time between coats. Fans will speed up drying. Edward Kimble, professional
painter and author of Interior House Painting Blog, contributed to this article.