WALL COVERINGS AND CEILINGS Walls ceilings and floors

WALL COVERINGS AND CEILINGS

Walls, ceilings and floors comprise the largest visual portion of a room.

Ceilings � � � Long ago were often painted with murals, designs or pendants. Most materials discussed can be used on ceilings Average height is 8 feet. High or angled ceilings lend a feeling of dignity Low or beamed ceilings create a warm and informal room. Acoustic materials absorb sound

Walls � Bearing: Support weight of structure and can not be removed. � Non-bearing: Partitions that define space � They serve as: ○ Dividers for privacy ○ Noise control ○ Structure ○ Aesthetics.

� Overview of Materials Examples: Brick Fabric Metal Wood � Natural Cork Paint Tile Concrete Glass Plaster Paper Stone and Fabricated materials � Materials can be used on walls, ceilings and sometimes floors

Appearance… � � � � Large patterns will make a large room appear closer. Small patterns and light colors make a small room appear larger. Mirrors create an illusion of space. Wall coverings should coordinate with furnishings. Colors should not overpower furnishings. Vertical stripes will make a wall appear taller Tall walls appear lower when ceiling and walls are same color. Choosing a dominant feature in the room will help determine wall coverings.

Wall Coverings � Hard or Rigid Materials: Brick, Tile, Glass, Metal, Wood �Costly �Are permanent �Require little/no upkeep �Give natural texture �Considered classic

Wall Coverings � Paper: Paper, Vinyl, Flocked, Embossed, Foiled, Mural �Tremendous variety to choose from �Low to high cost, mostly modest �Imitates natural materials �Covers blemished walls �Coordinates/Allows creativity �Instant décor �Can be washed depending on type of paper.

Purchasing Wallpaper Strippable – easy to remove Scrubable – design remains when scrubbed Pre-pasted – glue already applied to back Single rolls are harder to match patterns because they are not as long as double rolls, which is twice the amount on the roll � Packaged and sold by the ROLL (not foot/yard). � Run/dye Number printed on wallpaper indicates which dye lot it came from. �

Wall Coverings � Fabric �Large variety of patterns and colors �Mounted in different ways: shirred, frames, upholstered, stapling �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

Molding � Available in a wide range of colors, grains & species � Hides architectural flaws � Provides insulation � Hides seams or dry wall

Crown Molding Finishes a top edge Chair Rail/Wainscot Divides room horizontally Base Board Covers lowest part of wall

Wall Coverings � Paint �Most popular �Least expensive wall covering �Offers color, texture and variety �Provides visual excitement �Bright = attention �Dark = close/advance �Light = open/expand

Faux: Imitates other materials Trump l’oeil: fool the eye, 3 -D

Paint � Types �Oil-Based ○ Durable and washable ○ Chosen for walls and ceilings in bathrooms and kitchens ○ Can not clean up brushes with water �Latex ○ Easily applied ○ Water based, easy clean up ○ Often used for living, dining and bedrooms. � Finishes �Gloss, semi-gloss, satin and flat

Flat Finish Flat finish softens walls and helps hide surface imperfections. � It is the least expensive � Totally shine-free � Good for Ceilings where you will not need to wash them often � Stains can be difficult to remove, so do not use in high-traffic areas �

Paint - Eggshell Provides greater warmth and depth to surfaces than flat paints. � Resist stains better than flat paints, although not as well as semigloss and high-gloss finishes. �

Satin Finish � Satin and low luster paints have a slightly higher sheen than eggshell finishes � Is slightly easier to clean than a flat and eggshell finish

Semi-gloss Finish Slightly glossy appearance � less reflective than gloss paints � They offer good stain resistance, are easy to clean, and may be a good choice if you have young children � Most experts agree that the highest quality semi-gloss paints are 100% acrylic latex paints, which also come in enamel grades. �

High-Gloss � � � Highly reflective appearance Toughest, most durable, and most stain-resistant finish They are easier to clean Ideal for areas exposed to heavy traffic or use, especially those prone to fingerprints or grime Tend to highlight surface imperfections. Both latex and oil-based gloss paints are referred to as enamels.

Bob Villa’s Interior Paint Selection Guide Where traffic, moisture, and abrasion are likely to occur, high-gloss finishes may be recommended. Flat finishes and low-luster paints are better suited to quieter areas of the home and new construction.