Materials

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of calcium carbonate, (like aragonite or coral), or carbonate of lime (limestone or dolomite, a variety of calcite) which are expose to very high temperature and pressure, that create a beautiful crystallization. 90% is calcium carbonate, the rest of components are impurities. These impurities are responsible to give marble this great variety of colors and designs. At the same time, they define the physical properties of the rock.

Marble is mainly used in construction, decoration and sculpture. Is one of the favorite materials to Architect and Designers for construction and remodeling. Professionals always try to generate a connection with nature through this material. The most common uses are floor tiles and walls, kitchen and bathroom countertops, stairs, facades, furniture, columns, among other frames and surfaces.

Marble is capable of creating elegant, clean and sleek environments, littered with distinctive details.

This material shows unique color, durability and texture characteristics, which make it a highly demanded piece of construction in the international market. Since is a natural product, each one of the pieces is virtually unique, because of this, constructors and the general public appreciate it so much.

Technically this is one of the best and most durable construction materials and thank to industrial advances its manipulation is very simple. Marble is not an economic alternative, although nowadays its value sometimes is similar to other construction materials, so is always worth the investment, because with little care and maintenance it can last forever.

The word ceramic comes from the Greek “keramiké”. This material is formed with inorganic non-metallic substances by the action of heat. Since the 1950’s the most important materials were the traditional clays, use in pottery, bricks and tiles; including cement and glass.

From the practical point of view, ceramic is a very good option for floors and walls lining since is very easy to clean, making it a very popular material in constructions and renovations.

Mixing clay with water, forming dough that hardens, makes ceramic. The different compositions, degree of purity of the product and the cooking process create diverse forms of ceramic. Ceramic has many applications, such as: tiles, bathroom appliances, high heat resistant coating, stoneware, etc.

Ceramic has characteristics of color and texture that make it an attractive item for designing. It is water resistant and unaffected by many chemical components, which make it very easy to maintain and clean. Some ceramics are very porous and need to be cleaned with special products. If you wish to protect them, you can seal or varnish them using a special product por tiling.

Ceramic is a perfect material for those zones where fast cleaning and maintenance is needed. There are may types of ceramics in the market to be used in walls, floors, interior and exterior, or in any areas with high traffic or friction.

Tile is a thin ceramic piece, usually squared, in which one of the faces is glazed, produced by the action of heat over an enamel substance that becomes shiny and impermeable. This surface can be monochromatic or polychromatic, smooth or rough. Tiles are fabricated with clays, silica, fluxes, coloring and other prime materials. Traditionally its fabrication was performed using manual processes and methods, but since the 1970’s the process started to automate. The most common method in the fabrication of his product is the “slugging”.

Tiles area commonly associated to architecture. They can be applied to interior or exterior surfaces, or used as a single decorative piece.  The versatility of the decorative element can be used in walls, paves, ceilings, gardens, and religious buildings (churches and convents).

The decorative value of the tile is very high in demand, because or the low cost and the versatility of enhancing a construction in a practical and functional way. Today tiles are utilized for its impermeable characteristics, mor than the decorative value, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.

Using current terminology, the word “paint” is understood as only one part of what is known as organic coating; these can be paints, varnishes, enamels, lacquers, dry sealants and all the various products like the solvents.

Organic coatings show the following characteristics depending on the composition: good flow and leveling; amount of spraying and film thickness, fast drying, high impermeability, good adhesion, flexibility and toughness, abrasion resistance and durability.

At the same time, the word “paint” refers to the substances utilized to generate color  that usually translates into a mixture of a pigment with a binder, which may be diluted to a greater or lesser extent. There are also paintings that do not require a binder, such as latex, acrylics and leads.

There is a variety of techniques that can be considered as paintings, as well as supports and motifs. The techniques can differentiate into oily and water based, fixed or immovable (parietal or murals) and mobile (easel and canvas painting).

In the field of design and renovating buildings, the primary function of the application of paints is not only decorate or give color to the surface but also to protect these areas from environment agents that can damage the surfaces. A crucial factor when applying paint is how to choose the most appropriate painting according to the structural and environmental situations in the environment.

Not only should analyze the aesthetic qualities of the chosen paint, but also their technical characteristics. Sometimes, one type of paint is not enough to protect a surface effectively. In such cases, it is necessary to combine layers of paint that have different characteristics between them; each layer will provide a specific protection.

As mentioned, the environmental conditions are a key factor to consider before implementing a kid of painting. The geographical location in which they are located property then, must always be taken into account. Thus, in coastal and mountainous areas should buy a product that protects against ultraviolet radiation and salinity in desert areas and industries must also protect against salinity and the atmospheric acidity and southern areas should take special care with the moisture.

In the global market, there are two major types of paints: Oil-based paints and water based. Oil paints are known by that name because the binding agent is mainly made with oils and resins. These paintings are considered high durability and abrasion resistant. The cleaning of the tools used with this type of paint should be performed with the help of a solvent.

In the second type of paints, “water paints”, the binding agent is also resin, but it is dissolved in water. This type of paint is more popular among consumers because the tools used with this paint can be cleaned only with soap and water. The water paints are very durable, easy to apply and maintain a good color on surfaces.

On the other hand, paints can be classified in two groups: Frequently used or Regular paints and Special paints.

Here are the specifications of the different groups:

Frequently Used Paints

• Anti-condensation paint: This is an oil-based paint used in areas where humidity is water vapor and humidity are very high, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
• Anti-mould paint: This type of paint is designed to eliminate the growing of mould.
• Antioxidant paint: This is a latex paint. It is used as regular enamel.
• Enhanced emulsion: This paint is used outdoors and is resin soluble.
• Structured paint: This is a think paint. Its consistency allows covering a surface easily.
• Gloss paints: The key features of this paint are hardness and resistance this is why this paint is utilized mostly on floors.

Special Paints

• Ecological paints: This is a paint that do not use solvents or toxic products. Its use is recommended in areas where children are present, such as children bedrooms, day cares, etc.
• Water-based paints (Latex): This type of paint uses water as solvent. Today most of the resins used for the manufacture area acrylic emulsions. These paints are also known as water acrylics. This paintings stands out because of the durability of the color, as well as the simple cleaning of the tools (Only water is required).
• Synthetic paints: This paint uses synthetic resins to dissolve and to clean the utensils. It comes in gloss, semi-gloss and matte. IT can be used outdoors as well as indoors, and is very hard, resistant and washable.
• Primer paint: This paint is used as a based in virgin surfaces, so the actual paint is not absorbed by the porous paint. It is also used to cover imperfections and old colors.
• Plastic paints: This type of paint can be bonded with synthetic resins, vinyl or water. They are odorless and dry very quickly. They are also washable and they come in gloss, semi-gloss, and matte.
• Texture paints: This type of paint has become in a decorative alternative to the matte paints and wallpaper. The variety of textures that can be accomplished with this type of paint is virtually infinite. These paints can be found in pre-mixed latex formulas to achieve a pointed result. The powder formulas are excellent to produce a clay or stucco finishing.

A door is an opening in a solid designed structure o meant to allow transit when required. Doors are nearly universal in buildings of all kinds, allowing passage between the inside and outside, and between internal rooms. When open, they admit ventilation and light. The purpose of a door closure is primarily to give occupants a space privacy and security by regulating access. For this propose, doors are equipped with a variety of fittings ranging from simple latches to locks.

The door is used to control the physical atmosphere within a space by enclosing it, excluding air drafts, so that interiors may be more effectively heated or cooled. Doors are significant in preventing the spread of fire. Doors also have an aesthetic role in creating an impression of what lies beyond. They are also used to screen areas of a building for aesthetic purposes, keeping formal and utility areas separate. They act as a barrier to noise.

A door that can be installed with little more than a simple functional intention is a door that can be perfectly integrated into the aesthetics of the elements that surround it; all its structural parts can be matched to the same design patterns and decorations. A door can achieve amazing effects in the space where installed, in fact, it can give a brighter and larger optical illusion to the room, that how it actually is.

The functionality of the design changes according to the configuration and needs of the environment. The door types vary with the context of installation. It is not the same a door for a bathroom, a door for a kitchen, main entrance, the bedroom or garage. The location of the door is a crucial factor when choosing the model. There area many varieties of doors in today’s market consumers have a wide range to choose from according to their tastes, needs and budgets.

There are four different elements to be taken in consideration while choosing the right door: the opening mechanism, the material, the framework and the finishing.

Here’s the definition of such classification:

According to the Opening Mechanism

• Folding doors: These doors are the most common among users. They can be sed indoors, as well as outdoors they can be opened in both directions and can be single or double. Only this kind of doors area those that allow installing a handle at ease also presents an excellent ability to closure. If you want to keep almost hermetically closed room, the double doors are the best alternative.
• Sliding doors: The sliding doors slide on fixed rails located at the top of the frame. They are a very good option for separating and integrating spaces within a building. For this reason, they are usually used to separate, for example, the lounge from the dinning room or the office from the bedroom, etc. They can also be used in closets and backyard access and terraces. This door does not close as the folding door, so they are not recommended for kitchen and bathroom doors.
• Swing doors: These doors can be opened in 180 degrees, thank to special hatches. Because of the typo of opening, these doors area mostly used in kitchens. Once it’s been opened the door closes by itself, preventing the view of the inside of the other room.

The Material

• Wooden doors: Wood is an excellent material to make doors. It is highly adaptable, and goes well in almost any environment. However, there area certain factors that should be taken in consideration to pick the right door. These types of doors suffer deformities due to the environment changes that they can be exposed. To protect this type of doors, layers of paint should be applied every so often. Because exterior wooden doors are very heavy, they tend to curve, so fiberglass coats are applied to correct this abnormality.
• Steel doors: These types of doors are design to protect high value belongings. Usually these doors present a higher level of difficulty at the moment of installing. Their framework must be well settled so the door can fit in place. These doors can get very expensive, so people sometimes choose a more economical alternative. Steel doors are commonly used in banks, mansions and museums, because of the high security these doors provide.
• The frame: The different types of framework define the level of resistance in every door.
• Hollow doors: These types of doors present a level of resistance that is very low. That is why they are considered poor quality and fragile.
• Coated doors: These doors present a good level of resistance so it’s easy to maintain them.
• Solid doors: These doors area more resistant to the ravages of the environment (beatings, weather, etc.). They are manufactured with a plank of wood that fits better aesthetically and structurally. This is why their prices are usually high.

Finishing

The chosen finishing for the door has to do a lot with the style desired.

• Plain door: This type of doors can be varnished or unvarnished. They are the cheapest kind of doors. If someone considers the purchase of a plain-varnished door, a special attention should be given to finish of the varnish. If the varnish is good quality the door will be resistant, on the other hand, if the coating is of poor quality the door will deteriorate rapidly with the use. Because of their type of finishing these gates.
• Doors with mouldings: These doors are perfect to be used as folding doors. They always show a classic sense because of its mouldings or borders in relief. The mouldings just by themselves also ensure a classic finish.
• Lacquered doors: These doors are used as sliding doors and swinging doors. They can have mouldings, windows or be completely plain. They are also manufactured in various colors. They area usually more expensive than plain-varnished doors.
• Glass doors: These doors are mostly used in areas that do not receive a sufficient amount of natural light (corners, hallways, small rooms, etc.). These glass doors are able to take advantage of the light they receive to areas that required light. A great variety of crystals can be made for these doors, such as bevelled glass, acid glass, smoked glass, carved glass, whites and so on. Everything depends on the taste and needs of consumers.

To conclude this section on the doors as building materials and renovation it is important to mention a kind of door highly demanded by people from all parts of the world: Shower doors. Because of the elegant and distinctive atmosphere, they produce, there is an increasing demand on these types of doors. They are able to generate a very special environment and intimate in the bathroom. The shower doors brightness, functionality and beauty to the bathroom. In today’s market, there are many designs and styles of shower doors. The most common material in the manufacturing of these doors is tempered glass, a material that is vital since it produces a high degree of resistance and security to the door. These doors are much more comfortable and the cleaning is more reliable than shower curtains.

The shower doors are made of a tempered glass and are ideal for use in shower booths, bathrooms separations, bulkheads for tubs and receptacles.