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DECORATIVE TREATMENTS
Structure
6.1 Introduction
Objectives
6.2 Polymers
6.3 Polymer Concrete Composites
6.3.1 Polymer Impregnated Concrete (PIC)
6.3.2 Polymer Concrete (PC)
6.3.3 Polymer Cement Concrete (PCC)
6.3.4 Sandwich Material
6.4 Glass
6.5 Decorative Plastering
6.6 Exterior Finishing Materials
6.6.1 Stone Facing
6.6.2 Granite
6.6.3 Limestone
6.6.4 Marble
6.6.5 Brick Veneer
6.6.6 Terracotta Facing (Ceramic Veneer)
6.6.7 Texture Finishes
6.7 Interior Finishing Materials
6.7.1 Wood Finishes
6.7.2 Gypsum Finishes
6.7.3 Clay Finishes
6.7.4 Stone Finishes
6.7.5 Concrete Finishes
6.7.6 Hardboard Finishing Panels
6.7.7 Fibre Board Panels
6.7.8 Wall Paper
6.7.9 Steel, Non-ferrous Metal and Plastics
6.7.10 Cork Tiles
6.8 Miscellaneous Decorative Finishes
6.9 Summary
6.10 Answers to SAQs
6.1 INTRODUCTION
The construction industry is ever increasing in its technological advancement.
Hence, it is necessary to get acquainted with the modern construction materials
and prevailing trends in decorative treatments.
The main consideration for this development is the change in the outlook of the
designer as well as of the user. Nowadays, building has become more
aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.
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Engineering Materials In this unit, our particular emphasis will be on modern construction materials and
decorative treatment & finishes on different surfaces in a building.
Objectives
This unit will help you to develop clear understanding of the modern construction
materials such as polymer products, polymer composite concrete, glass and
various finishes. After studying this unit, you should be able to
• describe different uses of polymer in construction,
• describe various types of polymer composite concrete and its
properties,
• identify different varieties of glass, and
• describe decorative finishes for different surfaces in a building.
6.2 POLYMERS
The polymers find a lot of usage in construction and building industry. Some of
these will be discussed in this section.
6.2.1 Sealants
Sealants are elastomeric materials used for the sealing of joints against wind and
water in the construction industry. The largest variety of sealants fall into the
classification of solvent release and are composed of three component parts; these
are :
The Basic Non-volatile vehicle
It is the main compound, adhesive in nature, which seals the gap.
The Pigment Component
It introduces colour to the material and also assist rheology and flow
control.
A Solvent or Thinner
It is used to reduce the viscosity, so that the sealant can be applied easily.
After application, solvents evaporate leaving the sealant in place. The butyl
rubber solution and the acrylic copolymer fall into this category. Another
category of sealant is those which are chemically cured. Examples of such
sealants are polysulphide and silicon base compound.
The desired properties of sealants are :
(i) Good adhesion with the joint,
(ii) Permanent elasticity,
(iii) Low rate of hardening, and
(iv) Low rate of shrinkage etc.
6.2.2 Adhesives
Adhesives are used extensively for bonding building materials. Some of the
resilient adhesives are of the following types :
(i) Rubber based mastic with water vehicle.
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(ii) Rubber based mastic with alcohol solvent. Modern Materials and
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(iii) Linoleum paste.
(iv) Epoxy resin mastic.
(v) Polymer adhesives, particularly resin bonded system are used
extensively in the manufacture of plywood and particle boards.
6.2.3 Moisture Barriers
Plastic films serve as permanent moisture barriers, preventing the deleterious
ingress of water through various building and construction elements.
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SAQ 1 Decorative Treatments
(a) Enumerate in short various types of polymer product used in
construction.
(b) Differentiate between Ordinary Cement Concrete and Polymer
Cement Concrete.
(c) Distinguish between PIC and PC.
(d) Explain Sandwich construction.
6.4 GLASS
Glass is produced from three major ingredients – sand (silica), soda (sodium
oxide), and lime (calcium oxide). About 50 other compounds are also used in
varying proportion to affect colour, viscosity or durability or to impart some
desired physical property. An average batch contains about 70% silica, 13% lime
and 12% soda and small amounts of other material.
6.4.1 Float Glass
It is manufactured by pouring the molten glass over the liquid (molten) tin. It is
allowed to spread to form a wide, flat ribbon of glass that remains untouched until
it hardens. The speed with which it flows over the molten tin determines the
thickness. Generally, slower the speed, thicker the resultant glass product.
Float glass manufacturing accounts for over 90% of the flat glass produced today.
The product are clear glass, heat absorbing glass, and tinted glass.
Clear Glass
Clear glass is colourless. It is available in the thicknesses from construction
purposes ranging from 3/32 inch to 1¼ inch and from 48 × 84 inches to
120 × 204 inches in size.
Heat-absorbing Glass
Heat-absorbing glass is intended for glazing where reduction of solar
radiation is required and is available in bronze, grey and blue-green colour.
Heat absorbing glass is produced by adding selected metallic oxides in
small amounts to the basic glass mixture. Those oxides reduce light
transmission, control solar transmission and glare, and absorb solar heat.
6.4.2 Rolled Glass
Rolled glasses are made by pouring molten glass from a furnace and then passing
it between the rollers to obtain the required thickness. It is then annealed in a
layer and cut to required sizes. The types of glass produced under this category of
rolled glass are: figured or patterned glass; wire glass; and stained glass.
Figured or Patterned Glass
Figured or patterned glass is produced by the use of rollers that have a
pattern etched on either one or both sides which imparts the pattern to one
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Engineering Materials or both surfaces of the glass as it passes through the rollers. A variety of
patterns is available with differing degree of obscuration. Figured glass can
be coloured, but only a limited number of colours is available. Thicknesses
are usually of the order of 1/8 to 7/32 inch.
Wire Glass
Wire glass is produced in a manner similar to that used for figured glass,
with the addition of welded wire nettings or parallel wires placed in the
molten glass prior to rolling. Wire glass can be obtained with a pattern or
with polished faces (polished wire glass). Wire glass, usually 6 mm thick, is
used in doors and windows where security is also the concern.
6.4.3 Heat Treated Glass
It is made by reheating and rapid air cooling of the annealed glass. As a result of
heat treating, the outer surface of the glass is put in compression and the central
portion or core is in the compensating tension.
Heat treatment of glass results in increased tensile or bending strength which
enables to withstand greater uniform loading pressures, and solar-induced thermal
stresses. As a result, for high-rise structures with varying wind-induced pressure
zones, the use of the same thickness heat treated glass in vision areas allows
uniformity of light transmission, colour density, and glazing detail.
6.4.4 Insulating Glass
Insulating glass units are factory fabric modules consisting of two panes of glass
separated by a metal spacer around the perimeter, with an entrapped, sealed and
desiccated air space in between. It is used where the inside is to be protected from
harsh outside climatic conditions. Sometimes, triple glazed unit utilizing a third
pane and second metal spacer is used in extreme conditions like northern climates
where winter temperature is unusually very low.
6.4.5 Laminated Glass
Laminated glass consists of a combination of two or more panes of glass with a
layer of transparent plastic sandwiched between the panes under heat and
pressure to form a single laminated unit. The introduction of plastic interlayer
produces a unit that will prevent sharp fragments from shattering when it is
subjected to sharp impact and breaks since the glass adheres to the vinyl
interlayer.
It is used as safety glass as it minimizes the risks of injury from breakage or
accidental impacts. It is useful for entrance doors, sliding doors, shower
enclosures, sky lights and sloped glazing.
The laminated glass unit utilizing the pigmented interlayer of polyvinyl butyral
can reduce solar energy transmission, control glare and brightness and provides
aesthetical qualities too.
The use of plastic in laminated glass unit provides a damping characteristic which
enhances the acoustic performance as compared to insulating glass.
6.4.6 Reflective Glass
Reflective glasses have a transparent, thin metal or metal oxide coating deposited
on one surface. These glasses are very popular due to its aesthetical appeal and
solar control capabilities resulting in energy saving and occupants’ comfort.
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The metallic film provided acts as a one way mirror, a person to exterior of the Modern Materials and
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building has difficulty in looking in during the day. However, at night with
interior lights on, an occupant cannot see out but anyone on the exterior may see
in. The metallic film reflects sunlight and reduces heat gain remarkably.
SAQ 2
(a) Describe the manufacturing of rolled glass and its uses.
(b) Distinguish between heat treated glass and insulated glass
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Engineering Materials 6.6.1 Stone Facing
The term ‘stone’ usually designates blocks or pieces of the basic rock material. It
is one of the oldest building materials known to mankind. Because of its unique
characteristics, stone has been regarded as the preferred material in the
construction of permanent buildings.
Stone used for building purposes can be classified according to the form in which
it is available commercially, such as :
(i) Rubble (field stone),
(ii) Cut stone,
(iii) Flag stone (flat slabs),
(iv) Crushed rock.
Stones which are commonly used in buildings include granite, limestone,
travertine, marble, serpentine, sandstone and slate.
Stone work may be divided into three general categories e.g., rubble work, ashlar,
and trim.
Rubble work involves using stones which have not been cut but which may have
had one face – the face that is to be exposed – split or chipped. Two types of
rubble work used are random and coursed. In random rubble work, no attempt is
made to produce either horizontal or vertical course lines. In coursed nibble work,
horizontal course lines are maintained with no vertical course lines incorporated
(Figure 6.1).
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Figure 6.2 : Different Types of Ashlar
Ashlar work requires the use of cut stone and includes broken ashlar, irregular
coursed ashlar and regular coursed ashlar (Figure 6.2). Field stone always has a
rough, irregular appearance as the natural surface or broken surface of the stone is
exposed.
Stone trimming involves the use of stones cut for a specific purpose and includes
quoins, jambs, sills, belts, copings, cornices, lintels, steps and arch stones. Quoins
are stones laid at the intersection of two walls. They can be emphasised by letting
them project beyond the vertical plane of the wall or by using a contrasting colour
or type. Usually, they are laid so that they appear alternately as long and short
stones on each side of the corner as shown in Figure 6.3.
6.6.2 Granite
Granite comes in combinations of coloured crystals which give an overall
appearance of a white, grey, pink, red, brown, green, blue or black stone. Granite
building stones are divided into two general types which are cut stone and ashlar
type stone.
Cut stone, which consists of large thin slabs of sawed or polished granite
7/8′′ thick at the minimum and going upto 2 1/2′′ (63 mm) at the most, is applied
to exterior surfaces of buildings. Molded sills, copings, lintels, window and door
trims, columns and stair treads are built with cut stone, or ashlar type stone work
shown in Figure 6.4.
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(iv) To face walls built of some other material with a veneer of brick, Modern Materials and
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usually 4" thick (Figures 6.6 and 6.7).
Brick veneering over a light wood frame is done in two ways. One is to use
regular brick, laid up to produce a 4" thickness of veneer. The other method is to
use thin slabs of brick manufactured for the purpose. There are two methods of
these constructions: one is to lay up the brick over the sheathing, using metal ties
railed to the sheathing to hold the brick in place; and the other is to cover the
studs with paper backed wire mesh, apply a 1" thick layer of mortar and set the
bricks with their backs in the mortar. Any type of face brick can be used. When
the veneer slabs are used, they are set in a mortar base which is applied over a
stucco wire backing.
6.9 SUMMARY
In this unit, you have seen how the polymers enhance the quality of normal
concrete. This new type of the material is used increasingly nowadays. The use of
glass too has become an important aspect in the construction industry. Various
finishing materials play an important role in the decoration and aesthetics of
buildings.
The decorative finishes encompass all surfaces in a building like wall, floor and
ceiling etc. The decorative finish not only adds to aesthetic appearance, but also
provides protective coating to the surface. The decorative finishes in plaster are
diverse in nature with rough finishes like pebble dash and rough cast, at one end,
and textured or ornamental finish, at the other end.
Thus, overall, it is observed that there is an explosion of information about new
decorative finishes, and almost in every quarter, a new decorative finish is
entering in the building industry.
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FURTHER READINGS Decorative Treatments
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