ARC 323

ADVANCED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

BUILDING FINISHES
Building finishes is the completion of final surface appearance of building
construction or manufacturing process. It comprises of plastering, painting,
vanishing, porting, white/colour wash11ing or distempering.
Finishes are used in the final part of the construction, forming the final surface of
the element. They can protect the element they finished from impact, water corrosion
etc. or they can be decorative.
Finishes commonly relate to internal surface, but they may also be applied to
external elements. They can be applied wet or dry. Some element are self-finished,
that is the final surface is part of the mat1erial the element is formed from.

PROPERTIES AND CHARATERISTICS OF BUILDING FINISHES

 Durability- ability to withstand test of time, pressure or damage.
 They are water resistance
 Resistance to corrosive substance
 They have long life span
 They can be finished with a pleasing appearance
 Surface profile, orientation, texture and colour

TYPES OF BUILDING FINISHES

 Concrete finishes
 Clay finishes
 Wood finishes
 Metal finishes
 Synthetic finishes
CONCRETE FINISHES
Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate bund together with a fluid
cement that gets dry overtime.
Concrete is the second most used substance in the world after water and it’s the most
widely used building materials.
Concrete finish is a smooth surface made from screed and trowels which is made by
levelling out the surface using screed.

VARIOUS TYPES OF FINISHES FOR CONCRETE

 Exposed Aggregate Finish: - this reveals the aggregate that mixed into the
concrete. Aggregates used for this finish are usually chosen for the way they
look, unlike with other finishes where they aren’t reall1y seen.
Exposed aggregate finish is accomplished by washing away the top layer of
cement to allow the aggregate to show through. Aggregate can be attractive
stone, sea shell, coloured glass, granite and other related materials.
 Stamped concrete finish: - is a way to add texture and visual interest.
Stamped finish is made by placing panels with designs unto the uncured
cement. This transfers the design of the panel, giving the concrete a textured
look.
It comes in many different designs. These include brick, tile, stone, or other
patterns. The goal is to make the concrete look like another building material.
This look is especially convincing when you add a colour stain.
 Salt Finish: - salt finish on concrete is usually used around swimming pools
or other wet areas. The application of rock salt to the surface of wet (uncured)
concretes creates this finish.
After the rock salt has made tiny pits all over the surface of the concrete, it is
washed away, leaving behind a finely textured slip-resistance surface.
  Broom finished concrete: - is a trowel finished concrete. With this type of
finish, the concrete surface is first levelled, then “closed” by trowelling or a
similar smoothing method. After this, worker drag a special broom across the
surface.
The dragging creates a regular texture than trowelling alone. Not only does
this looks nice but it also provides more traction for areas that could get
slippery when wet.

(Reason) Bases on Which Concrete Finishes Should Be Fixed For Durability

 Resistance to damp, moisture and water

 Smooth and non-observant surface
 They are more fire resistance
 More sanitary, they can be cleaned and washed easily
 Ability to accept movement
 They can be finished with a pleasing appearance or surface
 Resistance to corrosive substance

WOOD FINISHES
Wood fishing is the process of refining or final step of the manufacturing processing
that gives wood surface desirable characteristics, protecting a wood surface,
especially in the production of furniture. It enhanced appearance ad increased
resistance to moisture and other environmental agents. It can also make wood easier
to clean and keep it sanitized.
In addition, wood finishing provides a way of giving low-value woods the
appearance that are expensive and difficult to obtain.
 VARIOUS TYPES OF FINISHES FOR WOOD
 Vanishes: is made of oil, solvent and resin. It is a hard, durable and protective
finish. It has been more common forms of wood finishes. They can be
transparent or coloured.
 French polish: it’s one of the oldest techniques used. It is a classic way of
finishing wood as it contains a mixture of shellac and alcohol. High gloss and
durable
 Lacquer: is a popular finish used on cabinets and a lot of high-end furniture.
It can get scratched and can be damaged when in contact with water. It gives
a glossy finish to wood and it is very durable.
 Nitro cellulose paint: is the most common type of lacquer and commonly
used for wood project. It has been the dominant finish for musical instrument
like guitars, violin and pianos. It is a durable hard glossy finish.

(Reason) Bases on Which Wooden Finishes Should Be Fixed For Durability

 They have long life span
 They are easy to work with
 They can be finished with a pleasing appearance or shape
 They are economical and available to access
 Resistance to heat and cold
CLAY FINISHES
Clay is a type of fine natural soil material containing clay materials. Clays develop
plasticity when wet, due to a molecular film of water surrounding the clay particles,
but become hard, non-plastic upon drying of firing.

VARIOUS WAYS AND METHOD OF USING CLAY

 Slab method
This is a process whereby slabs of clay are rolled or pounded out either by
hand with a slab roller or rolling pin and then used to construct an object or
vessels. Depending on the aesthetic or design requirements. Clay slab can be
used from the wet stage up through leather hard.

 Pinch method
This is an ancient method, even till now, presently to create pottery that can
be ornamental or functional and have been widely employed across culture.
It is a simple form handmade pottery production, simply have a slab of clay
then pinch it to the shape desired.

 Coil method
This is a method where coils of clay are rolled out and built up in a special
fashion with the coil being added and joined with the coil below. Its layer of
layer until the desired wall height and profile is achieved. This is used for
making clay vessels and sculptures.

 Mold method (slip casting)

This method involves using specially designed molds, that liquefied clay can
be pour into, to form the internal shape of the mold. The clay is poured into
 the mold and allowed to sit for a while so that mold can wick some of the
water from the clay, causing a thin layer of more rigid clay to take the shape
of the mold.
Various Types of Finishes Made Of Clay
 Bricks
 Roof tiles
 Floor tiles
 Wall plastering
 Wall tiles

(Reason) Bases of Which Clay Products Should Be Fixed For Durability

 They smooth to touch and it does not allow stain
 Strong resistance to corrosive substance
 Resistance to heat or cold
 They can be cleaned and washed easily (sanitary)
 Strong resistance to moisture and water
 Hard and has a long life span

METAL FINISHES

Metal finishing is one of the last manufacturing process in metal working as it

provides necessary environmental protection as well as aesthetically pleasing parts.
The type of finishing applied to a part is dependent on a variety of factors such as
where the part is used and specific durability requirements.
 TYPES OF METAL FINISHING

 Plating
This process uses a chemical bath to coat the surface with a thin metal such
as zinc. This involves two option:
I. Electroless plating: meaning no electric current involved in the
plating process (non-galvanic)
II. Electroplating: where an electric current is involved in the finishing
both types of plating are popular methods used to increase durability
and protect parts against corrosion.
 Powder coating
This is a highly durable decorative finish where an electrostatic process is
used to bind the powder of the metal subject. Using a spray gun, the parts are
first coated with powder and then run through a high heat cutting oven. A
chemical reaction occurs during the cutting period in which the coating bind
to the substrate.
 Brushing
Using an abrasive belt or wire brush, this process involves physically brushing
the part to achieve a smoother exterior. This process can drastically improve
surface imperfection but may require an additional cleaning step to rinse off
oil or grit.
 Heat treating
Using tight temperature controls, the heat treat process is where metal is
heated and cooled to the desired specifications. By applying heat at a
particular temperature, maintaining the heat for a specified period and then
cooling the material, the overall properties and durability of the metal are
improved.
  Grinding
The grinding process uses abrasive wheel to smoothen out surfaces. Using
varieties of methods ranging from grinding machines, bench grinders, wheel
grinders or hand held power tools, the manufacturer can reduce surface
toughness.

(Reason) Based on Which Metal Finishes Should Be Fixed For Durability

 Resistance to fire
 It can be casted into shape or form
 High temperature strength
 Resistance to water
 They are hard and difficult to break easily
 High corrosion resistance

SYNTHETIC PRODUCT

This are substance or compound made artificially, from chemical reaction or union
of two or more elements. They are not genuine or naturally prepared but made
artificially, imitating something superior.

Synthetic material that are obtained from a natural material such as wood, rock,
crude oil, etc. which has undergone a chemical reaction in the laboratory or factory.
Both natural and synthetic materials are formed in products you use every day.
Examples are synthetic fiber, ceramics, polymers, artificial foods, and medicines
etc.
 VARIOUS TYPES OF FINISHES MADE OF SYNTHETIC
 Painting
 Wall paper
 Asphalt
 Glass (silica)
 Steel

(Reasons) Bases on Which Synthetic Products Are Used In Building Finishing

 Synthetic material are flexible, they can be used to make clothing and other
objects
 They are made or formed from natural materials or resources
 They are all made with specific properties to carry out a specific function
 They are good insulators
 The high water, wind and environmental resistance

PETROLEUM (NATURAL)

Petroleum is known as Black Gold. This name itself is an indicator of its human
meaning. The mother of all commodity is known to be crude oil as it produces
various product such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, fuel synthetic fabrics etc.

Petroleum is a liquid that occurs in rock formations naturally. This consist of

complex mixture, plus other organic compounds of various hydrocarbon molecular
weight.
Petroleum product are raw material many industries. It act as “nodal industry” for
synthetic textile, fertilizer and various chemical industries.

Synthetic Products That Are Made From Petroleum

 Gasoline
 Diesel fuel
 Jet fuel
 Petrochemical feedstock
 Waxes
 Plastic wood
 Rubber cement
 Lubricating oil
 Asphalt
 House paint

SYNTHETIC CEILING (ARTIFICIAL)

Ceiling is provided below the roof slab on suspended supports. Ceiling is usually
provided for a temperature control (heat insulator for AC) to install light and other
networking cables and ugly or too high ceiling.

It all started up with simple pop decorative moldings which is more added on the
side of all ceiling and over the base of fans and chandeliers. This installation exhibit
an aesthetic sense by creating attractive ceilings using decorative ceiling panels that
can please the eye.
Synthetic ceiling can be applied using the following material:

 Gypsum
 Plaster of Paris (POP)
 Fibre

BITUMINOUS FELT

This is a glass fibre or polyester impregnated with bituminous material e.g. tar or
bitumen which is produced in roll form and is used as waterproof material for roof
covering.

Bituminous felt can be applied as roofing waterproofing, paint, damp proofing, car
park, road, runways, and fence treatment.

(Reasons) Bases on Which They Can Be Applied As Synthetic Materials

 They have good anti-corrosion properties

 Good moisture and chemical resistance
 They are flexible and durable
 It is easily and relatively cheaply patched and repaired
 They are made directly from natural resources
 PAINT

Paint is a pigment; a solution or suspension of pigment, binder and mineral solvent.

It is a bearing for application on a surface in a thin layer that cures to an opaque solid
film.

Paint is any colouring substance which when applied on a substance solidifies to

form a thin film, used to protect, preserve, decorate or add functionality to an object
or surface be covering it with pigment coating.

Importance of Paint in Building Finish

 Protection is to retard or prevent against corrosion of metal or decomposition

of wood substance
 Decoration is to add festive trim to a room’s interior or surface
 Presentation is to retain, maintain in its original or existing state of a surface
 Functionality is to modify light reflection or heat radiation of a surface. Also
the use of colour to identify hazards or to identify the function of equipment
and pipelines.

Paints are divided into two categories. Which are:

 Oil based paints

 Water based paints
 TYPES OF PAINT

 Oil paint
 Emulsion paint
 Enamel paint
 Bituminous paint
 Aluminum paint
 Anti-corrosion paint
 Synthetic paint
 Cement paint

OIL PAINT

This is a common type of paint, it consist of pigment bound with vegetable oil and
animal fat. They are glossy and flow out of a smooth finish without brush marks. Oil
paint are usually applied as a primer undercoat and a finish coat. Oil paints are
known for their long-lasting abilities, gloss, water-resistant properties and abilities

Application / Benefit & Things to Consider When Choosing Oil Paint

 It is water resistance
 It does not change in colour, texture or fade once dried
 It is easy to clean and easy to apply
 Its last long, has long-lasting abilities
 It can be used on surface such as metal, wall, doors, windows, and stained
surface for durability
 It takes longer time to dry than other paint.
EMULSION PAINT

These are water-based water soluble paints with fast-drying characteristics that can
be diluted with water (used as paint thinner) to get the required consistency. It is rich
in texture and has stronger colour retention abilities, making it a long-lasting paint.
It does not leave an odor and dries quickly.

Application / Benefit & Things to Consider When Choosing Emulsion Paint

 It dries faster than other paint when it is applied

 It is rich in texture and does not fade away
 It does not leave an odor, making it a good no-toxic
 It’s versatile and flexible finishes gives a resistance to cracking when applied
 Resistance to sunlight, leading to fading of wall paint
 Easy to apply on both exterior walls and interior wall
 It has low resistance to moisture

ENAMEL PAINT

Enamel paint is a finishing or protective layering coating applied to metal surface. It

composed of a based coat (pigment particles) and a colourant.

These components react with each other to form chemical bonds that create
resistance to weathering factors like heat or cold.

Enamel paint comes in different colour as well as different levels of glossiness finish.
It can be applied on metal, glass, ceramic items, wood, interior walls and exterior
walls of a room. It is highly popular among home owners because of its versatility
in terms of application, ease to clean after use and durability.
Application / Benefit & Things to Consider When Choosing Enamel Paint

 Perfect for dry and wet spaces like bathroom and kitchen metals
 It offers good coverage, hardness and colour retention
 Long-lasting choice for certain wood surfaces and metal
 Best for wall that need protection
 They are water and stain resistance

BITUMINOUS PAINT

Bituminous paint are the type of paint made or formulated using dissolved asphalt,
bitumen or coal. They are special paint used in construction for waterproof. This
type of paint is waterproof, it is generally not suited for areas exposed to the sun,
since it deteriorates in sunlight. To achieve a certain colour, pigment can always be
added to this type of paint.

Application / Benefit & Things to Consider When Choosing Bituminous Plant

 It provides a protective, waterproof, weatherproof, chemical and corrosion

resistant layer.
 It helps to provide rust resistance for metal application
 It is ideal for metal work, pipe work, wood work and underwater structure
 It is strong, durable and economical
 It can be applied on both ferrous and non-ferrous metal as well as concrete
and wood
ALUMINUM PAINT

Aluminum paint is a type of paint coating that is made by mixing aluminum particles
or flakes with oil. This type of paint is resistant to electricity, weather, corrosion and
its waterproof. It gives a slivery finish and they are strong and durable paint.
(Industrial use)

Application / Benefit & Things to Consider When Choosing Aluminum Paint

 Resistance to corrosion and waterproof i.e. used for hot water tanks, hot pipes,
oil storage tanks
 It can be used or applied on metal and wood
 It is suitable for restoring old, rusted aluminum sheet object
 It gives a clean and smooth surface and does not allow stain
 It is an excellent resistance to heat, light and water

ANTI-CORROSIVE PAINT

Anti-corrosive paint is made from anti-corrosive elements like linseed oil, zinc
chrome and fine sand. Anti-corrosive paint are ideal for metallic surfaces. It helps
prevent corrosion on various surface, mainly metallic in nature.

Application / Benefit & Things to Consider When Choosing Anti-Corrosive

Paint

 It is used for steel and iron work

 It is used for pipes external structure and metallic work
 It is cost-effective, black in colour and it’s strong, long-lasting choice
SYNTHETIC RUBBER PAINT

Synthetic rubber paint are made or formulated from dissolving resins and by adding
suitable pigments and solvents to it. Any colour can be attained and it can be applied
on concrete surfaces, walls and floors. It is weather resistant and also has properties
that makes it acid resistant.

Application / Benefit & Things to Consider When Choosing Synthetic Rubber

Paint

 It is cost effective, chemical resistant and weather resistant

 It dries very quickly and maintains consistency and uniformly on large
expenses
 Widely used on concrete walls, large surfaces, floors, ground etc.
 It will be long-lasting despite weather surface

CEMENT PAINT

Cement paint are known as whitewash or distemper paint that comprises lime, chalk,
pigment, water and glue. It happens to be one of the oldest types of paint. And it is
available in powder form and needs to be mixed for application on walls or surface.

Application / Benefit & Things to Consider When Choosing Cement Paint

 No cracking due to sunlight

 It is a cheaper medium of paint and application
 It can be applied on cement and rough interiors and exteriors surface without
primers
 Easy to apply and high coverage material
 ENGINEERIG SERVICE

Engineering service are building services or system installed in buildings to make

them comfortable, functional, efficient and safe.

Generally contributes to making the environment within a building more conducive

for occupation and operation. Such service are:

 Air conditional
 Escalator
 Elevator / Lift
 Conduit wiring

AIR CONDITIONAL

It is a process that simultaneously condition air, distributes it combined with the

outdoor conditional space and at the same time controls and maintains the required
space, temperature, humidity, air movement etc. within predetermined limits for
health ad comfort of the occupants.

ESCALATOR

It is a moving staircase, a conveyor transport device for carrying people between

floors of a building.

ELEVATOR OR LIFT

It is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods

between floors of a building vessels or other structure.
CONDUCT WIRING

It is a system where the cable is enclosed in metal or some plastic tubes. The
conductor has insulation which is rated at the voltage required but gives no
mechanical protection.

Functional Requirement of Engineering Service in Building

 Alternative or replacement is possible

 It must be durable and last longer
 It must accommodate at least 10-15 people at once
 There must be constant and regular power supply such as electricity
 It must perform and provide a means of transport and comfort from one floor
to another
 Lifts and elevator provides quick reliable and safe vertical movement

FITTING IN A BUILDING

Fitting are items that can be removed from the house if the house is sold or rented
out. Although there is no set definition for fitting. It is generally assumed that free
standing items belong to fitting. Such as bed, sofas, washing machines, television,
table, kitchen appliance etc.

Fitting can also include items that hung by a nail or hook such as mirrors or painting
on the wall. These items are not usually permanent items of a house.
 Types of Fitting in Building

 Coupling is used to join two pipes of difficult diameters.

 Reducer is a pipe fitting component which reduces the flow size from layer
to smaller by reducing size of pipe.
 Compression fitting are all types of fitting which use compressive force to
connect the vessel to the fitting.
 Butt-Welding are the most common types of steel fitting used for pipelines
mostly above 4 inches in diameter.
 Closet flange is a specialized flange designed to be flush with the floor,
allowing a toilet to be installed above it.
 Diverter Tee is the kind of a tee shape pipe fitting is commonly used in the
pressurized hydraulic heating system to redirect a part of the flow from the
main line to the side branch connected to a heat exchanger.

Factors Affecting Choice of Fitting in Building

 Appearance and shapes

 Special skill and expertise required
 Maintenance
 Budget and cost
 Strength
 Sustainability
 Specification
 FIXTURES IN BUILDING

Fixtures are permanent items of a house and are not usually removed when the house
is sold or rented out.

It is generally accepted that fixture are fixed or attached to the walls or floor such as
bathroom suites, kitchen units, sinks, toilet baths, plugs and sockets, built-in
wardrobes, door, window, chandeliers, wash hand basin, switches.

Types of Fixture in Building

 Bath tubes: are the plumbing fixtures handed in the bathroom for taking a
bath. These are generally made of glazed earth ware cement concrete finish.
 Fireplace: these are flooring, garage door opener, handrails, heating system,
home automation features, hot water heater, and kitchen cabinets.
 Window blind: is type of window covering
 Ceiling fan: a non-portable device that is suspended from ceiling for
circulating air via the rotation of fan blades
 Chandelier: it’s suspended from ceiling. It direct their light upward,
typically over a table. They can enhance the decorative style of a room.
 Factors Affecting the Choice Fixtures

 Strength; the capacity to withstand fire or pressure

 Locally available
 Skill required and its availability
 Budget / Cast of material
 Sustainability
 Aesthetic appeal
 Specification
 Maintenance
 Nature of project

Difference between Fixtures and Fitting

Fixtures Fittings

They are secured or fixed to the walls or They are free standing items
floor

Not usually removed when the house is It can be removed if the house is sold
sold

Examples include: light, sinks, toilets, Examples include: carpets, curtains,

plugs and sockets kitchen appliances