INTERNAL SURFACE
FINISH MATERIALS
FOR WALLS
PRESENTED BY:
FREDRICK KARANI
JEANINE NAITORE
B02/53663/2012
B02/53945/2012
Intro
• The main finishing materials in modern construction include
finishing mortars and concretes; natural and artificial masonry
materials; decorative ceramics; materials and items made
from wood, paper, glass, plastic, and metals; and paints and
varnishes.
• Finishing materials are usually designed for interior or exterior
finishing; some materials are used for both (for example,
natural decorative stone, ceramic materials, and architectural
glass). A special group consists of materials and items for
covering floors, which must meet a number of specific
requirements (negligible wear, high impact strength, and so
on). Finishing materials also include acoustic materials, which
are used simultaneously as sound-absorbing coatings and as a
decorative finish for the interiors of theaters, concert halls,
and motion-picture theaters.
Intro cont
• Finishes protect walls from the elements and from daily wear,
and they play an important role in regulating indoor
temperature and humidity.
• Natural finishes, which undergo minimal processing and are
generally nontoxic, can be made from clay, lime, chalk, casein,
rock dusts, earth pigments, and natural plant extracts such as
oils and waxes. These naturally beautiful materials bathe walls
in color and texture while balancing relative humidity, creating
a more comfortable indoor environment.
Intro cont
• Natural finishes are essential for buildings made of straw
bales, cob and non-stabilized adobe because these materials
must “breathe” to remain healthy. However, their use is hardly
limited to those types of homes.
Why should I use natural
finishes?
1. They’re good for humans. Nontoxic natural finishes are
essential for people with chemical sensitivities and respiratory
problems. By balancing relative humidity in the atmosphere,
they reduce dampness and mold.
2. They’re good for the planet. Natural finishes require less
extraction and processing than synthetic finishes and have fewer
disposal issues. Most of their ingredients biodegrade easily and
safely and are recyclable.
3. They’re good for buildings. Natural finishes’ high vapor
permeability (ability to let moisture pass in and out) allows
buildings to “breathe,” which helps increase the durability of the
walls, roof and foundation.
Earth plasters
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Clay plasters
Plasters made with clay are beautiful, durable, and made from
inexpensive and non-toxic ingredients.
Clay creates a breathable finish material with a natural capacity to
regulate moisture and temperature in the surrounding air.
Clay naturally absorbs excess moisture in the air, helping air to feel
more comfortable in summer, while its high thermal mass creates a
battery heat (or cooling) storage that helps to maintain constant air
temperature. Materials can often be found on or local to the
building site, making the ingredients dirt cheap...literally.
Clay naturally occurs in a variety of colors and clay plasters can be
pigmented with mineral based pigments in every range of color.
Earth plasters cont
• When mixed and applied properly, the wall covering will be
hard, durable, and beautiful. Earth plaster can even be used
on the exterior walls and may easily last for seven to ten years
or more without any maintenance.
• One advantage of earth plaster is that the color of the plaster
itself can eliminate the need for any paint. This is good for the
environment and can reduce construction costs.
• For color tints, natural pigments can be added to the plaster,
and a range of colors can be created from yellow to red to
green.
Earth plasters cont
Earth plasters cont
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Lime plasters
Highly durable and crack-resistant.
Commonly used in alternative construction.
Smooth application and aesthetically pleasing.
Lime is readily available in Kenya.
Earth plasters cont
Gypsum plaster
• Gypsum is a sedimentary rock-like material that is unique in
that it can be heated to give up some of its chemically
combined powder and water, then restored to its original
form when water is added.
• Because of this it can be easily formed into nearly any
shape or molded into a form or sheets more commonly
known as gypsum board (drywall) that are highly fireresistant and easy to work with.
• Plastering is applied in layers depending on the type and
strength of the base used.
Natural stone
• A traditional finishing material is natural stone, which is
durable and has an attractive appearance.
• Facing products are produced from granite, syenite, gabbro,
limestone, marble, and quartzite.
• Natural stone finishing materials are used for exterior and
interior facings on walls and for floor coverings, mainly in
public buildings and structures, such as theaters, hotels, and
subway stations.
• Natural stone materials are also used in the form of decorative
chips to finish the surfaces of concrete and reinforcedconcrete parts and units.
Natural stone cont
Decorative concretes and
mortars
• Decorative concretes and mortars are very effective finishing
materials. The decorative effect of these materials results
from the use of colored cements and fillers produced by
crushing various kinds of natural stones and by texturing the
front surfaces of products (for example, large blocks and
panels) during molding or after the concrete has hardened.
• Decorative concretes and mortars are used extensively in the
factory finishing of structural members for fully prefabricated
buildings; the use of decorative mortar mixtures for the
exterior and interior finishing (plastering) during construction
is limited, since the operation is time-consuming and laborintensive.
Wood
• Among the wood finishing materials are decorative plywood,
veneer, parquet, chipboard, fiberboard, and such articles as
railings, plinths, and finish casings.
• Hardwood is generally used for interior finishes such as
flooring, door linings, wall cladding and shelving.
• Wood finishing materials are notable for their excellent
appearance and service qualities. Facing products are
produced not only from decorative natural woods, such as
oak, beech, and walnut, but also from carefully processed
common species, such as birch and pine.
Wood cont
• Timber insulates heat and electricity but it tends to warp
under heavy loads. This is the reason why timber needs
seasoning, that is a reduction of its moisture content.
• The service life of wood finishing materials is increased by
treating them with wood preservatives and by applying paint
and varnish coatings.
Wood cont
Wallpapers
• Wallpapers of various types are widely used for interior
finishing (mainly in residences); they have the advantages of
low cost and labor requirements.
Wallpapers cont
Paint
• Paint and varnish finishing materials are intended mainly for
painting operations.
• In the past and even today, there are cultures that finish their
floors walls and ceilings with a variety of natural materials
such as: organic lime washes, clay plaster, straw/mud
combinations, milk paint, natural oils, bees wax and other
indigenous resources
Paint cont
• Milk (casein) paints - This is a simple, natural method for
painting used traditionally in many cultures. Today,
manufacturers provide a powder to which water is added,
creating a non-toxic alternative to even many zero-VOC paints
available on the market. Natural pigments are available, as
well as complete instructions on how to apply. Note: milkbased paints do not work well on gypsum-type surfaces
witout additional priming.
Paint cont
• Clay paints are another natural alternative – a traditional form
of covering wall surfaces that has been takn up by ecomanufacturers to help with ease of use and availability.
• Ideally, if clay is desired in a wall coating, it should be sourced
locally.
Paint cont
Chalkboard paint
• Creating a space with chalkboard paint allows adults
and kids alike to express themselves creatively.
• You can use it for calendars in your mudroom, kid's table
tops, doors ,drawers, message boards or whatever you
can come up with!
• Chalkboard finish is durable and can be
used on walls or furniture.
• This finish is completely non-toxic and free of all VOCs.
Paint cont
Velvet
• Velvet is a low-sheen finish that works well on walls
and ceilings. It is durable and beautiful.
• Recommended for walls in lower traffic areas.
Velvet hides imperfections
• Only luxury emulsion with the essence of pearls for
that unique pearl glow finish on walls.
• Perfection in colour delivery achieved through unique
ViViD Technology – richest & most vibrant delivery of
• 2500+ shades.
• Enhanced flowability for easy & smooth application.
• Eco friendly emulsion – ecosure certified.
Velvet cont
Sources
• http://buildnaturally.blogspot.com/2012/08/finish-clayplaster-recipe-wall.html
• http://www.motherearthliving.com/home-products/a-finefinish-natural-wall-finishes-nontoxic-paints-and-clayplasters.aspx
• http://www.buildingwithawareness.com/earth-plasterwalls.html
• http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Finishing+Materi
als
• http://www.ecologyaction.ca/content/wall-finishes