Name ___________________________________________
Date _____________
Notes: Housing Decisions by Evelyn Lewis & Carolyn Turner
Chapter 14 Creating Interior Backgrounds: Wall Coverings
Walls make up the largest surface area of a room. They protect against the outdoors &
reduce the noise entering a room. They hide pipes, wiring, and insulation. They also
divide spaces. When choosing a wall covering, it is essential to consider the color
involved, the condition of the walls and the function of the room.
Most commonly used wall coverings are: paint, wallpaper, paneling, mirrors, fabric and
carpeting. Neutral colors are more often used than vivid colors because they provide a
background to the rest of the room and furnishings.
Washable wall surfaces are recommended for bathrooms, kitchens, children’s rooms and
hallways because walls in these areas tend to become soiled more quickly than bedrooms
or living rooms.
Wall Construction
Materials that can be used:
Gypsum wallboard: This is known as drywall and sheetrock. The most common used
material for interior walls and ceilings.
_______________________________________: Durable decorative finish that is used
for interior walls. Comes in enamel & plastic laminate finishes. Primarily used in
kitchens & baths.
_______________________________________: Paste used for coating walls and
ceilings that hardens as it dries. Smooth or rough surface. Require special skills and
material. Cost more. Used in older homes & commercial buildings.
_______________________________________: Made from plywood but can be
produced from a synthetic material. Gives a warm attractive appearance to a room. It
requires little maintenance. It comes in a variety of forms and prices.
______________________________________: Both exterior & interior walls. Cement
blocks are common form of masonry. Use in large rooms. Brick/Stone form entire walls
(fireplaces) & costly. Easy to maintain.
Notes Chapter 14 Creating Backgrounds: Walls
Page 1
Wall Treatment
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•
•
Wall treatment is coverings for the interior wall.
It should harmonize with the floor & ceiling.
Reflect the people that use the room.
Paint
•
•
__________ is a thin coating designed to masks and protect the surface beneath it.
It is the fastest & cheapest way to change a room.
Paint Usually Consists of 4 Components
1. __________________________: water or mineral spirits, which allow the paint
to be applied, then evaporates.
2. Pigments: ________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
3. Additives: modifies the paint’s characteristics.
4. __________________________: the plastic-like material that binds the
pigments and additives to the surface.
Main Types of Paint
•
•
Latex: ___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
Oil: sometimes called “alkyds”, have greater adhesion over smooth,
nonabsorbent surfaces, such as plastic and metals. They can hold a greater
percentage of solids, often allowing single-coat coverage.
______________________________________________both refer to the reflective
characteristics of the paint after it has dried (flat or satin). Painters usually use the
term interchangeably.
Semi gloss: ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Flat: ___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Eggshell_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Satin___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Notes Chapter 14 Creating Backgrounds: Walls
Page 2
Gloss: Best for doors, trims, shelving, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, and wet rooms.
Painting Tips
• There is a big difference between a paint that is dry to the
touch and one that is fully cured.
• _____________________________________ means that all
liquid has evaporated and the color has reached maturity.
• A paint can dry to the touch in 24 hours, but can take up to
________days to full cure.
Types of Faux Finishes
Sponging: A sponge is dipped in the paint and dabbed on the wall to add pattern.
Ragging: _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Marbleizing: Treatment that looks like marble.
Stenciling: _____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Spattering: ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Stripling
______________________________________________________
Wallpaper
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•
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The use of wallpaper can change the apparent dimensions of a room.
A bold, bright wallpaper pattern can make a room appear smaller and a scenic
pattern can make a room seem more spacious.
Before purchasing wallpaper, you should bring home a large sample to try for
color and pattern.
When purchasing wallpaper, match the batch numbers on all of the rolls
purchased to insure colors match.
Notes Chapter 14 Creating Backgrounds: Walls
Page 3
Vinyl Faced:
Heavy Embossed:
Prepasted:
Strippable:
Fabric
•
•
•
Can be attached to the wall with glue, tape, or staples.
Stretched over a frame and hung on the wall.
Add color, warmth, texture, and interest to a room
Molding
•
•
•
•
•
•
Is strips of wood or resin used for trim or ornamentation in a room?
The main purpose is to finish of a window, door, wall or to prevent damage to the
wall.
_____________________________________is hung were the ceiling meets the
wall.
_____________________________________ is a wide molding hung 6 ft. off the
ground used for display purposes.
_______________________________________ is hung 3 feet from the floor to
prevent the backs of chairs from damaging walls or for decoration.
_______________________________________ hide the break between the wall
and floor.
Notes Chapter 14 Creating Backgrounds: Walls
Page 4