Interior Materials and Surfaces: The Complete Guide

Comprehensive reference to every type of surface material for floors, walls and ceilings.

Interior surfaces add beauty, structure and comfort to homes. Available in a stunning range of natural and synthetic materials, these surfaces are both cosmetic and functional.

Interior Materials and Surfaces covers the full range of home surfaces from three points of view: technical, practical and aesthetic. The book provides comprehensive details on each material, featuring their pros and cons, general uses, and alternative applications.

Chapters cover a wide range of options for do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike:

• Wood -- hard and soft, wood composites and veneers
• Plastics, resins, rubber and linoleum
• Metals, iron, steel, copper, brass, aluminum, zinc, lead and gold leaf
• Glass
• Fabrics and papers
• Leather and suede
• Paints, varnishes, lacquers
• Stone, ceramics and tiles
• Concrete and cement
• Plaster and plaster composites.

Each material is profiled with details about its properties, use and maintenance, safety tips, availability and relative cost. Jargon-free text with color photographs provide easy installation instructions and important advice on uses.

Interior Materials and Surfaces is an indispensable guide for homeowners and for professional renovators, decorators, interior designers and stylists.

Helen Bowers is a Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Member of the Architects Registration.