Arquitectos en Barcelona Rardo Architects in Barcelona and Sitges

CHOOSING FINISHES – Part 1: SELECTING MATERIALS

Choosing finishes – Part 1: Selecting materials

At what point do we have to start deciding and planning the finishes? The finishes are the group of materials that give termination, protection and resistance. They are formed by coatings for floors, walls and ceilings, and are essential for the house to be hygienic and easy to maintain. In our office of architects in Sitges, we always work with the client, presenting samples and 3D images to have everything decided in the project stage, clearly specifying in the plans and measurements the units, measurements, models and brands.

You have to choose resistant materials that are adequate to the climatic conditions. Special attention should be given to the case of outdoor pavements and coatings that are in wet areas. They are interested in materials that generate healthy environments.

It is important that the project be perceived as a whole. If you choose materials in isolation and on time, the result will not be harmonious. In addition, depending on the final finish, it will be necessary to plan its implementation, storage, auxiliary resources and specialized labor.

Should we discard the basic materials and bet on the most sophisticated? Do not discard using basic materials -cast, cement, clay, stone, iron or wood- because they will bring character, naturalness and simplicity, qualities that are increasingly valued. You always have them in the stores, there is no delay for their delivery, they do not require specialized labor and, best of all, they are the cheapest. To revalue the textures of always, creates attractive contrasts, such as placing a wooden floor together with a perfect plaster regular plaster.

Arquitectos en Barcelona Rardo Architects in Barcelona and Sitges
Arquitectos en Barcelona Rardo Architects in Barcelona and Sitges

Following that line of choosing basic materials, a good reform can arise from cleaning the supports, exposing the original skin of walls and slabs. This solution can be thought in reverse. That is, build a partition or a floor and leave it without any finishing. You can do it, for example, with hollow and solid bricks, with ceramic blocks, vaults, or structures of concrete, steel or wood, among other materials.

Why do I have to think together, when I look for a coating for the bathroom? For a matter of common sense. If your house is serene, with smooth and clear finishes, does not fit a bathroom with potpourri of materials, formats and colors. To a neutral envelope in light tones, a bathroom furniture in smooth tones will be fine, using the same neutral tone in the floor material, for example, microcemento.

You can also use the technique of mixing materials … but with head. Get right by creating visual bonds that justify the choice of a color, a format or a texture.

Arquitectos en Barcelona Rardo Architects in Barcelona and Sitges
Arquitectos en Barcelona Rardo Architects in Barcelona and Sitges

Take into account the anchoring systems of each material. Those that are installed dry-tempered glass panels and floating platforms, for example-dirty less and are faster.

Arquitectos en Barcelona Rardo Architects in Barcelona and Sitges
Arquitectos en Barcelona Rardo Architects in Barcelona and Sitges