Materials and Components of Interior Architecture, 8th Edition

For courses in Interior Design

Materials and Components of Interior Architecture, Eighth Edition, offers a unique look at interior design,fully covering the exciting breadth of nonstructural materials available to interior designers. With an eye on the environment, it instills a firm understanding of the products, properties, and uses of all materials—from floors, walls, and ceilings to installation and recycling. Going beyond paint and carpet, it explores over 27 different floorings and devotes separate chapters to kitchens and baths. Filled with the latest information from manufacturers, suppliers, and associations, it provides students with the knowledge to creatively engage the “nuts and bolts” of interior design—both in terms of structure and style.

Detailed coverage of materials for floors, walls, and ceilings–including 27 different flooring materials.

• Enables students to select the materials for a project based on its characteristics, not just its price.
• Helps students think knowledgably and creatively about the “nuts and bolts” of interior design–both in terms of structure and style. 

Thorough treatment of environmental concerns–appears in the introductory chapter and serves as a theme throughout the book.

• Alerts students to the need for environmentally conscious designers and identifies products and manufacturers who are participating in the recycling process.
• Emphasizes environmental concerns in both manufacturing and final disposal. 

Covers installation and maintenance–as well as specific installation problems.

• Makes readers aware of potential mistakes before they occur and helps them when choosing between materials.
• Describes installation methods in detail so designers can talk knowledgably with installers and not be pressured into using the cheapest installation method. 

Lists websites for product manufacturers–relevant to the materials being discussed.

• Supplies students with quick resources and additional information on materials discussed in the text.
• Helps keep designers up-to-date with company mergers, name changes, etc.  

Offers color illustrations–throughout the text.

• Creates visual interest and enables students to see the details of how various materials are being used. 

Product data supplied by manufacturers and trade organizations–such as Sherwin Williams, the Wallcovering Association, the Carpet and Rug Institute etc.

• Ensures accurate information because details are learned directly from the manufacturer. 

Integration of the metric system–appears throughout.

• Helps students convert units of measurement when necessary.
• Provides handy conversion tables in Appendix A.