NATURAL AND MAN MADE MATERIALS

Mel Fee Adv. Dip IDD

Materials are the foundation of design. In effect, they will determine the overall look

and feel that is created within an interior space.

Materials can be classified into 2 categories:

NATURAL Natural materials are derived

from the earth and are either mined or farmed;

Natural materials are considered authentic – they age and mature over time and exposure to the atmosphere

They are often considered more traditional, and characterised by timeless beauty

Natural materials are often considered less harmful to the environment, however, this is not always the case. For instance, stone is not a renewable resource, and deforestation is known to create ecological damage.

NATURAL MATERIALS

• NATURAL MATERIALS INCLUDE:TimberStone BambooCaneCorkSilverGoldLeather

TIMBER- Hardwood & Softwood• Hardwoods are the most durable

timbers, with a dense grain which is resistant to damage and decay.Suitable for construction, flooring, shelving, furniture, cabinetry doors and window frames.

• Softwoods are less dense, have a close grain and many irregular knots. Suitable for doors, shelving, ceiling, internal linings, treated for fencing and decking, treated and painted for other outdoor applications, furniture.

STONEIncludes :• Granite – very durable,

impervious stone • Limestone – heatproof, softer,

more porous• Marble – heatproof, impervious

to water, porous, needs sealing• Sandstone – harder than

limestone, slip resistance, porous, will stain

• Slate – waterproof, resists damp, stains, scratches, flakes

• Terrazzo – stone aggregate, waterproof, hardwearing, can crack, slippery

BAMBOO•Woody grass laminated in strips under high pressure to make boards/sheets.

•Denser grain than timber, so more water resistant than some timbers

•Range of colours and textures available•Suitable for flooring, screening and Decorative pieces

CANE

•Natural resource, woven from grasses and rushes.

•Flexible but relatively fragile product that is can be used for furniture and decorative pieces.

WATER HYACINTHAlso referred to as seagrass, it is mostly found in Oriental waters, and often used in the creation of wicker furniture pieces and accessories.

CORKDerived from the outer bark of the cork tree. Sheets of cork bark are granulatedAnd mixed with resins, pressed and baked. Durable product, soft and warm Suitable for walls and floors.

LEATHERLeather for furniture comes mostly from cattle, and no two hides are alike. Age, heredity and environment all influence the character (and price) of leather. 

Materials can be classified into 2 categories:

MAN MADE: Man made materials are

processed, and can be made up of a mixture of raw and synthetic ingredients, which can make them resemble natural materials;

Man made materials, historically, have been prone to the reputation of being cheaper or lesser quality, however, technology has enabled the manufacture of quality products with extensive design applications.

MAN MADE MATERIALSMAN MADE MATERIALS INCLUDE: Tiles Brick Concrete Metals Glass Plastic Rubber Plasterboard Plywood/Particleboard Paper Paint

TILESInclude:• Ceramic (baked - made

from natural clay & water)

• Clay & Terracotta (baked - made from clay with mineral content)

BRICK

• Made from clay which is pressed and fired at high temperatures.

CONCRETE

• Made from cement, water, and an aggregate of sand and gravel, plus additives to prevent chipping.

METALS

Include:• Aluminium (mined from bauxite)• Brass (copper & zinc)• Bronze (copper & tin)• Chrome (aluminium & reduced oxide or

by-carbon)• Copper (mined)• Gold (mined, panned)• Cast & Wrought Iron (iron ore, coke &

limestone)• Nickel (chemical element & other

metals)• Silver (mined)• Stainless Steel (chromium & nickel)• Zinc (product of earths crust)

METALS

GLASS

Pure sand, soda and

lime heated to 1700 C degrees

PLASTICIncludes:• Laminate (paper &

resin glued together at high temperatures used for flooring and joinery

• PVC – composition of synthetic nylons, acrylics and polymers) used for furniture

• Synthetic Resin – acrylic, melamine used for furniture, lighting and decorative pieces

RUBBER

• Harvested from the rubber tree.

• Comes in tile, sheet or lineal form used for walls and floor.

• Soft underfoot, hardwearing.

• Needs to be laid on smooth even base.

PLASTERBOARD

• Gypsum – mined, processed then encased in a liner board.

• Can be textured and moulded in relief detail.

• Acoustic resistant, non combustible. Can be curved.

• Cement based plaster is used for external situations.

PLYWOOD• Plywood is many thin

sheets of wood glued together. When layers are put together it produces a sturdy, lightweight product which can be curved.

FIBREBOARDFIBREBOARD - Made from wood particles bonded with plastic Resin

MDF - Moisture resistant fibreboard made from wood particles bonded with plastic resin.Parrafin wax is added to provide protection against water and damp.

PARTICLEBOARD is a board made from nonchemically processed dry wood particles of various shapes and sizes and either synthetic or natural adhesive material.

PAPERWallpaper often colored and printed with designs and pasted to a wall as a decorative covering.

PAINTa substance composed of solid coloring matter suspended in a liquid medium and applied as a protective or decorative coating to various surfaces,