Corrugated Iron

http://cimba7200.blogspot.co.nz/

Corrugated iron is sheet iron that has been folded to created bends that increase the strength and rigidity of the metal. The sheets are put through a hydraulic press that moulds the sheets into the required shape.

Corrugated iron has been a very important material in the development of New Zealand building. It was first introduced into New Zealand over 150 years ago. Corrugated iron is usually galvanised (both sided treated with zinc) which helps to prevent it rusting, which is good for New Zealand as we are surrounded by sea. It was first used in New Zealand during the gold rush period as buildings were needed to house people but they wanted easy and cheap materials to construct the shelters. Corrugated iron was perfect for this as it is lightweight which makes easy to work with and is weatherproof. Since then Corrugated iron has often been used in rural settings as it wasn’t too heavy to carry out to the farms (they didn’t have helicopters back then) and it could easily be re-used on other buildings.

From the early 20^th century it has mainly been used as a roofing material. Though Corrugated iron is staring to interest designers as well; it not only does it come in a range of colours but is also staring to be used as an interior feature, such as sculpture or a digitally printed surface.

New Zealand Sculpture Gumboot 2000 By Jeff Thomson

http://www.art-newzealand.com/Issue100/thomson.htm

A bathroom with corrugated iron wall panels for texture and aesthetics.

http://remodelista.com/

In construction terms corrugated iron has many uses, such as roofing, wall panelling, base for laying concrete and water tanks.

It can be very noisy depending on the weather conditions, when there is heavy rain, hail or snow this can be very loud on the metal surface. Also, if it is not securely fixed to the structure it will flap in the wind as separate sheets are light weight. Domestically blanket insulation is often used under corrugated iron to help with sound control, as well as temperature and reducing condensation. When designing the building you have to take into account that metal is a very heavy material on mass and depending on the size and thickness of the corrugated iron, the buildings structure has to be strong enough to support the roof.

A kit home designed by a small company, Ral Homes.

http://leftclickblog.blogspot.co.nz/2010/05/housing-with-corrugated-iron-build-it.html

Corrugated iron is usually galvanised, which means it is treated with zinc to stop the metal from rusting, it is an anti-corrosion seal. It is the best kind of roofing to use in places with extreme weather conditions; it holds up against intense sun, heavy rain and even hail storms. It is often used in hurricane prone areas as it isn’t damaged by the strong winds. It is one of the most fire resistant of all roofing materials on the market.

Corrugated iron has a life expectancy of 50 years, as long as it is treated correctly and properly installed. It should be cleaned regularly, depending on the environmental factors the amount of cleaning may need to be increased. If you live by the sea corrosion will be an influential factor, make sure you have galvanised iron, therefore the zinc will be corroded and not the iron. To decrease the rate of corrosion there are sealants that you can apply to the roof to increase its durability.

An old water tank from rural New Zealand

http://www.devan.co.nz/Articles/Tanks/

It is attached using screws and when being laid out on the roof the valley of the corrugations should always be vertical, therefore the rain will be able to run down into the gutters. When over lapping the sheets, the standard over lapping is 1.5 corrugations, that way it will stop water from entering and create a weatherproof seal. You must also be careful not to stretch or damage the material as this will influence the weather resistant properties. You can find more installation tips at- http://stratco.com.au/products/roofing_walling/types/corrugated/cgi.asp

At a building site corrugated iron is should stay dry and be kept off the ground. If it does get wet, dry if off and leave it out in the open to air, make sure it is dry when being used.

Corrugated iron is sold per lineal metre and the prices change depending on the width of each corrugation, and the lengths that you want it in. Depending on the amount you require, corrugated iron can be delivered in sheets or in rolls of up to 10metres.

I got a quote from www.roof.co.nz and for their 0.40 Corrugated iron Galvanised 762 it was $14.85 per lineal metre + GST.

Some Suppliers in New Zealand are:

http://www.nzsteel.co.nz/products/galvsteel-

http://www.aspectroofing.co.nz/

http://www.dimond.co.nz/

By Alice Perry

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard is a cellulosic fibre made from recycled materials. Other materials that are often put into the mix are sawdust and bark pulp. Cardboard is a cheap and easily sourced product, it is traditionally used for packaging but now is being sourced for construction purposes.

Other uses are also in furniture manufacture, there are particular lacquers that you can apply to the card to prevent scratches or marks.

Frank O. Gehry’s corrugated cardboard, Wiggle Side Chair.

http://www.archithings.com/

It is often used to construct temporary structures as it is quick and easy to use and can be used as a form of insulation as it is good for retaining heat. In Christchurch the Anglican Church is looking at building a $4.1 million building from cardboard as temporary structure while they are design the plan for their new church.

http://www.inquisitr.com/220810/4-1-million-cardboard-cathedral-being-constructed-in-new-zealand/

One of the limitations of using card, if it gets wet it will get lose all rigidity and become soggy. Cardboard is a very absorbent material and can soak up moisture or toxins in the atmosphere. Another restriction is if it gets too hot it can potentially burst into flames, it is flammable and will spread extremely fast. There are ways to treat the cardboard to make it weatherproof and fire-resistant, including SafeCoat® Latex which is a sustainable coating so that when the cardboard is finished being used it can still be recycled. http://www.materialproject.org/

Corrugated cardboard is a great absorber of sounds and has high acoustic values. It has been used here as a sculptural sound box, a space to listen to music. The properties of the card make it an excellent atmosphere to enjoy the music.

When choosing the right kind of card for construction you need to take into consideration that there are many different thicknesses and sizes of corrugated cardboard. Cardboard comes in many different forms, it can be flat packed or in rolls. To keep cardboard protected on a building site it needs to be wrapped in plastic to keep it from absorbing moisture and off the ground to keep clean.

Cardboard is really only a temporary option unless it is treated to be weatherproof and fire resistant. It can be easily cut or marked and if bent wrong, it can lose its strength. It cannot be cleaned with liquid products, the only way would be to brush any dirt marks off. The most effective method would be to replace the damaged or dirty area.

Cardboard can be installed in many different ways, you can use the traditional construction methods, such as nails or screws, though less conventionally cardboard can also be joint using adhesives like glue or sticking tape.

A shop interior in Athens

http://giuliacoletto.wordpress.com/

By Alice Perry

Concrete flooring - Nina Daniels

Concrete is an affordable, hardwearing and easy to clean flooring option. Made from natural materials, it has a unique characteristic, producing variable results. In an interior, concrete flooring is most effective when it is positioned in a north facing location with double glazed windows. This is due to its high thermal mass, soaking in the heat during the day and releasing it in the evening, contributing to an energy efficient home. Concrete can assist to improved allergy management, as it does not harbour live organisms, such as dust mites. It also provides a high fire resistance compared with other building materials.
 
Concrete is ideal for flooring in living spaces and kitchens. It can create a seamless indoor, outdoor flow and cater for areas where non-slip is required. The acoustic performance of concrete is dictated by its mass and damping qualities.

Concrete can be an adaptable architectural material, as it can be coloured or stained, can be cut into patterns (e.g. to look like tiles), different colour and sized aggregate can be added and glass or crushed shells can be added to create a unique finish.

 
Peter Fell (www.peterfell.co.nz) are specialists in coloured concrete and offer a variety of options when it comes to colouring and applying textures to interior concrete flooring. With a selection of 80 colours, they offer a cost effective flooring finish (approximately $50 per square metre). The colour pigment is mixed through the concrete before being laid. This prevents a chipped or worn appearance.

(http://www.peterfell.co.nz/inspiration/details/floors.html)

Concrete is porous so can easily be stained. During construction, concrete must be protected from staining and marks with a polythene cover. After the concrete is cured (at least 28 days) sealing can be applied. Sealers protect the concrete from staining, reduces the risk of organic matter growing, reduces the transfer of moisture and stops concrete dust occurring. It also adds a shine to the concrete, giving it a vibrant look and preserves the colour. Due to iron oxides, the colour will not fade. Sealing lasts around 3-5 years, depending on the area’s traffic and exposure to sun. It requires little maintenance.

 
Allied Concrete (www.alliedconcrete.co.nz) have a variety of high quality New Zealand river pebbles for use as exposed aggregate. They have developed a range of colours to suit any home. Exposed aggregates have become a popular choice for patios and paths. It is a durable and easy to maintain option. Aggregates are natural products, so some colour variation will occur depending on placement, weather and site conditions.

Allied Concrete also offers coloured concrete options and READY Glow. READY Glow is a non-toxic, photo luminescent aggregate. It is a unique flooring option, which uses powerful glow stones to produce a long, bring glow. It is a self-powering, renewable light source. Fifteen minutes of exposure to natural light will produce over 12 hours of glow time. Stones are 19-25mm in size and come in Sky Blue and Yellow Green colours. READY Glow can be applied to both indoor and outdoor areas, such as flooring, stairs, walls, patios and more. READY Glow stones are sold per 100g.

(http://www.alliedconcrete.co.nz/solutions/decorative/readyglow)

 
Concrete has endless possibilities, from decorative to structural. Because most foundations are made from concrete there is no extra flooring cost other than its finishing.

Leather - Kath Becker

For the most part leather furniture would not be considered practical for households with children. However now there are many degrees of treatment that the textile can undergo to make it fit any purpose.

Bycast leather has an artificial finish

Full grain leather has not been corrected by any means of sanding or buffing. Retaining the grain gives the hide strength and durability. Without any finishes smothering the fibres, the leather has breathability. Over time the surface with develop a patina, which is a natural sheen that comes with use.

Bycast leather is where the hide is split in thickness and a coat of polyurethane applied to the surface. An immitation grain is embossed in the polyurethane. The result is alot stronger than untreated hide, the texture is more consistent and it is easier to maintain. Such properties mean it is often considered an alternative furniture covering to cloth fabrics if small children are present.

Chair made with full grain leather

Top grain leather means the rawhide has been removed, leaving a thin layer of leather that receives a sand and a polish. This is the most common variety of treated leather for fine furniture.

Corrected grain leather are produced when the appearance of the leather does not meet the requirements. The imperfections are sanded off and an artificial grain is pressed into the hide.

Coloured leathers are increasingly sought after, and the range of colours is burgeoning. The structure of the grain means that the dying process is quite simple. An untreated hide will absorb the pigment easily and with the right finish, will retain the colour for a long time. Exposure to sunlight will fade the colour, but regular teatments will reduce the effect.

Depending of the process undergone by the hide, the cost of leather varies. Fullgrain leather requires the best quality hide because of how little it is treated. Whereas the bycast leather can be sourced from hide with imperfections and not affect the aesthetic. A sq.m of full grain cowhide will cost anywhere between $50 and $100. Low quality leather can cost between $10 and $50 per sq.m.

Bluestone Tiles - Nina Daniels

Bluestone is a natural stone which is blue/grey in colour. It is a hard stone, making it very durable and long lasting.

 Locally, Timaru Bluestone (http://www.timarubluestone.co.nz) offers a large variety of products and finishes. Using the raw natural stone they manufacture Bluestone into paving, house veneers, pool edging, tiles, architectural panels and much more. The unique stone is unaffected by the weather and low maintenance is required. It is ideal for high volume traffic areas due to its robust wear and tear qualities.

 
There are seven types of standard finishes available:
 

Brushed Polished – commonly used for tiles, vanities and architectural panels. This finish should not be used when slip-resistance is required.
 


Brush Honed – Generally used for internal applications such as tiles, stair treads and vanities. This finish has an acceptable slip-resistance (Co efficient of friction wet (AS/NZS 3661.1 1993) - 0.65).
 

First Brushed – This finish has a remarkable slip-resistance. (Co efficient of friction wet (AS/NZS 3661.1 1993) - 0.75). A light patina is created by one set of brushes. Generally used for tiles, stair treads, thresholds and vanities)
 


Diamond Rubbed – By calibrating the stone slab a non-slip surface is created. This finish is best suited for paving but is also used for house veneers and large architectural panels.
 


Birds Pecked – This machine finished texture is generally used for kerb and channel, house veneers and large architectural panels.
 



Tumbled – The stone is tumbled to roughen the surface and round the edges. This creates an aged appearance. Used for vehicular paving, pedestrian paving and cobbles.
 


Pitched / Split Face – This finish exposes the natural stone texture. It is commonly used for kerb and channel, house veneers, vehicular paving, walls and fences.
 

Bluestone tiles:

Timaru Bluestone produces tiles for both domestic and commercial use. Generally, they make their tiles 15mm thick for internal application. This allows the tiles to be laid alongside other flooring surfaces without a significant change in height. Standard tile sizes are 400x400mm or 400mm x 350-750mm. They cater for custom sizes on request.

 
For indoor use, tiles are predominantly Brush Honed or Brush Polished. Non-slip resistance is created through the micro texture of the stone permitting no wear of resistance over time. The low maintenance stone has a design life of 50+ years.
 
Bluestone tiles have an availability of 4-8 weeks.
For installation, Timaru Bluestone recommends the pavers be laid in a sand-cement mix on a 75mm 20MPA concrete bed or equivalent. An acrylic bonding agent should be added to the mortar. When grouting is required a 6mm joint should be considered, care must be taken to avoid staining of the stone. If cleaning is necessary from mortar, Timaru Bluestone recommends “Spirits of Salts”.
 
Bluestone’s neutral colour will allow it to be easily incorporated with other design elements. Its appearance will be enhanced by the forming of natural patina.
Examples of Timaru Bluestone projects are the Otago University and the Christchurch Airport. 

Otago University

(http://www.timarubluestone.co.nz/index.php/otago-university)

Christchurch Airport

(http://www.timarubluestone.co.nz/index.php/chch-airport)

Granite - Samantha Jackett

Granite rock, contains the materials of quartz, mica and fledspar. Granite can be pink to grey in colour depending on the chemistry and mineralogy.  Granite is used for flooring tiles, monuments and bench tops.  Granite is very durable and resists heat. Although Granite can be useful it requires regular maintenance. Besides cleaning you need to make sure the granite is sealed regularly. Stains can be hard to remove, but not impossible. benchtops may also be susceptible to cracking.

Basic Cleaning
To keep granite benchtops clean, use a microfiber cloth to dust off the surface. Wipe down the bench daily and as needed using water. Once a week wipe down with a damp cloth and a stone cleaner formulated with a neutral pH. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. They can scratch, pit, and etch the surface of the stone. For oily stains, try a poultice made of a cup of flour or baking soda and 5 tablespoons of dish soap. Add water to make it the consistency of sour cream or yogurt. Place the solution directly on the stain and cover with plastic wrap overnight, before washing away the poultice.

It is recommended that for Seasonal cleaning  to follow the steps below
Sealing is a regular task for granite. Re-seal the countertop when water splashed on the surface no longer beads up. It's important to examine your granite at least once a year. Inspect areas to make sure there is no cracking or shifting at the seams. Inspect for stains and scratches as well. If there are stains or damage, contact a stone-care professional for repair.

For installation go to this website :
http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Granite-Countertops

Here you can see how much goes on underneath a granite bench top.

Colour Scheme by Samantha Jackett

My colour challenge was the colour orange as i just hate it! I had to incorporate something orange into a room, it could be a lamp, pillow, or small wall.

These were some of my colour schemes. 

Here i found an orange vase in a kitchen setting as the kitchen itself is quite bland and only uses the grey tones, I thought the orange vase was great as it added a pop of colour but it wasn't enough to be distracting or too bright. It is something that i would have added into a modern kitchen. 

I wanted to show an orange pillow on a chair or couch so I added some orange into an image to show what it would be like. As the tones of the chair are quite creamy white the orange adds in colour and makes the chair and would make the room more colourful and interesting. 

This is an image of a kitchen where they have painted one wall orange. The one wall being orange makes the space more appealing, colourful and interesting. I think they have used the colour well in this space as it is not a full wall of orange as this could be too over powering and bright, but by adding it on a small wall it dosent overpower the space and adds in that bit of colour.