Choosing a wood finish: veneer, solid wood, lacquer and oil
A practical guide to wood finishes for doors, furniture and panelling: solid wood or veneer, book-matching, lacquer versus oil, sheen levels and care.
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What we learnon the factory floor.
Notes on materials, fabrication and installation, drawn from projects we built ourselves.
Slatted timber walls and ceilings: design, acoustics and lighting
How to design a slatted timber wall or ceiling: slat size and spacing, backing panels for acoustics, concealed doors, and lighting that brings the timber to life.
Read the articleBuilt-in furniture made to measure: wardrobes, TV walls and storage
Planning built-in furniture: walk-in wardrobes, TV walls, entrance benches and under-stair storage made to measure, with materials, hardware and lighting.
Read the articleTimber pivot doors and solid wood entrance doors: a buyer's guide
What to know before ordering a timber pivot or entrance door: how pivots work, solid wood versus engineered cores, sizes, finishes and protecting wood from the sun.
Read the articleInterior partitions and room dividers: glass, aluminum and metal screens
Choosing an interior partition for an office or home: glass and aluminum walls, sliding doors, and decorative metal screens, with sound, privacy and light in mind.
Read the articleLaser-cut screens and modern mashrabiya for facades
How laser-cut metal screens bring privacy, shade and pattern to a facade: aluminum or steel, choosing a pattern, open area, fixing and finishes.
Read the articleGlazing for hot climates: keeping heat out of a glass facade
How to choose glass for Saudi facades and windows: double glazing, low-E and solar-control coatings, thermal-break frames, shading and which way the glass faces.
Read the articleCurtain wall or window wall: choosing a glass facade
The difference between a curtain wall and a window wall, how each is fixed and sealed, and which suits a villa, an office or a building with curved glass.
Read the articleGalvanizing or painting: protecting steel from rust
How hot-dip galvanizing, paint systems and powder coating protect steel outdoors, when to combine them, and how to keep gates, railings and canopies rust-free.
Read the articleSteel staircases: what to plan before fabrication
Spiral, floating or straight: how to plan a steel staircase for a home or building, from rise and going to the structure, treads, railings and finish.
Read the articleOrnamental iron gates: design, fabrication and finish
How to design an ornamental iron gate that lasts: sizing and swing, laser-cut versus hand-forged ornament, automation, and finishes that stand up to Riyadh's climate.
Read the articleSteel entrance doors for villas: security, insulation and finish
What makes a good steel entrance door for a villa: the frame and leaf, the core that insulates it, the locks and hinges, and finishes that last in the sun.
Read the articleTimber wall cladding: what to decide before it is made
A practical guide to interior timber cladding: solid wood or veneered panels, panel layout, fixing, finishes, and coordinating with lighting and services.
Read the articleIron, stainless steel or glass: choosing railings for stairs and balconies
How to choose between iron, stainless steel and glass railings: where each one fits, how they wear, and what to settle before fabrication starts.
Read the articleHow to choose aluminum windows for your project
A practical guide to specifying aluminum window systems: profile, glazing, thermal break, and what actually changes insulation and day-to-day operation.
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