Materials, Finishes, Furnishings, and Specification
This domain tests whether you can select products that perform in the real conditions and document them precisely enough that the contractor installs the right thing.
Core rules
- Write specifications in three parts: Part 1 General (submittals, quality assurance, delivery), Part 2 Products (manufacturer, model, color, performance), Part 3 Execution (substrate, installation, cleaning). Use proprietary specification with substitutions controlled, not open or-equal language.
- Cite performance: ASTM E84 flame spread (Class A 0-25, Class B 26-75); tile DCOF above 0.42 for wet floors; carpet CRI rating and face weight; resilient wear layer 6-8 mil residential, 12-20 mil commercial; substrate deflection L/360 for tile and L/720 for stone.
- Indoor air: low-VOC adhesives and finishes tested to CDPH Standard Method (Section 01350); formaldehyde-free substrates.
- Order with waste: 10-15% tile, 5-10% plank flooring, 10% wallpaper; require same dye lot or an approved blend.
Worked example
A family with two dogs wants a kitchen floor. Porcelain tile with DCOF 0.55 resists water and claws; specify a 1/8 in grout joint with epoxy grout for stain resistance and a crack-isolation membrane over plywood. If they prefer resilient, specify LVT with a 20 mil wear layer and commercial urethane finish, not a 6 mil builder-grade product, because the wear layer - not the printed photographic layer - determines service life. Either way, the specification names the product, the performance number, and the installation method.
Traps
- Approving a sample instead of a job-site mock-up or strike-off.
- Omitting transition strips, stair nosing, and trim from the finish schedule.
- Forgetting substrate requirements such as membranes and primer.
- Mixing dye lots across rooms that touch.