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J.2 FURNITURE AND TEXTILE CONSTRUCTION
J.2.1 FURNITURE
Materials selected for furniture should contain low-emitting bonding adhesives and should be constructed from rapidly renewable materials, recovered materials, or sustainabley harvested materials. Furniture construction can be separated into two categories: wood and metal.
J.2.1.1 Wood
Wood furniture is either made of softwoods that are evergreens, or hardwoods that are deciduous. Softwoods are used for residential grade furniture and are not recommended for the majority of Army facilities. Hardwoods are used to construct seating frames, base cabinetry, and solid furniture. Hardwoods make good surface finishes. Veneers are thin sheets of wood that are glued to base materials, then stained and finished. Premium pieces should be veneered on both sides of each board for stability. These pieces can be very decorative depending on the placement of veneers.
J.2.1.2 Metals
Metals are often used for office furniture. These metals include steel, aluminum, and alloys. Steel is strong, but will rust if not properly treated with a plating or painting process. Stainless steel is very expensive and used only in areas where high durability is required. Aluminum is not as strong, but does not rust. The finishes on metal furniture should not chip, which almost always lead to rust and corrosion.
Metal is measured by the gauge - the smaller the gauge, the thicker the sheet. For example, an 8 gauge sheet is much thicker than a 16 gauge sheet. The connections of metal furniture are either welded or bolted.
J.2.2 TEXTILES
When selecting fabrics, there are several factors to consider; color, durability, price, fire resistance, and fiber type. There are natural fibers and artificial fibers. The most common natural fibers for textiles are wool, mohair, cotton, silk, and linen. The most common synthetics are polyester, acrylics, nylons, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, olefin, and rayon.
There are several treatments that can enhance the performance of textiles. Antibacterial and mildew resistance treatments protect against the growth of mold and mildew. Anti-static treatments aid in reducing static electricity. Fireproofing, fire-retardant, and flame resistance treatments help fabric to resist ignition, slow flame spread, and provide fireproofing.
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