Standard Finishes
Chicago Public School buildings are constructed using proven and durable materials requiring low maintenance. Interior materials selected shall reflect indoor air quality goals stated previously in these guidelines. Some spaces such as corridors, lobbies, toilet rooms and stairwells will endure a daily heavy traffic level usage and therefore CPS approved materials are required.
Consideration shall be given to an interior design scheme that creates interesting environments, promotes wayfinding, and provides a cohesive design approach throughout the building. Although most finishes are prescribed in these guidelines, designs shall consider materials, colors, patterns and other architectural features that create an identifiable theme that transitions from corridors to classrooms and more highly specialized spaces. The selection and use color palette shall be appropriate for the function served by each space. For example the colors and materials in a classroom shall help in fostering an environment for tranquility and concentration. Conversely, a gymnasium may warrant more bold colors and finishes which contribute to a high energy atmosphere during sporting events.
An overview of typical materials is described below with details pertinent to each material. Additional discussions of requirements, particularly regarding their location, can be found under individual sections of these guidelines.
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- Carpet Tile: Used in limited areas in select offices, conference rooms, libraries and other specialty spaces requiring special acoustic treatment. Carpet tiles are preferable for their ease of replacement in small areas. Special consideration for maintenance shall be made when selecting carpet tile. Color and weave patterns that do not easily show dirt and wear are to be selected. Avoid very light and dark colors, typically.
- Carpet: Roll Goods 6’ use in limited in auditorium aisles when applicable due to heavy traffic.
- Ceramic Tile: Typically located at toilet rooms, showers, pool decks, and other wet areas only. Avoid white tiles and use medium to dark grout; 4 color maximum. Colors and pattern to be reviewed by CPS. Size to be as follows:
- New Construction Projects: 2” x 2” minimum; 12” x 12” maximum
- Repairs to Match Existing: 1” x 1”, 1” x 2”, or 2” x 2”
- Fluid Applied Flooring: For use in mechanical spaces, janitor’s closets, storage and other back of house spaces as indicated. Provide control joints as required to prevent cracking.
- Polished Concrete: Possible applications throughout the school for main circulation and classroom spaces at the ground floor and upper floors. Not to be used for early childhood, wet areas, kitchen spaces, auditorium spaces and gymnasiums. Provide control joints as needed to prevent cracking. This is to be approved by CPS on a limited case by case basis.
- Quarry Tile: 6” x 6” Typically located in Servery and Kitchen areas. Use medium to dark grout.
- Resilient Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT): VCT is the preferred flooring for classrooms and corridors. High vinyl-content, homogeneous with color extending throughout thickness. Random floor patterns shall be provided in all spaces for ease of replacement and long-term maintenance. Pattern mix to be 50% Neutral/ 30% Accent/20% Accent. Maintain attic stock for all colors. Patterns shall utilize the full modular tile size of the product to avoid waste and encourage a cost competitive installation. The selection between SVT and VCT shall be determined by CPS early in the design process.
- Fluid Applied Flooring: For use in mechanical spaces, janitor’s closets, storage and other back of house spaces as indicated. Provide control joints as required to prevent cracking.
- Polished Concrete: Possible applications throughout the school for main circulation and classroom spaces at the ground floor and upper floors. Not to be used for early childhood, wet areas, kitchen spaces, auditorium spaces and gymnasiums. Provide control joints as needed to prevent cracking. This is to be approved by CPS on a limited case by case basis.
- Quarry Tile: 6” x 6” Typically located in Servery and Kitchen areas. Use medium to dark grout.
- Resilient Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT): VCT is the preferred flooring for classrooms and corridors. High vinyl- content, homogeneous with color extending throughout thickness. Random floor patterns shall be provided in all spaces for ease of replacement and long-term maintenance. Pattern mix to be 50% Neutral/ 30% Accent/20% Accent. Maintain attic stock for all colors. Patterns shall utilize the full modular tile size of the product to avoid waste and encourage a cost competitive installation. The selection between SVT and VCT shall be determined by CPS early in the design process.
- Resilient Solid Vinyl Tile (SVT): Shall only be used upon approval by CPS. Typically this is used only for renovation projects of limited scope to patch and repair and existing installation.
- Resinous Flooring: For use in high traffic areas including locker rooms and mechanical/electrical spaces; elevator machine rooms; janitor’s closet; service areas. This is a multi layer painted or fluid applied epoxy floor finish. Not to be used in kitchen/servery.
- Rubber Floor Tile: 2’-0” x 2’-0”, homogeneous. CPS standard requires an integral polyurethane within the tile that minimizes maintenance requirements. Random floor patterns shall be provided in all spaces for ease of replacement and long-term maintenance. Pattern mix to be 50% Neutral/ 30% Accent/20% Accent. Maintain attic stock for all colors. Patterns shall utilize the full modular tile size of the product to avoid waste and encourage a cost competitive installation. To be used in specialty instructional spaces including Pre-K and early learning centers, science classrooms, increased moisture conditions and/or additional acoustical considerations exist.
- Rubber Sheet Athletic Flooring: 3/8” thick sheet rubber flooring for use in weight rooms and fitness/exercise rooms.
- Sprung Dance Floor: Theater and Dance Floor. A resilient sports sheet flooring may be used in certain circumstances with CPS approval.
- Stairs: Resilient. Refer to the Circulation section (2.2.4) of the Design Guidelines.
- Walk-off-mat: Flush mounted roll-up walk off grilles recessed into slab located at entry vestibules. The walk- off surface shall be 10’-0” minimum, continuous or non continuous, to meet LEED requirements. Roll-up-mats to be provided to supplement recessed grills.
- Wood Athletic Flooring: CPS specific system construction including ventilated base to be used at gymnasiums and gymnatoriums.
- Wood Stage Flooring: CPS specific system construction including ventilated base with isolation pads and sound attenuation.
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- Ceramic Tile: Cove profile. Provide ceramic cove base tile at all areas where ceramic floor tile is used. Match tile and grout to flooring tile and grout, respectively.
- Color: Medium or dark color for maintenance reasons.
- Height: Typically 4” high.
- Non-ceramic trim in lieu of ceramic cove base is acceptable.
- Quarry Tile: Cove profile. For use at spaces with similar flooring.
- Resilient Base: Coved base at the hard surface floor and straight base at carpet. Provide at all locations with resilient floor tile except where solid surface wall protection occurs. Provide a strip water barrier (with 4” minimum vertical and horizontal legs) to prevent water migration at the joint between the floor and wall. Provide detailing for differential movement and floor leveling.
- Steel: Angle profile for use at gymnasium wood floors only.
- Ventilating Base: For use at wood floor systems where required.
- Ceramic Tile: Cove profile. Provide ceramic cove base tile at all areas where ceramic floor tile is used. Match tile and grout to flooring tile and grout, respectively.
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- Acoustics: Refer to the acoustics section Volume 3, Chapter 2.7 as well as room data sheets for specific spaces requirements in Volume 3, Chapters 3 and 4.
- Fire Ratings: The AOR is responsible for reviewing applicable codes and determining the fire rating assemblies for all partition. In some special instances, CPS has identified wall construction assemblies that may be greater than the required fire rating. Even through the walls have multiple layers of drywall to achieve the required performance criteria, the details should not show a UL rating greater than the code requirement for the assembly i.e. a wall can be a one-hour even though it has two layers of gypsum board each side.
- Construction
- CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) or Cast-in-Place Concrete: Utilized in stairwells and elevator shafts to provide shear walls. Shall be painted in all locations.
- Gypsum Board Partitions: Typical for all locations including typical classrooms, offices, storage rooms, back of house spaces (mechanical/electrical), storage rooms and behind lockers in corridors:
- Space 25 gauge metal studs 16” on center. Specific conditions will require 20 gauge metal studs at locations including but not limited to windows and doors.
- (2) layers of Type X Gypsum Board.
- Provide control joints as recommended by the USG Gypsum Construction Handbook
- Level 5: Walls and ceilings to receive semi-gloss or gloss paint finish and other areas specifically indicated, including walls to receive dry erase coatings.
- Level 4: Walls and ceilings to receive paint finish or wall coverings, unless otherwise indicated.
- Level 1: Fire rated wall areas above finished ceilings, whether or not accessible in the completed construction.
- Note: Even though the walls have multiple layers of drywall to achieve the required performance criteria, the details should not show a UL rating greater than the code requirement for the assembly i.e. a wall can be a one-hour wall even though it has two layers of gypsum board each side.
- Shaft Wall: Gypsum board clad shaftwall (stud-framed) shall be utilized at mechanical shafts only. For elevator and stair enclosure shall be CMU or cast-in-place concrete. If shaftwall, the exposed (outer) layer of gypsum shall be abuse- and moisture-resistant board; the inner layer shall be Type X board.
- VHI: Very-High Impact Resistance Board: Shall be installed in select and limited locations. Examples include building entries, corridors, stairways, common areas, classroom entries, gymnasiums/ gymnatoriums, locker rooms, dock areas, associated service and delivery corridors, and janitor closets. Height of very high-impact-resistant board shall be limited to 8’-0” AFF to reduce cost, similar to typical wall construction outlined above. (Note: Portion of wall directly behind lockers to be two layers of Type X gypsum board.)
- Wet Wall Locations: Provide (1) layer 1/2” cementitious backer board OR (1) 5/8” coated glass mat backer board with Ceramic Tile, FRP, or Solid Surface as the finish. Wall assembly to achieve the required wall rating.
- Ceramic Tile: Including but not limited to, Toilet Rooms, Shower Area, Dining Area and Servery. 2”x2” minimum Glazed or Unglazed Ceramic Wall Tile of various sizes including Subway Tile.
- FRP Panels (Fiberglass Reinforced Panel): Kitchen and service areas.
- Solid Surface Wall Protection: Including but not limited to, Cafeteria, Servery, behind drinking fountains, and backsplash at classroom sinks and Toilet Rooms.
- Finishes
- Solid Surface Wall and Corner Protection: Shall be 1/2-inch thickness and trim with integral flush solid surface base and chamfered top edge. The height shall extend to the top of the lockers or align with the top of the door frame as determined with consultation with CPS. Shall be installed in select and limited locations. Examples include building entries, corridors, common areas, classroom entries located on the first floor, cafeterias, and pre-function areas for libraries and gymnasiums/gymnatoriums. Solid Surface materials used for wall protection shall be laid over two (2) layers of Type X gypsum board. Refer to CPS Specifications 10 26 01 Wall and Corner Protection.
- FRP Panels (Fiberglass Reinforced Panel): To be used for service areas only located in the back of house including the kitchen, service corridors and janitor’s closets. Provide over scheduled gypsum board partition. Refer to CPS Specifications 10 26 02 FRP Wall Paneling.
- Ceramic Tile: Tile may be 2”x2” minimum Glazed or Unglazed Wall Tile of various sizes including Subway Tile. Solid white tile walls are not acceptable. Color and pattern to be reviewed and approved by CPS. Backup partition construction is steel stud framing with one layer moisture resistant gypsum-core board (inner layer) and one layer 1/2-inch cement board (outer layer). Walls would typically be one-sided (plumbing chase walls), with a limited amount of two-sided walls.
- Stainless Steel Backsplash: Located in Kitchen areas including the hood, 3 compartment sinks, wall mounted prep sinks and hand sinks with side panels and/or as specified in the drawings. Full height stainless steel panel required at hood.
- Protective Wall Covering: Engineered Protective Wall Covering in lieu of Solid Surface Wall Protection at Pre-K Annexes in Building Entries, Corridors and Multi-Purpose Rooms. Protective Wall Covering used for wall protection shall be laid over two (2) layers of Type X gypsum board. Refer to CPS Specifications 10 26 03 Protective Wall Coverings.
- Decorative Adhesive Backed Wall Covering: Decorative Adhesive Backed Wall Covering/Architectural Overlay with custom printed graphic image over pressure sensitive adhesive backing. The graphic image requires prior CPS approval. Refer to CPS Specifications 09 77 56 Decorative Adhesive Backed Wall Covering.
- Paints: Shall be of low or no VOC content. See below for finish level/coating type requirements. This is to be coordinated with the gypsum board wall assembly finish level. Locations for paint coating finish types listed as below but not inclusive:
- Epoxy Gloss: Kitchens, Toilet Rooms, handrails
- Semi Gloss: corridors, stairwells, classrooms, and mechanical spaces
- Flat: ceilings only
- Level 5: Walls and ceilings to receive semi-gloss or gloss paint finish and other areas specifically indicated, including walls to receive dry erase coatings.
- Level 4: Walls and ceilings to receive paint finish or wall coverings, unless otherwise indicated.
- Level 1: Fire rated wall areas above finished ceilings, whether or not accessible in the completed construction.
- Color: The use of accent color is encouraged in many spaces. The accent wall is preferred to be the main teaching wall. All walls to have a minimum of 50% light reflectance. The use of dark colors may be used provided that the color doesn’t adversely impact the light levels of the room.
- Light Reflectance: All walls to have a minimum of 50% light reflectance.
- Corner Guards: Integrated flush into the wall construction to maintain all required fire ratings. Located at all outside corners in all circulation spaces from floor to ceiling. Heavy duty Stainless Steel corner guards shall be applied in all kitchen, servery, dining, service and delivery areas. High impact vinyl corner guards for all other areas.
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- Acoustical Ceiling Tile (ACT): Primary ceiling construction throughout the school unless directed otherwise. Provide 2’-0”x2’-0” acoustical panels with exposed 15/16”-wide suspension framing. 2’-0”x 4’-0” tiles are discouraged due to likelihood of warping. Grid materials are typically steel, although aluminum is used for some spaces.
- ACT - Gypsum Core/Membrane Overlay (Vinyl Faced): Kitchens, serveries, and culinary arts classrooms. Scrubbable surface required by Public Health Agencies.
- ACT - Glass Fiber Acoustical Panels : Library, music rooms and dining areas
- ACT - Painted Mineral Fiber (High Impact): Corridors, open offices, service areas, storage rooms, and back of house
- ACT - Painted Mineral Fiber High NRC: Core Learning Spaces, Student Support Spaces, Classrooms, enclosed Offices, Conference Rooms, and Faculty Work Rooms.
- Gypsum Board: Suspended Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Board with painted finish. Shall be used at toilet rooms, shower areas, locker rooms, soffits, ceiling accents and as indicated for specific rooms. Provide control joints as recommended by the USG Gypsum Construction Handbook.
- Soffits: To be created with drywall only, ACT soffits are not permitted.
- Access Panels: Shall only be located in the ceiling adjacent to any soffits, An effort shall be made to avoid use of access panels in hard ceilings and sofftis whenever possible and provide ACT in areas where routine maintenance is anticipated.
- Cement Board: Shower area ceilings shall be suspended cement board with painted finish
- Exposed Structure: Mechanical and electrical rooms, dock areas, MDF/IDF rooms, elevator machine rooms, support spaces, service spaces, gymnasiums, and aquatic centers.
- Angle of Ceiling: Typical parallel to floor can be adjusted to meet daylighting and acoustical strategies.
- Color: Ceilings shall be white or of a light color approximating white.
- Acoustical Ceiling Tile (ACT): Primary ceiling construction throughout the school unless directed otherwise. Provide 2’-0”x2’-0” acoustical panels with exposed 15/16”-wide suspension framing. 2’-0”x 4’-0” tiles are discouraged due to likelihood of warping. Grid materials are typically steel, although aluminum is used for some spaces.