A material should be judged after ten years of weather, cleaning, knocks, and repair, not only under showroom lighting.
Ask how it changes
Solid timber can be refinished. Uncoated metals develop a patina. Mineral surfaces accept small variations. These changes can become part of the architecture when they are expected from the start.
- Request installed samples
- Review maintenance with the supplier
- Confirm repair methods
- Use vulnerable finishes where replacement is practical
Detail for water first
Many finish failures begin with water held in the wrong place. Drips, falls, ventilation gaps, and protected edges matter more than a perfect sample.