A slightly grim subject, but we're getting close to Halloween.
I want to build on a topic from my last post; namely, the idea that durable materials can be alienating because humans aren't very durable.
"Maintenance Free" is a very effective advertising tool when used in conjunction with building materials. It is common knowledge, and supported by convincing empirical proof, that some things we build with last longer than others. Longevity is associated with high quality, and for some things--like waste drainage lines--this is indisputable. Building enclosure systems are also highly regarded if they last for a longer period of time than carpets.
But "maintenance free" is a lie, unless it is applied to truly permanent structures like coffins and the Pioneer 10 spacecraft. Human use and exposure to nature degrade and destroy the most permanent architecture.
Maintenance is only one of the performance criteria that is used in material and systems selection. A low maintenance product can be aesthetically questionable, like vinyl siding, and its longevity can be a detriment to how the entire composition of the architecture is perceived.
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