Electrical Installation: Is it worth leaving exposed?

Since the bourgeois bohemians invaded abandoned industrial buildings in the 1950s and 1960s and transformed the word loft to make it a kind of residence, all types of pipes have been turned, literally, into art installations. The main signature of this trend has been total exposure and thanks to the brutalism  concept driven by architects who preached about the honesty of buildings and the recovery of materials this trend has only become stronger with time.

In context it made perfect sense. With little money in their pockets, these youngsters restored just the basics and complemented the electrical conduits and exposed pipes with bright colours, setting off the decor. The trend also inflamed the housing market in cities that didn’t even have this sort of building stock. Total exposure has become an architectural feature. This new way of displaying pipes has quickly come into play to break the sobriety of a pre-imposed decor stereotype (speaking like a true architect).

The thirst for novelty made this concept take off widely, and it is now a well-established global trend and that has been widely adopted in UK, even by high-end retail properties and entertainment places. Today the hipster subculture is renewing this trend. These new middle class young Bohemians are typically white millennials living in urban areas where they are quickly taking over rundown buildings, turning them into trendy bars and restaurants packed with second hand furniture with little or no fixing up. But is it worth it?

Simple question, controversial response

Some believe that it’s worth it for the sake of aesthetics. Exposed ducts marry perfectly with modern buildings, double height, large areas of glass and a mix of materials; whether stainless steel or painted bricks.
Some are against this and only recommend the adoption of this style in industrial plants as  in any new construction the design of the pipes have to follow a perfect line, which in practical terms will not make the installer’s life any easier. When designing a lighting project, for example, there are various new solutions that need to be embedded in plaster and walls.

Voltimum calls attention to another point. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a cheap procedure. In many cases it even costs more. To leave the systems exposed, the materials need to be impeccably finished. Not to mention the need for skilled labour -- not everyone knows how to mess with the installation systems. Of course the work time decreases, as there is no need to contract a bricklayer and a painter to finish off, but some believe that the end result leaves much to be desired. 

Although the materials are more expensive, the maintenance is cheaper. Even if a leakage does occur and it drips out, the damage is always less than if the pipes were inside of the walls and ceilings. No to mention  how easy it is to spot the leak.

Leaving the network of wires and cables visible has its advantages: easy modification of the layout, capability of adding new points without changing the walls. In old buildings in which the electrical and hydraulic systems must be renewed, the exposure of the pipes and conduits is an easy way to reduce work time and costs. To explain how and when to leave them exposed we need to point out that before any reform, it is important to see the floor plan and request information to eliminate any surprise factors.

Maze of conduits and cables

Exposed electrical installations are a good option for those who like to think in the arrangement of furniture (or those who have enough money to change it every year). The visible conduits allow you to change the points of light without carrying out additional work. It is a solution that does not leave the house rigid. But before you start breaking down walls, think about the end result. 

Take care not to pollute the environment. Make a drawing (if you are a professional) of the cabling taking into account aesthetics and possible technical issues. Also, choose metal pipes, which are more durable and beautiful. Although they are more robust, hydraulic tubes can also get in sight. To identify the various pipes, paint them with enamel paint of different colours. Before doing this, sandpaper each pipe and use a specific base coat for each material. They are strong elements that stand out in the environment from the distribution boards and furniture. 

Darling Wall

Great to warm environments, exposed brick walls are present in many buildings. If a building was constructed before the 1940s, there is a great chance of finding bricks rather than cement blocks or ceramic underneath the plaster. Then just peel the wall and add a sealer coat. The brick is porous: leave it loose and it will collect dust. For maintenance, you will have to cover it with a matte resin. If in doubt, make a small hole in the wall. 

If by any chance you happened to peel an entire wall and discover more than one type of block, because the house has undergone several reforms, that’s ok. Many would consider it cool anyway, as you can see the history of the place. If the brick is not original construction, you can still use coating to achieve the same effect in new property, covering the wall with half a brick or cement coatings that mimic the material and are thinner.

Surprise (un) desired

While tearing down walls to integrate the rooms, it is common to find the odd structural beam or column along the way. So what to do? Should you disguise or reveal the hardness of the concrete? Plastering is not an easy job. Professionals should be careful not to chisel the material, it is better to leave some of the grout and sanding later than trying to take everything away and form marks. 

Small flaws in the finish are characteristic of exposed concrete. But there are people who prefer to spend cement mass to correct these 'imperfections'. It is also recommended to apply a colourless resin to stop the release of dust. The structural element shows the original construction. Although you may like to let the beams be exposed for that reason, the problem is that sometimes they have different heights, which consequently fragments the space. If that’s the case use plaster lining to hide them.

The price of learning when leaving the structures exposed varies considerably for several reasons: it depends on the state of the property, the materials used, the time of retirement and the type of labour. Metal pipes, which are ideal to be exposed, are more expensive than PVC pipes, which it is recommended to embed into the wall. 

Don’t get it wrong

• Ask a trusted architect to produce a thorough project plan, detailing all the electrical and plumbing pipes. It is the architect who will ensure the harmony in the design.
• The marking of points where light sources and sockets will be distributed is essential to define the layout of the furniture and avoid deviations that compromise the outcome. Set everything and anything in advance.
• Check the quality of the pipes. Ideally cast iron for water and sewage and galvanised steel for electric, these are more beautiful materials.
• Hire experienced labourers.
• Make sure that pipes and conduits are well aligned, giving an air of work well done and without causing visual pollution in the environment.

One thing is fundamental, the need to have a good project plan and hire qualified professionals to define where, how and in what way to expose the pipes. In some cases, exposure only works aesthetically if applied in moderation – sometimes it is best to have very few but precious external ducts strategically placed to give an unusual look and feel without overwhelming the space.

In terms of valuation, it is difficult to conclude whether a space with exposed pipes is a positive or negative influence on property prices. Everything depends on the concept applied to the space, the quality of materials used and harmonisation of all the exposed elements. There is a risk of devaluing, if the approach is poorly implemented and completed. No matter what the outcome, these kind of projects are a reality that many of our installers and electricians have to face.

For more on this subject:

ArchitectureArtDesigns, click here

Decoist, click here

EveningStandard, click here

Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section.

Soraia Antunes