How to Use MaterialSurf
Everything you need to know to find and specify building materials efficiently.
Getting Started
1. Create Your Account
Sign up for free to start browsing our product catalog. Your free account includes:
- Full access to browse 10,000+ products
- Basic search and filtering
- Save up to 10 products
- View complete product specifications
2. Explore the Selector
The Material Selector is your primary tool for finding products. Navigate to "Select Materials" and follow the guided flow: Sector → Area → Application. The system automatically filters products based on technical requirements.
3. Save & Organize
Found something you like? Click the heart icon to save products. Create project boards to organize materials by project or phase. Export your selections when ready.
Using the Material Selector
Step 1: Choose Your Sector
Select the industry sector for your project. Each sector has different technical requirements and compliance standards:
Healthcare
Hospitals, clinics, laboratories
Hospitality
Hotels, resorts, restaurants
Education
Schools, universities, training centers
Commercial
Offices, retail, showrooms
Residential
Apartments, villas, compounds
F&B
Restaurants, kitchens, cafés
Step 2: Select Area Type
Choose the specific area within your project. For example, in Hospitality you might select Lobby, Guest Room, Restaurant, Pool Area, etc. Each area has different requirements for slip resistance, water absorption, and durability.
Step 3: Pick Application
Finally, select how the material will be used: Floor, Wall, Countertop, Façade, etc. This determines final technical requirements like load-bearing capacity and finish type.
Understanding Specifications
Each product displays technical specifications that indicate its suitability for different applications. Here are the key specifications to understand:
Slip Resistance (R-Rating)
Measures how slip-resistant a surface is. R9 is standard for dry indoor areas, R10-R11 for wet areas, R12-R13 for industrial/kitchen areas.
Water Absorption
Indicates porosity. Lower values (<0.5%) are better for wet areas and outdoor use. Higher absorption tiles should only be used in dry, indoor applications.
Breaking Strength
Measures load-bearing capacity in Newtons. Higher values indicate more durable tiles suitable for high-traffic or heavy-load areas.
PEI Rating
Porcelain Enamel Institute rating for abrasion resistance. PEI 1-2 for light traffic (walls), PEI 3-4 for medium traffic, PEI 5 for heavy commercial use.
Frost Resistance
Indicates if the material can withstand freeze-thaw cycles. Essential for outdoor applications in cold climates.
Exporting & Downloads
Pro subscribers can export specifications and documentation in various formats:
- Product Spec Sheets: PDF documents with complete product specifications, suitable for construction documents.
- Data Sheets: Manufacturer data sheets with technical details and testing certifications.
- Material Schedules: Export entire project boards as comprehensive material schedules.
- CAD Files: Download available CAD files and textures for design software.
Note: Export features require a Pro or Enterprise subscription.View pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Click "Get Started" in the top navigation and fill out the registration form. You can sign up with your email or use Google authentication. The free tier gives you immediate access to browse products and save up to 10 items.
The selector uses a three-step process: First, choose your sector (Healthcare, Hospitality, etc.). Then select the area type (Lobby, Kitchen, etc.). Finally, pick the specific application (Wall, Floor, etc.). The system automatically filters products to show only those meeting technical requirements for your selection.
Each product displays key specifications like Slip Resistance (R-rating for wet areas), Water Absorption (porosity), Breaking Strength (durability), and more. Our Technical Guides section explains each specification in detail and what values are appropriate for different applications.
Yes! Click the heart icon on any product to save it to your collection. Free accounts can save up to 10 products, while Pro accounts have unlimited saves. You can also organize saved products into project boards.
Pro subscribers can export product specifications as PDF documents. From the product page, click "Export Specs" to generate a professional specification sheet. You can also export entire project boards as comprehensive material schedules.
We source product data directly from manufacturers and update it regularly. However, specifications can change, so we recommend verifying critical specifications directly with manufacturers before final specification, especially for project-critical applications.
Free users can access community support through our documentation. Pro subscribers get priority email support with 24-hour response times. Enterprise customers have dedicated account managers. Visit our Contact page to reach our team.
Absolutely! We're always expanding our catalog. Contact us through the feedback form with manufacturer or product suggestions. We prioritize additions based on user demand and manufacturer partnerships.
Still have questions? We're here to help.
Contact Support