Who would be the best person to help you find suitable fixtures and fittings for doors and windows?
Architects are trained to create designs that are structurally sound, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They also often have a basis knowledge of construction materials, though not the detailed knowledge required when choosing appropriate hardware.
Interior designers specialize in the decorating and furnishing of rooms and can offer fresh, innovative ideas and advice, but will be concentrating on the appearance rather than how the fittings work.Maybe a blacksmith or metal worker would be the person to ask.. No, a joiner is the best person to give advise.
Joiners understand what is needed, they have made doors and windows and know how big a hinge would be needed to hold the weight of a solid oak door, or which lock would fit properly and safely in rebated french windows. Advise is often needed as good quality hardware can be expensive. You need to get the right thing, before cutting holes in your precious doors and windows.
Architectural Ironmongery Ltd is run by trained joiners with over getting on for 90 years of joinery knowledge and experience between the three of them. They are happy to discuss restoration projects with their customers, giving advise when necessary. The retail and mail order business is based in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, England, but ships world wide and has a huge amount and variety of hardware in stock. arciron.com” target=”_new arciron.com
About The Author
Ali Arnold is a tutor and company secretary for Architectural Ironmongery Ltd, who are specialists in door and window hardware for period properties, this very knowledgable company is always happy to give advise when required. visit their site at arciron.com” target=”_new arciron.com
Thatching is a craft that is traditionally handed down from father to son, taking many years to perfect. It is not normally taught in other ways. So there is relatively little documented information. In South Africa there is evidence that many home owners and potential home owners would welcome such information.
Because thatching is a labour intensive process, the cost of a thatched roof is normally up to 60% higher than that of a conventional roof. This price difference can be limited, however, by using the roof space efficiently, with dormer windows and a mezzanine level for instance where the walling and plastering costs will be less. The insulating properties are very good, keeping the home warm in winter and cool in summer. Although thatch is one of the oldest building materials, modern, innovative laying techniques ensure that the interior finish is clean, with no loose pieces hanging down to harbour insects or encourage spider webs.
Thatch has a natural ability to free-curved shapes to create a warm, informal finish that blends in well because of its natural appearance. Thatch, being a natural material, will mellow in colour from its original fresh straw to a dark sheen that tones in wonderfully with the South African outdoors. At the same time, the rustic roughness of textured thatch inside the building lends itself to co-ordination with other natural materials such as stone & wood etc.
The high open ceilings in thatch roofed homes give the rooms a spacious, airy feeling that can be followed through with large window openings, and perhaps stone or slate floors to add to the rustic ambience.
MATERIALS
Thatching makes use of materials that are naturally available – grass or reed. In South Africa certain indigenous grasses are normally used.
There are coarse varieties of this grass, with stalk thicknesses greater than 4 mm, that are not considered suitable for thatching.
Natal thatching grass has a finer texture than the Transvaal grass when laid and is often preferred for this reason.
The stalks of thatching grass are normally hollow and about 3 mm thick. Dekriet stalks, however, are solid and about 3-4 mm thick and considered the best quality and therefore the most expensive.
DESIGN
A thatched roof should have a minimum pitch of 45° and min 35° over dormer windows. Take advantage of the steep pitch to provide accommodation in the roof space to make the design more cost effective.
Try to keep a thatched roof as simple as possible, but the ability of thatch to adapt to free curved shapes to develop a less formal plan could be implemented.
Consider flashed areas; features that pene¬trate or interrupt the roof should be avoided as far as possible. Chimney shafts should be designed to penetrate the roof plane at the ridge, thus avoiding the necessity of back flashing.
Soil vent pipes are best located on external walls so that they penetrate the thatch near the eaves line.
Rain water must not be allowed to discharge from a high level roof onto a thatched roof at a lower level.
Thatch, 150 mm thick, has a mass of about 20-25 kg/m2. The roof framing normally consists of eucalyptus poles that have been chemically treated. The poles may be spaced up to 900 mm apart. But Building Socie¬ties in South Africa will usually in¬sist on a maximum spacing of 700 mm and a minimum pole diameter of 100 mm.
The grass that is used to form the ridge capping is thinner, softer and more pliable than that used for the main roof. The lower edges of the ridge capping may be trimmed to a decorative pro¬file with chevrons or scallops.
Alter¬natives to grass ridges are often used, the most common being preformed fibre¬glass, sheet metal and cement. The ridge is the most vulnerable part of a thatched roof and particular care must be taken to ensure that this feature is absolutely watertight.
Thatched roofs are con¬structed with dripping eaves; meaning rain¬water gutters and downpipes are not provided. Eaves overhangs should be at least 650mm and provision should be made at ground level, around the building, to prevent erosion due to water dripping from the eaves overhang.
DURABILITY
A thatched roof will normally last for about 25 years if properly laid. Dekriet will typically last a little longer, up to 35 years. A thatch roof ridge require renewal every 4-6 years.
CONS & PROS OF THATCHED ROOFING
Advantages
As local materials always tend to harmonize with the land¬scape surrounding their place of origin, thatch, as a natural material, will always blend well with a rural environment.
There is an ecological advantage to be gained by using thatch in that it is pro¬duced by natural processes that do not use scarce and expensive resources of energy.
A thatched roof will ensure that a building will be cool in summer and warm in winter.
Disadvantages
Thatched houses are more vulnerable to fire risk than those covered with other materials, and it is therefore imperative that precautions be taken to reduce the risk.
Being an organic material, thatch is susceptible to decay and decomposition, and precautions must be taken to minimize the possibility of this process taking place
More expensive than conventional roofing.
Maintenance intensive.
FIRE PROTECTION
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Lightning protection
Lightning conductors should be installed to protect the thatched buildings, in accordance with the SABS Code of Practice.
Two avoid an excessive high mast, two masts or a spike on a chimney can be installed if the roof is not covered by the protection zone.
Chimneys
Chimney stacks should be con¬structed in such away that the outer faces in contact with the thatch do not become hot. A full brick thick¬ness (220 mm) is normally sufficient.
All mortar joints in the stack must be properly filled.
The top of the stack must extend to at least 1m above the highest point of roof.
Install a spark arrestor, consisting of a piece of stainless steel wire mesh, fitted 700 mm from the top, covering the full width of the flue.
HOW TO REDUCE COMBUSTIBILITY
• Fire retardant chemicals
• Fire resistant blankets
• Soaking with water
Written by Jere Botes, architect & founder of dreamhouses.co.za dreamhouses.co.za, a website dedicated to provide home builders, home renovators, home owners & developers with free professional advice on all aspects of home design, building & diy. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link pointing to dreamhouses.co.za dreamhouses.co.za
Increasing the value of your home can be a pretty easy and relatively inexpensive investment that yields you, the home owner major results.
Not only are you making your home nicer, more enjoyable, and better looking, but you are rapidly increasing its value, that otherwise would appreciate only with the current market. By changing just a few choice items on your home, your investment that you made when you bought the house can increase an additional 5, 10 and even 20%!
Some things that you can do to your home will fall under these categories: rebuild, remodel, add on, renovate, and build. Rebuilding is when you take a structure in the home and tear it down to its structure, then rebuild it with usually the foundation or some structure still in place.
Remodeling is when you take an existing feature of the home, and change the surface of it, leaving the main pieces in tact. Adding on is when you actually add a section or structure to the house, or outside of the house. Renovating is similar to remodeling, in that you take a piece of the house and make it more up to date.
Building requires an entire new plan, like an add on, but may actually include a second story, extra guest house, or other large construction project that is simply more than “adding on” something such as a bonus room.
When considering the level of effort and amount of money you want to put into the house, you can either look at is as an investment for your enjoyment, as a way to increase the value of your home, or both.
Some simple ideas to greatly increase the value of your home include painting the exterior, remodeling a bathroom, kitchen, or putting in new, clean and attractive carpet. Curb appeal, how your house looks from the street, can add huge value to a home. Consider fixing up the grounds and exterior surface and see your investment grow!
Other simple ideas include painting the bedrooms, putting down new tile in the bathrooms and kitchen, changing the fixtures on windows, doors, and lights, and planting a flower garden in an area where weeds once grew.
If you are in for more of a challenge or fun, depending on how you look at home projects, consider changing the den or basement into a recreation room with a pool table, games, or other fun items. Recreation rooms add value. Perhaps you can even add on to the house and create a nice patio or cemented area for patio furniture and a built in barbeque.
If you are feeling really overzealous, consider adding a guest house or detached garage or workstation. Perhaps your community would allow for a second story. If you want, think big and see all the possibilities that exist for your home! Many people buy a house thinking it is what it is, but your home can be changed, updated and made a whole lot better with a little effort and imagination. Put in a pool or spa, or little put-put golf strip on the side of the home.
What is great, is that whatever you do to your home that makes it more appealing or makes it have more amenities will increase its value. So much that refinancing after you do these things would be a wise decision, if of course the benefits outweigh the costs. Speak to an appraiser about just how much you could increase the value of your home. When you refinance, you will be able to see your investment and how it affects the value of the house! Build more equity, pay less interest on your mortgage, and enjoy a new, more enjoyable home!
John R Blakefield is a mortgage and real estate specialist. For more information, articles, news, tools and valuable resources on home mortgages or investment loans, refinancing, debt solutions, visit this site: scourtheweb.com/mortgage/ scourtheweb.com/mortgage/.
I am going to show you how architects develop a house design from scratch. If you follow these step even you can develop your own house design that is functional and aesthetically pleasing to you and your family members.
Step 1>
Have a close look at the house plot first. Particularly look for surroundings of the plot. Many times the surroundings have a great impact on design. for example the house plot on sea shore will have a
much greater degree of attention towards sea shore face of the house. On the other hand the presence of a railway line along the house plot
will have to be take care of while designing the house. Take note of existing elements in the plot such as a big tree, natural slopes etc. Also look for the direction of direct sunlight, wind, etc.
Step 2>
Before starting the sketch design of the house write down the number of spaces the house will contain. This includes living room, kitchen, bedrooms, relative number of toilets, dining rooms, family rooms, car parking, landscaped spaces if any. This will help to organize the design as far as expanse of the house inside the plot is concerned.
Step 3>
Write down in brief the number of persons that are likely to occupy the house. Also take note of their age groups, their living habits such as working hours, etc. this helps in creating special arrangements for special purpose functions. For example if the master of the house is a “Yoga teacher” then he might need a different room with a external access that doesn’t disturb the privacy of the rest of the rooms.
Step 4>
These three steps will reveal a very valuable information to you regarding the kind of habitat you will be designing. It will also be clear from these three steps whether you should go for only a ground
floor structure or a two floors house.
Create some sketches on paper or using a computer software whatever is comfortable to you. try various alternatives that will solve the first three requirements to the maximum extent. Play with varous architectural styles. Take note of the budget factor as well.
Step 5>
If you are ready with the basic plan and architectural style try to deal with the various services requirements of the house such as electrical system, water supply and drainage system, rain water
drainage system.
Based on these basic yet very important study you can easily finalize the design of your dream house. This type of survey and careful analysis saves a lot of time and money in the long run because you will
be dealing with real life problems and solutions.
Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya
Want more great resources on how to design a house? Visit my website at livingroomdatabase.com livingroomdatabase.com to get great quality tips on design and decorating house.
If you sit for an extended period of time, whether before work or relaxation, and one plea of that if you begin to develop lower back pain. Instead, take a good look at your chair design, that is no doubt the cause of your misery. Oh it’s true. Most posture related issues, especially among the workforce, can be traced back to bad chair designs. The manufacturers of chairs don’t call it the way to create designs that will cause discomfort and pain, that would put them out of business. It has more to do with the fact that with time, and with usage, even the best designed chairs can degenerate to become furniture with a bad attitude!
What exactly does constitute proper chair design anyway? To begin with, a good chair design is obvious because the first thing you’ll notice is that it is comfortable to sit in, is built well and looks pleasing to the eye. Comfort is wonderful but it isn’t necessarily good for your posture. As an example, most colleges are very comfortable but try doing some work on a laptop while sitting in the couch. There is no way it will supply you with the proper back support.
People work in offices must have exceptionally well-made chairs because of the extended time they spend sitting in them. Especially in today’s driven workplaces, where working late has more or less become the norm, a good chair design is one that can keep the employee sitting comfortably, even after extended hours of usage. The new buzz word and shared as is ergonomics. That’s just a fancy word that means that while the chair is comfortable, it also provides the proper back support.
In the scale of good chair design, maybe in the bottom of this below comfort and back support is the aesthetics of the chair. It seems as though more and more designers are looking at chair designs that are sleek, use various new materials and are exotic to look at. It’s almost as if the chair designs of the past are no longer duplicated and are used as inspiration for new designs. In fact, walk into just about any home and you are likely to see all kinds of chair designs, anything but an the traditional ones.
Maybe the most overlooked of all the important traits of chair design is the fact that it must be sturdy and be built to last for many, many years. Even ergonomically designed chairs are of no use if they don’t hold up. This is because each individual user manages to mold the chair according to her/his particular sitting posture. And of course there is a lot of wear and tear every time you get up and sit down. And unless they are able to use that for some time to come, there is no point in having excellent design.
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning lifestyle. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting lifestylesinfoguide.com/general-information/lifestyles/the-importance-of-chair-design.html Chair Design
Once a building has been exposed to a large volume of water, it becomes extremely hazardous as water causes both health and structural risks.
Water Damage Related Health Hazards and Risks
Dampness and humidity promote the growth of moisture-related mold and mildew that can lead to toxic, mold-related reactions such as immune disorders, pathogenic disease and cancer. Allergic reactions consist of painful headaches, disorientation and dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, chronic asthma, rashes and open sores, and chronic fatigue.
Be aware that floodwaters may also be contaminated with sewage and waste. These are fertile breeding ground for disease carrying termites and insect infestation.
Water Related Structural Hazards and Risks
Water saturation affects and damages structures in a few ways.
Direct damage to materials leading to structural instability:
Wallboard disintegrates
Structural integrity of concrete is undermined
Support columns resting in waterlogged soil slowly twist and tilt
Wood swells, warps, and rots
Stairs, floors, and roofs may collapse bulging ceilings, indicating trapped water
Electrical systems can short out, malfunction, and cause fires or shock.
Leaking LP gas (also known as natural gas) can cause fire or gas poisoning.
Household possessions and interior design can be damaged as follows:
Mud and silt get possessions and valuables dirty
Paint and wall coverings peel off
Floor tiles are lifted
Panels wrap
Carpets stain and rot
Furnishings such as textiles and furniture stain
Books, photographs, paintings become extremely fragile
Property value decreases after being wet. Most insulation is ineffective, but it will continue to hold and create high moisture conditions which will damage metal, masonry, and wood.
The author is the editorial director of restorationsos.com/” title=”RestorationsSOS.com Home RestorationSOS™, a leading restoration services provider for water and fire damages.
Visit restorationsos.com/” title=”RestorationsSOS.com restorationsos.com for more information on water related damages including:
How to prevent water damages?
What are the causes of water damage?
Best ways to deal with water damage
Floors made of hardwood will always make any home look elegant no matter if the home is not as big as a mansion. These kinds of floors are suitable for all kinds of homeowners no matter what their lifestyles are.
Hardwood flooring can evoke timeless beauty and warmth in any room. And unlike other flooring materials that depreciate in value after a few years, hardwood flooring provides more value to any real estate property. Realtors also admit that properties with hardwood flooring do not only command higher prices but they sell easily.
The growing demand for hardwood as flooring materials has resulted to an increase in hardwood varieties being sold in the market. While this is advantageous to homeowners and contractors who now have more hardwood choices, it also poses a problem as to what hardwood would be best suited for a certain type of property.
New properties being constructed have taken advantage of the availability of wood like oak, bamboo and pine not only for their walls but more importantly for their floors.
The reddish and finely grained American Cherry hardwood has often landed on the top list of homeowners and contractors on the lookout for quality hardwood for their flooring projects.
American Cherry hardwoods can age in a short period from weeks to several months. The American Cherry can change color from pinkish-red, a light shade of red or dark red.
Benefits of using American Cherry hardwood on floors
There are number of reasons why homeowners and contractors prefer to use hardwood, particularly American Cherry hardwood for their flooring projects and one of the top reasons is its durability.
American Cherry hardwoods age beautifully and any homeowner who has tried this kind of hardwood can attest to its sturdiness and beauty. It is also easy to maintain provided the property owner use the proper product suggested by the wood flooring experts or professionals. Wooden floors are also favorable for those with health problems like allergies because wooden floors do accumulate dust.
Hardwoods are also more affordable compared to other flooring materials. Using hardwoods for flooring projects will be more cost effective in the long term because it adds value to the property. Floors made of wood can be made to look brand new again just be sweeping them and then keeping them shiny and clean.
Homeowners and contractors can choose from different types of wood flooring materials like solid type flooring which is ideal for any area in the house; engineered type flooring which is suitable for kitchens and similar areas and the acrylic impregnated type floors which is suitable for commercial floorings.
Hardwood can be used as flooring material not only in residential projects but also in commercial projects like gymnasiums. Wood is the top choice material for gymnasiums because it is not only durable but also promoted better healthcare for athletes. Wood floors for gymnasiums have proven to be flexible especially with the demands of athletic use.
Homeowners should always consider the price of the wood they will be choosing for their flooring project. While a cheap wood material could mean savings, it could also mean lesser or substandard quality. Also consider the type of room where the wood material would be used. Whatever type of hardwood you will choose for your flooring project you can be assured that it will last for a long time.
Joyce Dietzel writes articles for flooring -info- a website dedicated to for-flooring.info/American-Cherry-Hardwood.html” target=”_blank Flooring Info for you.
You have decided that you want a new concrete garage, but before you choose the paint for your new garage door, don’t forget that you will need to arrange for the old garage to be removed and the base for the new garage to be laid or repaired.
At this point your local Compton Buildings agent can become your best friend. When you are looking for your new garage, ask the agent for their base laying service, or for advice on removing your old garage.
Just because there was a garage there before, it doesn’t necessarily follow that the foundations will be suitable for your new garage. Concrete garages are much heavier than timber or corrugated iron garages, and so they will need a stronger concrete base. Your agent or local builder should be able to offer you advice on this and help arrange to have a new base laid if necessary.
Any building is only as good as its foundations and you’ll need a concrete base, which is designed to suit local soil conditions. It should stand slightly higher than the surrounding ground so that water does not drain from the ground onto the base, where it could get under the garage panels causing problems with damp.
A damp proof membrane cast into the base is also a good preventative measure. Your local builders merchant can provide this – and you will need to ask for 1000g heavy-duty polythene.
It might sound obvious, but the garage base should be flat and square. Compton garage panels are rectangular and cannot be bent to fit a base that is not level. To check whether the base is square, measure the diagonals. If they are the same, then your base is square.
Reputable agents should offer a free site survey with no obligation to buy, as well as discussing your choice of garage with you to make sure it is right for your home. Don’t forget to ask about maintenance free options – they will save hours of work in future. As well as helping to arrange for your garage base to be built, they can also help you with the planning permission forms – if they are needed.
In the vast majority of cases for sheds, garages, conservatories and greenhouses, you will not need to apply for planning permission. However, it’s best to check out the planning regulations at the outset, rather than installing your new garage only to find out – too late – that you did need planning permission.
As a general guide, if more than half the land around your house will be covered by the garage, or if the new building will be more than three metres high (or four metres if it has a ridged roof), then you will need permission. Also, if your house is a listed building or in a conservation area, or if the new building will be used for business, you should check out the regulations.
The Planning Department of your local council will be able to tell you whether or not you need permission to build a garage. Compton Garages and Buildings supplies detailed plans of the complete range or garages at no extra cost. It is useful to take along a sketch or plan of the proposed garage to the Planning Department, but again your dealer should be able to help you with all these details.
More information about planning permission and building regulations can be found on the Compton Buildings website www.comptonbuildings.co.uk
Most people who are looking to buy a new garage go to a local dealer because they really need have a good look at the building, inside and out, before they spend any money. It’s best not to rely on the brochure for a true picture of the garage, but instead see for yourself the space and features available, such as doors, windows and finishes, as not all concrete garages are the same. It’s a good idea to use a local dealer so that you can make as many visits as you need and have more time to think about your choice. What else of this value would you buy from a brochure without seeing it first?
Neil O’Sullivan is Compton Buildings’ Marketing Manager. Compton are the UKs largest manufacturer of concrete garages and buildings, delivering & installing around 8000 buildings each year. All buildings have a 10 year guarantee backed by an exclusive Customer Care Promise.
The Compton website comptonbuildings.co.uk comptonbuildings.co.uk provides links to local agents and answers to all the questions you might have about garages. In a recent survey, customers gave Compton top marks for both customer service and quality.
There are literally many things that comprises of your metal roofing. They can give you a good and lasting protection against weathering. These days, metal roofing is gaining popularity once again.
Most roofing panels have its siding; there are the ones that are installed on the sides of your house. They are essentially almost made from the same materials that you choose for your roofing but there can be other materials used if you prefer other types.
Metal roofing siding is the part where the roof is exposed. They need to be closed to make the roof fuller and protected. If you want to invest on good roofing, the siding will also come in consideration as they are of the same material.
Commonly, only a few types of roofing are available that you might want to choose from. Here are some of their quick features and disadvantages:
1. As with siding components, one of the most common metal roofing materials is steel. They are prone to corrosion and rusting. However, that can be remedied with a nice coating of zinc. Additionally, you can also seal it to preserve its natural look. There is also stainless steel. They are a little expensive but share the same characteristics as plain steel.
2. There is also aluminum. They are often found on other lightweight materials in your home as well. They are light enough to handle and will never rust but a nice treatment will extend its nice looks.
3. Copper is also used for metal roofing. This is the metal for people with quite a lot of budget to spare because they are very expensive. Being the softest roofing material, they can be easily bended to gain more customization options for your metal roof siding needs. This has a nice red appearance but it will soon wear out in a couple of years. Consider buying copper roofing that is already treated to let their nice sheen last longer.
Many stores have them. Usually the steel types are the ones you can easily spot. However, if you really want to customize your roofing, consider looking for them online. It would make your project planning easier as they can delivery it right to your home and you don’t even need to go anywhere but your desktop.
Feel like you want a change in your place? Is your family increasing in numbers? Are you still living in a year 1900s model house? Then, you definitely have to start polishing your home remodeling ideas to keep you up-to-date and upgraded. Don’t be left behind, join this remodeling bandwagon now.
You’re surely crammed with so many home remodeling ideas in mind, you’ve definitely scanned a magazine and picked out one or two designs you like, surfed the internet and got 2 or 3 house models you want, or you’ve probably passed by a home gallery or showroom in the mall and loved several items and plans on display. If you do, try to make a scrapbook of these designs — cut out those magazine pictures, print out those internet images, take a brochure of those gallery showcases, or sketch out your creative ideas and collate these into one folder or file. Once you’re ready to start working on your renovation or home improvement, and you’re ready with the funds, then have fun choosing from those collected designs and try to select or re-arrange them to fit your floor plan. Don’t think of the planning as a huge headache, it isn’t! You should make it into a pleasurable activity, because in reality, it is — you are changing the look and image of your house!
If you have so many home remodeling ideas at hand, and you can’t decide which is the best one or the first remodeling to do, then check your house first — both its interior and exterior areas, and see which part needs your immediate attention. Once you know which aspect desperately needs a change, work on it then. This would make it easier and more cost-effective and time-efficient on your part.
Just think that your home remodeling ideas would work for you, and it surely will! When you share your home remodeling ideas with your family, designers, and contractors, make sure that you’re very clear with the details so they’ll get the picture of it. If you want, you can even ask their opinion or suggestion, this way, you’ll know if your plan would work for your place and if it appeals to the majority.
Remodeling your home should be an enjoyable activity, because you’re doing something to improve and enhance the look of your place. It’s important that you set your eyes on your goal, and then try to work your way to reach it.
Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Remodeling and runs a highly popular and comprehensive remodeling.need-to-know.net/ Home Remodeling web site. For more articles and resources on Home Remodeling related topics, Remodeling Contractors, Home Remodeling Loans, Remodeling Ideas and much more visit his site at:
