Kitchen Countertops

Kitchen countertops ornament interiors of your kitchen. Numerous countertops like granite countertop, marble countertop, laminate countertop, stainless steel countertop etc. enrich the beauty of your kitchen. Always choose a countertop that resists cuts, heat, dampness, grease and corrosive products and matches with different elements of kitchen like cabinets, appliances etc. The following are a few choices of kitchen countertops.

• Granite countertop: Granite is widely used for kitchen countertops and enhances elegance of the kitchen. It is long lasting, maintenance-free and does not let bacteria grow randomly. Granite countertops are inflammable when any hot pots are set on them. The granite being made from hardest materials like diamond absorbs stains.
• Laminate countertop: Laminate countertops are available in a variety of styles, colors, and textures. The countertop is impact resistant, quite easy to clean and maintain, durable but not permanent. It offers good looks forever if proper care is taken. It has a drawback as it is impossible to repair scratches and cuts.
• Stainless steel countertop: choose stainless steel countertop to give modern look to you kitchen. This countertop is easy to clean hygienic, light in weight. The top can handle hot pots and do not chip or scratch. It requires minimal maintenance and can be wiped with baby oil to become smear-free. Also it is durable and heat resistant, nonporous and limits the growth of bacteria.

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Brick Arches

Brick arches enrich aesthetic beauty and offer architectural view of the buildings. They cover openings of door and windows and transfer the upper loads to the side of walls. The arches need not any extra reinforcements as brick lintels do because of wedge shaped units. A number of arches have been developed over centuries. Here are given details of a few arch designs.

• Fine axed brick arch: these arches are constructed carefully by setting bricks into required shape. The bricks are cut into wedge shape properly for fine architectural work in buildings. These arches are constructed with bricks in contrasting colors and the finished shape of fine brick arch gives pleasing appearance.


• Gauged brick arch: gauged brick arch is very ornamental and expensive. The bricks have fine dressing before use and the joints between bricks are also very fine. Only a skilled mason with sound knowledge of geometry can construct these arches.

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Bathroom Mirrors

To make your bathroom appealing, install decorative bathroom mirrors on walls of bathroom. Such bathroom mirrors offer engaging look to the beauty of bathroom interiors. The mirrors add stunning effects to bathroom and make you bathroom elegant. Here are given a few choices of mirrors for your bathroom.

• Decorative bathroom mirrors: decorative mirrors enhance the interiors of bathroom. They look wonderful when wall accents and light fixtures are installed on both sides of the mirror. Try to match the look of decorative mirror with the style of your bathroom so that it may complement overall décor of bathroom.
  

• Frameless bathroom mirrors: The view of frameless mirrors is fairly clear in comparison to framed mirrors. You can choose your style, material and finish to give a different look to the bathroom. The glass used in frameless mirrors should be pure.

• Round bathroom mirrors: You can use round mirrors to make your bathroom elegant and charming. Round mirrors look nice when they are equipped with mosaic or wooden frames. Opt for wooden frame to get traditional style and choose mosaic frames for modern style.
  

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The Wonder of Flowers

The flowers are symbol of love and peace and spread the fragrance around us. The freshness and beauty of flowers soothe our eyes and revitalizes the body and mind. They not only enhance visual beauty of the place but cheer up moods also. Here are given some of uses of the flowers.

• Flowers bathroom: Fresh flowers add to the freshness of bath and make the whole bathroom fragrant. On or more fresh flowers help set up the romantic atmosphere in bathroom. Glass or color vases offer a nice touch to the texture of bathroom.

• Flowers in dining room: Make use of fresh flowers as a showpiece on dining room table. Select the flowers according to the style and decoration of dining hall. For simple, elegant table furnishing, you can put a sequence of flashing vases or candles on table cloth. Refreshing flowers in every vase creates astonishing atmosphere throughout mealtime or casual dinners. The candles make stimulating blend with sophistication of flowers. A lonely daisy or some other fresh flowers cherish the mood and create feel of love for nature.
  

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Bedroom Windows

Bedroom windows are rich source of natural light and ventilation to bedroom where you relax in leisurely hours and get refreshed for the coming day. Opt for a stylish and functional window to add aesthetic touch to the beauty of your bedroom and your house as well. A variety of bedroom windows are available in the market like skylight windows, awning window, casement windows etc.

• Awning bedroom windows: these windows offer light and breeze when fixed on walls. Awning windows are hinged at the top of the wall and open outwards at the bottom with the help of a crank handle. These windows have specific features such as unique style, energy efficiency, low maintenance and durability. You can maintain privacy using windows besides enjoying proper ventilation.

• Bay and bow bedroom windows: these bedroom windows change the entire look of your bedroom. They are usually made of three adjacent windows or sections of windows in a series and give a curved look. Bay and bow bedroom windows receive greater amount of light as compared to flat windows in rooms. Bay windows create a spacious feel in bedrooms.

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How to decorate your veranda?

To enhance aesthetic sense and give wings to exterior beauty of your house, you should decorate the porch or veranda in your house. A well decorated veranda gives ornamental space where you sit and relax in leisurely hours. Here are a few tips to decorate veranda of your house.

• Make use of colorful furniture: you can place one, two or more than two articles of furniture according to the space available but make sure that it does not create a clutter. Choose light or dark color furniture but keep in mind that light color makes the space look larger whereas the dark colors make the space look small.
  
• Illuminate veranda with table lamps: Table lamps create aesthetic look and offer warm atmosphere in veranda. They are available in different styles and colors and match with the décor. Use string light around veranda if you want to enjoy more lighting in the evening.
• Place decorative pieces: these decorative pieces give final touch to the beauty of porch making it attractive. You can use plants, beautiful vases for decoration to change the look of your veranda.

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Dining Room Lighting

Dining room lighting gives lots of choices to illuminate your dining room. Accent lights, gorgeous chandeliers, pendant etc. affects the colors of wall finishes, curtains and upholstery. Proper lighting makes your mood cheerful while dining, especially with guests in the room. While installing lighting in your dining room, always remember the size and decoration of the room. To create perfect illumination, you can use layers of light in dining room. Such layers of light make your meal time pleasant without creating any glare on your eyes.

Chandeliers for dining room lighting
Chandeliers are wonderful and ornamental elements and boost up the look of entire dining room. Hang chandelier at least 30 inches above the surface of table to provide sufficient lighting for dining. Glass chandeliers provide gleaming effect in dining room. Also you can make choices of other chandeliers like brass, aluminum, wrought iron, crystal chandelier etc.

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Roof Flashing

Roof flashing technique is used to prevent water leaks from the roof of a house or a building. The flashing is a metal sheet which is installed at roof valleys/ gutter, chimneys, skylights, ridges, roof-wall intersections of the roof. Here are given a few roof flashings to stop leakage of water from the roof of your house.

• Chimney flashing: This flashing is installed around the base of chimney to protect house from leakage. This flashing is fixed where walls of chimney rest on roof shingles. It has been categorized in two parts i.e. Cap flashing and Base flashing. Along the slope of roof, cap flashings are arranged in steps where upper steps overlap lower steps. Base flashing should be inserted in such a way on the roof consisting of slate, tiles or asphalt shingles as the joints are water tight living no possibility of leakage.

• Valley flashing: This flashing is provided at the joints of two roofs to protect roof from leakage. The channel/gutter is provided on supports to drain out rain water from the roof.

• Vent pipe flashing: this flashing is fixed over chimneys and pipes. It comes in shape of cone with a flange at the base and works into the shingles when roofing is applied.

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Bedroom Flooring

To make your bedroom relaxing and appealing you can opt for marble flooring, laminate flooring, linoleum flooring, cork flooring etc. These floorings offer serene, romantic and aesthetic atmosphere to bedroom. A few bedroom flooring choices are given below.

• Linoleum flooring for bedroom: this flooring is an excellent choice as it is soothing to bare feet and one of the most cost effective flooring choices. It is available in a variety of designs and colors and is becoming popular. It is durable, water resistant and remains good under good under tough situations.
  
• Bamboo flooring for bedroom: this flooring is one of the best choices as it remains cool under extreme hot and cold atmosphere. It is suitable for severe weathering conditions. So bamboo flooring is durable, comfortable and superior.
  
• Laminate flooring for bedroom: this flooring comes in various colors, styles and shapes. It is installed only on leveled floor and needs proper maintenance to avoid any damage. This bedroom flooring is clean, durable and scratch resistant. It is easy to install and makes the room look cool. Therefore this flooring becomes a great choice for bedroom.

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Marble flooring and its maintenance

Marble flooring: Marble is a unique and decorative natural stone that provides aesthetic beauty to the flooring of dining or living room. It has been known for its beauty, craftsmanship, durability in interiors of the house. Marble flooring does not let grow antigens and bacteria which cause allergic diseases. So it’s often called as hypo-allergenic flooring. In summer, the cool surface of marble flooring provides pleasant feel under barefoot.

How to keep marble flooring clean
It is simple to clean marble floor with warm water and a clean sponge. Make the sponge little wet and rub the floor gently till it becomes clean and glossy. If the floor is extremely dirty, use a good detergent and clean cloth till it becomes shiny.

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Stained glass windows

Stained glass windows allow natural sunlight to enter the house besides providing privacy to you. Such glass windows protect artwork, carpet, woods and furniture from damage by drawing intense sunlight back from your house. They not only offer aesthetic beauty to the windows but make your house appealing also. Stained glass windows, doors and skylights boost up the décor of a home. Stained glass can be applied for various items as follow.

Applications of stained glass

• Interior/exterior doors
• Cabinets or articles of furniture
• Custom lamps, room dividers and partitions
• Beveled glass windows, skylights and sidelights
• Stained glass skylights for residential/commercial use

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Material purchasing guidelines from Gharexpert.com

Do you know homeowners can be charged of more money while purchasing raw materials and during execution construction works? You can save lots of money on your home construction projects following ‘Raw Material Purchasing Guidelines’ from www. GharExpert.com

• Buy quality cement and bricks: The strength of a building depends on the quality of cement which should be from a reputed manufacturer bearing his trade mark and its grade. The cement of inferior quality can cause cracks in building. Also ensure that first class bricks are used for foundation and strong construction.
• Purchase good steel bars: Steel bars should be sound, free from cracks, surface flaws, laminations, jagged and imperfect edges. They are free from dust, loose rust, and coats of paints, oil or other coatings which reduce the strength of bond. The steel bar is bent accurately to the size and shape as shown in drawings.
• Ensure the quality of marble and granite: Marble stone should be hard, sound, dense, and homogeneous in texture. It should be uniform in color, veining and be free from stains, cracks, decay and weathering etc. Granite is becoming popular as it is hard and available a variety of colors. Check patches, discoloration, hairlines, cracks, deep pin holes on the surface.

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Keep your kitchen clean

Keeping your kitchen neat and clean, you can ensure good health and safety to all members of the family. A few kitchen cleaning tips are useful to keep your kitchen hygienic.

• Clean and remove burnt food on pan using dish soap and hot water.
• Keep your microwave oven clean by using 2 tablespoonful of lemon juice, or vinegar and 2 cups of water.
• Pour ½ cup of baking soda to clean down the sluggish drain. Also add ½ half cup of white vinegar and then pour about 8 cups of boiling water to flush the drain.
• Keep your coffee maker clean at regularly by filing water reservoir with equal parts of white vinegar and putting it through brew cycle. Take fresh water and repeat brew cycle to clean the machine.
• Wipe spills using hot water and remove stains on floor. Do not make use of vinegar or orange based cleaners to clean marble floor since acidic solution will damage the surface.
• Use the solution of ¼ cup of baking soda and about 1.25 liters of warm water as a general cleaner.
• Keep your kitchen clutter-free and place food stuff at right place to clear those spots and place objects in their correct homes.

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Dampness Treatment Tips

Dampness spoils the beauty of walls and contents of the building. It is harmful to human beings also. If dampness is not treated timely, it can damage furnishings, structural elements and beauty contents of the house. Here are given some tips for treatment of dampness in the house.

• Fix proper windows and good quality ventilators for proper ventilation in the house.
• Repair cracked or missing tiles on the roof immediately to avoid dampness in roof.
• Patch up broken joints and cracks in the wall as soon as possible to evade humidity due to blockage of gutters.
• Mend plumbing leakages and insulate pipes and tanks to prevent freeing in winter season.
• Apply damp proof paint to prevent the spread of moisture.
• Fix insulating rubber between doors and their frames.
• Apply damp proof course at the base of walls. It is usually waterproof coating such as bituminous or slate covering.

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Bathroom ventilating fans

Several bathroom ventilating fans are useful to remove stale air and dampness from bathroom/ house. They ensure healthy atmosphere and protects contents of the house too. Such fans protect us in fighting against various diseases like asthma, allergies, headaches and other respiratory problems. Here are given some ventilating fans.

• Inline exhaust fans can be fixed in bathroom between ducting if there is no area for ventilating system in the house.
• Wall mounted exhaust fans are installed on exterior walls of bathroom and removes damp air outside bathroom or house.
• Exterior mounted exhaust fans are fixed outside the house and draws musty air and noise outside the house.
• Ceiling mounted exhaust fans are fitted into ceiling and have external vents outside to get rid of musty air from bathroom.

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