Making cost effective construction

Due to increasing cost of construction/building, cost effective construction techniques are required. Such techniques provide strong, environment friendly, ecological, energy efficient construction. Initially you can construct using R - trap bond which is economical, strong and aesthetic. This bond saves 25% of total number of bricks and 40% of mortar. Funicular shells over edge beams provide an attractive alternative to RCC construction for small to medium spans and are cost effective since required quantity of steel and cement is much less and saves on costly shuttering.

Fly ash gypsum stabilized mud blocks with less water absorption capacity are much stronger and cheaper than cement stabilized blocks. Using 5 to 10% fly ash G in construction, 30% saving in cement can be achieved in addition to utilization of waste product like fly ash. Pre cast concrete blocks having similar dimension of stone blocks without large size stone pieces have excellent properties in comparison to additional masonry blocks which are cheaper and facilitate speedy construction.



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Vastu for Children Room

Vastu confirms to situate children's room in west direction. The location of bed in children’s room is south-west corner whereas the head of bed is in south or east direction. The door of bedroom is not opposite to the bed as per vastu shashtra.

All furniture should be kept a few inches away from walls. It is not placed at the centre of the room. Study table is placed in such direction that child can face east, north and north-east while studying. Thus placed table increases both memory and concentration and creates new ideas. Use up-lighters at south-east corner in children’s room as they are good for health and create positive energy. Never use sharp lights and spot lights which create mental strain. Opt for green color which is ideally recommended for children’s room because it gives freshness, peace and increases brain power.

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Cement Paint

Cement paint is extremely tough and can be applied on external walls/surfaces of the house. It is available in various colors and can be matched with any shade when required. It gives a matt finish, an inexpensive way to cover large areas. Cement paint is most suitable for worse environments and gives best results on newly concrete surface.

Before application of the paint, the surface should be cleaned of all mortar dropping, dirt, dust, grease and other foreign matters. Before you apply paint, cement or concrete surface should be wet thoroughly to provide moisture that helps in proper curing of the paint. Water proof cement paint should not be applied on the surface, treated already with white wash, color wash; distemper dry or oil bound distemper, varnishes etc. A coat of waterproof cement paint should be applied over patches after wetting the surface completely. The paint should be used within an hour after mixing otherwise the mixture would be set and thicken which will affect the flow and finishing of paint.

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Design living room according to vastu

Vastu verifies to locate living room in east or north direction. In east or north facing house, living room can be in northeast direction. The door of living room should also be in east or north direction because these directions are very auspicious for doors. The windows fixed in east and north directions are useful to get natural ventilation and light. The walls of living should be painted in white, yellow, blue or green. A nice painting such as painting of waterfall, rising sun gives positive energy and create a pleasing environment in the room.

As per vastu the furniture should be placed in west or south direction in living room. Make a choice for rectangular or square rather than opting for furniture of oval, circular or odd shape furniture. The showcase or heavy articles etc. should be in put in south or west direction. T.V. or any entertaining media should be placed in southeast direction. Avoid placing T.V. in north-east or south-west corner. Aquariums are beneficial to place in North, East and North-East of living room. The faults related to north-west corner can be corrected by putting an aquarium. You should avoid aquarium in south direction since it draws out positive energies from the house.

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Enliven living room with wrought iron furniture

You can cheer up the beauty of your living space by placing wrought iron furniture there. Various articles of wrought iron furniture such as iron chairs, iron sofas, iron tables etc. add to the splendor of living room.

• Highly durable and inspiring: Wrought iron chairs are highly durable and have a good finishing touch whereas iron sofa enhances the beauty of living space. You can select from various types of chairs such as plain chair, arm chair, rocking chair, relaxing chair, and upholstered back chair. Wrought iron sofas are perfect blend of techniques with hand craft and are furnished with cushions of various fabrics like cotton, silk, polyester, leather etc.
• A variety of styles: In modern wrought iron tables used to furnish living room with amazing styles are in trend. These iron tables are electro-statically coated and are finished with high quality paint to protect them from rust and decay.

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Home Interior Decoration Ideas

Interior decoration means decoration and furnishing of interiors in homes, offices and other living spaces. The decoration includes many ornamental aspects such as lighting, color, texture, paint, furniture, flooring, fabric installations, window treatments, reorganization of furniture and fixing decorative accessories. In fact interior decoration is a overhauling of a home. The following are a few tips to create attractive interiors of a home.

• Paint a wall in your favorite color to make it a point of attraction. You can hang interesting wallpapers. Keep in mind that is the color of wall is matching with other objects like furniture or curtains in the room.
• Hang decorative interior pictures that reflect your individuality. Opt for ornamental frames of these pictures to add to the beauty of pictures and room as well. You can hang a mirror to reflect architectural element.
• Reorganize furniture and try to position it in a decorative way. For example, arrange sofa diagonally in a narrow living room.
• Place plants to breathe fresh air in a room. Growing greenery/plants in your room adds to interior beauty and makes environment free from pollution also.

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Make your home energy efficient

You can design an energy efficient and environment friendly house/home by utilizing natural light and ventilation. You can opt for natural ways to do activities at home. Here are given a few ways to make home energy efficient and environment friendly.

• Get maximum solar heat and ventilation to save energy: Solar heat coming from your doors and windows during winter can save up to 10% energy used for heating rooms. Similarly cut your cooling bills in summer by preventing solar heat from entering the rooms/ house by hanging blinds, curtains and by providing shades on doors, windows etc. Fix windows towards the flow of natural air and fix exhaust fan into the opposite direction to remove polluted air out and to minimize energy bills.
• Apply thermal insulation technique on walls and roof: Thermal insulation method saves energy bills during summer and winter season. The insulation on all outer walls of the house minimizes weather effects and saves energy.
• Insulate roof to save energy: The roof of the house should be insulated to save energy because the roof receives solar radiation throughout the day. The top treatment can be done on roof in two ways i.e. Thermal insulation and Damp proof course.

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Vastu Tips for Study Room

Vastu verifies to locate study room in East, North or north-east of the house since these directions are good for concentration in studies. The study table should be placed facing East or North and the student should face in the same direction while studying. The table should be square or rectangular - not be too big or too small. Open space in front of student augments fresh ideas. The students should sleep with his head towards East or South for better concentration. Make sure there is no mirror in study room because the reflection of mirror doubles work load. The study room should be painted in light colors rather than dark colors as light colors boost up learning power. The room should be illuminated with proper lighting or sunlight that gives them energy for doing works.

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Kitchen lighting

Kitchen lighting plays important role while cooking food in kitchen. As working in kitchen starts before daybreak and finishes after sunset, so it requires ample lighting to create the sense of excitement and energy. Glossy kitchen lighting enhances the beauty of kitchen as well as provides enough glowing for your cooking. The lighting of same color should be used in kitchen for smart working. Pendant and chandelier fixtures can be used over dinning table where all family members sit together to enjoy meal. The following are a few choices of kitchen lighting.

• Fluorescent light: This lighting produces less heat and helps in keeping your kitchen cool in summer season. It lasts for up to 10,000 hours. The fluorescent lamps, called tube lights have four times greater efficiency than incandescent lamps.
• Xenon light: This lighting is a kind of incandescent lighting. It is durable and can be dimmed if needed. It is filled with Xenon gas and provides a brighter light. It may be used as task lighting but it requires transformers. Xenon lighting can be used for cabinets.
  

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Benefits of Thermal Insulation

Thermal insulation reduces the transfer heat/cold from outer atmosphere to indoor atmosphere. The insulation protects us from scorching heat/cold which has adverse effect on our health. Many insulating materials such as gypsum board, asbestos cement board, clip board, chip board, foam glasses etc. are useful in reduction of thermal effects. The surface temperature of flat roof may be reduced by sprinkling water on roof at regular intervals during hot hours. The orientation of building has important role in reduction of thermal resistance. The building should be designed in such a way that the entry of solar energy is minimum in summer whereas it is maximum in winter.

Benefits of thermal insulation

• Comfort: It provides comfort because the temperature of room remains cool in summer and warm in winter.
• Fuel saving: It saves fuel required to maintain desired temperature of the room.
• Condensation Resistant: Insulating materials fixed on inner surface of walls stops condensation, the deposition of moisture on interior walls and ceiling.

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Bathroom Design Ideas

Bathroom is a private space where you dive into coolness, refreshment and amusement. A lot of color schemes, attractive flooring and interior décor themes create a wonderful bathroom. Glass showers and attractive lighting fixtures, fantastic accessories are key decorative items for stimulating bathrooms. Let’s know some bathroom design tips.

• Bathroom shower door: Glass shower doors are available in a variety of designs and often swing in both directions. These shower doors are useful for easy and quick clean up. These shower doors come in a variety of finishes like nickel, chrome, brass or many more. You can pick any of the themes that match up with theme of your bathroom.
• Bathroom ventilation: good ventilation is required in bathrooms where a lot of moisture exists. Large windows are practical in reducing the effect of moisture. To keep bathroom dry an exhaust fan is required for proper circulation of air.
• Bathroom flooring: bathroom flooring should be attractive, anti slippery, damp proof, hard and durable. A variety of colors, shapes and textures of tiles is available for bathroom flooring. Marble flooring is durable and easy in cleaning. Vinyl tile flooring lasts long and is very easy to clean. You can choose any of them according to your fancy and budget.

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Courtyard Houses

Courtyard houses reflect on ancient Indian architecture. These houses fulfill spatial and functional requirements of occupants of the house. The courtyards inside the house are core elements of such architecture. The yards were designed to provide adequate air and sunlight. Courtyard houses can take any challenge of changing climate, rain, thunder, storm, scorching heat, chilled winter etc. These houses are hygienic to inhabitants of the house.

The attractive design of courtyard houses show our ancient cultural and social values in addition to architectural beauty. Several splendid designs such as ‘Haveli’, ‘Mahal’ ‘Wada’, Deori’ or ‘Nalukettu’ etc. are some finest examples of such heritage. The courtyards were essence of this architecture; which are very practical for air and ventilating purposes. Indian courtyard houses have been remarkable for residential architecture and are excellent designs for new constructions as well.

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Vastu for Pooja Room

Vastu controls positive and negative energy in the house. When it comes to locate pooja room in house, it should be planned into north-east direction which is considered as an excellent location for pooja room. ‘Pooja room’ situated in north-east brings prosperity, good health, wealth, happiness and peace of mind. The north-east is auspicious direction as morning sunrays directly fall from north-east and give us positive energy. Pooja room in north quadrant provides good results while in big plots this room can be constructed at Brahmasthan (central portion) of the house.

In case there is no facility for the location of Pooja room separately, you can utilize a corner or shelf as a pooja room. The room should be located on ground floor, not on first floor or in basement. It should not be inside bedroom, not be made above, below or adjacent to toilet or kitchen.

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Making a choice of computer desk

While choosing computer desks, keep in mind the design and ease at work on the desk. Whether it is your home or office, computer desks must offer a smooth platform causing no harm to health. You can select an attractive computer desk such as Standard computer desk, Executive computer desk, U-Shaped computer desk, L-Shaped computer desk that fits into your individual requirements in terms of height, distance of keyboard tray and size of monitor.

The height and distance of desk should be proper to avoid back pain or stress on eyes. Usually a rectangular desk with straight edges is preferred shape for keyboard tray and monitor set up. The most popular choice is a computer desk with diagonal, or 90 degree corners. The position of the monitor can help you fight eyestrain and back pain. Keep computer desk at the height that your eye level is a little bit higher than the top of the monitor screen. You can easily adjust monitor height with monitor lift or arm. Your choice may be excellent one if your desk fulfills all needs.

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Cushion Covers

Cushion covers add to the beauty of sofas, pillows, beds, couches or any other interior furnishing in your home. These covers offer finishing touch to the interior of a home. No home décor is complete till it is furnished with cushion covers. In fact cushion covers are a bonus to interior beauty. They can superbly change interior look of your home in addition to covering up your cushions. Multicolored and embroidered cushion covers create luxurious look and can transform your room into rapture.

Cushion covers are available in a variety of amazing textures and designs. The covers come into various shapes such as square, rectangular, round, oval and other shapes like flowers, animals, stars etc. These covers are further ornamented using mirror works, prints, embroidery and patch work on them.

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Innovative Kids’ Room Themes

Are you going to design your kids’ room? Keep in mind their wild imaginations, playthings, fun items, color schemes, wall papers in their rooms. It’s wise to allow them go through raptures, make their imagination go wild; enjoy funny items. If you want your kids to play indoors, you need to make their room interesting and playful.

To make your kids room interesting, apply fascinating color themes on walls, place cartoons and attractive toys and add several fun things to your kids’ room. You can decorate your kids’ room with any theme that your kid would like to entertain with. In fact kids’ room reflects your creativity for colors and various themes on wall paints. The following are a few choices of kids’ room themes.

Movie Themes: Every kid wants to see an animated film like Alibaba’s, Aladin’s, any toy story etc. It’s wise to purchase cloths, furniture items with movie themes. You can go for wall papers showing movie characters or paint them on walls.

Cartoon themes: cartoons having different drawings and colors attract kids’ attention towards them. You can fulfill their quest imaginative of pictures by drawing various cartoons on walls. Cartoons characters like Mickey mouse, a fairy, any flower etc. can turn their room into a land of pleasure. In addition you can go for hand painted murals, curved lines and other pretty diagrams on walls.

To know more kids’ room themes like Jungle theme, Sea theme , click here.

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Taking Therapeutic Bath

Taking bath into hot water/Jacuzzi bath reduces stress and gives freshness. After bath you would feel extremely relaxed and revitalized. Warm bath allows you to get pleasure from luxurious dip into Jacuzzi. Jacuzzi bath is therapeutic since the body and mind are refreshed after getting warm massage through warm water. After bath you would feel extremely relaxed and refreshed. So a warm bath definitely reduces stress.

A sink bath is most practical way to lessen worries and relieve the strain. A warm bath takes away day long hassle and makes you refreshed for further activities. Our body gets a warm massage that makes us feel nice after a weary day. It’s always luxurious to dip into Jacuzzi easing at stress of the day.

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Bedroom Lighting

Bedroom lighting greatly affects the way you go through the night. Consider all activities in bedroom before you go for any lighting. In addition to sleeping, the room can be used for exercise, reading or watching movie. You can opt for task lighting, chandeliers, and dimmers to make your bedroom a pleasant place. You may need reading lamp on both sides of your bed. Elegant fixtures are required to create a warm atmosphere in bedroom.

Tips for bedroom lighting

• Install stylish chandelier fixtures to create a stimulating atmosphere in bedroom.
• Utilize dimmers that match with surroundings of your bedroom to enjoy romantic night.
• Fix ceiling lighting at the centre of room to provide proper illumination.
• Apply wall scones to create stylish and lustrous look in bedroom.
• Never use opaque ceiling lights as they make you room too dark.

Thus you can create calm, relaxed and refreshing atmosphere in your bedroom.

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