Most Popular Types of Flooring Materials for Your House Part 1

Most Popular Types of Flooring Materials

 for Your House Part 1

Furniture and fittings, you may be able to change with the time however the flooring is something there for a very long period of time. As choosing your flooring needs lots of effort and also it will cost you a fortune. Also, choosing new flooring for your new home is not an easy task. There are so many options available for flooring materials to choose from a wide range from the market. There are various types of flooring materials are available in the market, so it is bound to happen where people get confused while choosing which flooring material is best for their home.

Choosing flooring materials usually depend upon the following criteria:

·         Uses

·         Quality

·         Traffic (High, Low or Medium)

·         Difficulty of Installation

·         Required Level of Finishing

·         Maintenance i.e. Cleaning

·         Economy

Types of Flooring Materials

01. Tiles Flooring

Amongst all the type of flooring used in the house, “tile flooring” is a very common and popular. The tiles are available in varieties of colours, textures and patterns.

Tiles flooring also have types like vitrified tiles, ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, etc. We have tried to give a brief explanation on all various types of tiles:

01(a) Ceramic Tiles Flooring

Ceramic tile is made up of mixture of clay and water only. It is used in indoor as well as outdoor areas. Ceramic tiles are ideal for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, etc. as these tiles are not very slippery as compared to vitrified tiles.

01(a) Vitrified Tiles Flooring

Vitrified tile is one type of ceramic tile with low porosity. Vitrified tiles are most commonly used in living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc. They have a glossy finish as compared to ceramic tiles though they are also available in Matt finish.

There are various types of vitrified tiles available in the market like;

·         Full Body Vitrified Tiles:

Full body vitrified tiles have pigment in entire thickness of the tile. Therefore, scratches are less noticeable in these types of vitrified tiles. Also, when you have to cut the tiles, borders of tiles will be of the same colour.

·         Double Charge Vitrified Tiles:

Double charge vitrified tiles are fed through a press that prints the pattern with a double layer of pigment (two kinds of colours are fed into the machine). Therefore, the upper layer becomes 3 to 4 mm thicker. So, it is a viable option where traffic is medium to heavy.

·         Soluble Salt Vitrified Tiles:

Vitrified tiles are printed with screen printing technology and then polished, therefore it is called soluble salt.

·         Glazed Vitrified Tiles:

Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT) has a glazed surface. This glazed surface allows any type of design, surface textures, etc. on it. It can increase the aesthetics of the area.

01 (c) Porcelain Tiles Flooring

Porcelain tiles are the type of vitrified tiles. It is not majorly used nowadays. Porcelain tiles can be used in living room, bedroom, etc. It is staining and water resistant.

02. Stone Flooring

Stone flooring is natural, beautiful, and always stylish that stands out in contrast to any synthetic or manufactured stone products. Natural stone also comes in different types such as granite, marble, limestone, slate, travertine, sandstone, etc. All the types of stone have different characteristics. The naturally cool, hard surface is ideal for warm climates.

02(a) Marble Flooring

Marble is a metamorphic rock. When properly finished it can transform the area beautifully.  Marble flooring is very common in residential and commercial buildings, temple, hotels, hospitals etc. The most popular marble available in India are Makarana Marble, Italian Marble, Ambaji Green Marble, Kesarayaji Green Marble, etc. It is a better flooring option than granite flooring as it is cheaper.

02(b) Granite Flooring

Granite is igneous rock. Granite flooring a is a type of natural stone flooring and it is most suitable for the kitchen area. It is also used in an outdoor area like pathways. Granite flooring does not feel as cold as marble does.

02(c) Limestone Flooring

The limestone has beautiful textures as they are sedimentary rocks by nature. Limestone flooring is perfect choice for bathrooms, dining rooms and hallways. Limestone flooring does not have that pattern as compared sandstone flooring.

 

02(d) Sandstone Flooring

Sandstone flooring is composed of loose grains of quartz sand that are rough in texture. The natural beauty makes sandstone flooring great for interior floors as well as exterior decoration including flooring, paving, parking, etc.

02(e) Slate Flooring

Slate flooring is a made up of metamorphic rock that was formed in layers, so it easily splits into thin sheets that are cut into tiles. Rougher surfaces of slate flooring are perfect for entryways, patios and kitchens.

02(f) Kota Stone Flooring

Kota Stone is a type of stone flooring. It is cheaper than marble flooring.  It can be used in lobby, balcony, pathways, etc. It is not attractive as compared to marble and granite flooring. Cleaning of kota stone flooring is difficult.

02(g) Travertine Flooring

Nowadays, the travertine is one of the softest floorings available in the market. It is most commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms. Travertine flooring can be more susceptible to staining than granite or marbles.

03. Wood Flooring

Wood flooring is very old type of flooring material; however, it has never been outdated. It is used under special circumstances such as in hilly areas and in damp places. With proper care and maintenance, wood flooring can last a long time. There are various types of wooden flooring which are commonly used:

03(a) Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is made from a piece of wood which has thickness of around 20 mm. Solid wood flooring can be installed in any room of your house, except in areas where there is high moisture content such as kitchen, bathrooms and basements.

03(b) Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring is made with the core of plywood and a layer of solid wood attached on its top. It can be installed even in kitchen areas, apart from other rooms of your house. Engineered wood flooring gives more attractive look than laminate wood flooring.

03(c) Laminate Wood Flooring

Laminate wood flooring is obtained by placing a layer of a photographic image of wood over a fibreboard. As it is a synthetic product, it does not give look and feel of natural wood. Laminate wood flooring can be installed in any room such as living room, bedroom, and dining room except wet areas like bathroom and laundry rooms.

to be continue in next blog...............

8 IMPORTANT TESTS ON BRICKS YOU SHOULD KNOW.....

8 IMPORTANT TESTS ON BRICKS YOU SHOULD KNOW

BRICK TESTS:

Bricks are the most common and useful building materials used for masonry construction works. To build a long lasting structure we should always use good quality bricks and other building materials. The common brick tests performed on the field as well as in the laboratory are described below.

1. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST:

This test is performed to determine the compressive strength of bricks. It is additionally known as crushing strength test of bricks. Normally, 5 samples of bricks are selected and transported to the laboratory for testing. A brick sample is kept on the crushing machine and then the pressure is thoroughly applied axially until it breaks. The maximum pressure at which the brick starts to crack is noted. The test is repeated with all 5 brick samples one by one and the average result is considered as the compressive strength or crushing strength of bricks.

2. WATER ABSORPTION TEST:

In this test, bricks are weighed first in dry condition (W1) and then they are fully submerged in water for 24 hours. After immersion of 24 hours, the bricks are collected and weighed again in wet condition (W2). The difference of weight between dry and wet condition is considered as the water absorbed by the bricks. Then the amount of water absorption is determined in percentage.

Water absorption (%) = [(W2-W1)/W1] * 100

The less water consumption by the bricks indicates their greater quality. A brick will be considered as good quality if it does not consume more than 20% water of its own weight.

 3. EFFLORESCENCE TEST:

This test is carried out to obtain the presence of alkaline substances in bricks. First, bricks are fully submerged in fresh water for 24 hours. After 24 hours they are collected from water and left them to dry. After completely dried the bricks are closely observed to find the presence of alkali. If a white or gray layer is formed on the brick surface, it means alkali is present in the brick.

4. IMPACT TEST:

In this test few bricks are dropped from 1-meter height. If bricks are broken it indicates low impact value and not acceptable for construction work. Good quality bricks do not break at all.

5. DIMENSION TOLERANCE TEST:

20 bricks are randomly collected and arranged in a straight line. This is done to see the variation of shape, size, and colour with the standard bricks.

6. SOUNDNESS TEST:

In this test, two randomly selected bricks are hardly punched with each other. If they produce a clear metallic sound and remain unbroken then they are good quality bricks.

7. HARDNESS TEST:

This test is done to know the hardness of bricks. In this test, scratches are made on the surface of the brick by a hard thing. If it does not leave any impression on the brick surface then it will be considered as good quality bricks.

8. STRUCTURE TEST:

In this test, a brick is fractured and firmly investigated. If any flaws, holes or cracks are seen inside the broken brick, then it is considered as poor quality brick.

 

What Is BIM? It's More Than Revit.

What Is BIM? It's More Than Revit

BIM. You either know what it means or you don’t. And even if you do, there’s still a good chance you’re off. Many people, perhaps even you, think Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a new line of software, with Revit falling under that umbrella. Revit is not BIM. It is a distinction worth taking a few moments to understand and we have it all laid out for you to quickly get up to speed. What Is BIM? BIM is a process not an application. It’s based around models used for the planning, design, construction and management of building and infrastructure projects faster, more economically and with less environmental impact. These BIM models are different from CAD drawings that may be 2D or even 3D. BIM models are made up of intelligent objects that when changed stay updated throughout the design no matter who is working with it. 

                                    What Is Revit

 Revit is a single application built for Building Information Modelling with features for architectural design, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) and structural engineering and construction. Revit is not BIM. Revit is built for BIM. Revit and other applications made for BIM help designers design, simulate, visualize and collaborate in order to capitalize on the advantages of the interconnected data within a BIM model. The key word in BIM is “Information”. BIM is centred on models made up of objects. Revit creates these objects which consist of data designers can see in different views: 2D drawings, 3D models and schedules (lists). When one piece of data changes in one view, it is updated in all other views automatically by Revit because each view is displaying the same data. Objects can also be related to other objects. So, to repeat, if one object changes, any related objects reflect those changes as well. 

       Does Revit Do Everything

 No. There is still a place for CAD software like AutoCAD, which designers still use for detailing and documenting. Visualization software, like 3ds Max and Photoshop, are still used for highly-detailed design visualizations. Other analysis applications can perform advanced simulations to improve design efficiency as well. The BIM models Revit creates can integrate into the workflows of designers using these applications to further enhancing the effectiveness of the design team from design to construction. With at least 6 out of 10 architects in the U.S. creating BIM models¹, BIM has become almost unavoidable and there are plenty of designers lamenting a breakdown in the lexicon surrounding BIM. The best way to prevent confusion is education and Digital-Tutors Revit tutorials can teach you industry-proven techniques to take full advantage of BIM methodology so you can create your best designs faster, more cost-effective and more efficient than ever. 

LOW COST HOUSING

How to Reduce Cost of House Construction?

India is a country where every family dreams of staying in the house they own. But with the current increase in the land costs, construction material prices and labour charges, it is becoming difficult for middle class families to fulfill their dream of living in their own homes. So we thought of putting forward some tips that can be helpful for such families to build the house of their dreams.

 The cost of construction of a house can be mainly divided into 5 categories.

1.     Land Cost: Cost of owning a land parcel for House construction

2.     Design Costs: This includes architectural, structural and MEP design of the building

3.     Laisoning Costs: Includes fees for government approvals like government land survey, plan approval etc., w

4.     Material Procurement Costs: Includes purchase of materials like cement, steel, sand, aggregate, bricks, blocks, tiles and other finishing materials

5.     Labour Costs: This includes the manpower costs for construction of RCC structure, brick work, plastering, other finishing works and external development (Like compound wall, hardscaping and landscaping)

Now where you can reduce the cost of construction purely depends on your lifestyle choices. You can create a barely minimalist building or an exotic bungalow to live in. Here are my few tips for reducing the cost of construction.

        Saving in Land Cost:

     Choose the right plot for construction: The level of the plot is most important          during construction. If the level of the plot is much lower than the road level on the      front, then the quantity of filling material required will be more thus increasing the        total cost of construction. So choose a land parcel which is neither too high nor too        low compared to the level of the road.

     Check development regulations: Survey area which have potential for                 development in near future and is available currently available at low cost. Check FSI   of the area, more FSI means less total cost of owning a home. If you have less FSI,   then you need to buy more land to build same area of construction

 For example: If you are planning to buy a 1000 sq ft plot area and are looking at 2   localities. Your local municipality or DC (Development Control) gives FSI for each   area based on multiple factors. So in a plot with 2 FSI, you can construct a 2000 sq ft   building while in a plot with 1.5 FSI you can only build 1500 sq ft.

Also, Remember FSI regulations change with time, so you need to choose the right plot as per your current and future requirements.

Saving In Architectural And Design Costs:

1.     If you are going for a structure of more than 2 or more floors, I would strictly advice you not to look for a cheaper design option in this, like a old contractor knowing everything about designing and detailing

2.     A professional architect and structural designer will help you save upon the overall costs by optimizing design of the building and not over/under designing it.

3.     A good designer value engineers your construction by which you can not only save costs on materials but also save future recurring and maintenance costs (a well-lighted and-ventilated design, green material and low maintenance fixture and fittings)

4.     Have detailed designs done to avoid less confusion/misinterpretation at site, thereby avoiding rework cost and time overrun.

5.     Have a floor plan/layout which is square/rectangular shaped (having lower perimeter). Square/rectangular shaped floor plans usually consume lesser materials (20-40%) as compared to a H shaped and L shaped layouts as they consume more materials per unit built up area.

·         Saving in Construction Material Procurement:

1.     Cement

1.     Go for local/regional branded cement. Most of the local branded cements like Chettinad cement, Penna cement, Maha cement etc., are of good quality and are offered at better prices.

2.     Optimise cement consumption by using the right cement grade. OPC cement is usually slightly costlier than PPC cement. OPC cement is usually recommend for RCC structural work (like foundations, columns, roof and beams) and PPC cement is recommended for non-structural works (Like Plastering, Tiling etc.,). This will not only save you costs but also enhance the quality of construction by reducing cracks (Due to less heat of hydration).

3.     For optimising the cement consumption in structural concrete, you can mix fly ash judiciously (15 to 25% as part replacement to cement) with OPC 53 cement. This will not only decrease the costs but will also be durable (since degree of permeability will be low)

2.     Bricks and Blocks:

1.     Buy locally available bricks. Compare the cost of first class red clay brick and fly-ash brick in your locality. Go for a brick which costs you less. Both fly ash bricks and red clay bricks are equally good in strength.

2.     In case you are going for a structure of more than 3 floors, then use AAC blocks instead of bricks. Although AAC blocks (concrete blocks) are costlier than bricks, they are light weight. This will decrease the steel consumption per unit built up, as dead load reduced to one-third. Also as AAC blocks have low thermal conductivity, they can help you save electricity costs for cooling your rooms.

3.     Plastering:

Go for Neeru (lime) Finish for internal plastering.

4.     Doors and Windows:

1.     Avoid Wooden door frames. Instead go for RCC door frames which can save up to 30% of the cost for Door framing.

2.     Use PVC doors for Bathrooms and other wet areas like dry balcony etc.,

3.     Use Laminated flush door or block board for door opening other than the main door. This will decrease the cost of door work by 25%.

5.     Flooring:

1.     Use Cement mosaic tiles to reduce cost of flooring works. Select size which result in fewer wastages

2.     Go for locally available granite for Kitchen platform and stair case steps. Use cut/waste piece of tiles in steps riser

6.     Grill and Railings:

Use Painted MS section for Staircase railing and grills

7.     Electrical Material:

You can opt for local make switches and sockets but always go for Branded wires for House wiring.

8.     Light Fitting:

Go for Light fittings that are not only economical to your pockets initially but also save up on the electricity charges and maintenance costs in the future.

9.     Avoid False Ceiling:

False ceiling although will act as good insulation but is quite expensive. Go for a simple POP finish to the roof.

10. Paints:

Use Semi-acrylic paint for internal and external walls which can save upon the cost

11. Plumbing CP Fixtures & Sanitary:

The cost of sanitary and CP fixtures varies depending upon the type and quality of products used in the building and its cost reduction is left to the individual choice and liking. We recommend you to choose economical local/regional brands. Plumbing and Sanitary fixture can be easily replaced anytime without any dismantling in future. So replacing them later with the fixtures of your choice will not cost you much.

Saving On Labour Costs:

1.     Hire Experienced Contractor:

A resource full team will help you save time and ensure quality at affordable cost. An inexperienced labour contractor may quote low initially but will turn out to be costly when you will be spending on rectifications and maintenance.

2.     Avoid Concealed Work:

Don’t go for concealed wiring. Concealing the electrical wires although is aesthetically appealing will increase the labour costs and the same is easily maintainable and replaceable.

3.     Choose Simple Elevations:

Many are obsessed with the front elevation of the building. Yes, a great front elevation gives a rich look for the building but will burn holes through your pockets. Don’t use unnecessary structural elements just for beautification of the elevation

Additional Tips for Reducing Cost of Construction:

1.     Avoid Change Orders:

Avoid any last minute changes in design or material selection. These change orders usually have a high impact on the cost of construction and can sometimes deter the quality of the structure.

2.     Hire an Experienced Turnkey Contractor:

An experienced turnkey contractor may cost you a bit more initially but can prove more value during the execution of the work. They will keep the change orders to minimum since they manage everything from design to construction. Also, they ensure that the quality of construction is up to the mark which will reduce your future maintenance costs considerably. They also provide warranty up to 5 years on construction defects.

3.     Ensure Proper Cash Flow:

A proper cash flow avoids (leading bank to provide loan for home constructions) multiple mobilizations of the contractors. Usually contractors charge for re-mobilizations if the delays are because of the improper cash flows. If required design for higher floor build in stages for example build till ground floor start living in it arrange for next stage cash, then build upper floors.