AIS, makers of glass products in India have introduced a burglar resistant glass. It is laminated with special interlayers that help provide a high level of intrusion resistance from burglar attacks. It also makes your home look modern and beautiful. It is a combination of safety and beauty.

Click on Image to enlarge

The approximate price of this glass per square foot is Rs. 450/-

For more information you can visit their website : aisglass.com

Courtesy : Nippon Paints

Preparing the right tools will save you the time and hassle of having to scramble for tools in the middle of your paint job.
Some of essential items you will need are:

1. Sandpaper: for smoothing out uneven surfaces prior to painting.
2. Sanding block: to keep the sandpaper.
3. Scraper: to remove peeling paint from the surface.
4. Turpentine: to wipe off oil-based paints easily.
5. Clean rags: to wipe up splattered paint.
6. Masking tape: to block off objects like light switches, sockets from being painted.
7. Covers: old newspapers or canvasses can be used to cover the floor and furniture.
8. Brushes and rollers: choose the right type according to your purpose and surface. As a rule, it is good to have a large brush or roller, and at least one or two small brushes for tight corners.
9. If you are planning to do some advanced paint techniques, make sure you have the correct tools to pull off the job, for e.g. pencil liners, dragging brushes, shaped-stamp.
10. Paint tray: to mix paints and contain your roller.
11. Sticks: to mix and stir paints with.
12. Appropriate filler: to fill cracks or holes in the walls.
13. Filling knife: to fill the cracks.
14. Sponge and squeegee mop: to wash down walls and ceilings respectively.
15. Container: to soak brushes, rollers, etc. and to hold other odds and ends.
16. Extension pole: to reach higher areas.
17. Ladder: if painting high up is necessary.
18. Protective gear: like face masks, caps, gloves, etc.
19. Comfortable old clothes: items that you are willing to part with because painting can be a messy business.

[source : http://www.nipponpaint.com/paint_elibrary/painting_tips.html]

Painting your own house may not be as daunting a task as you think it is. With the right tools and techniques, a paint job can be enjoyable and rewarding. What’s more, your finished work will be something you will be proud to call your own. Here are some quick tips for a fuss-free paint job.

To pull off a paint job with flying colours, you will need to do the proper research and planning. The most common reasons why paint jobs face problems are inadequate preparation of the surface, using the wrong type of paint, buying insufficient paint, not giving enough time for the project, and not using the right tools.

Here are a few important tips that will help you get your paint job done as easily as possible with maximum impact and minimum hassle.

Use the right paints

Before you start painting, you should not forget about applying the right coats underneath. Sealers, primers and undercoats will bring out the full beauty of your paint job, while ensuring durability and long-lasting protection.

Image Courtesy : nipponpaint.com

Sealers: This helps to prevent underlying as well as subsequent coats from reacting with each other, while ensuring adhesion to the surface.

Primer: Primers function to bind subsequent coats to the surface, while inhibiting deterioration of the paint system as a result of rust, weathering or other forms of corrosion.

Undercoats: This intermediate coat prepares the surface for the finishing coat while giving opacity and film build to the paint system.

After this is done, you’ll also need to choose your paint carefully according to the surface you want to paint.

[source]

After you have bought a second hand house or simply when you move into a house as a tenant , we all want to have the house repainted. White-washed as people like to call it. The same applies to own houses as well a few years down the line.

Repainting is required periodically not only to maintain the aesthetics but also to protect the walls. Especially if you have small kids at home who explore their drawing skills on the walls, repainting is all that more important.

Deciding the type of paint is very important. I remember when we whitewashed our house a few years back, we decided to go for oil paint even if was more expensive. The argument in favour of going for oil paint was that stains could be washed off it. However, to our dismay, after the painting was done, the paint was reflecting light like crazy. A matte finish would have been much better even in oil paint.

Repainting is harder than painting your home first time for a lot many reasons. You have to move your furniture around, scrub off the old paint and the painters may not be patient enough to remove the fittings, something that should never be overlooked. What happens is , incompetent painters paint on top of your switchboards, lamp fittings,..etc.

Choosing the colour is also equally important. Never over experiment. You’ve got to live in it later. Choosing a different colour from your existing paint color takes more coats and hence costs more.

Choosing the right painter is also equally important. There are professionals to choose from. If you are up to it, you could also try your hand at it. Do remember to read up on painting and have someone who has already done it supervise it. If you make a mess of it, you can always call for professional help. 

Here is a choice of colours from Asian paints website.

Colour Palette

Humans have always perfected the art of creating “artificial products” which exceed nature’s creation in many ways. We can think of many examples. Plywood and engineered wood has all the good qualities of traditional wood but also exceeds certain qualities. Similarly Steel, an engineered metal out performs iron in almost every department. We have not even spared “marble” in this endeavour!

Nitco tiles, an Indian company specializing in floor products has launched Nitcostone, an engineered marble…

NITCOSTONE (an engineered or composite marble) combines the aesthetic appearance of Natural Marble with the uniformity and consistency of a manufactured product … the best of both worlds. Interestingly, in any of our nitcostone products, 92-95% of the material is in fact NATURAL marble…the remainder is resin and some additives!!

Nitco imports Nitcostone slabs and tiles from state-of-the-art factories in Italy, Spain, Taiwan and other countries – thus, there is a wide variety to choose from.

Source : http://www.nitcotiles.com/marble/nitcostone1.asp

Image Courtesy : nitcotiles.com

Some of the features of engineered marble over traditional marble are:

• Whiter than Marble
• Super Strong
• Maintenance-free
• 0% Water absorption (A quality which lacks in marble making it susceptible to stains)
• Available in two sizes (a) 800mm x 800mm and 1200mm x 1800mm

There are 22 variants of Nitcostone in the offering. The names are:

1. Beige Antique
2. Bianco
3. Botticino
4. Brazilian White
5. Breccia Aurora
6. Crema Ivory
7. Emperador
8. Fiorito
9. Jasmine
10. Levante
11. Maremma
12. Napoleon Brown
13. Nero Portoro
14. Nova Beige
15. Nuvolato
16. Perlato Royal
17. Perlato Svevo
18. Petra Blue
19. Rasotica
20. Sunny Beige
21. Verona
22. White Antique

The complete catalog can be viewed online if you click on the following link:

http://www.nitcotiles.com/marble/engcatalog.asp

We have written about flooring materials before. At that time though, we covered only those materials that were widely used in the Indian construction industry like Vitrified tiles, ceramic tiles, mosaic, marble etc. Today we are covering a flooring material that is not yet heavily used in India, but it will surely become more popular as people become aware of all its inherent benefits.

Moreover, the fact that it is now available for use in India through several importing agencies should drive its adoption in the country a bit faster. We got these details from one such agency – Halcyon in Chennai – when we happened to speak to them. The material we are talking about is Vinyl sheets.

Vinyl is an artificially created flooring material. It invariably has several layers within it; consisting of protective wear layer, printed design layer, glass fiber, etc. The exact arrangement in which the various components in the sheet are put together and their thickness can differ from case to case. And with these varying compositions, the properties of the concerned sheets can change.

 The key properties of vinyl are:

1. It provides protection against germs because of its anti microbial nature.
2. UV coating on the wear layer ensures that only a minimum of dust accumulates on the sheet and that it is easy to clean.
3. Glass fiber reinforced cell with foam backing maintains the dimensions of the material. This means that the flooring does not shrink or expand due to climatic variations like hot & humid conditions.
4. Good noise reduction. Vinyl sheets absorb footfall sounds much better than the other flooring options.
5. In some Vinyl sheets, a thick clear transparent layer at the top makes it resistant to abrasion. Thus, it is low on maintenance after installation.
6. Vinyl does not react to reagents used in hospitals and clinics. Thus it should be used in places where the floor would otherwise get stained easily.
7. Bright, colorful patterns can be created – like natural wood finishes, marble /carpet /slate finishes.
8.  It is very easy to install, almost a do-it-yourself project. As little as a single night is required to lay the flooring for an entire house. Vinyl can even be laid on top of most existing floors without having to dig up the old layout. It can be removed quite easily in case you want another change later on. 

In our opinion, Vinyl floor is a candidate that should be considered when you select flooring for your new/renovated home. The fact that PVC floors are stain free, easy to clean, low maintenance, reduces noise, germ free and easy to install; makes them quite suitable for domestic residences

The price usually hovers at around Rs. 30 – 200 per sq. ft (LG Chem Floor). GerFlor starts from 70 per sq. ft. It can vary a bit depending upon the type of Vinyl sheet you choose. This price compares with the other high end options for the homemakers like foreign marbles (Rs. 250 per sq. ft.), vitrified tiles (Rs. 50 per sq. ft. onwards), granite flooring, hardwood floors (above Rs. 150 per sq. ft.), wooden laminates (Rs. 80 – 400 per sq. ft) etc. Kerosene cut and water cut in mosaic tiles – 50 per sq. ft.

The write up will not be complete without mentioning the drawbacks of the flooring. You should be careful to mop up water that forms on top of a vinyl quickly. This is because water can loosen the adhesive used to attach the tile to the floor below. This is less important if you use a vinyl sheet (instead of vinyl tiles) since the seams between the tiles are not present there. The durability of the tile is from 5 to 20 years, depending upon whether it has a urethane wear layer and also the overall thickness of the tile. Good care will extend the life of the tile. Another point to note is that this flooring is not advisable for staircases; it is meant for flat level surfaces.

In case you want to know more about this innovative option, please feel free to drop us a line contact@aavaas.com or alternatively, you can contact murali@halcyoninteriors.in. Murali gave most of the information for this introduction into vinyl flooring.

We will be covering more of these lesser known home making options in the coming days. Surely, there are many more of these items out there and in case you know of some yourself, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Whether it is a new home or an old one, it certainly needs a paint job. The frequency depends on the occupant’s interest and is driven by a variety of factors such as:

a) Age of paint

b) Wearing effects

c) Planned renovation

d) Makeover of the home

Image Courtesy : john-curran.com

What are the areas in ones home that can be painted?

- Exteriors : These paint jobs use a different type of paint which is resistant to weathering effects.

- Interiors : They have a more visual appeal compared to exterior paints. Quite a few variety of paints are available just for this one category.

- Doors, Windows & Furniture : These items need a special type of paint which not only makes it good looking but also gives it added protection from moisture, termites, fire and the like. If you are planning to paint the wooded items, you could choose from special paints to do the job.

- Metal Paints : This is an additional category of paints which give metallic surfaces an added protection from weathering elements and corrosion.

Types of paints available

• Distemper - This is perhaps the most economical type of painting available in the Indian market today. It can be classified as a “Whitewash” job. This term is probably deep rooted in our vocabulary as home owners whitewash their homes prior to renting it out and occupants insist on a periodic whitewash from the home owners ! The major constituents of distemper are chalk, lime, water and some coloring agents if necessary. Distemper is a water based paint

• Emulsions - This type of paint is also water based and provides a rich and Matt finish to interior walls. The differentiating factor of emulsion paints is its acrylic quality. Its composition imparts excellent durability to the painted surface and gives the walls a just painted look. It washable and most stains can be removed easily by wiping with a cloth dipped in a mild soap solution. The paint film is also fungus and mildew resistant.

• Solvent based paints - Lustre paints, Enamel paints and oil paints all come under the category of solvent based paints. They cannot be pre-mixed with water. Oil based paints take a longer time to dry and often produce strong odors which are irritating and sometimes even toxic in nature. The advantage with these paints is that they really last long and produce rich and desiring effects on the wall.

We will cover more on paints in our the future articles. If you have recently painted your home, do share your experiences with us via comments.

We briefly covered vitrified tiles here on House to Home on 6th September. Today we would just touch upon the various other types of flooring material that is available in the market today for your consideration.

Image Courtesy : Nitco India

Broadly categorizing we have the following types of floors:

Ceramic Tiles

The word ‘ceramic’ comes from the greek word ‘keramos’ meaning pottery, it is related to an old sanskrit root meaning ‘to burn’ but was primarily used to mean ‘burnt stuff’. These are made from clay or a mixture of organic materials, ceramic tile is finished by kiln firing. They are available in many shapes and sizes and are sold in  glazed or unglazed fashion. For floors, tiles are set in a cement or mortar type mixture.

Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tile is a tile which has been processed in such a way that it has very low porosity (and water absorption) which make it stain resistant and very strong. You can read more about this article here.

Mosaic Floor

This type of flooring involves embedding small pieces of colored glass, stone, or ceramic tile called tessera in a background material such as plaster or mortar. The resulting finish is unique and a variety of designs can be created.

 Most conventional apartments use grey or white mosaic.  These are relatively inexpensive. More affluent variety of mosaic is also available in the market for the deserving people.

You can read more about Mosaic Tiles in the wiki article.

Marble Floor

Marble is metamorphosed limestone, composed of fairly pure calcite . It is extensively used for sculpture, as a building material, and in many other applications which includes flooring.

Marble has a relatively lower abrasion resistance compared to artificial floors. It is calcium carbonate which is strongly attached by Hydrochloric acid which is commonly used in toilet & floor cleaning. It yellows over extended time duration whereas man made tiles tend to retain their colour for decades.

You can read more about marbles in the wiki article.

Granite Floor

A common igneous rock composed of quartz, orthoclase, and hornblende, often accompanied by pyroxene or mica. It is called granite because of the granular surface. Granite is frequently used for buildings and monuments. It is a popular choice for not only flooring but also for countertops in kitchen and shelves.

Compared to marble, it is relatively inexpensive.

You can read more about granites in the wiki article.

Concrete/Cement Floor 

The title should make it pretty straightforward. Sudarsan covered some points in his article related to pathway flooring on 30th August.  Today you can purchase ready made blocks which are ready to be laid in your home or the exteriors.

Some additional and interesting information on tiles can be found here

Hope you found this post informative….

This post is a continuation of our first coverage on Cements  which was posted on Sep 7,’07.

Frequently Asked Questions on cements

(article is taken from ACC India Limited via The Hindu)

Can one save on the quantity of cement by using high-grade cement?

This is a misconception. Even if you were to use less cem

Can you judge the quality of cement from its colour?

ent, you would need to add the same quantity of water to prepare a concrete mix, let us say for one bag of cement. This would increase the water-cement ratio, as the cement quantity has been reduced. But it is common knowledge that when the water-cement ratio is increased, the resultant concrete tends to suffer from reduced strength and durability. This will certainly compromise the long-term strength of your construction.

Does high grade of cement ensure better results?

The grade of cement only indicates its compressive strength at 28 days. But cement continues to increase in strength beyond that period of time with not much of difference in the long-term strength.

You would not want your dream home to be tested after a mere 28 days. While almost all cements provide some basic initial strength, what you should look for is its long-term strength. It has been proved that blended or composite cements render higher strengths for a long duration.

Should we use cement that sets quickly?

Quick setting of the mix depends not only on the quality of cement but also on the quantity of water used in preparing the mix. If you consider that you are constructing your dream house after years of waiting and planning, you know you can easily afford to wait for the essential few additional hours needed for cement to set slowly and attain its strength.

Similarly, concrete also needs adequate time to set properly and attain its fullest strength. If your mason complains about the quality of cement saying `it sets slowly’, ask him to be patient. Wait a little while longer before you begin to worry. Setting is an essential property of cement. Slow setting of cement is healthy and does not necessarily mean that the cement cannot provide long-term strength.

The colour of the cement has absolutely no relationship or bearing on its quality. The colour of cement is determined by the colour and quantity of the raw materials that are used to manufacture it.

Storing cement

Cement reacts with water. So protect the cement bags from moisture. It is proper to store cement in a godown free from the vagaries of weather. Place the bags on a platform that is at least six inches above floor level. Stack the bags one over the other in a lot and do not lean them against any wall.

The number of bags in each stack should not be more than 15 bags. While taking out the bags for use, the norm of `first come first used’ should be followed. It is best to consume cement within two to three months of its manufacture.

Testing cement

In case you have any serious doubts about the quality of cement or if you feel the cement is not fit for use, you must of course consult the manufacturer. But here is a quick simple test you can do at the site yourself for reassurance.

Make a paste of a little cement with one-fourth the quantity of water and make little cubes or blocks of 50 x 50 x 20 mm size. Leave aside for a day.

Test the blocks to see how easily they break. If the cement is of a good quality, the blocks will be firm and will not crumble or break if you try to crush it with the pressure of your fingers.

Switch on your television, chances are that you would run into a cement advertisement. Same hold good for a magazine or a newspaper. Cement has come a long way from being the ugly grey powder sold in plastic bags. Today they have become a brand by themselves. More and more consumers are looking for information on the Internet about cements. We thought, what is a better way to end this weekend than do it with a small post on this topic? So here goes…..

Image Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Cement is the adhesive which holds the construction material such as bricks and tiles. But more importantly it is the largest contributor to the modern miracle we refer to as concrete.

We would not be touching on too many details in this post. After all, as with all other topics, we are now in the “grazing the field” mode. The article hopes to create awareness on this subject of cements along with a few details on choosing the grade.

Types of Cement

(Portions of this article are taken from ACC India Limited via The Hindu)

Broadly speaking there are two categories of cement

1. Ordinary Portland cement
2. Blended/composite cement

Portland cement

This type of cement is prepared by grinding clinker along with gypsum. This is available in several grades such as 33, 43, and 53. This type of cement can be used for all normal work.

 This brings us to the question: “What exactly does the grade of the cement signify?”

Answer:The grade symbolises that at 28 days the cement mortar cube has a compressive strength of at least 33, 43 and 53 Mpa – Mega Pascals – respectively.

So, the higher the grade, the more compressive strength your building would have.

Blended/composite cement

In this type of cement, high-quality clinker is inter-ground with gypsum and a performance enhancing cementitious material such as slag or Pozzolana. It comprises Portland slag cement or Fly-ash-based Portland Pozzolana cement. It may be used in all general construction such as concreting, brick joining, plaster and special construction. It gives the concrete better long-term strength and durability.

 At this juncture, I am not sure if the blended/composite cement is more expensive than Portland cement, but it is logical to assume the same.

Certain advantages of concrete made from blended/composite cements over ordinary Portland cements are:

• Long-term strength and durability.

• Lower repairs hence lower maintenance cost.

• Reduces leaching (washed up lime that comes out and weakens the construction).

• Prevents crack formation. Less heat is generated while it sets in.

• Resists chemical attacks from aggressive elements in the ground, water and air.

• Protects reinforcement rods from rusting.

• Suffers less shrinkage.

• Provides smoother finish.

• Requires less water to prepare concrete. In comparison to other cements, you can use about 10 per cent less water.

• Environment friendly.

 We would have more on this topic in the coming days, so stay tuned and/or subscribe to our newsletter.

Have a great weekend!!

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