Monday 24 October 2011

Tiles – The Covering Design

How would it look if there would have been only simple cemented walls around us? Would any of the places be interesting enough to dwell? What if all the wires are dangling above the head which are trailing the electrical fittings and other appliances? And due to this reason, ceiling tiles have become important to conceal the jungle of wires and accommodate the lighting fixtures. Ceiling tiles make the ceilings very interesting and give it a very unique look. It also defines the space as the designs may give a royal look while some may give a rustic look, while others a sophisticated one.
Ceiling tiles are decorative and also better than conventional mineral fiber or acoustic tiles. They can be easily maintained and with the advent of new manufacturing skills, many looks, like that of tin can be created, without any special requirements for installation. Many people are not aware of the huge amount of choices, in different materials, from different companies, with different health and safety ratings and difference in quality, price and customer support. It is also important to know that there is a fire rating for every tile and that, any Styrofoam or styrene tiles are not much safe. One should also look out for some official logos which are recognition of the safety marking and its ratings.
Tiles are not used only on the ceilings but also on the walls and on the floor especially. And floor boarding tiles always have more variety than the ceiling or wall tiles. It is always very important to see that the floor tiles do not break very easily and also the color matters, as the dirt should not be seen very easily and it is impossible to clean it frequently.

Ceilings – The Designed Top

Ceilings have always been a neglected part of the house, except for concealing the dangling wires and cables. Since the historic times, we have seen monuments and different architectural wonders having exotic ceiling designs, some plain beautiful and some depicting stories all bounded by art. The ceiling designs can be a very unique feature of the room and lends a whole different feel to a space.

There started a trend of having ceilings with stars to get the feel of sleeping under the stars and since then, designed ceilings have become a huge fashion. From constellations looking down at you, to fairy godmothers and superheroes donning the walls, ceiling design can be a huge hit. While some people prefer lightings, some others like wallpapers on their ceilings.

A wooden ceiling is another trendy option which gives a very cozy cottage feeling. Wooden ceilings are beneficial as they enhance the architectural elegance and it keeps warm in the cold climate. Wood is eco-friendly so no hazards of toxic pollution. It is safe and healthy. But wood also has different types which can be used for décor. Some like their ceilings of wooden planks of cherry, oak or walnut while some like antique/vintage wood tiles. There are different sorts of flexible and high quality wood like oak, cherry, ash, walnut and cypress which can be used to construct durable wood ceilings. These can make good accessories when used with coffers with molding wooden panels. Wooden ceilings are always attractive due to the rustic style and it revives the natural aesthete. Therefore you want rustic style and home décor; one must opt for wood ceiling.

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Knowing About Prefabricated Steel Buildings

Prefabrication is the assembling of all the components used for construction at the factory and then taking it to the construction site. This is an unconventional practice in some countries as most of them carry basic materials to the construction site and then assemble it there. Hence prefabrication has many advantages. Steel buildings have been there since the time of World War II but the laymen do not have much idea about it. The history of prefabrication can be traced back to 3800 BC. It seems to be an engineer’s word when it is said prefabricated steel buildings. But actually, it is only a predetermined design made with the help of computers that assists in making the specifications for the type of steel to be used and its design specifications. The steel buildings have evolved and have newer components. To handle the whole process of mass production efficiently, a pre-engineered system is developed. Most designs are project specific and hence the pre-engineered system is now becoming redundant. Prefabrication of steel buildings helps to save time as most of it is consumed in the designing aspect and putting it all together. Prefabricating steel sections reduces on-site cutting and welding costs as well as the hazards associated with it.

Details of Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are generally structures of metal which are made for supporting the interiors and for exterior cladding. These kind of steel structures are generally used for making storages, residences or in corporate spaces like offices. Nowadays, the usage decides the type of steel to be used. There are specific demands of spaces and thus specific types are evolved. Steel buildings can be traced back to the 20th century during WWII. Steel was then available in abundance and it proved to be cost-effective as well. Steel is now not only used in buildings but also at many other places and there is an expansion in its range of application. This expansion can be due to the design and the materials or the products. Generally, CAD – computer aided design software is used to prefabricate the steel buildings.


Steel buildings are advantageous due to the properties like low maintenance, cost effective, good quality, aesthetic appeal, non-combustible, re-usable components, eco-friendly, durability, quick construction delivery and resistance to termites. Although with these benefits, it also has its own disadvantages like corrosion of steel and heat conductivity. Steel buildings are of various types, like straight and arched. There are many buildings with no internal support in the structure space. The exterior which is arched can be considered to be cost effective in the context of agricultural industry. The straight-walled steel buildings provide more usable interior space. One should be aware of the type of steel building in accordance to the industry for optimized results.

Tuesday 11 October 2011

Proffer An Exciting Look To Your Home with Glass Roof

Glass roofs have been an innovative development in the field of house décor. It could make the most uninteresting place worth a head-turn. They are being increasingly used and have become the designer’s delight. Many conventional designs may prove to be expensive, but glass roofs are unconventional and are also accessible and affordable.

Many who recognize the potential of glass roofs can give them different and exciting forms. Ever imagine the real blue sky while sleeping in the bedroom or dining under the stars or a kitchen island? All this and more is possible with glass roofs, which can bring to life the boring corners of the house.

While opting for glass roofs, one should have a basic idea about its looks and types. Toughened glass is a popular option for roofs as it gives a better view, it is self-cleaning glass, it makes less noise in rains and different varieties provide better solar control.

As there are different types of glass, one should also be aware about which one should be used where in the house. During cold, the living room with the fireplace should have insulating glass unit with coating that reflects heat back to the room due to passive solar gain.

There is also another kind of glass which can effectively insulate and prove to be energy efficient, hence preventing wastage. There is another type of special blue glass used in glass roof which also has cooling properties and it can work with solar control performance for cooler internal space.

Thus, one should be well-informed while opting for glass-roofs to give a new and interesting look to their abode.

Redefining Luxury with False Ceiling

With interior decoration houses redefining the residential structure, everyone wants to experience ‘luxury living’ as it is called, more so, the designer homes. With houses getting new facelift, every corner of the house gets revamped, and the ceiling proves to be one of the important tasks. Imagine a decorated room with a shabby ceiling; nobody would literally look up to it! False ceilings have become a trend now, with the increasing craze of designs and different lightings and effects, only possible with layered ceiling.

False ceiling is actually another ceiling made under the original, and the suspension may be done for concealing the wires and fixing the fancy lightings or create some kind of effect. It may also be used to fix hidden lightings or soundproof the space or to give thermal insulation. In case of a suspended ceiling, it should be taken care that it is light in weight, reduces condensation, moisture resistant and stops subsequent dripping and leaking.

False ceiling can be made various materials for articular usage and spaces. Metal ceilings are attractive and can be installed easily. Mineral fiber ceilings are mainly used as suspension ceilings and they prove to be biodegradable and eco-friendly. These can be mostly seen in lounges, shops, cafes, theatres, libraries and canteens. Gypsum can also be used in the construction and rehabilitation work. These are well-known as thermostat keeps the ambience pleasant and soundproof. While Plaster of Paris (POP) is commonly used, plywood can also be used for false ceiling, which is an attractive innovation.

Gone are the days when there was a wire jungle dangling from the ceilings. One shouldn’t be surprised if, with the newer technologies, we get suspended and floating ceilings some day!

Monday 3 October 2011

Benefits of Steel Doors and Steel Roofing Sheets

Most doors are traditionally made out of wood or PVC but they are relatively easy to attack and break through and the reason for steel doors to gain popularity is the safety and security they provide. But steel doors need not look drab and plain, with the latest technology they are made to look like wooden doors with even the grain texture incorporated. They also come in a different variety and colors and provide a widen choice than traditional doors. Steel doors also come with steel frame so they are much stronger and more secure than conventional doors and can be custom made to individual size and specifications. 

Steel roofing sheets are ideal material for roofing because of their resistance to corrosion and can be readily rolled into a variety of panels. They can also be formed and stamped into tile and shingle facsimiles. The sheets are also factory painted to impart color and durability; they are also strong but light weight. Steel roofing sheets are also crack resistant and do not peel even when subjected to extreme weather conditions. But the biggest reason why they are used instead of other roofing sheets is because there is absolutely no leakage.

The Features of Ceiling Tiles and Advantages of Steel Buildings


There are several types of ceiling tiles that can enhance the aesthetic value of a room and the different types of ceilings tiles are Metal, plastic, acoustic, polystyrene, Styrofoam, wood and suspended tiles. Metal tiles include copper, tin and aluminum and can provide a great look though they are on the expensive side. Plastic tiles are durable and has good insulation qualities and is very affordable and come in a large variety of styles and designs. Acoustic ceiling tiles are another great option is very affordable and provides an extra layer of insulation to the ceiling and is normally sprayed on. Polystyrene ceiling tiles on the other hand are light weight and low on maintenance, and the Styrofoam can provide insulation and wood tiles add warmth. 

Steel buildings are fast gaining popularity because of the many advantages they provide, the most prominent being safety of the building. While in the past steel buildings were limited to storage facilities now they are used to build beautiful homes. Another reason is the cost of construction because prefabricated steel building kits are generally less expensive than custom-designed structures built using traditional construction or even tilt-up construction. With the use of finishes, facades and other wall claddings, steel buildings can be crafted into beautiful structures.