Tuesday 22 January 2013

IMPORTANCE OF ACOUSTIC PANELS FOR GREAT SOUND EXPERIENCE


After designing your house or room or your office there is one essential thing that you need to do before you can relax in the luxurious setting you have designed yourself-Acoustics.  A room or office is incomplete without proper acoustics; acoustics are a major part of any sort of upliftment one gives to his/her office or room. Acoustics help you to ensure that your head banging music or ear-tearing action movies do not become a nuisance for the other people in your house. Today, there are various materials for soundproofing ceilings, walls and floors such as cotton batting, quilt, vinyl mats and acoustic panels.


Acoustic panels are becoming a very popular choice as a soundproofing material as they are used externally by hanging on the walls or through the use of stands; they are also available in attractive colors and shades to make them appear good on the eyes. Acoustic Panels are available in different styles from original fabric to micro-suede and printed fabrics of your liking. Acoustic panels are an effective solution for absorbing sound and controlling noise, if placed properly they can do wonders to the sound in your room, home theater or conference rooms. They provide clear, crisp sound and the feel of a cinema hall.


The size of the acoustic panels vary depending upon your need and budget, it comes in standard sizes to custom made sizes as well. The minimum standard size available at any shop will be 2”x 4” to a maximum of 48”x 120”; the thickness comes in standard size from 3/4th of an inch to 3 inches, with the option of custom made thickness depending on your specifications. The most advantageous thing about this is that apart from providing excellent sound-proofing solutions, it comes wrapped in beautiful textures, colors and shades, allowing it to blend with the design of your room, office etc.    

GREEN PRODUCTS FOR THE NEW AGE CONSTRUCTION



One of the most visible signs of human being’s footprint on Earth is the space we occupy in nature in the form of our buildings, construction projects etc. At the time when rapid urbanization and development was taking place in the world, we created structures after structures of concrete, glass and cements never giving a single thought on its impact on the environment around us and indirectly on us. Today, thanks to the massive movement for the protection of the environment, the public, media and governments are very excited about the construction industry going green.

Everybody wants to contribute to the environment’s protection in their own way and one of the major steps in this direction is the use of green products in construction of buildings, residential and other structures. There is a growing market for the use green, sustainable raw materials in the construction of offices, homes and other buildings. It is widely believed that use of green products as raw materials leads to inflation of the construction cost by 15-20%, but green building experts have shown that the cost is just a onetime investment and the reduced costs of air-conditioning, heating; water and electricity will recover that initial investment in a span of few years.

Today there are some amazing cutting-edge green products available in the market which allows you to build self-sustaining, environmentally friendly and less burdening homes. Some of these include technologies like low-E windows which can trap the heat inside the house in the winters and outside in the summers just with a coating of metal oxide. Then there are the Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), which use insulated foam sandwiched between two plywood, they are believed to reduce energy costs by 50%. Like this there are other various green products which can help you build an environmentally-friendly house, which helps you play your part in protecting the environment.

Wednesday 16 January 2013

NATURALLY OCCURRING BUILDING PRODUCTS


Any material that can be used for construction purposes can be termed as Building Materials. Building materials are naturally occurring such as thatch, clay etc and man-made such as concrete, cement, fabric etc. In the times of our forefathers many of these ‘man-made’ building materials were not available and houses, courts and palaces were built with building materials available from the nature itself.

Building a house in today’s day and age is a very expensive prospect, both in terms of money and on the environmental front. The use of man-made building materials for construction of housing, offices and other structures comes at a very high social and environmental cost. Cement, for example, is a man-made building product which consumes extraordinary amount of energy and water and coughs out a lot of air and water pollution causing harm to the planet. There is a growing movement around the world for the use of naturally occurring building materials which reduces environmental costs, monetary costs and is perfectly livable. They also reduce the toxin exposure we usually have when living in a concrete house.

Some of the really great natural building products include Rocks, which are great thermal mass structure, allowing for natural air-conditioning. Cordwoods buildings are great construction material which make your house look like the medieval log cabin, Earth-sheltered homes are very natural as they are covered all over with Earth. Cob, a famous building material in England, is a mixture of earth and straw, once the mixture is formed you then use lumps of it and start giving it shape, after drying up it is as strong as concrete. In this way there are many naturally available building materials that you can use for building homes and other structures, it can be your way of saying “Thanks” to the planet.

RESIDENTIAL ROOFING SOLUTIONS


Roofing is obviously one of the most essential parts of any construction project after all that is why we create a home in the first place, to have roofs over our head. Roofing covers the uppermost part of the building, providing us protection from the rain, storms, dust, harmful sun rays and what not. If you are one of those who are investing in building a new house for yourself or getting rid of the old, tarnished roof of yours, you require good roofing solutions. This blog can provide you with some basic information on roofing solutions which might be able to help you on getting started.


Of course your concept and style is significant on deciding the type of roofing to go for, some of the popular roofing styles include flat roofs, gabled roofs, hipped roofs and salt boxes. Your roof must reflect your choice, style, and the kind of look you want whether it be renaissance, Victorian or outright contemporary.
Shingles or Asphalt shingles are used for homes which are durable, long-lasting and water repellent, providing good resistance against wind and hail; they enhance the curb appeal of your home. Tile roofing is commonly used in valleys; it provides good long-lasting protection, allows for natural ventilation due to its shape which keeps the temperature inside cool, it also provides excellent drainage during monsoon.


Foam roofs are a very good option for roofing especially when there are penetrations in the roof for AC vents, jack and skylight. This type of roofing solution is very reliable, strong and durable, the maintenance require some re-coating in a period of 5-10 years. Flat form roofing does not have much of a slope and is used in many contemporary designs and for modern plush looks; it requires some maintenance ass the debris has no place to run off.

Sunday 13 January 2013

BENEFITS OF WOODEN FLOORING


Flooring is one of the most essential things in the house and good flooring adds considerable aesthetic value to the house. Wooden Flooring is a very good option for those look for a durable, charming, value adding and aesthetically pleasing solution for the flooring in their house. Wooden flooring installation may cost more than say buying a carpet, but its durability is unmatched. With proper care it last for more than a century without replacement. The benefits of wooden flooring compared to other materials are many.

Solid Wood Flooring- Besides longevity, wood flooring is very durable and very resistant to daily wear and tear. Compared to man-made and laminate floor, solid wooden flooring is able to hold warmth thereby being warm to the feet. In the winters, it provides good insulation to the cold from the outside. Hard wood flooring is good for people with allergies as it does not allow dust mites, moulds etc to make it a breeding ground. Damp mopping and vacuuming is enough to keep it clean and fresh.

Pre-finished Hardwood- Pre-finished hardwood is more convenient as no sanding is required; this reduces the installation time and since the wood is already finished there is no dying time to deal with.

Unfinished Hardwood- this is a type preferred by many professionals as it gives a good seal to the project. Working with unfinished hardwood allows them to make sure that all the joints and gaps are sealed, this is necessary to keep moisture out. But it adds to the time and cost of installation but the end result is worth it.
Another major advantage is the different variety of stains and surfaces for finishing of the floor are available, allowing you to choose the one that suits your taste and personality and gives your house the look that is aesthetically appealing.

BENEFITS OF CEILING TILES


The ceiling of your room is the last thing you see while going to bed and the first thing after waking up in the morning, also ceiling is the first thing your guests look at when they enter the house. The ceiling of your house can immensely add to the beauty and look of the house. A material perfect for giving your house new a look which is aesthetic, charming and luxurious and that too at low cost is, Ceiling Tiles.

First, ceiling tiles do not require professional help in installation. It is a do it yourself act, where you do not require any technical skills in order to install it. With the use of simple tools like hammers, pliers etc you can give your house a new look, as if it were done by a professional designer. Ceiling tiles are best for people who are looking to re-design their house at minimal costs and without any professional help.

Secondly, ceiling tiles can add to the aesthetics of your room or house. Ceiling tiles are available in variety of designs, textures and shades which give you’re the look that you wanted, from the beginning. You can choose a design which reflects your tastes and personality. You can give your room or house a Mediterranean look, or a Victorian look, or a modern look, or a simple yet elegant look. 

Thirdly, ceiling tiles provide good acoustic functions, in that it can reduce the sound level in the room or house. Though it does not guarantee 100% sound elimination yet it does make the room sound proof to a certain extent. Fourthly, ceiling tiles are very easy to clean. If you are one of those who can’t spend time cleaning the house regularly, ceiling tiles reduces your work as a swipe of wet cloth can make it look cleaner.

Saturday 5 January 2013

Know The Advantages of Acoustic Panels


Before knowing the advantages of acoustic panels, it is important for us to know what it is. They are basically light weighted panels applied on walls, floors, roofs etc. They are mostly used in offices, homes, libraries, gyms, cinemas and any place that would need sound insulation. Their basic use is to reduce sound echoing and make a room more soundless.

Acoustic panels can be installed on inner or the exterior wall of a property. They do not require to be hidden as they are available in various designs and gives an attractive look to your property. They are mostly made of fibre glasses and are available in a variety of fabrics that can give the desired look.  These panels are available in different breadth, depending on your requirements.

There are two basic types of acoustic panels; one is open cell acoustic panel, which includes ducts that help in ventilation. They are basically used in computer cabinets, cabs and sitting chambers. The other one is open cell class O acoustic panel. They are made of high quality polyurethane foams and are mostly used in schools, offices, conference rooms, cinema halls etc.

These acoustic panels are available in a variety thickness and are easy to install. They come with self adhesive back, pins or mechanical fixing. The panels are first cut into desired sizes and specifications and then followed by fixing into places. Good quality sound panels are easy to install as they are soft and light in weight, but at the same time they provide good rigidity between surfaces.

Acoustic panels are very helpful in controlling noise. These panels are mostly installed in places which are prone to unnecessary noises and create disturbances. These panels are made of materials which allow capturing of sound whether spoken or musical. These panels are mostly used in cinema halls with thickness of 48” x 120”. 

Live a Healthy Life Using Green Products


Growing awareness about environment has created the trend of green products. They are basically products made of substances which do not harm the environment or are Eco friendly. This trend has recently gained pace and helps in creating a sustainable world. A variety of green home or business products are available as per your requirement.

Green products have a variety of range like appliances, cleaning products, lightening, interior products etc. Further research in green products would soon give us an alternative for fuel. The spread of use of green products is not only limited to home but also to other areas like schools, offices, cars etc.
The very first advantage of using a green product is that they are environment friendly. Toxic products create contaminated wastes which are unhealthy for the environment. Whereas green products have lesser harmful impact on the environment. They are manufactured using substances which would help in creating a sustainable world. Some green products also give the information on how to use them.

Green products have household advantages. They are made of substances which are not toxic and create a healthy atmosphere around. People using green products have lower risk of becoming sick and lead a more healthy life. Natural paints, interiors, building materials etc creates an environment which is healthier.
Even though green products are costlier than the conventional ones but they are cost friendly in the long run. When a consumer purchases a green product he contributes towards the green economy which creates a sustainable world. It is a known fact that a green economy has more benefits and production efficiency in the long run. Using green product also creates individuals who are more confident than the others. As they know that they are living a healthier life and are contributing to a healthier world.