It’s a fact that your roof is one of the most important parts of your house and is the one thing that provides the building structure, the building occupants and the building contents with protection from the elements. Many roofs are in a state of disrepair but homeowners ignore this until the roof gets worse or until the weather gets worse.

With regular maintenance and the early identification and fixing of any problems you can usually avoid the big problems that have equally big price tags attached to them. Regular maintenance in this way will also help extend the life of your roof.

Selecting flat roofing materials.
Flat roofs have extra difficulties associated with them. Because they do not slope rainwater does not automatically run down the roof and drain off. It is absolutely vital that flat roofing materials are as water resistant and water tight as possible to prevent serious damage to the roof itself and to the rest of the building and it’s contents.

New types of flat roofing material are being used and while these offer more in the way of protection they are also more expensive as a general rule. There are still three main types of flat roofing materials that are used on a regular basis on new and older houses.

Built up flat roofing materials.
Built up roofing is basically just that. Built up roofing consists of laying down several layers of tar and water resistant materials and then covered with gravel. This is quite an old technique but the introduction of new waterproof materials has seen the strength and durability of this technique increase.

The gravel acts as a good fire resistant layer and can be made to look very attractive. It is usually the cheapest of the flat roofing materials available, however, it is very heavy and may require strengthening of the joists. It is also impractical to use on residential houses that are being lived in because it smells terribly. The gravel itself can clog gutters and other vital aspects of water drainage.

Modified Bitumen flat roofing.
Modified bitumen is another stalwart in the world of flat roofing materials. Once upon a time it was necessary to use torchdown techniques that involved burning the roll of material onto the roof, however it is now possible to get adhesive varieties, thus cutting out the potential fire hazard that is sometimes associated. The mineral surface that is used to create modified bitumen can be created in light colors, effectively reflecting the heat and sun. This will cut down on your energy bills during the summer months, and it can even be installed by any avid (and competent) do it yourself fanatic.

Rubber membrane.
Rubber membrane is another method of coating your flat roof. As far as flat roofing materials go it is durable and resistant to general wear and tear. Leaks are easy to find and repair, but the cost is really quite high. The standard black rubber does not reflect heat and paying for a lighter membrane will cost you more, however, it is quick to fit and will cause little disruption to your house life during the process.

As Long Island Roofing Contractors, Roofer911.com takes great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts. Does your website need more exposure to the search engines? Add Your Site Today to our free directory.

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Epoxy floor coatings can be found in garages across the country. These coatings provide enduring protection to cement floors with a shiny finish that is easily recognizable. The floor paint is readily associated with garages and the occasional porch. From time to time epoxy floor coatings can be found in basements, like the basement in my home.

When my husband and I moved into our new home, we knew that we would be challenged with removing odors left behind by the previous owner’s pets. The person who sold the home to us was an avid cat lover and dog enthusiast and her home reflected that. She kept her four cats and two large dogs close to her at all times and they were equal partners in the house.

After she moved out, there were tell-tale signs that animals took residence in the home. Once we got rid of the fur and the fleas, we were faced with removing the odor. This was no easy task. We tried a number of products that had great results upstairs, but the basement was still filled with pet odor. My husband chose to apply a couple epoxy floor coatings on the basement floor to address the problem.

The epoxy floor coatings did the trick, but at a price. The industrial-strength product is extremely strong and very effective and that is reflected in its chemical odor. The smell left behind by the animals was completely engulfed by the smell of the epoxy floor coating but the latter odor was a welcomed change.

We had to stay in a hotel while the fumes worked their way through the home, but after a relaxing weekend away, we came back to a practically odor-free home. The epoxy floor coating also addressed some moisture problems in the basement, covering mold and mildew accumulated before the wall was repaired. This professional-grade paint took care of two significant odor problems at once.

The basement floors are now clean, shiny and odor-free. The colors of the epoxy floor coatings are limited and none would be on my top ten list of ideal floor finishes, but after all is said and done, I am very happy with the results. The floors are easy to maintain and the odd color can be covered with a nice, thick carpet.

We have no plans to keep any pets in the home right now, but we may in the future. Now that the place is clean and odor-free, I feel as if we have a brand new house that may need a couple pets to really make it a home.

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Some years ago, my husband and I moved to the country to build a house. Plots of land were going cheap near the East coast of England, and we took the plunge. We had considered many possibilities of building a house or converting an old one. We did look at a number of old, run down properties that were advertised for restoration.

The problem was there was so much work to do on the roof, the wiring, and plumbing that it would have been easier to knock it down and start again. We decided to start from scratch, and be rewarded with the exact house we wanted. It had to be a house that fitted our particular needs. I wanted an office and my husband paints, so he wanted a studio with plenty of light.

He also wanted a room with a pool table but we never did manage that! Building a house is a lot of hard work, unless you have the money to pay contractors to do everything. We were on a tight budget, and fortunately, my husband is very handy and he can do just about everything. He is a trained electrician and has picked up other skills having worked on lots of construction sites. The only practical way to accomplish this was to buy an old caravan, which we put on the land and we lived in for six months whilst building a house.

It was ok in summer but the winter months were tough. One morning, we woke up to find our bedding had stuck to the caravan wall and frozen. It was desperately cold and we took it in turns to be the one to jump out of bed, and put the gas heater on and fill the kettle for tea.

When you start building a house, you are exposed to the elements and its dusty work. I remember my husband stoically laying bricks in the snow. Work parties were frequently organized, when friends kindly volunteered to come over at weekends and lend a hand.

This was in exchange for hot meals and a night down at the village pub. Laying the foundations is the most tedious and time-consuming bit of building a house. Once that has achieved, you feel like you are getting somewhere. Then there is the bricklaying, plastering, putting the roof on, plumbing and painting.

It all takes time and it always costs you more than you think. At last, and within our time limit but over budget, we got our dream home and moved in. Building a house is probably the most difficult but satisfying thing we have ever done. It was a glorious day when we saw that old, clapped out caravan rolling away.

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Finding the right apartment that fits all of your needs and desires can seem like a very daunting task. There are many factors to consider, and there is a seemingly infinite amount of apartments available. However, following these 7 tips can make your apartment search go a lot more smoothly. The more information you know about an apartment, the easier it can be to eliminate choices and ultimately find your dream apartment.

1. Find out how much the rent is, and all the financial details therein. This is very important for comparing apartments. Some apartments may have low initial rents, but may be able to raise the price of rent over time. Additionally, find out what types of financial responsibilities you have. Some apartments may require that tenants pay for certain utilities, while other apartments don’t. When comparing prices, make sure you know all of the costs.

2. See what kind of changes you can make to your apartment. Some landlords allow their tenants to paint walls, or change certain appliances or carpeting. Depending on what you want to accomplish with your apartment, this may be a very important question. Some apartments may not even allow their tenants to put holes in the walls in order to hang pictures.

3. Find out when you can move in. This depends on your needs at the time, and is a very important question. Some people may want to move in immediately, but may not be able to do so. In this event, they can often get stuck with a signed apartment contract, but no place to go until they are allowed to move in. In order to avoid this catastrophe, it is essential to find out the specifics of occupancy.

4. Ask about children and pets. Some apartments may not allow children. Many apartments don’t allow pets, or certain kinds of pets. If you have a furry friend that you would like to keep, then you definitely want to ask the landlord policies on animals.

5. Inquire about the consequences of a late payment. This is very essential to know for anyone, but especially if you have had financial troubles in the past. Some late fees can be very steep, and if finance is a worry, then you should consider this when selecting an apartment.

6. Ask about service locations around the apartment. Find out things such as, how far it is to the supermarket, the gas station, the bank, restaurants, and public transportation. When moving to a new place, you need to consider the area that surrounds you. If the distances aren’t practical for you needs, then you should consider other alternatives

7. Finally, find out about the neighbors, schools, and fellow tenants. You can ask about them, or just go around and meet them yourself. If you have children, then you may want to find about the school systems in specific areas. Also, it is a great idea to talk to your fellow tenants. Not only is it good to get to know them, but you can also find out about their opinions on the apartment and landlord.

Moving into a new apartment is a very grueling task for many people. The key to finding an apartment that is right for you is to ask the right questions. The more knowledge you have about a specific apartment, the better able you will be to compare apartments and make your decision. The best decisions are the most well informed and therefore are also the easiest decisions to make.

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The rental system of many conventional real estate companies is not very foreigner friendly.

Apartments are usually rented for a minimum of two years, which conflicts with the fact that many foreigners stay in Japan for less than two years.

Furthermore, most landlords are naturally reluctant to rent their apartments to foreigners who are not able to communicate in Japanese. Some of them will even categorically refuse their service to non permanent residents out of fear of frictions.

Many agents also require you to provide them with information about your financial background and to have a guarantor co-sign the rental contract as another security measure. Certain conditions apply as who can serve as your guarantor. It must usually be a Japanese national with a stable financial background.

Not at last, entering a rental contract with a conventional real estate company is very expensive. A number of refundable and non refundable fees have to be paid, often totaling three to ten months’ rent, depending on the company and apartment:

Reservation fee The tetsukekin is paid when you apply for an apartment, and before the actual rental contract is signed. It serves as a guarantee for you that the apartment is not given to somebody else, and for the agent that you do not change your mind. It is refunded after the actual contract is signed and is usually equivalent to about one month’s rent.

Deposit The deposit is used to cover eventual future damage to the apartment. The deposit minus the cost for repairs is refunded when you move out. The deposit is usually equivalent to several months’ rent.

Key money This is a non refundable payment to the landlord in the amount of up to several months’ rent.

Service fee This is a non refundable payment to the real estate agent in the amount of at most one month’s rent. In most cases, apartments come unfurnished, utilities are not included in the rent, and pets are not allowed. Please read more about Japanese apartments and furniture.

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Before setting your mind on a particular choice of plan or architectural design, take the time to read through the following pointers as set out below, subsequently you will be able to make a more knowledgeable decision in plan design & style choice.

SIZE

The size of the proposed house will often be determined by budget for most 1st time builders in South Africa but other factors will also play a big role. Local municipalities will always stipulate a certain coverage and height restriction for a site in a particular area. Read through your title deed for possible servitudes (areas as set out by the municipality for other uses eg. Electrical or sewerage services) or other restrictions before planning is started as these might also greatly reduce buildable area on your erf.

Take a look at the following typical example:

You have just bought a lovely stand at the coast with a great view towards the sea. The size of the stand is 600sqm (20m X 30m) with a 3m building line all around. You contact the local authority or estate architect and find out that only a 40% coverage is allowed for this stand and that the 1st floor may only be 30% of the groudfloor area to not restrict sea views for the neighbouring houses.

You might be surprised how limited your building area has become with the above parameters: The stand’s building area is reduced to 336sqm by the building line alone, furthermore the coverage only allows for a 240sqm max. building footprint with a 72sqm upper floor. Therefore the building limit for this stand would be 312sqm.

The above example might seem irrelevant, but often other factors eg. Orientation of the site might further difficult the situation.

FUTURE EXTENSION

Are you planning to have more children? Do you have ageing parents that might require a living unit on your property? You might be retiring in a couple of years and may feel the need to provide space for a hobby area / workshop / library that you envisage for the future. You could also be planning to start your own home based business in the future and might need extension space to your home at that time.

According to statistics, South Africans typically stay in a house for apprx. 7 years and might move around more that other established countries, but often families become comfortable with their current accommodation and find it less troublesome to extend to their existing house than moving to a new bigger house. With the above in mind, you might want to plan your new proposed house to be able to accommodate possible future extension.

SIZE OF YOUR EXISTING FURNITURE

Make sure that the planned room sizes will be able to accommodate your existing furniture. You might own huge antiques or double beds for all the bedrooms. With the always rising building costs secondary bedrooms are often designed to only accommodate a single bed. You might also want to take time to carefully consider the size of the garage. A standard double garage is considered to be 6×6m but doesn’t leave any space for storage or perhaps a DIY-corner especially if you own large vehicles.

ORIENTATION

Often the shape of the site and/or possible views has a huge effect on the placement of the building, but keep the following in mind before before putting pen to paper:

Minimize west facing window openings as far as possible , rooms facing west can really become uninhabitable during the late afternoon until early evening. Also western sun can be very destructive for curtains, furniture etc. Try to minimize east facing bedrooms also unless you are an early riser, as the sun can wake one up a lot sooner than was planned. Often residences on the eastern coast of the country have views toward the east thus too many east facing bedrooms has to be considered carefully. The perfect orientation in SA for all habitable rooms in a house is 10 degrees east of north to minimize the heat in summer and in the cold winter months when the sun is lower creates less shadows and more heat radiation in the habitable rooms.

When planning the positioning of your house on the site, the position of sewer connection should be kept in mind – Try to keep sewer line lengths to a minimum. The garages should also be planned close to the site entrance to keep the driveway area to a minimum to keep paving costs down. (Most local authorities do however require a minimum of 6m driveway for visitor vehicle stacking)

SHAPE OF HOUSE

Shape of house – Take into account that the more complex (many corners) the plan the more the cost, also a square shape is more cost effective than a long rectangle, for example if you build a square house of 10×10m (100sqm) the total brick perimeter would be 40m, however if you build a 100sqm rectangular house of say 5×20m, the external envelope will be 50m in perimeter. The above is exaggerated, but illustrates the idea.

Try to keep away from excessive curves in the design of the external envelope, in particular when building a conventional roof and not a thatch or concrete roof, as this might require building unnecessary extra roof ridges and breaking up of roof tiles to accommodate this. It will often be a nightmare to build you might have a lot of waterproofing issues.

If the plan of the design is very complex, it might also require building unnecessary parapet walls to accommodate the roof structure which leads to extra flashing (more potential for leakage)

If you live in very windy conditions eg. The False bay area in the Cape, you should consider building the shape not to ?catch’ the wind but with its back to it.

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

a Lot of themed estates have been rising up all over the country for a number of reasons. If you have bought into one of these estates, you should obtain a copy of the Aesthetic committee’s rules and regulations regarding the allowed architectural styles as they often have a strict architectural theme that owners must adhere to.

Roofing The architectural style of a house often bring about many variances of roof design. Concrete roofs (Contemporary styles) typically has no eaves overhang and is not optimal for our country’s generally sunny conditions and rooms could often be very hot as the sun heats a larger portion of a room’s floor area which is retained and make the home’s ambient temperature a lot warmer.

The ?Tuscan’ look as adopted by South Africans around the country, also characteristically features very small eaves roof overhangs, which again is not favourable for sunny conditions for the same reason as mentioned above, what makes it even worse than that of a concrete roof is the weather proofing of this way of roof design. Driving rain can cause moisture to easily, and do, creep in below the eaves and create moisture leakage into the building. You might have a lot of stained ceilings within a years’ time.

If you are fond of this look, consider having larger overhangs which can be done without compromising this ?style’ Thatch roofing can be quite a bit more expensive that conventional roofing but allows for a great cool atmosphere within such a building perfect for South Africa’s sunny conditions.

Gable walled architecture where the gable extends past the roof are often considered to be very attractive, but keep in mind that the roofs will have to be flashed at all the gables and if not done properly has an increased chance of water leakage into the house.

Windows & Doors

Consider the size of the window openings. Windows can be wood, steel, aluminium, top-hung, side-hung, sliding etc. in the end the style of the house will mostly influence the type of window but if unsure about sizing of openings refer back to the orientation section earlier. The NBR specifies a daylight opening of at least 10% of the floor area of a room Where possible always try to create as much cross ventilation to habitable rooms as possible.

Where doors face towards the west, consider the maintenance and material of these. In windy conditions, try to keep doors screened from the prevailing wind side especially large leafed swing doors. Folding & stacking doors are great to enhance the living towards the outdoor feeling and for ventilation, but keep the width of these to a minimum as problems with the sliding gear often arise when the spans are too vast.

When using sliding doors or folding & stacking doors in bedrooms, make sure to include a window in the room no matter what the size of the door opening, as you might want to lock these doors at night time for security or other reasons and still have ventilation into the room. Often designers create doors the whole length of the exterior wall of a room and this gets overlooked.

Walls Walls can be facebrick, plastered, stone walls, stone cladded, wooden logs, tiled, aluminium panel cladded etc. When considering the above always keep in mind the time and costs of maintenance and the construction cost. For example: Plastered walls might require painting every 3-6 years but could cost significantly less to construct that a facebrick wall which requires virtually no maintenance. Also keep in mind, that a plastered building could be livened up after a couple of years by painting it another colour to give the house a fresh look, with most other wall finishes you will not have the opportunity to provide the house with a fresh look at the same low cost.

MATERIALS

When deciding upon a particular architectural style, consider the materials that typically accompany that style. Factors that may influence your decision:

Colours Heat absorption Costs Maintenance Ageing Availability in your area Labour intensiveness Practicality

BUILDING REGULATIONS

If designing your own house plan, make sure to obtain a copy of the South African building regulations (SABS) as many rules regarding typically: sizes, heights, fire prevention, lighting, ventilation are required to be incorporated into a design. All our library designs were done by Architects or professional house designers and all the plans conform to all the codes as set out in the SA building regulations.

Written by Jere Botes, architect & founder of http://www.dreamhouses.co.za, a website dedicated to provide home builders, home renovators, home owners & developers with free professional advice on all aspects of home design, building & diy. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link pointing to http://www.dreamhouses.co.za

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Building a tree house is lots of fun. First you need to start off with a plan based on the tree you are using; every good construction project begins with a well written plan and yours should be no exception. Once you have drawn up your plan you will have to buy the materials you need.

You should start building the supports all the while making sure that it lines up with the plan. Next you should build the floor but be careful that you make it strong enough to hold up to four hundred pounds. Then it is best to build the walls on the ground and the raise them on to the tree house were you can screw them in.

The roof can be difficult but if you have a helper you should be able to mange it fine. Once that is done you should build the railings so that everyone is safe. The ladder should come next, build it at least twenty inches wide and make sure you use strong lumber.

Next comes the really fun part; have your kids pick out fun little additions, such as, a rope ladder for a quick escape, a crows nest, or even a telescope. You should also paint the tree house with protective weather paint so that all your hard work is not ruined.

Having a tree house will let your kids play even more games like pirates or astronaut. Tree houses are some of the best play things a child could have. Once your tree house is up your kids will want to play outside instead of sitting around all day playing video games.

The author of this article owns the website Solutions by Justin

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