Snowcem Paints

Why Exterior Painting Should Be First on Your Spring To-Do List

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:32:00 +0000

As the springtime weather shifts from messy to mild, every homeowner's attention turns to the out of doors. It's time to clean things up, tend to the garden, and make needed repairs to both the home and its surroundings. Where to start? Assuming that your exterior paint is failing, it's best to focus on that first, according to experts.
Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert for the Paint Quality Institute says there are plenty of good reasons to start spring chores with exterior painting:
"First, spring is a very comfortable time to do outdoor painting. Second, it's smart to paint before putting down mulch, which along with your plants, will just get trampled if you paint later on. Third, why not get your painting done before more pleasant 'distractions' like gardening, sports, and barbecues begin?"
Zimmer says that if your house paint is near the end of its life expectancy, you're taking a chance by postponing repainting. It doesn't take long for exposed wood to begin to rot, and other types of exteriors also suffer when the paint wears off. Wait too long and you may have to make repairs before starting to paint.
Another reason to get to your painting first: Exterior latex paint forms the most durable, protective finish when the weather is mild. "It's always best to do exterior painting when the temperature is above 50 degrees F., but not too hot," says Zimmer. "Very hot days can cause the paint to dry too quickly and impair good paint film formation. By painting in moderate weather, you'll likely get a longer-lasting paint job."
If a day starts off mild, but turns very hot, try to avoid painting in direct sunshine, since sunlit surfaces can be 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature. Work your way around the house so that you are always painting in the shade. As a bonus, you'll be more comfortable!
When painting, pick a day that isn't too windy. Like the heat of the sun, wind can cause latex paint to dry too quickly and prevent optimal paint film formation. Plus, wind can stir up dust and other contaminants that can imbed in the paint to create an inviting surface for mildew, which feeds on such matter.
You should also try to steer clear of "weather events" that could affect the paint, waiting for another day if it has rained within the last 24 hours, or postponing the job if several days of rain are expected right after you finish painting.
Of course, it's important to properly prepare the surface before doing any exterior painting. That includes applying a coat of primer to any new surface that has never been painted, or spot-priming previously painted surfaces where the paint is worn away.
To extend the life of your paint job, Zimmer recommends that you apply the very highest quality 100% acrylic latex paint, which is especially durable, flexible and colorfast. Top quality paint often lasts 10 years or more, compared to about four years for ordinary paint, saving you time, work, and money in the long run. For the longest-lasting paint job, always apply at least two coats -- either a coat of primer or a coat of paint, or two coats of house paint.
Once you've finished your exterior painting, you can turn your attention to the other things on your to-do list. What's more, you'll have peace of mind knowing that you've done right by your biggest investment -- your home.

Via - (www.marketwatch.com)

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:55:00 +0000

Do I Need to Use Paint Primer?

Paint colors, dyes and compositions are getting better all the time. Effects that would have been unthinkable just a generation ago are becoming easier than ever to achieve, from special matte finishes that resemble suede to effortless crackle glazes that make faux effects a cinch. One thing paint cannot do terribly well on its own, however, is bond to every possible surface without a little help. This is where paint primer comes in. If you have come online in search of vetted and reliable info on which primer to use and when, the following survey may be of some use.

The basic rule of thumb for paint primer is that it is necessary whenever you cannot create a totally flat surface for painting. Surfaces with cracks, holes or depressions that aren’t properly sealed could greatly reduce the paint’s ability to set effectively, so inherently porous substrates such as wood, drywall and concrete tend to come with primer recommendations attached. The natural holes in such materials can create an uneven surface for painting. But each of these materials requires somewhat different care, and it pays to understand what distinguishes one from the next.

Wood is the most common surface for paint primers, a fact that is hardly surprising considering its organic nature. The reason you always want to prime wood before painting is twofold – to protect the paint, and to protect the wood. A number of modern paints dry into proper color and hardness via evaporation, meaning they require the water to find its way into the atmosphere. The problem is that wood is a notoriously thirsty substance, and it is easy for water to get absorbed into the grain itself. Often the paint will begin to pucker and peels if the wood isn’t dry, making it necessary to scrape and start over. Paint primer creates a watertight seals between the two and ensures the paint has a smooth and adhesive surface with which to bond.

A second reason you always want to prime a wood surface is because the same absorption can quickly undo your attempts at an even coat. Lighter paint colors especially will often reveal the telltale whorls of wood grain even after several passes, requiring you to paint over and over for a truly solid hue. Although you could indeed take the hours necessary to paint repeatedly, often you can achieve the same effect with a few fast coats of primer first. The advantage extends well beyond mere convenience – primer tends to cost far less than paint, easing your financial burden in the process.

The wood itself can be injured without a primer in place. Although a negligible amount of water is absorbed during drying, considerably greater amounts may leech into the grain if that painted surface is exposed to the elements. Without a primer in place, it’s not unusual for repeated thunderstorms to take their toll, creating devastating conditions for mold, mildew and warping. Although many people consider outdoor paints to be waterproof, often they are anything but – their hardy nature derives from their ability to absorb rainwater with ease.

Of course, paint primer is recommended for a variety of other materials as well. In concrete and drywall, for instance, you simply want to seal the surface and create a solid bond without having to worry about similar problems with drying and moisture. For metals – especially those prone to rust –http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif a paint primer can protect the surface itself ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnd keep moisture locked out. Plastics too can benefit from a coat of paint primer, particularly if they are porous in nature or you are putting a light color over a darker one. Finally you may need primer to marry two different paint types together, as when you apply latex over oil paint.

One thing primers are decidedly not for is hiding blemishes or “sealing in” mold and mildew. If you are working with a material that may have absorbed or produced an organic population such as this, it is essential to clean thoroughly before you paint. Dry everything for several hours and wait to see if the problem recurs. It is better to discard a rotted plank than to use primer to delay the inevitable!

Via - (www.homeimprovement.superpages.com)

Adanis exit realty, to put Mumbai sites on the block

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:56:00 +0000

AHMEDABAD: After making a grand foray into real estate and taking up several township projects, industrialist Gautam Adani’s flagship company Adani Enterprises (AEL) has decided to exit the real estate sector and focus on its core infrastructure business – mainly ports and power.

The announcement surprised market watchers in Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Gurgaon, where the group has large land-holdings and ongoing projects, which are being executed by subsidiary Adani Infrastructure and Developers (AIDL) .

“The board of directors has approved the proposal. The move will infuse additional liquidity in the company. We would be able to focus on our core businesses,” Devang Desai, executive director, AEL, said on Thursday. The AEL stock closed over 4% down at Rs 393 on the BSE on Thursday on the back of disappointing quarterly results.

The group’s real estate interests first became evident in 2006, when it acquired development rights for 21 lakh sq feet from Housing Development and Infrastructure (HDIL) at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai in an Rs 2,000-crore deals, the biggest in the country then. Later, Adanis also acquired the Khatau Mills land in Mumbai.

“We may consider a total exit from the whole portfolio of our real estate projects, including Mumbai. It has a negligible share in our total revenues,” said Desai. The company has nearly 40 million sq ft under various stages of development at different locations. “We are working out divestment model, either through complete change of guard or a mix of ownership,” Desai added.
The company had also announced plans of an integrated township at Mundra in Kutch. The group had also made a foray into the Delhi-NCR region.

Via - (www.indianrealitynews.com)

Green Paint for Safer House

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:39:00 +0000

Paints add beauty and elegance to your house. However paints have negative impact to air quality because of presence of chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other toxic components that evaporate into air at room temperature and can cause a variety of health problems like nausea, dizziness, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract and more serious illnesses like heart, lung or kidney damage and even cause cancer.

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are the fumes that you smell while you paint, and sometimes several days after. A VOC is an organic chemical that becomes a breathable gas at room temperature. Some examples are benzene, ethylene glycol, vinyl chloride and mercury. VOCs in paint usually come from additives to the paint, such as fungicides, biocides, color, and spreadability agents. High levels of VOCs in paints can cause headaches, allergic reactions, and health problems in the very old, very young and in those with chronic illnesses.
Concerns about air pollution and hazardous waste have greatly reduced the use of oil-based paints, which can release high amounts of VOCs and contain toxic solvents. Alkyd-based paints and latex paints are much safer, but some still have high levels of VOCs.

Because of health and safety concerns, paint manufacturers around the country have made great strides in formulating paints that have no or low-VOCs and that provide excellent results.
Some older buildings, particularly if they are pre-1960, many have been painted in the past with a paint made with lead pigments. Special care is needed in the safe preparation and removal of these coatings.

Via - (www.indiahometips.com)

Vastu Tips for Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:53:00 +0000

Colorus according to Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra play a vital role in bringing balance to our minds as well as bodies and to stimulate our energy. Therefore colours in our home, shop and office should be coordinated with the colours of respective planets and elements associated with different directions.

This will help in enhancing the energy flow around every individual in the house. Here are some guidelines on particular colours, which will help you to choose the right Vastu and Feng Shui colours for every room.
Every Navagraha planet has been associated with every color. By following colors according to their favorite colors, people get good relief and peaceful life in their life. These are only guidance and wherever possible can be followed.

Red Color:
Red and pink color is the favorite color of Lord Sun or "Surya" of the Navagraha planet as per jyotish Shastra. The colour red represents power and bravery. It is the most dramatic, emotional and active colour comparing to other two primary colours blue and yellow.
It is known for evoking a seductive atmosphere of passion and desire. With its versatile effect it enlivens the interior space by creating excitement, warmth and elegance. It should not be used in bedrooms because of its energizing quality, although some red can be used to enhance sensuality. It can also be exhausting or overpowering and stressful for those who are anxious.

Orange Color:
Orange color is the favorite color of Lord Jupiter or "Guru Bagawan" of the Navagraha planet as per jyothish shastra. This colour inspires spirituality as it represents transcendence and an otherworldly aspect. It encourages happy, joyful and social gatherings.
An orange coloured dining room will help to stimulate good appetite. So, if you want to enhance parties, communication, positive feelings and cheerfulness in your daily living, paint your dining room or living room in orange. Peach can also be used as it gives a cool effect.

Green Color:
Green color is the favorite color of Lord Mercury or "Budhan" of the Navagraha planet as per jyotish shastra. This colour represents nature. Green helps in bringing a harmonious atmosphere that generates calm and inner peace with an energizing quality within the house. It brings balanced harmony, quick healing and rejuvenation to a room.
It can be used as a calming place for people who are disturbed or in need of refreshment. Today most of the hospitals use it because of its quick healing aspects. It can also be used in study room as it enhances intelligence.

Yellow Color:
Yellow color is the favorite color of Lord Jupiter or "Guru Bagawan" and also for Lord Moon "Chandranâ€œ of the Navagraha planet as per jyotish Shastra. Yellow colour nurtures mental alertness and clarity of mind. It represents sunlight. Remember, if a room gets direct sunlight; do not paint the walls with yellow or peach.
Choose its placement with care, as it is bright and very energizing. However this colour inspires intellectual clarity, comprehensible associations, articulate thinking and joyful energy. For prayer room, yellow or sandal wall colours are just perfect. It is a recommended colour for the logical left side of the brain. It is intellectually beneficial and you might use it with yellow accents instead of painting each wall yellow.

Blue Color:
Blue color is the favorite color of Lord Saturn or "Sani" and also for Lord Venus or "Sukiran" of the Navagraha planet as per jyotish Shastra. This colour represents Sky.
It gives a sense of space and expansion that relaxes body and mind. It can be used for bedrooms or meditation rooms because of its calming and spiritual energy. It enhances meditative quality and it is believed that blue acts like a colour therapy to reduce blood pressure.

Purple Color:
Purple color is the favorite color of Lord Saturn or "Sani" of the Navagraha planet as per jyotish Shastra. It helps in reflecting positive reflections and stimulates meditation.
This rich colour inspires faith, intuition and trust. It is very protective, spiritual and comforting. Never paint an entire room in purple as it could be overpowering. However an additional light violet colour can provide a very healing and calming atmosphere.

White Color:
White color is the favorite color of Lord Moon or "Chandran" and also for Lord Venus or "Sukiran" of the Navagraha planet as per jyotish Shastra. White is an elegant colour and works fine anywhere when combined with accent colours. It has an uplifting and cleansing aspect, however too much white can reflect a sterile and isolating quality.
White ceilings are widely suggested by most of the scholars as they reflect light and brighten the room. A room in Northwest direction representing the room should use white and other bright colours like blue and green. Avoid grey and black colours specifically.

Via - (www.vasthurengan.com)

Exterior House Colors and Materials

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:42:00 +0000

Choose colors outside the house can be quite a challenge. It often takes years to learn what colors and materials work together. Average person has never done before, and certainly doesn’t training or experience. And choosing the wrong paint color or material can be very expensive mistake you’ll probably take years (or spend lots of money to fix) be. Here are some tips to help you make the right decisions.

Choosing the right paint colors
The most common mistake I see in the selection of outside house paint is that the color is too bright. The sun will wash out the colors, so choice is a light color end up looking like a white. In selecting the colors, the fact that they usually require more gray or brown, to think as you think. For example, gray with a hint of green to green everything you read in the rule to think as if painted on the house. If you choose a color and say “Well, it’s green,” you probably “a verdant green” is selected. The primary exception to this rule would lead to more tropical places like Florida or other places where the lighter more reflective color you want, is to keep the house cool. Here pastels and lighter colors can work very well.
If you have problems with the election of the siding and trim color, count them related to each other, like a cream trim and a darker shade of beige on the same chip color strip. Then add an accent color like a deep eggplant color.

Tips on choosing Window Colors
Many houses have white plastic window in the rule. Painting white vinyl with a dark color can be catastrophic due to growth in the vinyl in the sunlight. The dark color makes it to vinyl increase even more than usual, what to paint and windows may fail. If you cut white vinyl windows, it often works best to cut to paint white. This will tend to blend in more plastic window and look more like a traditional wood window.
When choosing new windows and paint your house a darker color, consider selecting a window, cream or almond color. Bright white window on a very dark house is usually too much contrast. If you choose to almond cream or window, and paint the trim a coordinating color, it will be better with a darker color. There are several manufacturers; the product is gray vinyl that can work well in modern houses or houses with metal or stone cladding. Generally I do not care about white vinyl on brick buildings, unless the house is very traditional. Choice of gray or almond-up almost always looks better. If the budget for clad windows has wood or metal, then you will have many more colors to choose from, and mid-tone darker colors often look better with a brick.

Painting Brick
Just because you have a house made of brick, not automatically rule out the paint brick. You do not have the quality of brick, but you will not be the same color, which are many, many houses date fixed. Of course, if you have a Frank Lloyd Wright Mission style brick home, not paint! But most of our houses are not so enthusiastic. Painting brick can really brush up on dark and dark houses. Please keep a good color when painting tiles to be sure to get compatible products.
How to choose the right color accent
This is becoming a place where you do it a little risky, because accent colors are usually limited to smaller areas. I compare this to women who use make-up: The accent color is like putting on mascara and lipstick. But keep it classy! You know, there’s too much make up, woman. The same goes for houses.

How to choose a roof color
When the roof of a house is visible, it can be a very prominent factor. Choosing the wrong color roof is a very costly mistake so it is important to understand some general rules. Consider when choosing a roof, what color the house is painted (or if it is brick or stone, consider the general tone of the material). If the house warmer paint colors, the brown roof right choice. If the house cooler colors (like gray, blue or green), the dark gray roof will function better. If you’re on the roof color first, choose one of the most vers tile and have a choice, a dark gray color. If the house is used to shake the trees have shingles and replace it with a composition shingle, most manufacturers provide a dark brown color that is similar to shake like colors. If you have a metal roof, consider other colors than the traditional green, which works well with log siding on buildings, but not too much else. Again, choose a color that allows you flexibility in house paint colors.
Choose colors can be very challenging. Think you choose it, not from a small chip color! Even trained professionals have large panels painted (or paint directly on the house). Order a bottle of paint several colors and look at the samples in different lighting and different sides of the house. Color can change dramatically in a different light, so the time to pick the right colors. If you do, the results can be amazing transformation.

Via -(www.indiageni.com)

EXTERIOR PREPARATION

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:18:00 +0000

Along with using high-quality paint, proper preparation is the most important part of the whole process. Improper preparation will result in the paint cracking and peeling not very long after the job is finished.

The first thing you need to do is to perform a thorough examination around the entire exterior of the house to determine what areas need the most attention. Look particularly for areas that are peeling and chipping. Look also for discolored or rotting areas, which is indicative of damage from water leaks. These areas are also especially prone to contain mildew. It's important to completely repair any water leaks or other sources of moisture, and also remove all mildew, before you begin priming.

After your examination, a good place to start is to pressure wash the entire exterior. Spend the most time on the areas that are chipping but also go over the rest of the house to remove dirt, cobwebs, and anything else that might be mucking up the surface. A clean surface is absolutely necessary to have before priming or painting.

Next, look for any areas that need to be recaulked. Look for cracks in the corners of the trim and where the trim meets the walls, and around doors and windows. Also look for small holes or cracks on the surfaces of the exterior and use spackle to fill them.

The next thing to do is to scrape any remaining loose paint that didn't come off with the pressure washing, and then sand down the areas that were scraped in order to get a more even surface. You also need to sand down any areas that you spackled. You must be careful with this part. If your house was built before 1980 there is a chance that the finish contains lead paint. If this is so, you must take extra precautions.

After the sanding, you need to clean the surface of any dust left over from the sanding. No need to pressure washes again, just run a hose over the sanded area or use a duster to clean the surface off. If it is a wood surface you are cleaning, make sure to wait a few days for it to completely dry before priming.

With a clean and caulked exterior, you are now ready for priming. Choose a top quality exterior primer to ensure that the paint finish will last and look beautiful for several years.

Via :- (www.housepainting101.com)

Interior Exterior Wall Paint Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:29:00 +0000

When you talk about your home, interior painting of the house as well as the exterior painting of your house can occupy a real big attention as well as your concern. For majority of the people it gets difficult to choose good home wall paint as per their choice. The reason behind this difficulty is that there are hundreds of variations available in the market for that color along with hundreds of combinations with other colors, hence making it a complicated job to choose and decide for the wall paint ideas.

Home interior painting helps the house to look more appealing both from outside as well as inside. With the help of various home painting ideas you can give your house various different looks. Home wall paint is reasonably priced yet an efficient way of re-decorating your home. With the help of wall paint ideas, you can give your kitchen or bathroom a modernized look and can make your kids small room seem bigger. Also you can make architectural details like molding or built-ins pop. Interior painting or exterior painting does cost money for both labor and materials but its remunerations exceeds its cost.

Types of paints available
There are two types of paints i.e. oil based and water based. One of the benefits of using water based paints while you imply your home painting ideas is that, it's clean-up is much easier. Where as in case of oil based paints, the process of cleanup can be really smelly and can be a difficult mess. Cleaning oil paints requires solvents to get the brushes clean while water based paints clean up nicely using running water and a little soap. So if you are not hiring any professionals for the interior painting or the exterior painting then you need to be little conscious for the cleaning of your house afterwards.
Choosing home wall paint and selecting from different wall paint ideas

To choose good home wall paint, the first thing to consider is the purpose of the room you are looking to paint. If the room is for kids then you can always go for the vibrant or animated wall paint ideas but if you are looking to paint your entire house with one color than you have to be little more conscious while choosing the interior painting scheme or the exterior painting scheme. There are different wall painting techniques like sponging, ragging, stenciling or stamping. A color scheme you pick for a room should be chosen keeping in mind that most of the home interior painting techniques make use two shades of one color.

If you are using any of the above techniques then you can pick a darker color as the base color and the lighter top color will make the final result much lighter.

Further important facts to be considered while you opt for home interior painting are as follows:-
Picking up the color as per the mood to be created as psychology has a role in colors like go for the variations of blue if you want a cool and relaxing aura.

The chosen color should be compatible or should go with rest of the decor of your home.
Try to avoid the combinations of dark colors in your wall paint ideas as these dark colors are difficult to maintain.

As mentioned above, you have to select paint before getting started with your home painting ideas interior painting of the house, there are several beautiful colors with their numerous wall painting schemes that you can opt from. Therefore, the most nerve-racking decisions that you'll have to make are which exact color shades to use while painting your house.

via :- (www.interioguru.com)

Tata Housing Announces Launch of Luxury Residential Project in Mumbai

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:55:00 +0000

Tata Housing Development Company has recently annou¬nced the launch of Amantra, a luxury residential township with 14, 24, 29 and 34-storey towers with a total project cost of Rs 1,000 crore on the Thane-Kalyan Road, a Mumbai suburb. Amantra has approximately 2,500 apartments including 2 BHK and 3 BHK houses, and the prices range from Rs 40 lakh (for a minimum size of 927square feet) to Rs 65 lakh.

Strategically located on the Thane-Kalyan Road, on the NH3 highway, this residential property provides high-speed access to airports, business centres, shopping malls, schools, healthcare facilities, entertainment areas and many other important destinations. The company claimed that Am¬antra will be designed by world-renowned architectural firm HOK of USA.

Additionally, Tata Housing Development Company has signed an agreement with the Mumbai Met¬ropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to launch a rental housing project on the same 22-acre land at Thane-Kalyan road. Tata Housing will develop the rental housing part and deliver it to MMRDA. Tata housing is utilising 2.5 FSI and another 1 FSI is for MMRDA so in total it will be 3.5 FSI. Land is acquired through a joint development agreement. Tata Housing is the developer of the project and Eco Homes is the owner of the land.

Tata Housing further claimed the project is spread over 22 acres and the master plan is envisioned in such a way where nature’s boundless beauty meets every luxury one can imagine. Amantra will be the tallest residential structure in Kalyan and is also a green haven with 80 per cent open area. It offers an elevated jogging track on the 14th floor. The lush green landscaped gardens ensure design excellence in their functionality and aesthetics, making it the best in class.

Announcing the launch of Amantra, Brotin Banerjee, managing director and chief executive officer of Tata Housing Development Company said, “Over the past few years, this location has been witnessing unprecedented growth due to its proximity to important business hubs, swiftly emerging as one of the most coveted locations near Mumbai. However, it was missing a world class premium lifestyle address, which is now fulfilled with Amantra.”

Amantra’s master plan incorporates an interesting interplay of high and mid-rise towers that weave in the elements of nature. The pre-certified green buildings will have cool air funnelled to homes, east – west orientation to maximise light and energy, a majestic 14 floor elevated jogging track, verdant landscaped gardens, south facing sun shading fins to keep the heat out and an azure blue infinity pool.

Tata Housing is the developer of the project and Eco Homes is the owner of the land. “MMRDA has issued the location clearance for this project and we await the commencement certificate for the same, which is in process and expected shortly,” said Banerjee.

via:- (www.indianrealtynews.com)

DECORATIVE PAINTING

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:18:00 +0000

Add something unique to your home with various painting techniques (sponging, paneling, etc.) With a little instruction and a little practice you can let your creativity flow!

Glazes and Washes
The term "broken color" refers to the application of colors in broken layers on top of a base coat for texture. Glazes and washes are often used to achieve this effect. Glazes are generally more transparent than washes are. They are oil based paints with linseed oil. They are slower drying, and therefore are great for working on projects that may take a little longer to complete. Washes are great for the learning process. They are easier to use and clean up. Washes are latex paint with water added.

Sponging
Use a natural sea sponge for sponging. This gives better depth and texture.
To sponge, apply a base coat. Once it dries, use a damp sponge to tap on a wash or glaze. If you intend to sponge paint with several colors, be sure to let each color dry thoroughly before adding the next color. It is usually done so that the lighter colors are added to a darker colored base coat, but the reverse looks nice too.
Another sponging technique is called "sponging off". To do this, apply a glaze over the base coat. Then, before it dries, take a sponge to the glaze. This will allow the undercoat to show through.

Stippling
Stippling produces a more sued-like effect to the walls. To do this, apply your base coat. Once it dries completely, apply a different color coat on top in 12" wide strips from top to bottom. Then, before the paint is dried, take a large brush and jab at the wet paint. This will take off little pieces of paint, for a really fun effect. Occasionally, tap the brush onto a cloth to reduce paint build-up on the brush and allow for the best results. If you wish to add more colors to this, you can use the brush to very lightly dab new colors onto the wall, instead of removing already existing colors.

Ragging and Rag Rolling

Ragging and rag rolling can give walls the appearance of crushed velvet, watered silk, parchment, leather, and more.
To do this, apply a solid color base coat and let dry. Then, dip a crumpled piece of cloth into a glaze/wash. Now begin to dab the color onto the base coat. This is called "ragging on". The term "ragging off", like in sponging, refers to the removal of the glaze/wash to expose the base coat.
Rag-rolling is done just slightly different. To rag-roll, take a cloth and roll it lengthwise into kind of a rolling pin shaped piece. Dip the cloth into the glaze/wash and, in a rolling motion, apply it to the base coat. To "rag-roll off", apply a glaze/wash completely over the base coat, and then take the cloth, a little damp, and run it through the wet glaze. This will show the base coat underneath.
You can use other fabrics for cloths. Linen and other natural fibers are most common and work great.

via- www.housepainting101.com

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:52:00 +0000

House Painting Tips
While homeowners often hope they can put off repainting their homes just one more year, such procrastination can end up being a costly decision in the end. An excessively wet winter, for instance, will increase paint failure, damage to siding, and internal water damage, that can require far more expensive repairs in the long run. In that respect, it's best to tackle this common home improvement job as soon as you sense the need.

House Painting Tips: Siding
Perhaps the first thing to do, if you suspect painting a house might be in your immediate future, is to take a walk around your property and examine your siding. Look for areas where your siding is no longer protected by paint, and where wood rot, or clear evidence of water damage and expansion in fiberglass siding, is present. If these issues are obvious, the best thing you can do is to act as quickly as possible to head off larger problems.

House Painting Tips: The Touch Up
Always begin with an evaluation of the general state of the total exterior paint job of your home. If there is significant chipping, flaking, or other areas where the paint is failing, it's probably time to paint the entire home. Talk to a painting contractor who has experience in painting a house about getting your paint job scheduled right away. If the rest of your exterior paint job looks like it's holding up okay, however, you may just need to perform some touch up work to get things up to code. Cookie cutter style houses are notorious for having their paint fail locally in short periods of time.
If that seems to be your problem, purchase one bucket of good primer and another bucket of exterior finish paint that matches your home's current color. Then set aside a few days and address your problem areas. Scrape and clean the affected areas first, then slop on a layer of primer to provide protection. Once that has dried, touch up the primered spots with the finish coat to match the rest of your home. Performing these simple tasks can put off a whole house paint job by several years if you're lucky.

House Painting Tips: Trim
Besides your siding, the trim is probably the next most common area where the need for a new paint job rears its ugly head. If the paint on your trim is showing tell tale signs of wear, and if the trim is showing signs of water damage, it's time to take evasive action. Damaged trim is evidence of water seeping into areas where it shouldn't have access, most likely because the house was not properly caulked, sealed, and primed before painting. If water is getting behind the trim, it's likely that it's also making its way into other areas of your home, which can result in more serious problems, such as structural damage and the development of mold and mildew. Assess the damage and then repair and replace the trim as soon as possible. Make certain you set the trim properly, and take care to ensure that everything is thoroughly caulked, sealed, and primed when you fix the problem.

House Painting Tips: Hiring a Painting Contractor
While spot fixes are preferred from a homeowner standpoint, eventually every home is going to need a new exterior paint job. When that time comes, hiring an experienced painting contractor is the best thing you can do for your home. Proper preparation, the right choice of paint, and proper application, are the only sure-fire ways to ensure that your new paint job will last for years to come. Hiring a reputable painting contractor, one with good references and a good track record, is the only way to be sure you won't have to hire out someone else to re-paint your house in the near future.

( via- servicemagic.com )

Exterior Painting Techniques

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:52:00 +0000

Rapidly changing technology affects every aspect of modern life, even when it comes to painting our homes. The methods used to apply modern paints and coatings have changed over time, as well. Understanding all the new products and procedures used in exterior painting techniques enables consumers to get the best, longest-lasting paint jobs possible.

Using a Sprayer
One of the most common homeowner questions when it comes to current exterior painting techniques has to do with the widespread use of automatic sprayers. In past days, homes were painted the old fashioned way: with brushes and rollers. Those days are long gone for a number of reasons. A power sprayer has many advantages, both for the painter and for you as the homeowner.

Saving the Painter Time
Perhaps the biggest reason power sprayers have become the norm, rather than the exception, is the time factor. There is really no comparison when it comes to painting a house by hand as opposed to applying to the primer and final coats using a pneumatic sprayer. It cuts the time to paint a house down from weeks to days, and is one of the most efficient and innovative exterior painting techniques to hit the industry since brushes. Don't worry, however, that you're sacrificing quality for efficiency when you have your home painted by a painter using a power sprayer. A painter who is knowledgeable in the use of these tools can do just as good of a job, if not better, than a painter who is still using the Stone Age method of brushes and rollers. In fact, the proper use of a pneumatic paint sprayer means you'll get a smoother, more uniform coat, with less runs and blemishes, than a house painted with brushes and rollers.

Saving You Money
The other reason power sprayers have become so popular is the huge monetary savings it passes on to the homeowner. Brushing and rolling an entire home can take weeks to accomplish. From an exterior painting technique standpoint, there is simply no comparison. Using a power sprayer cuts down on the amount of painters a contractor has to hire, as well as the time spent on labor to get the job done. All that means big savings for you, the homeowner, when it comes to the final bill.

Via - (http://www.servicemagic.com)

Snowcem Rangi Rangale Shree Ganesh

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:09:00 +0000

Global Wall Coverings Market to Reach US$26 Billion by 2015, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:30:00 +0000

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on wall coverings market. The global market for wall coverings is forecast to reach US$26 billion by the year 2015, boosted by the recovering world economy and the consequent activity in the residential construction sector. Burgeoning demand for remodeling and refurbishing homes, particularly in emerging economies including Asia-Pacific and Latin America will provide the required impetus to the global wallpaper, wall tiles and interior paints markets.

The impact of the global economic downturn on the construction industry brought about new market dynamics and changes in consumer preferences. In 2009, the market for wall coverings was negatively impacted due to reasons such as worldwide recession, increased competition among paint and coating manufacturers and the vulnerable non-residential construction market. The residential remodeling segment emerged as a key niche market for wall coverings, where in times of scarce finances, consumers are increasingly looking towards remodeling interiors instead of purchasing new houses. In the foreseeable future, anticipated recovery in the residential construction sector is expected to drive demand for wall coverings, specifically by large markets such as the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific. With new product developments and market turnaround in the residential construction activity, the demand for wallpapers and decorative tiles is also projected to expand. In particular, the wallpaper market is witnessing new trends such as introduction of wallpaper cutouts, removable wallpapers, mold-resistant and low-emission wallpapers. Addition of these features is expected to make wallpapers more user and environment friendly, and increase the segment’s market share.

New technologies such as digital printing, and new patterns such as faux finishes were responsible for the segment growth, which had showed dwindling revenues for the past decade or so. Designer names determine the success of products in the wallpaper market. Purchases are driven by the name of the designer and not by brands. In this aspect, wallpaper industry parallels fashion-designing industry. Decorative tiles are finding increasing applications in both non-residential and residential markets, new constructions and home re-modeling, repairs and renovations. While wall panels and decorative tiles would be more benefited, paints would continue to dominate wallpapers segment in terms of size, due to sustained consumer confidence in paints.

China is one of the major producers of building materials and ranks first in the production of ceramic tiles on a global level with Shanghai as one of the largest commercial centers for production of building materials. The country represents huge demand for wall covering products such as mosaic tiles, concrete blocks for outer wall material, roof tiles, coatings, paints, and the like. With huge untapped potential, India is an enticing market for wall covering manufacturers. India’s entry into the WTO has opened up the wallpaper market to foreign manufacturers. Demand for ceramic wall tiles is expected to show high growth in the region. Latin America displays a positive note with booming markets such as Brazil and Chile boding bright prospects for architectural coatings.

Europe and Asia-Pacific constitute two of the largest regional markets, as stated by the new market research report on Wall Coverings. In terms of most promising growth potential, Asia-Pacific, backed by China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and others is the clear winner, and forecast to expand at a CAGR of more than 3.0% through 2015.

The Interior Paints segment continues to hold sway as the single largest market. However, with changing consumer preferences, Wallpaper is forecast to make a comeback after years of suspended activity and profits, and register the fastest CAGR for the period 2007-2015. Hitherto untapped regions such as Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East, which have traditionally been strong markets for interior paints, display huge potential for future growth and expansion of wallpapers segment.

Key market participants profiled in the report include Crossville, Inc, Dal-Tile Corporation, Emilceramica S.p.A, Grupo Porcelanite S.A., Internacional de Ceramica S.A. de C.V., Johnson Tiles, Marazzi Group SpA, Brewster Wall coverings Company, F. Schumacher & Company, Johns Manville, Omnova Solutions Inc., Pacific Wallcoverings Limited, Seabrook Wall coverings Inc., The Designtex Group, Omega National Products, The Sherwin-Williams Company and Duron Paints & Wall Coverings.

The research report titled “Wall Coverings: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market overview, issues & trends, product overview, recent industry activity, product innovations and profiles of market players worldwide. Analysis and overview is presented for major geographic markets such as US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Latin America. Market analytics are provided in terms of value (US$) for product segments including Wallpaper, Interior Paint, Wall Tiles and Wall Panels. The study also presents historic data for an insight into market evolution over the period 2000 through 2006.

( via - www.prweb.com )

Solar Shingle’ Gets UL Safety OK as 2011 Launch Nears

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 08:11:00 +0000

The Dow Chemical Company reports that its DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle—a photovoltaic solar panel in the form of a solar roofing shingle---has received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) safety certification.

The solar shingle is expected to be commercially available in select U.S. markets by mid 2011, the company says.

Dow describes the shingle as a “groundbreaking” photovoltaic solar-panel technology that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. The system design eliminates on-roof wiring, minimizes through-roof penetrations, and allows the product to be installed in the same manner as a standard roofing shingle, the company says.

“The receipt of UL safety certification represents the successful completion of a rigorous and comprehensive multi-test process for the DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingles,” said Dow Solar Vice President Jane Palmieri. “This is another important milestone towards the planned 2011 commercialization of Dow’s solar shingles, and represents a crucial third-party validation of the safety of this product.”

Dow Solar said it worked closely with UL to indentify a series of rigorous tests to assess the safety of the unique design and all the elements of the combined solar and roofing product. The company said the final listing represents compliance to a diverse sequence of UL’s safety and building standards, specifically, UL 746, 1703, 1897, 790, 486 and 514.

More than 50 individual tests were conducted to assess the safety of the solar shingles against building-code standards, including wind and fire resistance and electrical-code requirements such as proper wiring and photovoltaic (PV) connections.

“UL has been leading the development of PV equipment testing methodologies and standards since the 1980s, and has contributed to the safe operation of PV equipment by providing safety testing and certification services for PV equipment manufacturers worldwide,” said Jeff Smidt, vice president and general manager for UL’s Global Energy business. ”In the case of Dow’s solar shingles, we had to take a unique approach in order to test the product as both a roofing shingle and a PV system.”

Dow said that, in addition to the design and material safety tests performed by UL, it will continue with its own reliability and durability testing in support of commercialization. Dow is currently performing tests on installed systems of the solar shingles in addition to individual shingles in order to assess the durability of the product, utilizing Design for Reliability and Physics of Failure methodologies to measure performance against weather, extreme temperatures and other conditions.

Dow has chosen thin-film CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium deSelenide) as the PV material in the solar shingle; Global Solar Energy (Tucson, Ariz.) was selected as the preferred supplier in support of the product launch.

Dow Solar unveiled the POWERHOUSE Shingle in late 2009 as the first in a portfolio of building-related solar energy-generating products. The shingle was named one of the "50 Best Inventions of 2009" by TIME magazine. The product design offers an integrated roof appearance and simplified installation in combination with standard asphalt roofing materials, the company says.

( via - durabilityanddesign.com )

Spaceship-Like and Luxury Villa Nurbs Private House in Spain

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Wed, 26 May 2010 05:32:00 +0000

You are watching the photos of beautiful Villa Nurbs which is a private property built in Emporia Brava in Spain.This little architecture wonder was designed by Enrico Ruiz Geli, Frederic Amat and Toni Kumelloy.The whole building is built for only one family which tells us enough about the luxury style of its owners.While most of the world is trying to create houses and technologies to absorb sun’s rays and to convert them into an usable energy, the creators of this house obviously concluded that they are not interested about cheap and eco-friendly energy sources. They created this building from expensive ceramic tiles which are specially designed to reflect sun’s rays and all unhealthy radiation which comes with them. The whole house looks like a huge spaceship from sci-fi movies and, I have noticed that from te beginning, it is certainly not like any other house in that neighbor.Although the idea and design are really cool, I believe it is little too luxury and probably it is not so nice to build such big house for only one family but, obviously, when you have enough money, then you don’t mind about the savings on space and energy.

( via- funlure.blogspot.com )

Big White House Exterior

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Tue, 18 May 2010 06:32:00 +0000

Living Room Interior - DRAWING ROOM DESIGNS

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:28:00 +0000

( via- .interiorexteriorplan.com)

Archipod Garden Office Pods

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:24:00 +0000

Imagine working in an ergonomic modern workspace with rustic charm; Archipod is exactly that. This pod-shaped office has all of the features that you would need in a home office including electricity, heat and ergonomic office furniture, and it’s jacked for Internet as well.

The Archipod’s rustic cedar shake exterior would complement just about any home landscape, and the modern interior office design is a great place to get some work done in peace.

( via- xpertcollection.blogspot.com )

World’s Top Unique Structures

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:35:00 +0000

construction technologies are advancing extremely fast. Lets see top ten strange and unique structures of the world which have either been approved or are in the final stages of approval. some have already been partially constructed.

( via - xpertcollection.blogspot.com )

Earth Day

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:46:00 +0000

The Law Of Attraction : An Inspirational Video

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:29:00 +0000

EPA Announces New Guidelines for Energy Star Homes

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:35:00 +0000

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing new, more rigorous guidelines for new homes that earn the Energy Star label. Compared to the current Energy Star guidelines, the new requirements will make qualified new homes at least 20 percent more efficient than homes built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) – slashing utility bills for qualified homes by 15 percent compared to IECC code-built homes.

The updated requirements will ensure that the government’s Energy Star label continues to deliver a significant increase in energy efficiency over homes that are built to code and standard builder business practices. These guidelines will go into effect in January 2011, although some builders may choose to adopt the new requirements earlier.

Key elements of the new guidelines for Energy Star qualified homes include:

· A Complete Thermal Enclosure System: Comprehensive air sealing, properly insulated assemblies and high-performance windows enhance comfort, improve durability and reduce utility bills.

· Quality Installed Complete Heating and Cooling Systems: High-efficiency heating and cooling systems engineered to deliver more comfort, moisture control and quiet operation, and equipped with fresh-air ventilation to improve air quality.

· A Complete Water Management System: Because Energy Star homes offer a tightly-sealed and insulated building envelope, a comprehensive package of flashing, moisture barriers, and heavy-duty membrane details is critical to help keep water from roofs, walls, and foundations for improved durability and indoor air quality.

· Efficient Lighting and Appliances: Look for Energy Star qualified lighting, appliances and fans helping to further reduce monthly utility bills and provide high-quality performance.

· Third-Party Verification: Energy Star qualified homes require verification by independent Home Energy Raters who conduct a comprehensive series of detailed inspections and use specialized diagnostic equipment to test system performance.

( via - yosemite.epa.gov)

Libeskind takes centre stage in Dublin

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:30:00 +0000

$75m USD theatre complex opens this week

The Grand Canal Square Theatre in Dublin is classic Daniel Libeskind: brave, full of life, dramatic lines and striking colour. It will no doubt immediately become a major landmark in the Irish capital. The 2,000- seat performance venue is the core of a wider, mixed-use complex comprising a pair of eight-floor commercial blocks, five-star hotel and residential block.

Libeskind describes his aim for the project, “To create a truly vibrant 24/7 community, commercial, retail, residential and cultural components must communicate in a fluid and transparent dialogue. For the Grand Canal project, I wanted to integrate the commercial buildings with the adjacent retail, residential and cultural components and with the public space by designing multi-storey glazed atria. Although both offices are designed in the same architectural language, each responds to the site in its own unique way. Two Grand Canal Square, which is adjacent to the new 2,000-seat theatre, opens up towards the Square, while 4 and 5 Grand Canal Square, in conjunction with the theatre, form a dramatic gateway to Grand Canal Harbour.”

Dublin, like the many contemporary performing spaces that go before it, is oriented around the water’s edge. Sydney undoubtedly started the trend but more recently, we have seen Snohetta’s Oslo opera house, HLT’s Copenhagen Opera house, Calatrava’s Tenerife Opera house, Foster’s Sage at Gateshead and Herzog De Meuron’s Elbe Philharmonic hall in Hamburg. Libeskind has unashamedly embraced the waterfront added more than a touch of drama with his iconic 'red carpet' leading from the entrance to the water’s edge.

Talking about the theatre itself, Libeskind expands, “The architectural concept of the theatre is based on stages: the stage of the theatre itself, the stage of the piazza, and the stage of the multiple-level theatre lobby above the piazza. The theatre becomes the main façade of a large public piazza that has a five-star hotel and residences on one side and an office building on the other.”

The developers, Chartered Land are clearly expecting the complex to attract a huge number of visitors and it will be supported by a full array of integrated transport links including a new four-lane bridge currently under construction.

( via - worldarchitecturenews.com )

Orbit Corporation Limited

noreply@blogger.com (Snowcem Paints) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:31:00 +0000

Orbit Corporation specialises in building spaces using the best available raw materials and integrating the best technology in construction worldwide. The group's properties are a perfect demonstration of aesthetics, ergonomics, spaciousness, environment friendliness, unmatched expertise, innovation and optimum utility of space.

Headed by the father and son duo of Ravi Kiran Aggarwal and Pujit Aggarwal, Orbit Corporation's corporate vision is to go beyond the obvious. World-renowned architects, structural consultants and landscape artists work on their projects using advanced innovative technologies and ethical practices. Orbit residences are built in prime locations of Mumbai, and typically feature panoramic views, high-end amenities, 7-star health clubs and vaastu or aura conformed homes. Structurally, Orbit differentiates itself with buildings that use proprietary technology and materials that result in higher durability and lower maintenance costs. As an example, Orbit is one of the only real estate companies to use stainless steel reinforcement bars and 304 grade stainless steel pipes for water supply. This enables the company to provide an unmatched guarantee on its quality of construction - the signature Orbit Assurance which includes a 20-year warranty on waterproofing, sound-proof multiple glazed Italian windows, and guaranteed on-time possession.

In the residential segment, their projects include Villa Orb, Orbit Arya, Orbit Haven and Orbit Sky Chateau at Napeansea Road; Orbit Heights at Nana Chowk; Orbit Eternia, Orbit Grand & Orbit Terraces at Lower Parel; Orbit Enclave at Prarthana Samaj & Orbit Residency Park at Andheri East. Eminent commercial projects the group has completed include JSW HQ and Orbit Plaza, both in Bandra-Kurla Complex. Orbit Corporation is also coming up with a world-class township at Mandwa, a 16-minute boat ride from Gateway of India.

( via - Times of india )