TIPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR DREAM HOME Part 2

Continuing from part 1 

Continuing from part 1. There are somethings which you should know when positioning your room

·         The Kitchen should be next to or near the car port as to allow for the movement of groceries.

·         The Dining room should be next to or near the Kitchen as to allow for the free movement of prepared food

·         There should be a powder room around the Living and Dining room areas as to avoid guest from using or entering the family’s private area.

Step 3

Location of the bedrooms should be considered in respect to the cardinal points I.E. east / west. The wind generally blows from north or northeast in Trinidad, hence the ideal location for the master bedroom is there. This may be a problem in some cases due to the sharp slope of the land or other constraints such as the topography or the entrance to the property.

Step 4
Room sizes should also be considered as well as the culture of the family. These questions should be asked: Do you like to entertain? And if your answer is yes, then your living room and public areas should be designed to accommodate guests. Maybe an open concept should be considered.
Other questions which speak to the gender composition and life style would also assist the designer or architech in the development of a concpt which meets with the approvals of the homeowner.

Stay tuned to this blog site for other  exciting  information on helping you to realize your dream home. And don't forget to write and ask questions.

  TIPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR DREAM HOME Part 1

Today's blog would address some concerns or anxiety which you may have in designing your home.

Consultation with an architect or professional designer should be your first step in conceptualizing your design. The following steps will enlighten you and help your designer in formulating a concept which meets your needs, in conjunction with the building and authority requirements. 

Step 1 

Write down all your wants and needs in your dream home. Remember to discuss ideas with all stakeholders.

Step 2

Before acquiring the land, check for the following: 

• Town and country approvals for the land.
• A cadastral sheet ( shows the boundary and other important information)
• The size of the land in conjunction with the size of the house you require.
• The location based on desire. I.e. Schools and employment.
• The topography of the land, this has direct implications      on cost and construction.
• Utilities on the site. Water drains and electricity.

These are just a few steps which you can follow in getting started. Please write and send pictures of you projects.

INSTALLATION OF RETAINING WALL 

Good day bloggers today's blog will address the installation of a small retaining wall. 

Allan Block is a system of retaining soil, which is made up of several components designed to retain the earth while allowing water to flow freely through the system.

This product is only available at Bestcrete but for more information on the product you can visit 

https://youtu.be/l3TSoxpwPnU

The author found this product to be the best retaining wall system which adds great value to any property that carries it. 

Bestcrete had two options 

• Allan Block 
• Jumbo Junior Allan Block.

Note this is an Engineering product and for large Walls you should consult the professional engineer.

TNTDIYCONSTRUCTION would discuss the installation of a small wall 3' height and 12' in length, or a planter.

Note:  The Task involves excavation, heavy lifting and requires industrial tools, e.g. 12” Plate compactor and concrete cutting disc. The Allan Block is sometimes referred to as the AB Stone.  

 

 

Note:  Geo fabric and drainage pipe are not required for short walls.

Step 1 

Measure the length of the wall and the approximate height of the wall by using the estimating table to the right in calculating your block requirement.

Step 2

Mark out the area in which the proposed wall is going. With the shovel or spade remove the soil 8" deep by 12" width by the length of the wall.

Step 3

Run the Plate Compactor in the new trench and cut or fill to ensure the base is level or graded. Measuring the level or grade should be done with a line or laser levelling device.

Step 4

Fill in 3/8" aggregate / gravel into trench and run the Plate Compactor to ensure the base is level.

Step 5 

Place the AB Stones into trench remember that the weight of  each block is 80 lbs, levelling the block is very important at this stage. Also ensure a consistant flow on the front of wall.

Step 6 
Fill the AB Stone and around the block and trench with 3/8" aggregate / gravel then run Plate Compactor around the block. Also ensure a consistant flow on the front of wall and levelling of the first row.

Step 7
Continue stacking AB Stone and filling block with 3/8" aggregate / gravel. Remember to run Plate Compactor behind block, checking level with each block installed.
Step 8 
You have come to the end of this task, and you can place the AB Stone Caps giving your wall a finished look.

Please write and let us know of your experience.

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INSTALLATION OF TRI HEX PAVERS

Good day Bloggers we are going to discuss the installation of Pavers Stone. The author with the help of you great Bloggers, will make this task easy .

The Tri Hex Paver

Step 1

Measure the area which you intend to cover.

L X W = Area 

Area X 4.4 = Number of Grass Pavers required 

Step 2

Remove approximately 6" of top soil from area you intend on installing Pavers.

Note: 

• The installer should always be mindful of the finished height of the Pavers, taking into consideration the opening and closing of Doors and Gates.
• The depth of the excavation is determined by the finished height of the Pavers.
• The excavation should be completed and the area graded as to allow the surface water to run off in a direction away from the home or area of interest.

Step 3

The newly excavated area should be compacted with a plate compactor as to prevent undulation 

Step 4

Pour 2" of sharp sand into the area and spreed evenly.

Step 5

Compact  the sharp sand with plate compactor. Remember to maintain the grade of 1/2" to every 1' for water run off.

Step 6

Start laying the Pavers at one corner until the area is filled.

Step 7

Place red / white or fine sand on top surface of Pavers and run the compactor over the Pavers. Ensure the sand falls into edges of the Pavers and locking Pavers in the process.

Step 8 

Remove all excess sand with the broom.  This concludes the installation of the Tri Hex Pavers.

I hope this DIY Blog was helpful and you are now able to take on your own project. Please write and let me know how it worked out.

INSTALLATION OF GRASS PAVERS

Good day Bloggers we are going to discuss the installation of Grass Pavers. It is one of the harder installs but the author with the help of you great Bloggers, will make this task easy .

The Grass Paver

Step 1

Measure the area which you intend to cover.

L X W = Area 

Area X 0.36 = Number of Grass Pavers required 

Step 2

Remove approximately 6" of top soil from the area you intend on installing Pavers.

Note: 

• The installer should always be mindful of the finished height of the Pavers, taking into consideration the opening and closing of Doors and Gates.
• The depth of the excavation is determined by the finished height of the Pavers.
• The excavation should be completed and the area graded as to allow the surface water to run off in a direction away from the home or area of interest.

Step 3

The newly excavated area should be compacted with a plate compactor as to prevent undulation 

Step 4

Pour 2" of sharp sand into the area and spreed evenly.

Step 5

Compact  the sharp sand with plate compactor. Remember to maintain the grade of 1/2" to every 1' for water run off.

Step 6

Start laying the Pavers at one corner until the area is filled.

Step 7

Fill in the spaces with top soil and run the compactor over the Pavers. Ensure the fill covers the edges of the Pavers.

Step 8 

Plant Grass into the spaces to complete the job.

I hope this DIY Blog was helpful and you are now able to take on your own project. Please write and let me know how it worked out.

INSTALLING A WINDOW

Installation of a Vinyl single hung window     

                For the bloggers who already have their homes and are interested in a small renovation,

                maybe changing a window, today's blog is for you. Most companies will recommend that

                this task should be undertaken by a certified window installer. 

                                          Here some steps you should follow:

      








Standard installation procedures when installing into clean and prepared opening

Please read this instruction in its entirety before beginning to install your  Windows.

These installation instructions demonstrate the standard installation method used.

·       Aluminum or Vinyl Sliding / Sash / Casement Windows

 TOOLS

The basic tools required for carrying out the installation of a standard size window are listed in the table below.

Measuring tape. ( Required for verifying window and opening sizes)

Pencil Or Marker (Required for indication of placement of windows and drilling location.)

Levelling instrument.

Power Drill and drill bits.

Spacers Or Shims (Help in positioning the window).

Rawle Plugs Green.

Screws (2” X 10 Ga. PHS Stainless Steel Screws).

Screws Drivers or Powered Screw driver

Caulk (sealant) Or Expanding foam will be pumped into the gaps.

 PREPARATION

1.      Verify window schedule (Ensuring all windows have their destination)

2.      Measure Masonry opening.

v  Measure height (A) ;  width (B) & Diagonals (C) of opening 

( ensuring of opening ¼” tolerance )      

Window Size		Opening Height		Opening Width		Diagonal Size (Side 1& 2)
24”H X 24”W   Or 610mm X 610 mm		24 ¼” or 616 mm		24 ¼” or 616 mm		34  9/32” or         870.97 mm
36”H X 24”W   Or 914 mm X 610 mm		36 ¼”or 921 mm		24 ¼” or 616 mm		43  19/32” or    1,107.44 mm
36”H X 36”W    Or 914 mm X 914 mm		36 ¼”or 921 mm		36 ¼”or   921 mm		51”             or     1,295.40 mm
36”H X 48”W    Or 914 mm X 1,219 mm		36 ¼”or 921 mm		48 ¼”or 1,226 mm		60”             or     1,524.00 mm
48”H X 24”W    Or 1,219 mm X 610 mm		48 ¼”or 1,226 mm		24 ¼” or 616 mm		54”              or    1,372.00 mm
48”H X 36”W   Or 1,219 X 914 mm		48 ¼”or 1,226 mm		36 ¼”or 921 mm		60”              or    1,524.00 mm
48”H X 48”W   Or 1,219 X 1,219 mm		48 ¼”or 1,226 mm		48 ¼”or 1,226 mm		68”              or    1,727.20 mm
60”H X 24”W   Or 1,524 mm X 610 mm		60 ¼” or 1,530 mm		24 ¼” or 616 mm		65”              or    1,651.00 mm
60”H X 36”W   Or 1,524 mm X 914 mm	60 ¼” or 1,530 mm		36 ¼” or 921 mm		70”              or    1,778.00 mm
60”H X 48”W   Or 1,524 mm X 914 mm	60 ¼” or 1,530 mm		48 ¼” or 1,226 mm		77”              or    1,955.80 mm

 INSTALLATION

1.      Ensure the base of masonry opening has a ½” rebate in preparation for installation

2.      Using a 6.35 mm or (¼”) Steel bit drill one hole on the vertical member of the window (Stile) 8” from the bottom corner on the outside of the window and 6” from the top on the inside of the window.

3.      Drill two holes 4” from both corners on the head and bottom sill of window but ½”from the inside of the bottom sill.

4.      Place window 25.4 or (1”) mm from the outer side of the masonry opening, ensuring the window is square and level on the three axes A, B and C. (Refer to section C).

5.      Use spacer or shims where necessary as to not distort the window. (As shown in section C).

6.      Mark points in masonry opening in preparation for drilling.

7.      Remove window and use a 1/4” concrete drill bit for masonry opening (or a bit suited for materials you are using.)
8.      Remove window and use a 6.35 mm or (1/4”) concrete drill bit for masonry opening or a bit suited for materials you are drilling into opening.
9.  Drill holes approximately 50.8 mm or (2”) into the walls of the opening.
10.  Use green Rawle Plugs to insert into the holes of the masonry opening.
11.  Place window back into the opening and re level window using spacers
12.  Fasten window using 1 ½”X 10 Ga. PHS Stainless Steel Screws.

13.  Pump or place caulk (sealant) or expanding foam into the gap between

Window’s frame, jambs and sill in making window water tight.

14.  Remove and disposal of all waste from the surroundings.

The Author trust that the infomation helped. If you need further infomation please write.
Good luck on sucessfully installing your windows.