How Concrete Floors Contribute to LEED Points

Posted by nunum on 8th June 2010

Architects, Interior Designers, Property Managers or Owners usually ask this question – How decorative concrete floors contribute to LEED points. How can a concrete floor be considered environmentally friendly? Please find information below that will substantiate that specifying concrete floors is a smart choice.

Thermal mass: Concrete takes a while to heat up – and also a while to cool down. That’s because it has what’s called thermal mass – heat storage capacity. A concrete floor has lots of thermal mass, which allows concrete to dampen out the highs and lows of temperature fluctuations in a room, reducing the overall heating of cooling load. That saves energy and also allows a size reduction in heating or cooling systems. Properly designed, concrete floors can also contribute to passive solar heating and cooling. Energy performance in LEED for Homes is worth as much as 34 points (Credit EA 1), so this is potentially a huge contribution. In the NAHB Guidelines, this would qualify for points under Section 3.2.1.

Radiant heating: Concrete floors, whether elevated floors or slabs on grade, are the perfect medium for radiant heating. Utilizing embedding plastic tubing in the concrete, radiant floors provide quiet and comfortable heating and cooling that can result in energy savings of 10 percent to 30 percent, according to the Portland Cement Association. Another advantage of radiant heat is that it easily integrates into solar heating systems. Again, the added energy efficiency contributes to credit EA 1 in LEED or Section 3.2.1 in NAHB.

Recycled content: Both LEED and NAHB encourage the use of recycled content and award points for doing so. Concrete can easily incorporate fly ash and slag as supplementary cementitious materials. Using fly ash and locally produced aggregates yields LEED credits for environmentally preferable products (Credit MR2.2). NAHB Section 2.4 provides points for using recycled materials without being specific about what that means.

Indoor air quality: Concrete floors make a huge contribution to indoor environmental quality, simply because of the fact that cured concrete is completely inert and implies the absence of carpeting or vinyl that can release volatile chemicals into the air. In LEED, points can be claimed under Credit EQ 1 by complying with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Indoor Air Package. In the NAHB Guidelines, claiming this credit is more difficult, although a case can be made under Section 5.4, Innovative Options for Indoor Environmental Quality.

Credit could be claimed for a durable structure that requires little maintenance; termite and mold resistance and waste reduction. Concrete floors are no longer dull and boring. With the advent of latest polymer technology in Concrete and various methods of coloring concrete, they exhibit modern, contemporary and artistic.

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6Jun

3D Architectural Rendering – Great Invention For Architect Industry

Posted by nunum on 6th June 2010

3D Architectural Rendering is a great invention for architectural industry used for pre visualization. 3D rendering is a fabulous technique that allows users to view moving objects of their future building on computer. One can easily arrange interior and exterior objects by using proper 3D models. Greatly it allows 360 degree panorama views to visualize your interior and exterior. As interior design is a backbone of homes and offices, it must be completed with maximum accuracy. Once your interior is completed it may make high cost to change it. But 3D rendering allows you to view your complete interior design and also allow adding or subtracting any objects.

3D Architectural Rendering is a visual presentation that used in various architectural projects. It includes various phases in any architectural projects described as below:

• 3D Exterior Rendering Views

• 3D Interior Rendering Views

• Cross – Section views 3D Rendering

• Furniture 3D Rendering

• 3D Product Rendering

• Other 3D Rendering Services like Grave stones, monuments, Landscape, traditional and elevation

World is moving on and architects are always trying to invent new technologies that serve maximum outputs. There are many software are invented that used in this technique like AutoCAD and 3D max. These kind of software reduced complexity and enable architects to create photographic presentation of real objects. One can easily view its building component as like as real. You can easily choose design of your interior objects like textures, wall colors, lighting arrangement, furniture arrangement, ceiling designs and flooring designs.

One more feature of this technology is that it provides every minute detail of any object. if you want to get design of your flooring then you can easily choose it best suitable with interior design. It also allows users to get individual designs for flooring and furniture.

This technology is now widely used in product promotion. Various business firms are using it to create 3D product models to attract more customers. So in other way it is not only limited for only building construction but widely used in business promotion.

Various architectural firms are providing quality services for 3D rendering. So by outsourcing you can boost up your business easily. If you need quotes for architectural projects email at info@cadserviceslondon.com

For more info please visit at http://www.cadserviceslondon.com/3d-rendering-architecture.php

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6Jun

Koi Pond- Which Pump to Use

Posted by nunum on 4th June 2010

When I started in the waterfall and pond design & construction business in January of 1982, I was asking the same question. I had a slight advantage over most when it came to answering the question, “Which pump do I use?”

I came out of the energy conservation field, so I was already savvy about energy consumption topics.

It was a challenge in the seventies, when I was trying to convince people that they should buy the Mitsubishi compact fluorescent bulb to save energy. This was the first of its kind and it retailed for $12 to $14. Its lumen or light output was equal to a 60-watt incandescent bulb, which sold for $ .60 in most stores. I needed to convince the engineer at Betty Ford Hospital that a $12, 12-watt bulb would save the facility $35,000 a year in electrical costs. I did so, and it did!

Pumps are no different when it comes to performance vs. energy consumption. The rule of thumb is: If an electrical appliance was engineered to be used only occasionally, as opposed to continually, rest assured, it is not engineered or built with the highest industry standards in mind.

Sump pumps were designed to be submerged underwater and pump that water to a different location. Their most common uses are in basements, bunkers, bilges, and that sort of thing. These pumps would only come on by demand, when a float control indicated a high water level.

Sump pumps were cheap to buy because they were built cheaply. It did not matter that they consumed more energy than the more expensive centrifugal pump, since they only came on occasionally.

These pumps turned out to be perfect for the get-rich-quick liner pond industry for three major reasons:

They were cheap to buy, as were the liners;

They were simple to install; and

They were easy to hide.

One major drawback of sump pumps that the liner pond industry does not share with their clients is that they are literally energy sponges. But then, that is not the only thing they forget to mention to their usually innocent and unsuspecting clients.

These easy-to-install, easy-to-make-a-killing liners that come with a 20-50 year warranty (against factory defects only) are actually a meal down the road to a burrowing gopher, rat, mouse, ground squirrel, chipmunk or muskrat.

How do I know? I replace liners with concrete and rebar for a living and I ask if the customer if the liner salesman told them the pros and cons about the liner. (Most cons don’t!)

Besides a sump pump costing twice as much to operate than a high efficiency, centrifugal pump, they plug up easily. (By the way, the liner guys changed the name to a “submersible pump” and they are now using the term “waterfall pump.”) Concrete and rebar constructed ponds with bottom anti-vortex drains seldom, if ever, plug up.

In the industry magazine, Water Garden News, the vice president of product management for the Aquascape Company stated,

A lot of the time, the more energy efficient the [sump] pump, the less solids and debris it can handle. So often the consumer is excited the pump will only cost them $10 a month to run, but what they did not know is that they are going to have to be out there 3 times a week, cleaning the intake of the [sump] pump to keep it going.

Water Garden News is a trade magazine that is for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers in the water garden industry. This information was not meant for the consumers’ eyes. Until now!

Read my article entitled Pondless Waterfall: Concrete vs. Pond Liner ; EzineArticles.com. I cover the subject in depth, and expose the truth about pond liner promoters. All of the costs involved in building a pondless waterfall are analyzed by comparing the two techniques: using concrete & rebar or a rubber liner.

The difference in the cost of energy consumption between a 5700 gallon per hour sump pump and a 5800 gallon per hour high-efficiency centrifugal pump is staggering. The sump pump uses twice as much energy, costs $171 more to purchase, and its warranty is 6 months less! Look before you leap and research before you weep.

Happy koi, peace and joy.

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6Jun

Architectural Modeling – Unique Identification of Architects

Posted by nunum on 3rd June 2010

In the modern time all the small and giant architectural firms are using architectural modeling. To provide the better output by using this technique all experts are using 3D modeling. Architectural 3D modeling is used to develop the mathematical and wire frame representation of any object. 3D rendering is used to display images on computer or TV. One can exact idea about the future design by using the 3D models.

Architectural modeling has unique identification in architectural world and that used to make 3D models. Architectural models are used to show the complete detail of any object in term of point to point. 3D models are also becoming helpful to identify the volume of building components and parts. 3D modeling enables architects to add or modify such details as doors, windows, textures, shading, railing, lighting and other required specifications.

Modeling services consist wide range of applications and greater accuracy that enable it the better option rather than others. It helps to visualize whole the building on computer and allows you to make change according to your requirement. It makes virtual environment and shows you how your building will look in future. It is also used for interior purpose like furniture modeling. You can use furniture modeling to make proper design for your interior.

The technique is not only limited in making of commercial and residential buildings but it is also used in industry development and landscape designing. Architectural modeling is used for following purposes like:

o 3D Visualization of Building

o 3D Architectural Rendering

o 3D Architectural Animation

o 3D Architectural Paper Models

o 3D Architectural Designs

o Interior Models for Office view, Home View

o Exterior Models for all type of buildings

For making the architectural models on computers the AutoCAD software used. For the flexibility and maximum accuracy purpose professional architects have developed various software which enables to modify any architect model at quick response. By having these kind of functionality architectural modeling is become root of any architectural project.

If you are looking for professional architectural modeling service provider or want to send your project requirements you can email us at info@architecturalmodelingindia.com

You can find our achievements and services at http://www.architecturalmodelingindia.com/architectural-3d-modeling/

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6Jun

Site Furniture Buying Tips

Posted by nunum on 1st June 2010

Understanding the link between site and site furniture will greatly help you if you are planning to buy furniture for a space that you design in your home. Site furnishing involves examining how to elevate the design so that you come out with something pleasant to the eyes. Site furnishing is merely meant for the landscape architects, contractors, designers, urban planners as well as engineers, so they have to learn how to have the appropriate furniture for a particular place in the room. This means that these groups of professionals will understand the quality of outdoor space so that they know what conceptual tools to have and the right information when they are preparing to set up a place in your room.

When you are shopping for furniture, there are several things that you have to keep in mind. One of the things to consider is to know what type of furniture you are buying, whether you are buying furniture for the living room, bedroom, kid’s room or whichever room it is. This will help you to come up with a clear understanding on the material that the furniture should be made of. For instance, when you are buying site furniture, you have to consider the type of people expected in that place. This means that if you are buying furniture for your bedroom, you have to consider the size and shape of the furniture. This will help you when you are fixing the furniture because you do not want to buy furniture that will take up all your space in the bedroom.

In addition, you do not want to buy furniture that are small and they will look swallowed up by the room. This means that before you set out to explore the different furniture options available, you have to consider the room that you want to place your new furniture.

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6Jun

Architect Jobs – Architect Careers Explained

Posted by nunum on 30th May 2010

Careers in architecture are involved with the art and science of designing buildings and other physical structures. New buildings are going up all the time and we still marvel at the great buildings of the past that have withstood the test of time all over the world. People with architecture degrees may be involved in many aspects of the process and product of planning, designing and constructing spaces where people will live or work. Architects must be considerate of the functional, social and aesthetic aspects of their work, and also have their own distinct point of view.

Architect Job Description

If you have no experience in this field, you may be wondering “Just what does an architect do?” Architects are the professionals involved with the planning, designing and reviewing of the construction of buildings and structures using materials and components while considering mass, space, form, volume, texture, structure, light, shadow, materials, program, cost, construction limitations and technology. Most people think of blueprints and stuffy meetings with guys and suits directing construction projects, but architecture entails so much more. Architect careers require the use of many tools and the skills to manipulate and coordinate technology, light and shadow, and in the 21st century this also requires quite a bit of computer skills. There are macro-level architects who are involved in urban design and landscape architecture jobs as well as micro-level architects who are involved in the construction details and even the furnishings.

In the modern age, architects do not only encompass structure and function into their work; more and more the consideration of sustainability is a vital component of any construction job. Sustainable or eco-friendly building should be constructed in an environmentally friendly manner in terms of the production of the materials, the impact on the environment of its surrounding area, and the demands that it makes on non-sustainable power for heating, cooling, water, waste management and lighting.

The architect job market has seen a rise in specialization by project type, technological expertise or delivery methods, as well as an increased separation of design architects from project architects. There are many architect careers that people with architecture degrees can go into, ranging from landscape architects to designers of skyscrapers and major public structures.

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5May

Gardening Business – How to Make Money From a Gardening Business

Posted by nunum on 28th May 2010

Do you know that you can actually turn your garden into a money maker? Yes, you can. Do you enjoy designing garden beds? Do you receive lot of appreciation for your garden beds? Then it is the right time for you to start garden business. This articles explains about how to start and run a gardening business.

a. Start telling people that you can design their gardens for a fee.

b. If you do not have a degree in landscape architecture, check out the state’s regulations before doing any structural garden design. You may have to work with a landscape architect to create and implement structural garden beds.

c. If all this looks a tedious work, you can work on maintaining others garden beds. Many people need advice in maintaining their gardens.

d. Many people grow plants to sell to plant nurseries. Some rent them out. Some, sell their plants in their backyard through online marketing and by displaying ads in local paper. Get a state grower’s license before selling plants.

e. You can also prepare gift baskets and sell them to the people in your area. You can sell them using online marketing.To sell gift baskets, all you need is garden, baskets and flyers.

f. Create a blog and start blogging about gardening and offer tips to the readers. Post the images of your garden and gift baskets in your blog. Make videos and upload them in different sites.

Design flyers and distribute them in your area. Collect online subscribers using article marketing. Email them about your gardening business. You can write an ebook on gardening and sell them to your subscribers.

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5May

Carport Kits – The Perfect DIY Car and Vehicle Weather Protection

Posted by nunum on 27th May 2010

For most people who visit a highly urbanized city like New York, the most recognizable structures that they will likely remember are those towering skyscrapers. Skyscrapers became a normal fixture of huge cities during the early 20th century. Because of the skyrocketing economy, space in mega cities acquired a high-price tag. Business required architects and engineers to come up with new building designs that would allow them to optimize space and save money. Thus, the skyscraper was born.

The skyscraper was such a brilliant example how man can use his ingenuity to resolve perplexing problems. In a somewhat smaller scale, designers have come up with a great solution to a common issue bugging contemporary American homeowners.

Like the expanding cities of the 1900s, America’s homes are being plagued by a pressing issue: space. Many homes today do not simply have enough storage area for precious properties, like cars, mowers, garden tools, and so on.

So how do you resolve storage issue in your house? There are various ways to resolve such problem. The first one is to build an extra garage. This is a reasonable option if you have the economic means. For building another garage would cost you. Typical cost for garage material would come at around $13,000 and up. And that would exclude contractor fees.

Spending thousands of dollars to create more space in your house would not be a pragmatic decision if there are other cost-effective means. Carport kits, for example, can effectively address storage issues for you.

Why should you Get Carport Kits?

Optimum Protection for your Car:

We all know the bad things that can happen to your car if you just leave it outside. UV rays, rain, snow, and even that seemingly harmless morning dew can cause your car’s paint to prematurely fade. A car is a precious investment. As much as possible, every responsible car owner would like to provide the best protection for his or her car.

Even if you do not have enough space in your garage to accommodate a new car, or even if you simply do not have a garage, there is no reason why you should leave your car exposed to the elements. Why, you can just buy carport kits to prolong your car’s lifespan.

Basic open carport kits can effectively shield your car from harmful UV rays, rain, and snow. To provide maximum protection, you can also get carport kits that have enclosed walls.

Great Storage Space for Mowers, Garden Tools, and Other Stuff:

Carport kits are not just for cars. You can also use them to provide protection for your beloved mower. You can also use them as an storage area for your garden tools and other stuff.

Great for Outdoor Use:

Carport kits are different from traditional carports because they do not need to be attached to your house. Carport kits are highly portable. And this portability make these kits ideal for outdoor celebrations.

If you have no extra tents to accommodate your guests for a weekend barbecue party, then you can just use a carport kit. You would not shed tons of sweat setting up the kit on your yard-it is definitely very easy to set up.

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5May

Modular Mansions – Modular Homes Make Luxury Affordable

Posted by nunum on 19th May 2010

The Heritage, a 6800 square foot home appraised at $895,000, provides a breathtaking example of what the newest home construction technologies and trends are making available to homebuyers through modular homes.

Called the “modular mansion”, this immaculate home is the most recent custom modular home offering from Building Systems Network, a nationwide modular homes builder and designer of custom modular home plans. The Homestead is one of the largest and highest appraised home built by Building Systems Network, and demonstrates the trend in American homebuilding of combining the advanced technologies of the modular building process with hand-craftsmanship and custom finishes to provide luxurious homes at significantly less cost than that required by a traditional site built home.

The Heritage not only demonstrates the elegance and innovation of BSN’s custom modular home designs, but also the infinite possibilities available to homebuyers through modular home technology. Modular homes are constructed in the same steps as traditionally built homes but, because many of the components are pre-constructed, homes require less “site-building” time and are completed at a fraction of a traditional home build. Modular homes are also built with stronger components than traditional site built homes, utilizing ten to fifteen percent more construction materials to ensure the maximum strength and durability of all home components.

Grant Smereczynsky, CEO of Building Systems Network, is actively encouraging consumers to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities available to them through new homebuilding technologies and trends, and to educate themselves on the possibilities provided by modular homes.

“The Homestead and other BSN modular homes represent a significant development in home construction technologies, and a brighter future for homebuyers,” Smereczynsky says. “Homebuyers of modular homes reap the benefits of the cost savings provided by the systems-built process while attaining their dream home exactly the way they envisioned it.”

Some of the benefits of utilizing the modular homes, systems-built construction process are significantly reduced construction time, which saves interest on construction loans, as well as considerable savings in materials costs due to the high-volume purchasing abilities of systems-built production facilities.

Modular homes, or systems-built homes, are constructed under optimum building conditions within controlled environments at fractions of the cost and time required by traditional site-built homes. Since the modular homebuilder provides 80 to 85 percent of the home, buyers do not face the risk of giving money to a builder and not having a home built to their specifications.

Additionally, unlike modular homes, site-built homes are exposed to unfavorable weather conditions during the construction process, making the home vulnerable to water or weather damage, and increasing the costs of the project by adding additional materials and replacement components.

For more information on The Homestead and other BSN luxury modular homes and custom modular home floor plans, visit http://www.buildingsystemsnetwork.com

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5May

Eco-Building – Copper Gutters

Posted by nunum on 18th May 2010

As architects, designers and homeowners seek to reduce the impact that their property or designs have on the environment, the popularity of more environmentally friendly materials has increased dramatically. Typically PVC guttering was used in the UK, but increasingly architects with an environmental conscience are turning to copper gutters to protect their building from water damage.

Copper is not the only metal which can be used for gutters: aluminum and cast iron can also be used. But there is no doubt that copper makes for the greenest choice in guttering. The environmental arguments for choosing copper gutters are based upon the fact that copper is one of only a handful of materials that are considered to be fully sustainable: only 12% of known copper reserves have ever been mined and most of what has been mined is still in use thanks to its longevity. Furthermore, it is estimated that of all the copper currently in use for architectural purposes, 55% is recycled.

The durability and longevity of copper guttering, which easily guarantees a lifespan of at least 100 years, removes the need for replacement. This lack of replacement in turn contributes to a reduction in demand for production of PVC guttering which is an environmentally damaging process.

If the environmental argument of eliminating PVC guttering production and sustainability isn’t enough to convince you and you’re asking yourself about the costs of copper guttering, fear not. Although on average copper gutter prices can be twice those of PVC guttering, plastic is only likely to last ten years. Even cast iron cannot beat copper in the price versus durability stakes; it’s typically twice the price of copper gutters but half as durable with an estimated life expectancy of fifty years. Those figures really speak for themselves.

The financial advantage to copper guttering is twofold: it is virtually maintenance free, saving repair bills. The only time maintenance may be required is if it becomes blocked with leaves, but this risk applies to all types of guttering. However, the risk of blockage is lower overall with copper thanks to its properties as an algaecide and fungicide, meaning it kills one of the greatest contributors to gutter blockages: moss.

Overall, the benefits of copper gutters are obvious and manifold. There is an advantage for everyone, take your pick: they’re environmentally friendly, they make great financial sense, they’re durable and they’re attractive.

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5May