How the Pavement Picasso does it

A time lapse video of Julian Beever creating the Aveeno Fountain of Youth chalk drawing in Union Square, NYC.

When is the best time to apply latex house paint?

Many times the question arises, "When is the best time to apply latex house paint?" Most paint can labels will say, "Above 50° F." and that's the only limitation. This is really an oversimplification -- however, can you imagine the effect if a paint label read:

"Apply only on properly prepared surface. Conditions should be 60° F. to 85° F., 40% to 60% relative humidity during the time of application and for a period of two weeks thereafter."

The above statement is outrageous, but it does outline ideal painting conditions. To insure a long life house paint job with latex requires common sense and a little cooperation from Mother Nature.

Basic Guidelines.

Time of Year: Late Spring or early Fall will afford the best results. Temperatures are mild. One has to watch the threat of rain or high evening humidity. Summer is also a good time to paint, but one should avoid painting when the thermometer goes over the 90° mark.

If at all possible, never use latex during "Indian Summer." Those days in the late fall are the worst time to paint. Any freeze-thaw cycles subjected to a latex paint film during its first two weeks of cure can conceivably shorten the life of the paint job.

In short, the latex house painting season starts after the last frost in the Spring and runs until about two weeks prior to the first expected frost in the Fall.

Time of Day: An early morning start never hurts, but a late finish and you are asking for trouble. Generally one should stop painting a couple of hours before sunset, especially during those days of spring and fall that are cool and humid. Glycol bleeding can result if conditions are just right.

Also, during the day, never paint in direct sunlight. Work opposite the sun.

Temperature/Humidity: Temperatures in the seventies are ideal. Above 85° F. latex tends to dry too quickly and may not properly wet out the surface. When temperatures drop below 60° F. latex curing is retarded, and below 40° F. coalescence is severely hampered. One should not paint if the temperatures may drop to 40° F., even 24 hours after application.

When humidity reaches above 70% the evaporation of water from the latex paint film is suppressed. Avoid painting on those days when humidity is excessively high.

Surface Preparation/Application: Surface preparation is critical when using latex paint. Surface must be free of dirt, mildew and chalk. Apply with a quality applicator to a dry film thickness of 3-4 mils.

Final Thought: One might think they would be better off using oil based paint. WRONG! Using good-painting practices, a latex paint job without a doubt will provide superior durability over an oil based finish.

What is the world's tallest building

It depends on who does the measuring! Skyscraper buffs disagree on whether features like flagpoles, antennas, and spires should be included when measuring building height.

Also under dispute is the question of what, exactly, constitutes a building. Technically, observation towers and communications towers are considered structures, not buildings, because they are not habitable. They do not have residential or office space.

Soaring 509 meters (1,670 feet), the Taipei 101 Tower in Taipei, Taiwan appears to be the world's tallest building. But the Taipei 101 Tower's massive 60-foot spire contributes to much of that height.

Before the Taipei 101 Tower was completed, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were described as the tallest buildings in the world. But, like the Taipei 101 Tower, the Petronas Towers get much of their height from spires, not from usable space.

If you count only habitable space and measure from the sidewalk level of the main entrance to the structural top of building (excluding flagpoles and spires), then Chicago's Sears Tower, built in 1974, may still be the tallest building in the world.

For awhile it was thought that New York's new World Trade Center skyscraper, Freedom Tower, would become the world's tallest building. But security concerns lead designers to scale down their plans. Freedom Tower will rise 541 meters (1,776 feet), but much of that height will be in it's needle-like spire. The structural height of Freedom Tower will be 417 meters (1,368 feet). Sears Tower in Chicago and the Jin Mao Building in Shanghai are taller. Also, even taller buildings are on the drawing board in Korea, Russia, and Dubai.

Now, supposing we included spires, flagpoles, and antennas when measuring building heights. In that case, it might not make sense to distinguish between buildings and towers when ranking building heights. If we rank all man-made structures, whether or not they contain habitable space, then the CN Tower in Canada is the world's tallest building. The communications tower and tourist attraction measures 553.33 meters (1,815 ft., 5 inches) tall.

(via About.com)

Close loopholes and see Indian real estate soar

Property developers in India, analysts agree, need to raise large sums of money to ease the shortage of everything from office towers, warehouses and shopping malls to apartments, multiplex cinemas and hotel rooms.

The financing itself shouldn't prove very difficult.

At $400 billion a year, domestic savings in India now represent a significant source of funds for any profitable enterprise, including construction. There's also ample interest globally, including from hedge funds and buyout specialists.

Lenders such as ICICI Bank Ltd. are seeking billions of dollars from investors in North America, Europe, Japan and the Middle East to invest in property projects in India.

Yet, Indian real estate can absorb a lot more capital than is currently flowing into it -- if only policy makers can fix a few basic loopholes in the laws governing property titles, taxation and creditor rights.

Failure by lawmakers and regulators to set clear rules on property rights and ownership will only widen the demand-supply gap that's pushing rents to an intolerably high level.

Office rents in Nariman Point, Mumbai's central-business district, rose 14 percent from the previous three months in the first quarter of 2008, Cushman & Wakefield Inc., a real-estate services firm, said recently in a research report.

At 550 rupees ($13) per square foot per month, Nariman Point is already as expensive as Singapore's financial district.

And even then, there's no shortage of demand: The average vacancy rate in Mumbai's central-business district was as low as 1 percent last quarter.

Bankruptcy Code

The shortage isn't limited to office space: Industrial property rents in Mumbai rose at the fastest pace in the world in 2007, New York-based Cushman said last month.

Among the bottlenecks affecting the flow of debt capital into Indian real estate is the absence of a good bankruptcy code.

A developer who takes a loan from a state-run bank would typically mortgage the property to the lender and agree to deposit part of the rents paid by tenants -- or a share of the purchase price paid by the buyers -- into a special account. The money held in escrow is to be used only to service the debt.

Such an arrangement, foolproof as it may appear, doesn't truly secure the interest of the lender. If the builder bungles an unrelated project and fails to meet its obligation to another creditor, the latter can get a court to appoint a liquidator who has the power to release the insolvent company from any onerous contracts. The liquidator may not exercise such a power to nullify an escrow, but the threat itself is a damper.

Stamp Duties

``It's conceivable that an escrow agreement may be set aside by the liquidator on the grounds that it is onerous,'' Moody's Investors Service and its Indian affiliate ICRA Ltd. noted in a joint study this month.

One way to give creditors greater comfort would be for the developer to sell the property that it wants financed to a special-purpose vehicle, which the liquidator can't touch even if the builder becomes insolvent. This presents another hurdle: very high stamp duties on property sales.

Stamp duties, a legacy of British rule, are a transaction tax. They vary from one Indian state to another and range from 3 percent to 15 percent of the property value.

Among other challenges, property titles in India aren't guaranteed and lenders face difficulties enforcing mortgages.

Banks in India have gained from a 2002 law that allows them quick possession of the asset in case the borrower fails to repay its loan; however, this fast-track route to debt recovery isn't open to mutual funds and insurance companies, which have to go through the normal, lengthy judicial process to get any of their capital back, the Moody's/ICRA report said.

Diversified Investor Base

This narrows the potential investor base for mortgage-based debt securities.

Only a diversified group of investors can meet the financing requirement of the real-estate industry.

After growing rapidly in the past few years, bank financing of property projects has hit a plateau, thanks to the monetary authority's efforts to rein in credit growth.

Real-estate loans by Indian banks amounted to 539 billion rupees on Feb. 15, a 27 percent increase from a year earlier.

This represents a marked slowdown from the 79 percent annual pace at which bank loans to property companies grew in February 2007.

The property stock in India is too small and too dilapidated to serve the demands of a rapidly modernizing economy.

Developers need access to stable, long-term financing from a variety of sources, including real-estate investment trusts. This will lead to judicious risk-sharing. Transparency in funding will eventually reduce the scope for bribery and corruption, which are endemic to the real-industry industry. Fixing the legal loopholes will be the quickest way to reach both these goals.

(Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg News columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.)

Best places to find color inspiration

Designer David Bromstad shares some of his favorite places to go for color inspiration, which can sometimes be the most unexpected and unusual places.

Get Outside
Nature is the most amazing place for color inspiration, since each season offers different and amazing color combinations. The warmth of the summer and fall, the cool colors of winter and the fresh hues of spring are the perfect examples of Mother Nature's work. Color doesn't just exist in the growth of nature, but in every aspect. A stormy sky against fall leaves is unbelievable, while a yellow rain jacket on a gray, rainy day is the perfect color combination for spring.

Go Shopping
Take a look at the fresh produce aisles at your grocery store. Nature went crazy with the most amazing and vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables. Grab a few of your favorite shades and see how you can make them work together in your home.

When walking through the mall, take note of the clothes on the racks. Also, pay attention to the interiors of the actual stores and the color choices they used to create their atmosphere.

Don't forget to check out your favorite home stores. Vases, dishware, rugs, pillows and artwork are huge sources of color information.

Read the Fine Print
My greatest color inspiration comes from fashion and magazines. First, it's the best way to stay on top of color trends and styles, since fashion is always the forefront of what then comes into interiors. If you see interesting color combinations on the runway or in a European magazine, they're sure to be in your favorite home store in the near future.

Read more

Muto, a wall-painted animation

The new short film by Blu: an ambiguous animation painted on public walls.
Made in Buenos Aires and in Baden. Simply amazing!

What makes a building green

Below is a sampling of green building practices.

Siting

• Start by selecting a site well suited to take advantage of mass transit.
• Protect and retain existing landscaping and natural features. Select plants that have low water and pesticide needs, and generate minimum plant trimmings. Use compost and mulches. This will save water and time.
• Recycled content paving materials, furnishings, and mulches help close the recycling loop.

Energy Efficiency

Most buildings can reach energy efficiency levels far beyond California Title 24 standards, yet most only strive to meet the standard. It is reasonable to strive for 40 percent less energy than Title 24 standards. The following strategies contribute to this goal.

• Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance. These measures include building shape and orientation, passive solar design, and the use of natural lighting.
• Develop strategies to provide natural lighting. Studies have shown that it has a positive impact on productivity and well being.
• Install high-efficiency lighting systems with advanced lighting controls. Include motion sensors tied to dimmable lighting controls. Task lighting reduces general overhead light levels.
• Use a properly sized and energy-efficient heat/cooling system in conjunction with a thermally efficient building shell. Maximize light colors for roofing and wall finish materials; install high R-value wall and ceiling insulation; and use minimal glass on east and west exposures.
• Minimize the electric loads from lighting, equipment, and appliances.
• Consider alternative energy sources such as photovoltaics and fuel cells that are now available in new products and applications. Renewable energy sources provide a great symbol of emerging technologies for the future.
• Computer modeling is an extremely useful tool in optimizing design of electrical and mechanical systems and the building shell.

Materials Efficiency

• Select sustainable construction materials and products by evaluating several characteristics such as reused and recycled content, zero or low off gassing of harmful air emissions, zero or low toxicity, sustainably harvested materials, high recyclability, durability, longevity, and local production. Such products promote resource conservation and efficiency. Using recycled-content products also helps develop markets for recycled materials that are being diverted from California's landfills, as mandated by the Integrated Waste Management Act.
• Use dimensional planning and other material efficiency strategies. These strategies reduce the amount of building materials needed and cut construction costs. For example, design rooms on 4-foot multiples to conform to standard-sized wallboard and plywood sheets.
• Reuse and recycle construction and demolition materials. For example, using inert demolition materials as a base course for a parking lot keeps materials out of landfills and costs less.
• Require plans for managing materials through deconstruction, demolition, and construction.
• Design with adequate space to facilitate recycling collection and to incorporate a solid waste management program that prevents waste generation.

Water Efficiency

• Design for dual plumbing to use recycled water for toilet flushing or a gray water system that recovers rainwater or other nonpotable water for site irrigation.
• Minimize wastewater by using ultra low-flush toilets, low-flow shower heads, and other water conserving fixtures.
• Use recirculating systems for centralized hot water distribution.
• Install point-of-use hot water heating systems for more distant locations.
• Use a water budget approach that schedules irrigation using the California Irrigation Management Information System data for landscaping.
• Meter the landscape separately from buildings. Use micro-irrigation (which excludes sprinklers and high-pressure sprayers) to supply water in nonturf areas.
• Use state-of-the-art irrigation controllers and self-closing nozzles on hoses.

(via CIWMB)

Vandals damage Stonehenge

Vandals used a hammer and screwdriver to vandalise the Stonehenge ancient monument, the first such incident for decades, officials said Thursday.

The night-time attack by two men last week involved the central megalith in the 5,000-year-old ring of standing stones, with English Heritage saying the vandals could have been looking for a souvenir.

A chip of stone about the size of a large coin was removed, while a 2.5-inch long scratch was left on the Heel Stone, at the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, near Salisbury.

"Thanks to the vigilance and quick action of the security team at Stonehenge, very minimal damage was caused," said a spokeswoman for English Heritage.

"A tiny chip was taken from the north side of the Heel Stone with a screwdriver and hammer, but as soon as the two men were spotted by security guards they escaped over the fence and drove off.

"This is now a matter for the police," she added.

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire Police said: "Two male offenders were seen disturbing the monument with a hammer and screwdriver... It is believed they could be two men seen acting suspiciously on a previous occasion."

Stonehenge is one of the world's best preserved prehistic monuments. In around 2,600 BC, 80 giant standing stones were arranged on Salisbury Plain, where there was already a 400-year-old stone circle.

Around two centuries later, even bigger stones were brought to the plain.

Today, only 40 percent of the originals remain. But around 850,000 visitors per year come to marvel at the 17 stones which are still intact.

The biggest stones came from a quarry some 18 miles away, while some of the others come from a range of hills in south-west Wales -- a 150 mile journey.

(via Yahoo News)

Where lead is found

In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint.

• Paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The US federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found:
• In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
• In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
• Inside and outside of the house.


• In soil around a home. Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint, or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars, and children playing in yards can ingest or inhale lead dust.



• Household dust. Dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.



• Drinking water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it:
• Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.
• Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.


• The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family's clothes.



• Old painted toys and furniture.



• Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain. Food can become contaminated because lead can leach in from these containers.



• Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.



• Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.



• Folk remedies that contain lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon" used to treat an upset stomach.

India's Thar desert growing fast

Northwestern India's Thar Desert is expanding in both east and northeast directions, scientists say, and warn that desertification is becoming a more serious challenge to the country. "Projections indicate significant increase in the desert area over India in the next 100 years," said scientists P. Goswami and K.V. Ramesh of the Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation here, a centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Their findings were published in the 'Current Science' journal, founded in 1932 and brought out in collaboration with the Indian Academy of Sciences. Goswami and Ramesh said efforts had been made to choose a reliable projection "which shows a sharp increase in the size of the Indian desert in the next hundred years". Rainfall patterns had also been studied for this purpose. The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large, arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. It has an area of more than 200,000 sq. km., and currently is the world's seventh largest desert. It lies mostly in the state of Rajasthan, and extends into the southern portion of Haryana and Punjab states and into northern Gujarat state. In Pakistan, the desert covers eastern Sind province and the southeastern portion of Pakistan's Punjab province. The Cholistan Desert adjoins the Thar desert spreading into Pakistani Punjab. The Thar Desert is bounded on the northwest by the Sutlej River, on the east by the Aravalli Range, on the south by the salt marsh known as the Rann of Kutch (parts of which are sometimes included in the Thar), and on the west by the Indus River. Its boundary in the north is ill defined. So the size of the Thar desert varies widely, depending on which areas are included. (via Economic Times)

How to choose the right primer

Before you use any primer, properly clean the surface.

• New wood - If your wood isn't seriously stained, use a high-quality latex primer or an oil-based primer. If you have wood that is stained or you are painting redwood or cedar, use a stain-blocking primer.
  
  
• Painted wood - If your paint is in very good condition, a primer may not be needed. However, if you have exposed wood, chalking or chipped paint, use an oil-based primer. Before you prime, scrape away as much chipped paint as possible and wash off any chalk. (Just because you are using a primer doesn't mean you get to skip surface preparation.)
  
  
• Weathered wood - Use a high-quality latex or oil-based primer. Sand and scrape away as much paint as possible. When you start to see new wood fibers, start priming.
  
  
• Masonry block - Fill a fresh surface with block filler before painting. If repainting, scrape off any loose or peeling paint and cover with latex paint. Use a block filler only if the paint has been completely scraped off.
  
  
• Aluminum and galvanized steel - If your surface is rusty, remove the rust and apply a latex or oil-based, corrosion-resistant primer. If the surface is new and rust-free, you can apply a high-quality latex paint and no primer.
  
  
• Drywall - Use a latex primer. Don't use an oil-based primer unless you are putting up wallpaper or covering a stain. Oil-based primers raise the grain of the drywall and make the finish look uneven.
  
  
• Stains - Crayons, water, smoke and grease can bleed through the topcoat. Prime these areas with a stain-blocking or stain-killing primer. Oil-based stain killers work the best on water stains and for spot priming. Latex stain-blocking primers work better on large areas and hold up better on exterior surfaces. Pigmented shellac primer works well to block smoke and soot damage as well as to block animal urine smells.
  
  
• Shiny surfaces - Bonding primers will stick to glass, tile, formica and previously painted surfaces. Use bonding primers for interior surfaces only. They tend to crack when exposed to the elements because they aren't flexible.

Architect's dream

The towers of two crumbling Hindu temples look down on the Valley of Chandigarh, on its scattered mango farms, its monkeys, deer and wild pigs, its blue jays and peacocks. For weeks now the jays have been screaming and the monkeys chattering because a group of Indian engineers have invaded their valley. The engineers are looking for well sites; they are going to build a city in the Valley of Chandigarh.

The Punjab was split when India was partitioned in 1947 and the ancient Punjab Capital, Lahore, went to Pakistan. The Indian province decided to build an entirely new city for its capital. Such planned capitals are rare. Peter the Great built St. Petersburg on piles in uninhabited marshes; Major Pierre Charles l'Enfant designed Washington for the Potomac swamps, and a U.S. architect, Walter Burley Griffin, drew up the plans for Australia's Canberra, which replaced a sheep station in a wide, shallow river valley.

Unfettered. To plan the new city, Indian officials picked Albert Mayer, 52, a Manhattan architect. During World War II, when he was stationed in India as a lieutenant colonel of Army engineers, Mayer went out of his way to get to know some of the problems of India, and its people, including Jawaharlal Nehru, now Prime Minister.

When the Punjab hired Mayer, Nehru said: "Let this be a new town symbolic of the freedom of India, unfettered with the traditions of the past." Designer Mayer was delighted with the prospect. Said he: "To a planner it is tremendously exciting. We start with just a blank sheet of paper and do as wonderfully or as badly as we can. It is an architect's dream."

Mayer first consulted microclimatologists, who study climate in specific areas; with their help he hopes to achieve what Major l'Enfant failed to accomplish in Washington—an arrangement of buildings that will catch any stray breeze.

Mayer's Punjab city plan is composed of units called superblocks. Each superblock covers a rectangle approximately 1,000 yards long and 500 yards wide. A superblock is designed to house 5,000 people, includes a central area with elementary schools, playgrounds and parks, and a shopping center.

Three superblocks make up a district, with the high schools, swimming pool and auditorium for the district in the center superblock. Only footpaths, bicycle and bullock-cart paths cross the superblocks: all bus, truck and automobile traffic goes around them; for direct traffic to the capitol from outside the city, two wide highways, called greenways, run from end to end of the city. A rivulet running through the valley will be dammed at one end for a lake which will reflect the capitol buildings. The city will start with a population of 150,000, can be expanded to 500,000.

Read more.

How to unclog a sink

There are two basic types of plungers, the cup plunger and the flange plunger. For working in sinks, lavatories and tubs you want to use the cup plunger. The flange plunger is specially shaped for toilet use. Also, for sanitary reasons you don't want to mix the two.

• First, if this is a lavatory sink, seal the sink overflow outlet found at the top of the sink bowl. Use a piece of duct tape or a wet rag or washcloth stuffed into the holes. NOTE: If you have just tried the boiling water approach you may have to add some cold water to cool the water in the sink down because the very hot water now in the sink may condensate on the porcelain around the overflow, preventing the duct tape from sticking until the porcelain cools off.
• If a kitchen sink or similar, remove the basket strainer.
• If a lavatory sink, remove the drain stopper from the sink. Try lifting it out or turning and lifting.
• Fill the sink bowl halfway with water.
• Place the cup plunger over the drain hole and make sure it has a good seal against the sink surface.
• Using quick, sharp plunges, attempt to clear the obstruction with the plunger and check for drainage.
• Once cleared, remove the overflow outlet seal and replace the drain stopper or sink basket.
• If the clog did not clear, proceed to the next step.

(via About.com)

Energy-saving tips for your home

Lower your utility bills and be kind to the environment. Learn how to use less energy around your home.

Talent shortage may stunt greenbuilding movement's growth

As the green building movement in India gathers steam with growing numbers of real-estate developers adopting eco-friendly construction methods, it is trying to overcome a huge shortage in green-friendly industry professionals.

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) - the nodal body for eco-friendly construction - has some 190 buildings registered with it for certification and is drawing up plans to try and overcome the shortage, said Dr Prem C Jain, the Council's Chairman, speaking at a seminar on 'Green Buildings in India: challenges ahead', organised by Zicom-CNA Automation Ltd and The Economic Times.

To start with, the Council proposes to train a team of architects from each real estate firm in eco-friendly design and construction. The council is also working with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to introduce specialised green-building courses in schools of architecture. The session was moderated by Ashish Rakheja, president, ISHRAE and director of Spectral Services, who managed to extract insightful responses from all the esteemed panelists.

"Traditionally, Indians are known to be green in their construction practices, using materials that were locally available. But then we began aping the West and now use more steel, glass and concrete than required. Training professionals in ecofriendly construction methods is not difficult. Reducing our dependency on man-made materials like steel, cement and glass is the key to eco-friendly development," said Sheetal Rakheja, a leading architect and green building consultant.

Green buildings, being fundamentally different in design, would take longer to conceptualise, argue many developers. According to Pankaj Dharkar of Pankaj Dharkar & Associates, an architectural consultancy, the country needs a number of experienced architects to understand the various architectural elements and nuances of energy modelling associated with green buildings.

"In Mumbai, for instance, there are close to 70 constructed green buildings but there is no specialised agency to carry out energy modelling. As such the design phase for a green building tends to stretch for a longer duration," he said. Lui Wing Sin, the general manager of GETC Asia, a subsidiary of Singapore-based building automation solutions major CNA Group, said that while there is a need for more trained green-friendly architects, there should also be incentives for green-building professionals.

"When you appoint consultants, tell them that you will offer a bonus if the building performs better than what was projected in terms of energy saved or better water management. Incentives will help our cause in the long run.”

Mr Sin observed that the initial response to the green building movement in Singapore was not very good but people have now come to realise that they stand to gain from improved indoor air quality and the reduction in their energy bills. "Then there is also fact that you are showing some environmental responsibility. So when a number of people build green buildings, those who don't tend to stand out."

Read more

When painting, watch the temparature

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow cooler, you may suddenly realize that you only have a few weeks left to finish your exterior painting projects. However, beware of painting outdoors when the weather turns nippy. Painting when the weather is too cold is a mistake that will leave you with unsightly consequences.

Most manufacturers instruct homeowners to apply solvent-based paint when ambient and surface temperatures are above 45 degrees F and latex paints when ambient and surface temperatures are at least 50 degrees.

Solvent-based paints thicken in lower temperatures, causing stiffer brushing, heavier application and slower drying. This can mean paint runs, sags and wrinkling on vertical surfaces, plus an overall reduced rate of coverage per gallon.

Below 50 degrees, latex paints dry more slowly, especially when high humidity is present. This hinders coalescence, which can lead to poor film-forming, lack of surface adhesion and premature paint failure.

Some manufacturers offer latex paints that can be applied at temperatures as low as 36 degrees F. These specially formulated products contain coalescing agents that aid in film-forming during lower temperatures. Check with your local independent paint retailer for information about these products.

Another thing to consider about seasonal painting is the amount of daylight. When the days are short, there is less daylight available to aid in drying. If you're using a solvent-based paint, which dries by oxidation, daylight is especially critical. So, be sure to paint early in the day so that light is present to add in the drying process.

Also consider the effect of heavy dew. Humidity affects the drying time of all paints, but especially latexes. Most manufacturers recommend that at least two hours be allowed for paint to dry before sunset if cool temperatures and heavy dew are expected that evening.

Finally, keep in mind that cooler temperatures may extend the time before the paint reaches serviceability or hardness. An enameled door requires more time before it can be closed without sticking to the jamb. A clear coating applied to a deck will need more time before you can walk on it. Primers require more time before top-coating. Knowing all of this may aid you as you go about your painting chores in the spring or in the fall.

When in doubt, remember to call your local paint and decorating retailer for advice and assistance.

(via pdra.org)

Type of paint chemicals and the purpose they serve

Brush and Roller Cleaner

• Restores hard brushes and washes away oil and latex paints as well as varnish.
• Reduces cleaning effort and helps applicators last longer.
• Most formulations will not harm either natural or nylon bristle brushes, but they can harm synthetic bristles. Synthetic brushes should be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.
• Safer to use and less odor than paint thinner.
• Can also be used to remove paint from hands.

Mineral Spirits

• Also known as paint thinner.
• A petroleum distillate solvent frequently used in the manufacturing and thinning of oil-based paints.
• Odorless mineral spirits have been refined to remove some odorous components.
• Excellent paint thinner and for cleaning brushes or rollers after painting.

Turpentine

• Has greater solvency than mineral spirits, causing it to work more quickly.
• It also has a stronger odor and contains a small amount of resin

Alcohol

• Is available in denatured, wood isopropyl or methanol form.
• Wood and methanol alcohols are extremely toxic and should not be recommended for do-it-yourselfers.
• Denatured alcohol, a safer substance, is used for thinning and for cleaning shellac and pigmented shellac primer.
• Alcohol is excellent for removing grease and oil spots, fingerprints and other smudges.

Lacquer Thinner

• Is available in many grades and degrees of solvency and in several speeds of evaporation.
• An excellent cleaner for brushes and spray guns where lacquer has been used.
• Since it leaves no residue, lacquer thinner does not require cleaned brushes to be washed with soap and water.
• Highly flammable solvent that should be used with extreme caution.

Paint and Varnish Removers

• Are formulated to dissolve or soften old finishes for easy removal on metal, masonry, wood and fiberglass surfaces.
• Available in gel, semi-paste, aerosol and spray-on formulas.
• Some formulations contain methylene chloride as the primary solvent, but due to health concerns, “safe” non-meth strippers are available that are non toxic and non flammable.
• While non-meth strippers are safer to use, they take longer to act and are more expensive than their meth counterparts. However, they stay active longer, which means they can remove more paint layers in a single application.
• Some strippers change color to signal completion of the process, and some removers are formulated so that no after wash or neutralizing is required.

Deglosser

• Prepares surfaces before painting and assists paint and varnish in bonding to old finishes.
• Available in water- or solvent-based formulations.
• Concrete Cleaner is specifically designed to clean and degrease concrete and masonry surfaces and to prepare concrete basement floors to be painted.

Degreaser

• Is available in solid, liquid and aerosol form.
• Used to remove dirt, oil and grease from basement and garage floors, driveways, patios and sidewalks.
• Some formulations are made for concrete only and should not be used on blacktop surfaces.

Rust Remover

• Cuts through and dissolves rust from metal surfaces to form a metal shield that can be painted.
• In jellied form, it clings well to vertical surfaces.
• When brushed on, the rust dissolves quickly.
• These products are extremely harsh on the skin; protective gloves should be worn.
• The solution is applied with a stiff brush or aerosol spray and allowed to dry for 12 to 24 hours, depending on humidity (check manufacturer labeling and literature).

Wallpaper Removers

• A liquid spray-on solution that uses enzymes to break down the paste and destroy its adhesive strength.
• Also available in a water-based gel formulations that can be applied with a brush or roller.

Acetone

• Fast acting thinner, cleaner and remover for resins, inks, adhesives and contact cement.
• Also used for thinning and cleaning fiberglass.
• A heavy degreaser, it can be used as a metal cleaner prior to painting.

Methyl Ethyl Ketone

• Fast evaporating clear, colorless solvent.
• Has solvent characteristics and strengths similar to acetone but is water soluble.
• Primarily used to thin lacquers and vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride copolymers.

Toluene

• High solvency thinner for oil based paint, lacquers, varnish and adhesives.
• Also used to thin certain primers and topcoats.
• Soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water.
• Dries quickly.
• Also used to clean tools and equipment.

Naphtha (VM & P)

• Fast evaporating, clear, colorless solvent.
• Used primarily to thin oil paints, varnishes and enamels for spray applications where mineral spirits drying time is too slow.

Xylol (Xylene)

• Medium evaporating, clear, colorless aromatic hydrocarbon solvent for thinning varnishes and rubber.

(via NRHA.org)

Feng Shui use of the color white

The Feng Shui Color of Purity and Innocence, White is also considered one of the supreme colors in Yogi traditions. My first Yoga teacher used to say that this is the color of Completion, Ultimate Wisdom and Assimilation of all Life Lessons. Be it in the fresh snow or in the immaculate dress of a beautiful bride, pure White Color fascinates us with its feng shui energy of Innocence and Tranquility.

Feng shui-wise, White is the color that belongs to the feng shui element of Metal. Its feng shui energy is crisp, clear, clean and fresh. White is the color of beginnings, as well as clear endings.

Excellent for feng shui use anywhere in your home, especially to contrast brighter colors; White Color is highly recommended for the feng shui areas where Metal is the dominant element, such as West and Northwest (according to the Ba-Gua.)

Try to limit an all-White scheme in the feng shui areas of East and Southeast, and bring it more as an accent, rather than a dominant color.

Having a fresh, White space - be it your meditation room or your bathroom - will soothe your psyche and spread healing feng shui vibrations throughout your home.

It will also fill your subconscious with the feng shui energy of ever-expanding possibilities and a bright new future.

(via About.com)

How to choose exterior paint colors

Is it time to update the look of your home's exterior with a new paint job? Get the scoop on all the details you should consider when painting your house.

How to choose the right finish

Even after a homeowner has chosen the perfect color for a room, there's another very important decision to make. With 5 or 6 paint finishes to choose from, you should learn the benefits of each and determine the right one for your job. Should you use flat or satin and why? Browse these tips on selecting the perfect paint finishes for your interior home applications.

Matte Finish
Whether called flat finish or wall paint, this type of interior paint has a matte surface. This paint finish is usually used on interior walls. It's expecially good if you have to camouflage small wall bumps, cracks, or other imperfections, as this finish does not reflect light. While some flat paints are advertised as washable today, you may need to touch up scratches or marks by covering with a bit more paint, so be sure you keep some on hand after you've finished painting.

Flat Enamel
Flat enamel is a paint with a durable flat, matte finish. It's a good choice for powder rooms and halls, as it holds up to occasional cleaning.

Eggshell Finish
If you can picture the very low sheen of the shell of an egg, you have an idea of how an eggshell paint finish will appear. With only a slight hint of shine or gloss, it's good for walls and holds up better with cleaning than a flat finish paint.

Satin Finish
Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. It is most often used for windows, doors, trim, or ceilings, but can also be used as wall paint. This is particularly suitable for kids' room walls, kitchens, or bathrooms, or in areas which get a lot of traffic. Paint with a satin finish is formulated to hold up to cleaning and light scrubbing.

Semi-Gloss
Semi-gloss paint is most often used on doors, trim, and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms. It is easily cleaned and lays down a nice, subtle shine, without being too glitzy. Take care with pre-paint preparation work, as poorly prepared surfaces can be a bit distracting when highlighted by a semi-gloss surface.

Glossy
High gloss paints have an almost reflective quality, as their shiny finish mimics the look of enamel or plastic. Though not widely used in home interiors, it is becoming more popular for a dramatic look on cabinets, trim, and furniture in very formal and very contemporary settings. This finish will magnify any surface imperfections, so careful preparation and sanding is essential before painting with high gloss paints.

Read more.

Things to consider before investing in real estate

Real estate has always been seen as a potential gold mine for investors, not only in the country, but all around the world. Taking aside the odd sub-prime market crash or two, real estate is by far the safest option to invest your money where you are assured of a profitable return, the scale of which may vary on your timing. However, in this sector, investments are usually very heavy, and it was often seen that only the filthy rich could afford to invest in property and constantly replenish their overstuffed bank accounts.

But now, the past few years have seen the rise of middle class investors as a major part of the real estate market. Awareness created by various media have cemented this psyche into their minds that even if they have to cut down on their costs today, it would ultimately lead to gains of mammoth proportions.

Hence, here we are, witnessing a flurry of constructions going on and many middle class families owning two residential properties on an average in metros. While this is all good for raising the overall standard of living of the quintessential Indian, there are a few points that should be taken care of before deciding to invest in real estate. Often, the flat or plot you purchase would come with a lot of, let’s say, fringe costs.

Taxation

There are two categories in this regard: wealth tax and income tax. Wealth tax is charged when you own more than one residential property. Mainly, it is when your net wealth crosses Rs. 15 Lacs, and applies to cars, jewellery, and many other assets.

Apart from that, you have to pay income tax over the potential rent that your residential property is expected to bring in, even if it is not rented out. This potential rent is decided by authorities, and is based on your property’s annual value.

The flipside is that it would allow for tax savings due to the government’s tax policy which exempts housing loan amount from the taxable income slab upto Rs. 1.5 lac. It might increase your take-home pay, but would further burden you with your cash outflow by the means of EMIs. The best option in this regards would hence be to take the minimum amount possible and to pay it off as soon as possible.

Leverage

Leveraging refers to borrowing money to make an investment, and affects the expected returns on your investments quite significantly. Suppose you bought a home at an interest rate of 10%, and the value of the property goes up by 50%, your returns would be 40% only, after deducting the interest charged. To further up the ante, if, by a stroke of bad luck, real estate prices fell by 10%, you would be burdened by a further 10% to take you 20% lower on the investment scale. Hence, the main focus should be to pay off the loan by the earliest.

Liquidity

Another important point in this regard is the liquidity issue. While you may own a plush 3BHK apartment in the suburbs worth Rs. 80 lacs, it is of no value if it does not get a buyer who is ready to pay that kind of money. Keeping this thing in mind always helps, since real estate does not come under your disposable income, but is instead a means for future security

In the end, it all boils down to this. Investing in real estate is a good decision if you have your financial strategy planned out, which includes all the points mentioned above. It is true that real estate most certainly helps in getting better returns, but also results in heavy initial investments. Hence, proper planning is most essential.

(via paisawaisa.com)

Scrubbable, easy-cleaning wall paints

Q The walls of our kids’ playroom are beginning to look shabby from repeated cleaning. So it’s time to repaint. Is there an easy-to-clean but more durable wall paint I can use?

Dawn Wiley, New Brighton, MN

A You have several choices, but none is perfect. While almost every wall paint is washable , the smoother the finish, the easier the cleaning. The technical term paint companies use for surface smoothness is “sheen.” The typical progression, from roughest to smoothest, is flat, matte, satin, eggshell, semigloss and gloss.

Chances are that most of the rooms in your home are painted with flat paint, which has the roughest surface. Flat paint is popular because it makes walls look their best: Color looks rich, the texture looks velvety, and even somewhat imperfect walls appear smooth. However, washing or scrubbing them tends to burnish (shine) the texture and mar the appearance.

Gloss and semigloss paints are smoother and easier to clean. Painters often use semigloss in kitchens and bathrooms where grease and hairspray tend to collect on walls. But they also have drawbacks. The shine tends to make the wall color dull and flat, compared with the richer appearance of flat and satin sheens. And worse, the shine on a wall magnifies every bump, scuff and dent. And if you have to scrub an area several times, you’ll dull the gloss and that’ll show up too.

We recommend that you try eggshell, a compromise sheen somewhere between flat and gloss. It’s flat enough to have nice color, it’s smooth enough to clean fairly easily, and its sheen still hides wall flaws and the mild abrasion of cleaning.

However, often the paint sheen matters less than the type of mark on your wall (see photo). Some types of markers won’t come off any sheen. So make sure those permanent markers, erasable markers, mustard (unless you have a yellow wall!), and other permanent-staining materials don’t stray into your kids’ playroom!

(via rd.com)

Zero rentals a hit in Mumbai suburbs

Zero rentals for residential flats is fast gaining popularity in the extended suburbs of Vasai-Virar. But there’s a catch. Pay a heavy deposit, which is returned when the leave-and-licence agreement comes to an end — provided the house is returned to the owner in its original condition.

Owners are encouraging zero rentals in return for "heavy deposits" to the tune of Rs 2 to Rs 5 lakh so that they get back their flats in proper condition when the tenants leave.

A proper leave-and-licence agreement is drawn up and both the owner and the tenant do not need to contact each other until the agreement ends.

"Each time a tenant vacates (a flat), we have to spend a bomb on repairs. New tenants always insist on basic maintenance of the house. At times, the electricity bills are also kept pending. A deposit of mere Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 does no good," said Ashok Shelat, a Vasai resident who rented out his apartment for a deposit of Rs 3 lakh.

People looking for accommodation are increasingly getting attracted to the zero rent scheme. A jeweller in Nala Sopara paid Rs 1.5 lakh as deposit for a 1-bedroom-hall apartment. The jeweller will occupy the flat and use the furniture for a period of 11 months, after which the cash will be returned.

Says the jeweller, "I had the cash. By doing so, I saved the headache of paying rent every month and I am also happy that when the agreement expires, I will get back my entire money."

Real estate agents say that while tenants find the zero rental scheme attractive, they also take good care of the flats to avoid deductions in the deposit amount. Flat owners also find it more lucrative to reinvest the lumpsum deposit than collect a monthly rent, which is usually spent immediately.

"Rentals in this area range from around Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 and the deposits are between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000. A big cash deposit is re-invested far more wisely," said Kishore Pandey, a Virar-based real estate broker.

Estate agents say owners, too, prefer taking the cash in advance and then forgetting about the tenants for a year. "In case of heavy deposits, the flat owner does not mind renting out the accommodation for more than a year to the same party," said Sridhar Shetty, a real estate broker from Vasai.

Tenants, especially newly-weds and those with transferable jobs, are opting for the zero rent schemes.

"As we got a flat along with furniture, we could not resist (the offer). Though the owner wanted Rs 2.5 lakh as deposit, the zero rental scheme was attractive. So, we put together our savings and made the agreement," said Mukul Ankleswar, who got an apartment on zero rental basis in Evershine Nagar, Vasai (W).

(via Times of India.)

Snowcem launches three new productts

Snowcem Paints, the leading manufacturer of quality exterior paints have launched three new liquid paints in addition to Uni- Glosss, Snowcryl XT, Sandtex Matt and Trump to cater to the varied needs of its customers across the country.

SnowDecor (Protective Texture Wall Finish) Snowcryl (100% Acrylic Weather Proof Exterior Emulsion), and Allrounder (Exterior/Interior Acrylic Emulsion Paint) are the latest additions to the rich product suite that the company has been marketing over the years. Snowcem paints are made using technically advanced systems and the finest of finest raw materials.

The company believes in technology that is Environment Friendly. Sandtex Matt WAS THE FIRST water based exterior paint introduced in 1973. Snowcem paints are lead free, adhering to VOC norms to make not just 'green paints' but paints that are long lasting, protective and economical. THE PAINTS PASS ASTM-D-2369 STANDARD FOR LOW VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND ( VOC)

All Snowcem products meet and exceed the paint standards set THE ENERGY AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE (TERI).

According to Mr Prakash Nagori, advisor to the board of directors, “we are working towards meeting the changing needs of customers and the latest additions to our product category are based on the customer feedback. With a strong brand loyalty, Snowcem has further expanded its marketing and distribution network with a view to streamline the delivery process thus making our paints available quickly and at all times”. Besides 50 point of sales depots, Snowcem has a strong dealership network of 2000 spread across the country.

With real estate and construction industry witnessing rapid growth over the last three years, the demand for exterior paints too has seen a sharp uptrend. With an excellent track record of supplying lasting and environment-friendly paint, Snowcem has been able to service the current boom and come out with products that suit the varied needs of its vast customer base, said Mr Nagori.

The company is among one of the first to introduce ‘Spectro Photo Meter ’ technology at the distribution point under which the customers would be able to quickly match any colours and shades of their choice, Mr Nagori added.

With more and more customers desiring to have their buildings and homes built according to the ‘Vaastu’ principals, Snowcem Paint has just introduced a new range of Vaastu colours for Karnataka and Kerala

The company, that has been a major user of water based paints since 1973, believes in technology that is Environment Friendly. Snowcem paints are lead free, adhering to VOC norms to make not just 'green paints' but paints that are long lasting and economical. All Snowcem products are as per the standards set by Bureau of Indian Standards and by THE ENERGY AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE (TERI).

About Snowcem Paints

Snowcem brand is the first choice for consumers and painters for over 50 years.
This internationally renowned brand launched in Mumbai in 1959 in collaboration with George Lillington (UK), making high quality cement paints meeting the specific needs of the vast majority of Indians.

Snowcem is a durable, economic and beautiful protection, Snowcem pioneered and propagated the concept of high performance liquid paints for exteriors in India – SANDTEX MATT launched in the year 1970. Snowcem paints and products have an eco- friendly attitude, Snowcem introduced water based liquid paints as early as 1975.

Internationally recognized brand Snowcem stepped in India during 1959, with a premium cement paint. Between 1963 and 1969, more speciality products, namely IMPERMO, HARDCRETE, CEMPROVER, CEMIX, SNOWFILLA and SNOWSOL were successfully introduced.

In 1970's SANDTEX MATT a prime exterior liquid coating in Europe was launched which met with unprecedented success.

Two new products were launched in 1997 - Premium quality Snowcryl XT, a pure acrylic base smooth exterior finish and IMPERMO, integral cement water proofing compound, in liquid form.

1999 three new products were introduced: UNI-GLOSSS a multi-surface paint system, TRUMP a smooth exterior emulsion paint and SNOWPLAST an acrylic finishing plaster for interiors.

During last few years many new economy products such as ALLROUNDER, CEMCOLOUR and BIO-WASH have been introduced. The company has recently launched SnowDecor, a complete range of texture finish products in the market.

When and why is a primer important?

In general priming is essential when:

The surface is porous in any way
The surface has never been painted before
The surface contains substances which can bleed through (eg dirt, water and tobacco stains, tannins in wood such as mahogany)

Priming has an important role; it blocks out staining materials from the surface being painted, it provides a good base for a uniform topcoat appearance and ensures maximum adhesion to the surface being painted. Primers can be solvent-based or water-based.