interior

Interior Construction- Things To Consider To Prevent Rotting

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Damp, mould, condensation and wood rot are all common occurrences in homes and can arise for several different reasons. This may be due to poor build quality, lack of building maintenance or the deterioration of building fabric. Reasons that may cause these problems could be from leaking pipes, damaged window frames or even damaged drainage all of which should not be overlooked.

If you have a cellar or basement damp, mould and wood rot can affect the whole room as these rooms were never designed for modern living. Cellar and basements can quite commonly suffer from severe rising damp and even flooding which means they are never used to their full potential, companies like Kenwood can provide cellar tanking which enable basements and cellars to be transformed into a suitable damp and rot free living space.

Waterproofing Cellars

Although you may not need to convert your cellar into a living space you will still need it to be waterproof in order to prevent any damages such as mould, rotting and damp that can occur. Waterproofing can also increase the value to your home and open up options in the future for you or other potential buyers. If your cellar or basement has correct treatment in place it can be used as an effective storage area and even be transformed into another room.

As cellars and basement are typically below ground level and the earth surrounding the rooms act as a route for water to enter through the walls, and in order to prevent this from happening, the walls must be fully waterproofed and secure. There are several ways in which this can be done but you will need the help of a professional. By sealing the walls using a surface coating known as wet cellar tanking or a membrane system it will allow for your cellar to be protected.

Tanking Systems

Tanking systems are one of the most popular methods to ensure your basement or cellar is waterproof. They work by applying a waterproof coating directly to the inside of the porous cellar walls to prevent any moisture from seeping in. This system however does not remove the water but simply creates a barrier between the two. In order for this system to be effective the walls that the tanking is being applied must provide a good base coat. Before the tanking system is applied they require the brickwork of the house to be stable due to the fact that tanked walls need to resist water pressure that will build up over time. If you home is an older build the walls will need to be prepared and it can be rather time consuming. If there are weaker points in the structure typically in the walls or floor, attention will have to be paid.

Membrane Systems

The other method used by professionals on cellar conversions, and are highly advised for areas with high water tables and on older properties as they do not rely on substrates for their effectiveness is a membrane system. The majority of these systems involve studded membranes and are fixed to the walls with plastic plugs. These systems allow water to flow down within the cavity created to the floor which will also be covered with a membrane and into a drainage system. Membrane systems means an air created gap is created, which acts as a depressurisation zone for any water that comes through the walls. When the water enters, under great pressure it loses its force and falls behind the membrane into the drainage and the water flows out. Ultimately these systems will add to the floor height of the cellar, reducing ceiling space. If you have a basement or cellar, professionals will consult with you on the best system for your house.

How to create a minimalist interior: 6 Principles

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Minimalism is the style for those who find even the modern Scandinavian interiors rather cluttered.
To understand what principles underlie in the minimalist interior, we have visited a lecture delivered by a designer named Anastasia Artemova.

Today, many people decide to get rid of unnecessary things. Typically, these same people opt for minimalism and either buy a condo featuring this style or create minimalistic designs on their own. The essence of style is well described by the British designer and architect John Pawson: “The subject reaches a minimum, when there is nothing to take away from it”.

Aparmtnet layout
A bright feature of minimalism is the open spaces and their smooth transition into each other. As a rule, the house is divided into two main parts: a private part and a general part. The first contains a fairly isolated bathroom, a master bedroom and a dressing room. The second one contains a combined kitchen and living room. In order to combine space, people make use of glass walls, large door openings, etc.

Colors and textures
Minimalism uses simple colors: white, gray and black. Bright colors are added very carefully and gradually. Minimalism is often criticized for the fact that it is a cold, “hospital-like” style, but the lack of color in it is compensated by the richness of textures, which add comfort. In addition, you can make the interior warmer, using natural materials with their natural hues.

Shapes
Minimalism implies clean, simple lines and large modules. The laconicalness of the style should be seen even in the details. Thus, there should be no footstalls either on the floor or on the ceiling. All the planes must be connected with each other as carefully as possible. This also applies to doors: for them, it is best to choose hidden door frames.

Furniture and storage systems
There are requirement for laconicalness of furniture as well. It should be made of simple shapes, with hidden fasteners, fittings and even legs. It is important to think of some places where you would store your things: without them, the house will be filled with lots of extra stuff that is totally unacceptable.

Accessories and textile
Textiles will add comfort to minimalist home. You should use natural fabrics and interesting textures. It is best to work with a long-pile carpets, but without striking drawings. Accessories, like everything else, should be simple.

Lighting
The lighting in minimalism has more than a decorative role to play. You should create several scenarios for different situations, using for both a natural light source, and a hidden one such as built-in lamps. More traditional ceiling lamps can also be used: they could become an ornament to the room, despite their simple form.

Minimalism is a light style. It requires spacious rooms, but it also makes any space visually larger due to its functionality. White shades that are so popular in minimalism, enhance the effect and stress the calibrated proportions.

So we hope you liked our article on minimalism. Do not forget, that you could also make use of this style in commercial property e.g. offices and whatnot.