Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Homes made from recycled plastic

Disposal of plastic waste is now the number one task in reducing adverse human impact on the environment. The British company Affresol offered his very interesting way of recycling of used plastic for a new application - designed on the basis of his amazing modular homes

The company has developed a material that is made from recycled plastic, is mixed with resin and poured into molds like concrete.

This material, which the company called Thermo Poly Rock (TPR), has excellent waterproof and fire resistant properties and is highly resistant against rotting - which certainly is good for building houses - and also completely recyclable, which is good for the environment.

According to the company, every house is made of this material, cuts up to 18 tons of waste in landfills and saves the lives of five or more trees.

The first such house was built in Swansea, Wales and Affresol planned to build 3,000 houses annually for three years.



Another advantage of building houses of TPR is to save labor costs by 12 percent compared with the construction of standard modular homes.

The term of the construction of houses TPR is not more than four days. The life cycle of the house is not more than 80 years.

It is assumed that the initial target market for the homes of TPR will be public housing. Will the material be TPR environmental alternative to the existing building materials? Time will tell.

Transformer ladder

Transformer ladder - it's the peak of the transfiguration of the ordinary stairs. This is a ladder that can combine all the advantages of ladders, scaffold and the normal ladder. This became possible due to the fact that the ladder is made up of sections, usually four, which are interconnected hinge joints. Each section can change its position and determined as an angle or horizontal position. This makes it possible to use the stairs transformer when working on a small height and at altitudes up to 5 meters.

Stairs transformer is convenient because it adapts to any wizard, taking different forms. Having decided to whitewash the ceiling, hang the curtains in the house or even to collect the harvest from the tall trees, you can quickly and without any difficulty give it a shape stepladder.

To perform the facade work at high altitude you must change the position of some sections and the ladder ready for use. Well, if you have to kind of work, like washing windows, situated at a height, plastered walls, then you can use transformers to create a ladder platform. Such a transformation is convenient in that its two sections, take a horizontal position and they can easily accommodate all the necessary materials for the job.

When you select a ladder transformer is necessary to pay attention to the following:
- Fixing rivets and connecting parts must be durable and reliable;
- Ladder transformer must have stable base, made of material that will not slide across the floor or scratching it;
- The bottom of stairs transformer must fit snugly to the surface, the ladder should not wobble or slide.

There are two types of ladders Transformers professional and personal

The first type is purchased by professional builders, and the second - are used in agriculture. Professional transformer ladder made of highest quality and durable material, since it involves loading up to 150 kg in the same household load one notch below. Household ladder transformer allows you to perform work at heights up to 3 meters, but the professional ladder allows you to carry out work at high altitudes.

Stairs transformer can be equipped with additional functions. For example, if you set the elements for securing cargo, it will close on the necessary tools for the job. Despite the fact that the transformer is sufficient multipurpose ladder, it is very easy and convenient. If it is folded, it takes up little space in your home, but if it is expanded, giving it the required shape, then it would solve many domestic problems.

Winter Garden: Comfort in a glass

Winter Garden - a complex system that depends on the glass: the more transparent surface, the more solar energy it can capture. Wall construction, subject to the highest insolation, it is necessary to equip the glasses with relatively high energopronitsaemosti. Simultaneously, we must exclude the possibility of over-cooling the room during the winter season and the impact of too much heat out. Therefore, the thermal insulation is extremely important.

Energy conservation depends essentially on the proper integration of the winter garden in the volume of residential building, as well as ventilation adjoining premises. In this case, the orientation of the building has only a supporting role. Incident angle of the sun's rays are absorbed by the floor and walls, transformed into heat in the winter garden, and adjacent areas. Therefore, the flooring materials must effectively store heat. Ideally, the winter garden should support all year average temperature.

When designing a winter garden, as a rule, there are no standard solutions. In each case, the shape, orientation, location and design dictate unconventional ideas.

Heat transfer coefficient of glass should be 1.1 W/m2. Two-layer thermal insulating glazing with low emissivity coated on the inside, usually reduces the emission of high windows and freely flows into the housing solar energy, reflecting the thermal radiation of the premises. Not the least role in energy conservation is mezhstekolnogo width of the gap. This effect was successfully offset the heat loss caused by convection. Additional thermal protection function successfully executes fills the gap mezhstekolny inert gas because its thermal conductivity is significantly lower than the thermal conductivity of air.

Size mezhstekolnogo period in the winter garden should be chosen depending on the type of inert gas. Thus, for argon, the optimum is 16 mm. Even better thermal insulation is achieved through the use of krypton mezhstekolnym interval of 12 mm.

For effective shading on modern glass special coating that can partially filtered thermal energy. In the summer, with the high position of the sun, sun glasses effectively prevent overheating of the room. They are the same - the best material for vertical glazing. Externally, the special glass is almost indistinguishable from the ordinary: a reflective layer and paint are almost invisible and do not affect the quality and transparency.

The glazing of the roof to safety as the bottom insulation layer is recommended to use triplex. For vertical structures are prescribed glasses coated with a minimum thickness of 0.76 mm, relating to the safety class R1A (in accordance with DIN EN 356). Designs, closer links film belong to the security R2A R4A.

Contemporary acoustic insulating glass, laminated together with the properties, it is recommended to install along the busy highways. However, it is important not to overdo it: the parameters of glazing should provide at least a little outside the background noise would otherwise be more distinct earlier subtle sounds of home.

Thanks to a special coating sunlight and rainwater are an effective means of removing organic contaminants, so the glass with self-cleaning function require minimal maintenance.

Comparison of diesel and gasoline generators

Comparing the generators running on diesel and gasoline fuels, should pay special attention to the operational characteristics of these types. To compare the characteristics of the little engines of similar units, you must also take into account the peculiarities of their use.

As a general rule, performance of emergency generators are not as important as for the generators running on a daily basis. While the generator used in the home on wheels, as well as portable generators, whose work can be quite lengthy, it is of paramount importance.

As shown, the diesel generators are much longer than gasoline generators using fuel much more economical. Such generators are functioning properly with fewer revolutions per minute. With a decrease in speed increases the torque, which reduces the noise of the unit and prolongs the life of its engine. For example, gasoline generator power seven and a half thousand watts makes three thousand revolutions per minute, while at the same time as the same power engine, mounted on a diesel generator, making fifteen hundred revolutions in the same moment.

Among other things, diesel generators consume far less fuel than petrol units, but if the engine is a diesel generator is rarely used, it fails, he can go faster, which implies that the performance of the generators depend on the frequency of their use.

We should not forget about the safe storage of both fuels, but compared with diesel fuel, gasoline can ignite more easily and for this it may be enough static electricity. After all, surely every one of you can, if desired recall request at any gas station, do not drown out the motor and use a mobile phone. Which implies that diesel fuel is much safer.

All this affects the ultimate cost of the generators. The engine on the diesel generator will last you probably longer, but if he fails, for its repair facilities will need three times the amount that would be needed to repair a gasoline generator. You can certainly buy and gasoline generator, and then try to look after him well, but the amount of fuel consumed, makes this act is extremely disadvantageous.

Favorite bath with his own hands

What could be better than the Russian bath? No sauna, no shower, no, God forgive me, bath? To not say, but Bath - a thing! You can certainly use the services of public baths, but its own - it zavsegda better! Although residents of cities and sometimes choose not to, but if you have your own plot of land - is already thinking about the construction of their own Russian bath. And since the Russian sauna, then it should be timbered.

First we define the size. Hike to the bath - all in the family, so the bath should be placed at least three people. If desired (and if possible) you can plan a much larger bath, where you can relax have a whole company. But dwell on the most democratic option.

Bath

So, just log sauna constructively is an ordinary house-pyatistenok. Frame, theoretically, you can make yourself, but perhaps (preferably) bought and ready. When buying a finished log home you will lose a doubtful pleasure to fit a log and grooving, but at the same time you can not independently determine the configuration of your bath. Ideal - hiring crews of carpenters. But we will proceed with their capabilities.

The first room from the entrance - a waiting room, which can be fitted with vestibule (to the winter cold air does not penetrate). Second room - actually the guy (she's pomyvochnaya) area of an average 6.9 square meters.

Appointment of a waiting room is not limited to the usual dressing room. Here we have a rest between calls in the steam room, and here we will all sorts of amenities. In the dressing room is out and the boiler furnace. Changing room sizes are on average 4.6 square meters.

The door to the steam room is done with a high threshold and low enough. High threshold override access the cold air in a steam room, and the low door will not let her leave the precious hot air. Here in the steam room set capacity for cold water (the more - the better). The walls of the steam room for improvement of properties, and just to improve the aesthetics oboshem clapboard - in the eyes will not rush the joints between the logs, and the back will not scratch.

Particular attention should be paid to sealing the bottom of the log wall masonry. The floor beneath the pair better pour a solution with a bias towards the discharge. A low wall to galvanized iron, so that the sheet of iron descent from the wall, overlapping left on the cement floor - that we will protect the walls from excessive wetting. And already on the cement floor arrange a wooden floor joists on the log. We batten cut away sides and instruct them with a gap of a few millimeters - so the water would be better to leave the steam room. On the wall opposite from the boiler, arrange the shelves (or shelves). Do they need an entire wall, preferably in two tiers.

Boiler

The boiler can heat a gas or wood. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but in the end, it all comes down to personal preference. There are many options from which to make a pot, but more democratic than most will make it out of metal. Metal pot idea to make two tiers. The first tier - it's furnace. Firebox door should go into a waiting room, so it is more convenient to heat bath. The second tier - it is a boiler for hot water, it is better to equip the lid. And around the exhaust pipe to make a box and fill it with river pebbles - is obtained from them a great pair!

Loft is perfect for storing brooms. Oh, and do not forget about the windows - one in the dressing room and steam room! If you have a plot already has residential building - a house or cottage, it can be combined with a sauna.

We have considered the simplest (that is to say - democratic) version of the construction of a bath. But as they say - there is no limit to perfection.

Light steam!

How long should a brick, and how to save money on buying it?

How long should a brick, and how to save money on buying it? This issue is of concern to many people. Depending on the type of work performed, the thickness of the masonry, the shape, the expense of brick can vary widely. Let's see what will be the average consumption in different units

Cubic meter masonry

Although cubic masonry rare, on average, at her without cement joints with a single size brick to 512 pieces, with seams - 394.

With half rate, taking into account joints must be exactly 302 bricks without them - 378.

Well, if the brick has a double size, given the seams need 200 pieces, and without taking into account - more than 42 bricks.

Per meter-thick stack of 120 mm

Such masonry is often used to separate rooms and the creation of interior partitions. If we consider the square meter-thick stack of half-brick at a single rate, taking into account joints, you will need 51 bricks, but excluding - 61. Total spent economically, but nowadays you can save on purchase and delivery of material is double the size.

If the brick has one and a half the size it will go together with sutures 39, well, without them - 45 pieces.

For double the size of the light you need 26 joints of bricks, without seams - 30. Of course, there will be a little more waste, but they all come in handy for backing.

Meter-thick stack of 250 mm

These calculations are suitable for most builders. because solid-color walls are popular, both for the construction of non-residential premises, and to build capital buildings. If you keep the calculation for a square meter meter-thick stack of one brick, then a single rate based mortar joints, you will need 102 bricks, but excluding -128.

If you use one and a half has one and a half brick size, together with sutures will take 78, no seams - 95 pieces.

In case you need to double the size of 52 and 60 units with and without the mortar layer.

Meter running masonry thickness of 380 mm

For a square meter-thick stack of a half brick at a single rate and taking into account the seams, you'll need 153 kirpichina and without - 189.

Together with sutures will take 117 pieces, no seams - 140 units sesquioxide material thickness.

For double the size you need 78 bricks - for masonry based seam, and 90 - without taking it into account. As you can see, the total consumption in terms of product decreases significantly with increasing the power of the walls.

Per meter-thick stack of 510 mm

Such walls will fit for a very powerful buildings, or more often complements brick cinder block, but we will calculate the totals for ceramic or silicate material. If we consider a square meter of floor laying two bricks thick, with a single rate, taking into account joints, you will need 204 bricks, but excluding - 256.

If the bricks are of one and a half the size they need 156 and 190.

In the case of brick has a double size, given the masonry cement you'll need 104, and without it 120 pieces.

Meter-thick stack of 640 mm

The walls are so thick, two and a half brick, usually made of concrete blocks and private buildings are rare. but for special occasions. You can calculate the total consumption.

If a single amount given stitches you will need 255 bricks, and without cement masonry - 317 pieces.

If a brick one and a half then with cement and without leave 195 and 235 bricks.

Material need to double the size of 130 and 150 units. Note - two times less than the single material! The price to double the size of a given crisis, higher by only 20%. The savings is obvious.

Submersible pumps for giving

We all strive for maximum comfort in their homes. Uninterrupted water supply with good pressure - it is no longer a dream but a full-fledged reality. And implement it by force to anyone interested. Particularly topical problem of a good water supply is in residence at the cottage or country house. After all, both need water for garden irrigation, vegetable garden, and for domestic needs (washing, washing dishes). Or maybe you do not already own and operate the pool or fountain. At this point, without the pumping unit can not do

And in the absence of centralized water supply only their own well can provide a country house with all his needs reliability and constancy of water supply.

Submersible pumps are designed to pump water in water supply pipe with great depth. Submersible pumps installed, as the name implies, into special wells. Compact size submersible pumps can pump water from a fairly narrow sources. Such pumps can easily cope with the provision of private homes with drinking water, and will provide sufficient resources for irrigation and farming.

One effective way of solving problems is to install the pump "Typhoon". From a depth of up to 80 meters possible water flow through it. With a small amount of depth reach 2500l of water per hour. This will enable and create the necessary pressure to operate household appliances, and is suitable for watering and irrigation of greenhouses and outdoor crops on a fairly large area. In addition, the pump typhoon, Bosna LG has high reliability, to withstand large voltage drops and allows for immersion in water up to 30 meters. Easily assembled and disassembled, and the pump is perfectly safe for the environment. The minimum size hole for the pump 100mm.

As to solve the water issue at the dacha good assistant will pump Aquarius. He also belongs to the category Submersible pumps. The quality of this pump from the domestic manufacturer is comparable with the characteristics of foreign competitors, and the price will save you a lot. Various models of the pump, "Aquarius" will be able to lift water to the desired pressure at a depth of 150 meters, and the amount of water can reach 3,500 liters per hour.

Properly selected and installed the pump will give comfort and allow for a vacation out of town without being distracted by domestic troubles.