Factors to Be Considered When Making Decisions on the Materials to Be Purchased - Term Paper Example

Student’s name] [Course code+name] [Professor’s name] [University name] [Date of submission] TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 1.0 Bathroom Scenario 4 1.1 Structural alteration remodeling 4 1.2 Factors to be considered in energy 5 1.3 Hot water system 5 1.4 Use of Insulators 5 1.5 Repairing of leaks 6 1.6 Lighting 7 1.7 Moisture control 7 1.8 Toilet bow, 8 1.9 Sink, 8 1.10 Tiles 9 1.11 Metal 9 1.12 Cement 9 1.13 Painting 10 2.0Scenario 4:- Garage Conversion 10 2.1 Hard wood to be used 10 2.2 Stones product 11 2.3 Metals 12 2.4 Renovation of floors 13 2.5 Roofing Materials 13 2.6 Bathrooms 13 2.7 Doors fixing 14 2.8 Water conservation 14 Conclusion 15 Reference 16 Executive summary The paper gives an insight of two scenarios of constructions project to be undertaken and give the necessary recommendations on the type and nature of the materials to be used in the construction process. The first scenario is the construction of the bathroom which is a repair work to be done by Thomas. The paper gives the detailed analysis into the factors to be considered when making decisions on the materials to be purchased. It gives the characteristics of materials and examples of the materials to be used. The second scenario is the conversion of a garage into rental houses. It explains the major quality of the materials to be used and their characteristics before classifying the building materials into two major categories 1.0 Bathroom Scenario In the circumstances of Thomas, he only wants to renovate and make some repairs to the property in which he intends to rent out as a student hostels. There is no major alteration to the building and it falls under development work. According to the council, permission is not required if the alteration does not involve any external structure of the dwelling place apart from adding entrance basement erection or roof, so Thomas will not require permit from the council in order for him to do renovation at the bathroom. 1.1 Structural alteration remodeling The initial design of the old bathroom does not require any change since the current design is adequate, spacious and reasonable in all aspect. Though, major alterations need to take place in order to make it more comfortable and environmental friendly. In order to achieve this, then more modern materials needs to be used in and they must take inconsideration the escalating cost of energy which has been moving high currently (Shetty, 2001) 1.2 Factors to be considered in energy The key areas to be considered in efficiency in energy saving in the bathroom restructuring should include major key areas like proper checking of hot water system, lightening system, ventilation and insulation. If these factors are well installed then Thomas should be sure that there will be improved comfort in using the bathrooms by students and reduction in the moisture problems and durability of the bathrooms (Spence and Cook, 1983) 1.3 Hot water system There are very many solutions which Thomas can implement when he is remodeling and renovating its bathrooms and he can save both water and energy. These include the use of insulators, efficient distribution system equipments, ensuring that flow fixtures are low and ensuring that leaks are well repaired. Since hot water system of the bathroom normally takes up the largest share of the house energy and hot water usage in main house; Thomas should make minor changes to the hot water system since it will be majorly used by students, by installing hot water saving measures in the house, Thomas would have solved many issues which will go beyond customer satisfactions (Spence and Cook, 1983) 1.4 Use of Insulators It traps heat both on the inlet and outlet of the water heater system, though it comes with additional cost, it is worth using it as it will help to save a lot of energy in the houses. PEX is the most preferred as it reduces pipe sizes hence reducing hot water wastage in the bathrooms. PEX are normally easier and simple to run over existing walls. Using the code of smaller size will also help in minimizing water wastage and energy wastage. High efficiency water heating system equipment need to be installed in the bathrooms as this will help in efficient and equal heating of water whenever it is being used. Incase of the shortage of the in the synthetic insulators, Thomas can opt to use wooden insulators which are not very common in the current market but they are the best alternative to replace the plastic insulators. Metal pipes should not be used at all cost since they encourage power loss since they are good power conductor. Examples of insulators used in the sink 1.5 Repairing of leaks Water leaks should be fixed to prevent water wastage; this can either be fixed through installing new pipes. Thomas should buy lo-flow showerheads they are affordable and saves a lot of water through leaks, this can take the form of aerators or he can use laminar flow in the bathroom, laminar aerator in most cases prevent air from mixing with water hence preventing the cooling effect (Erwine, 2009). Example 1.6 Lighting Energy saving bulb is the most preferred to be used they are cost effecting, durable and preserved energy. Ventilation is very necessary and essential for aeration of the bathrooms, this will be very crucial in ensuring that there is enough lights within the bathroom, fresh air which gets in and out of the rooms and hence increasing comfort whenever one needs to get shower. Colored florescent tubes should be used. Apart from using Florence tubes in the bath rooms energy saver bulb should be used incase the florescent bulb are not readily available. 1.7 Moisture control In case where the interior of the bathrooms are more humid than the exterior, vapor barrier needs to be erected on the interior walls as this will help in controlling the moisture while permeable sheathing should be used in the exterior walls. All gaps need to be sealed to ensure that all moisture is in its rightful place. Water controls should also be placed closer to the door rather than being centered at the shower head as this will help in controlling water which might escape from the shower Wall sealing 1.8 Toilet bow, Toilet bows are strong and can resist breakage from frequent usage by the students. 1.9 Sink, The structure of sink should be as in the picture below and seals should be used to prevent the moisture from evaporating humid bath and in this way, the condensing will take place within the wall hence keeping the bathroom temperature. Sink should be made out of metals and not plastics. The metal sinks are strong and are suitable for use by students. Apart from using metal sink, plastic sink will be the best alternatives to replace metal sink. They are cheap and easy to fix though they are not durable and cannot withstand continuous pressure of use by student. 1.10 Tiles Tiles are very useful as this will help in maintain the floors of the bathroom from brokerage. Ceramic tiles are the most preferred as they can contain high density and traffic of students. If the floor tiles are not available in the market, Thomas should use the mixture of concrete and cement to make bathroom floors can last long if they are made from the mixture of concrete, sand and cement. 1.11 Metal Metals are important building materials. Iron is the commonly used in building and constructions both in rural areas and in urban areas Steel in most cases consist of iron and carbon chemicals in small percentages. Hard still is normally used in making tools with cutting edges. Non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum are very much resistance to corrosion. Copper is normally used for electric wiring while corrugated iron sheet is used for roofing. Nails are also important in binding wooden structure and other structures during the construction process. Thomas should replace the metal windows with still doors since still doors are strong and can withstand intense pressure from the students. The hardwood doors can easily replace the still doors since they are more durable compared to softwood 1.12 Cement It is used in building and repair of structures; it must be stored in a cool dry place, development of slump in cement usually lowers its quality. Cement should be mixed with enough gravel for plastering purposes. Pure Portland cement should be used in fixing the tiles and for plastering purposes. Portland cement is strong and can with stand high traffic of student. Other brands of cement can also be used in doing the work though Portland cement is the one with highest quality. 1.13 Painting Color, after finishing the repair work, the whole bathrooms should be properly painted to bring good appearance of the structure. There are very many several colors which can be used in painting the bathrooms, white colors should not be used as they need frequent cleaning and maintenances which students can not manage. Creamy color should be used in painting the walls of the 2.0 Scenario 4:- Garage Conversion The questions to be asked here is whether the conversion will involve total restructuring and reconstructing of the garage or just interior design. According to the council, permission is not required if the alteration does not involve any external alteration to the major dwelling place apart from adding entrance basement erection or roof. The law further states that, any one planning to develop land or property must seek the permission from the authority unless the laws itself exempt that person from doing so. In the content of development here, it includes carrying out any work, the word work here include building, alteration of structure and demolition. With this definition, condition and explanation leaves no doubt that Chis and Barbara should not seek permission before carrying out the restructuring of the garage into renting houses. 2.1 Hard wood to be used Wood is one of the commonly used materials in building and repair work. This is because it is cheap, reasonable and attractive in appearance. It has considerably long life if good care is taken on it through preventing moisture and insect (Tsoumis, 1991). On the part of availability, wood is naturally available in the forest which is its natural source. Wood is naturally accepted across all culture. Wood is mainly classified into two groups that are hardwood and softwood (Tsoumis, 1991). Chic and his partners should consider using timber in the process of converting its garage. The wood will also be used in roofing, making of support beams. The still metal can replace the wooden beams though they are quite expensive, they are more durable than hardwood beams. Still beams are commonly used by high-rise builders and high way builders but they can also be used in the renovation and restructuring. 2.2 Stones product Natural stones are another commonly used building material. They are durable and normally resist compression (Smith, 1992). All building stones fall under three classifications which includes; Igneous, Sediments and Metamorphic rocks i. Igneous rocks -in most cases are hard and difficult to cut, shape and resize though they are very durable. ii. Cement-It is used in building and repair of structures; it must be stored in a cool dry place, development of slump in cement usually lowers its quality. iii. Aggregate-It is also called ballast or gravel. It is crushed out of big stones. Grading of the gravel refers to the process of proportioning of different sizes of the gravel material and in most cases this influence the characteristics and quality, workability and permeability of concrete. These are durable materials which should be carefully selecting whenever one is carrying out construction work. Stones products are strong and durable and are readily available in the market, Stiffness Warping and Durability are the quality to be looked at. Instead of using blocks in making walls, the cheapest alternative will be the use of bricks. Bricks are cheap, easy to make and locally available unlike stones which are expensive though they are strong and more durable. 2.3 Metals Another important building material is metals. Iron is the commonly used in building and constructions both in rural areas and in urban areas (Erwine, 2009). Steel in most cases consist of iron and carbon chemicals in small percentages (Erwine, 2009). Hard still is normally used in making tools with cutting edges. Non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum are very much resistance to corrosion. Copper is normally used for electric wiring while corrugated iron sheet is used for roofing. Nails are also important in binding wooden structure and other structures Cost. Binders can replace nails and screw nail can replace wooden nails to bind the materials together. Binding wires though might not be very much effective compared to nails, they are cheap and easy to use compared to nails. 2.4 Renovation of floors Ceramic floor tiles for flooring will be most suitable for use in the new structure as it easy to clean, Cheap and Decent. With this features it will be the most convenient to be used. Incase of shortage of money to Chis and his partners should go for cemented floors instead of using ceramic tiles in the floors. 2.5 Roofing Materials Iron sheet should be used and fixed according to manufacturing recommendation. The iron sheet are affordable, and can easily be bought unlike tile roofing which are expensive are not environmental friendly when they are being manufactured for use. Using iron sheet will also save time in fixing them as they are easy to fix. Roofing tiles can easily replace iron sheet, they are decent and durable though the cost of repair and maintenance is high compared to that of iron sheet 2.6 Bathrooms Chic and his partner should use low – flow faucet option. This can take the form of aerators or laminar flow which are readily available and are very much available in the market. Their ability not to mix air with water makes them more perfect in controlling the cooling effect on the heating system of water hence help in conserving the energy which has been a major problem in current time. Bathrooms, showers taps, the laundries and junctions of toilets floors with those of the walls should be built in away that it prevents penetration of the moisture in the walls hence protecting the walls from moisture. Using of the insulators also is very useful in conserving and maintaining the energy. It traps heat both on the inlet and outlet of the water heater system, though it comes with additional cost, it is worth using it as it will help to save a lot of energy in the houses. PEX is the most preferred as it reduces pipe sizes hence reducing hot water wastage in the bathrooms. PEX are normally easier and simple to run over existing walls. Using the code of smaller size will also help in minimizing water wastage and energy wastage. High efficiency water heating system equipment need to be installed in the bathrooms as this will help in efficient and equal heating of water whenever it is being used. 2.7 Doors fixing The current doors should be replaced with grill still doors; this is due to the security issues. They are hard and long lasting. Still grill doors and windows are resistance to rusting and brokerages. Flashing doors should be used instead of ring doors as they are simple to make and are readily available. Wooden doors are the best alternatives to replace still doors and they are cheap. Alternatively Chis and his Company may decide to use still doors on the outside the building and gates and use hardwood inside the rooms . 2.8 Water conservation Through proper construction of sewerage system, both in the toilet and bathrooms to ensure that water is properly used and circulated in all rooms. The current design of the house will undergo some small alterations to conform to dwelling houses not like initial design where it majorly for offices and garage in nature. A specialized architecture should be hired to redesign the houses to either to self contained houses. Water tapes should be made of stainless steel as it is the best option since it is resistance to rusting and they are durable. Lighting unit: heating light, normal light for different seasonal application, the underground heating system should be used here since they are easy to install within the existing walls. Energy saving bulb should be used for lighting purposes and Chis and his partner should consider using this bulb as this will help them save energy. Conclusion After installing and redesigning of garage, a suitable paint should be applied. The paint should be one which absorbs moisture from the environment. Crown paints are the best since they are affordable and durable when they are being use. Chis and his partner should ensure that the conversion process is insured and well protected while the completion time is maintained. The bathrooms will be durable and neat if the Thomas uses the materials which we have recommended. Reference Erwine, B. 2009. Which glass should I use? Sorting it all out (available at http://www.lightingdesignlab.com). Shetty, M.S. 2001. Concrete technology: theory and practice. 4th edition, New Delhi, S. Chand & Co.Ltd. Smith, M.J. 1992. Soil mechanics. 4th edition. Essex, United Kingdom, ELBS Longman. Spence, R.J.S. & Cook, D.J. 1983. Building materials in developing countries. Chichester, John Wiley &Sons Ltd Tsoumis, G. 1991. Science and technology of wood: structure, properties, utilization. Chapman & Hall, New York. Read More