Moving into a brand new home can be incredibly exciting, especially with the knowledge that no one has lived here before you. You may want to do your best to make your new home as comfortable as possible while still implementing the same amount of sustainable, ethical living that you
Construction companies that had a thoughtful and long-term strategy focused on the consumer, and even before the onset of the pandemic moved communication and business processes online, now found themselves one step ahead of those developers who were caught off guard by the crisis. However, it is too early to
You’ve got the business skill, the marketing techniques, and the staff to have your own small brewery. However, the problem that you will be dealing with is exactly how to build it! A small brewery is a specialized building that needs to follow its own special set of rules, and
When deciding to put up a garden shed, you must first decide what type of base to put it on. There are many factors you need to consider when making this choice. The most crucial factor is the type of soil your garden is in. If your soil is soft
Are you bored with your idea of fun? What about having a spot of fun in your basement rather than running out of things to do, right? Now, sometimes having some fun in the underground basement can be exhilarating. However, a good basement underground mapping is necessary first before you start having
Ordering and purchasing products online have become the norm in recent years. While brick-and-mortar stores continue to attract buyers, the shift of preference is hard to miss. The drastic change in consumer behavior may be attributed to the rise of mobile technology, though the advantages offered by virtual shopping could
Within the world of construction, there are a great variety of roles, industries, and businesses that are thriving. For anybody that’s looking into the most profitable ventures within the construction industry, either as an entrepreneur or as a worker, it’s important to look at the industry as a whole and
First-of-its-kind published national guidance for building designers and planners to consider accessibility for a neurodiverse population Neurodivergent conditions include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia. Neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s are also covered It is estimated that there are around 700,000 autistic people1 and around 1.5million
Having cracks in your ceiling is such a hassle for all homeowners, not to mention how annoying it can be at times. If you are someone who has been struggling with cracks in your ceiling, then this article might be just for you. To assist you with such an issue,
Vinyl flooring doesn’t pose many disadvantages. In fact, it is one of the best options if you are looking for durability, easy maintenance, and good looks. However, like every other flooring option, vinyl isn’t perfect. It may be more appropriate for some homeowners than others. The Pros of Vinyl Flooring
Moving into a brand new home can be incredibly exciting, especially with the knowledge that no one has lived here before you. You may want to do your best to make your new home as comfortable as possible while still implementing the same amount of sustainable, ethical living that you use within the rest of your life. To do so can be rather simple, and involve a combination of new products and making good use of those that you already own. Sustainable wall art The materials you use for your wall art can be rather important when trying to live more sustainably. Rather than opting for imagery made out of items that would end up in a landfill site, you might want to consider the materials that, should they become damaged in the future, can be easily recycled. Due to this, you may instead consider using a stylish magnetic poster hanger or metal prints on your walls rather than traditional photo frames. In addition to this, they can also look incredibly sleek and stylish, allowing you to also fit in with home design fashion. These prints can feature some of your own home photos, allowing you to simply upload your design and have an image printed onto the metal itself. Re-use items you already own When you move home, it can be tempting to buy new items to fit in with colour schemes, or simply create a fresh look. This can be both a waste of money and resources. Instead, you might want to consider upcycling your old furniture. To accomplish this, you may want to sand down old pieces of furniture to remove existing layers of paint, and repaint them to match your new designs. You could even change handles as well. For fabric, such as sofa cushions, you may also want to look into the ways you can create new cushion covers to make more use out of your current furnishings. Opt for living décor Rather than filling up your new home with ornaments and knickknacks, you may instead want to consider how you can breathe life into the space. Buying items for the sake of it could be bad for both your bank account and the environment. Therefore, you may want to turn your eyes onto how plants can decorate a space. There may be a number of different varieties of flora that could flourish in an indoor environment. You may want to consider different styles of plant depending on where they would be placed within the home. For example, some plants may be better suited to the damp and humidity of the bathroom, while others may be happier on a windowsill in your lounge. Making sustainable decorating choices doesn’t mean you need to turn your back on style. By thinking about the materials and the items themselves, you may be able to create a beautiful home that causes as little harm to the environment as possible. Doing so could also help you to save some money along the way. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction companies that had a thoughtful and long-term strategy focused on the consumer, and even before the onset of the pandemic moved communication and business processes online, now found themselves one step ahead of those developers who were caught off guard by the crisis. However, it is too early to relax. It depends on how the marketing promotion of companies and their facilities works during the crisis, who will occupy the leading positions in the market, and who will go down to the bottom of the ranking and stay there for the next number of years. The younger millennial audience is more likely to be influenced by digital marketing in newer channels such as social media and social networking platforms than marketing through traditional channels. This generation values social queues and images shared by friends more. For this reason, high-quality images that can be shared online or embedded in videos can be a very valuable marketing tool! There’s a reason that serious digital marketing campaigns have been built around some of the most expensive properties in the world, developers of which opted for 3D services. As marketing is all about creating emotions and adding some flare, 3D Visualization by Visengine https://visengine.com/3d-visualisation/ will definitely help you make the desired impact. Why market real estate projects with 3D visualization? This is not only the perfect way to communicate your idea but also allows us to eliminate problems before they occur in reality. With the continuous development of 3D visualization technology, people are paying more and more attention to this solution. Especially in the real estate industry, 3D architectural tours have become a marketing trend, allowing customers to roam freely around a building in the form of a 3D animation before investing. Not only is it more intuitive than a traditional image, but it also gives customers an immersive experience with a photorealistic 3D tour of the facility. For those projects that are under development or ready for construction, the 3D architectural tours break the imagination by combining 3D modeling, music, animation, and 3D visualization with the viewer and space to experience a virtual tour of the building. Advantages of 3D Architectural Tours for Real Estate Marketing 1. Enhance the visual effect Once the 3D architectural visualization and animation are complete, it can be played on the real estate sales floor so that customers can experience the visual effect at first glance when they walk through the door. Vivid video highlights the real estate’s benefits, and dynamic sound grabs viewers’ attention. From the moment customers enter the hall, virtual video marketing is completed. 2. Better understanding 2G architectural plans are difficult to understand, even when rendered with still CGI, which is unable to keep up with customer requirements. 3D architectural tours have an advantage over a 2D floor plan as they allow clients to fully understand the design and, more importantly, the layout. 3D visualization and animation can integrate scattered text and, finally, sound and image information in a video. What’s more, 3D step-by-step technology plays an essential role in stimulating the desire of customers to buy by intuitively providing a panoramic view of the real state, including general architectural features, geographical location, surrounding facilities, transportation network, etc. 3. Online and offline promotion In the age of the Internet, businesses can display 3D architectural projects on their website for long-term investment, rental, and evaluation activities. Bright and intuitive animation effect, combined with dynamic music, enhances the impact of promotion online and offline. 4. Interactive form, better experience With a 3D architectural step-by-step guide, 3D walkthrough companies can use a dynamic interactive way to study the future architecture or urban area comprehensively. Through interaction, the overall effect will be more vivid. The 3D step-by-step function allows the audience to walk freely and watch the “building roaming,” bringing an incomparable sense of reality and the scene to the target audience and letting them feel on the stage so that the customers can better understand the spatial planning and design. 5. Emotional Connection The company’s 3D architectural management strives to foster greater human interaction and connection in the form of storytelling, which is realized through 3D photorealistic rendering, excellent camera composition, and the use of music, style, and theme. The company’s 3D step-by-step animation asks for more information and a step-by-step guide before starting to create excitement among its target customers and shareholders. Compared to non-emotional content, high-value content easily creates an emotional connection with the viewer, which is 28% more likely to be shared online. 6. Increase conversions What is the basic standard for a marketing campaign? The answer is the conversion rate, which is the key to measuring the success of every marketing plan. Based on 3D animated instructions, more and more leads can be converted into customers to provide presets. Additionally, recent research indicates that 71% of marketers seem to find video content easier to convert, and the industry average conversion rate for websites using video is 4.8%. Therefore, video content is considered an important part of the marketing strategy. 7. Presentation The 3D architectural review is a means of demonstrating the proposed project, thanks to its higher form of content. Only by realistically capturing every detail and layout, engagement, and precise fashion can they bring an architectural design to life. With the help of intuitive services, such as 3D streaming services, you can find that this type of video content is sure to satisfy potential buyers and investors. 8. Accessibility A potential buyer prefers to view 3D tours online, which is effective in removing obstacles and doubts in viewing a fully built space before making an investment. In addition, customers are available to view your site online 24/7 if necessary, helping you reach people all over the world for business. 9. Competitive edge How to stand out in an industry full of fierce competition? One of the best things a business can do is find a competitive advantage that can set you apart from the crowd. In terms of 3D walkthroughs,
You’ve got the business skill, the marketing techniques, and the staff to have your own small brewery. However, the problem that you will be dealing with is exactly how to build it! A small brewery is a specialized building that needs to follow its own special set of rules, and there are a lot of construction principles that you need to follow in order to make your brewery a success! Key Features Of Your Building Before we get into the features that will go into building the building, let’s look at the structure itself. First, you want a good location that will allow customers and delivery trucks to be able to reach you in equal measure. Additionally, you need enough square feet to accommodate all the equipment and everything else you need to build a brewery. As a general guide, for a 3 to 5-barrel brewing system, you need 300 to 500 square feet of space for everything. For a 7, 10, or 15-barrel brewing system, you need anywhere from 550 to 1,200 square feet and that is just for the brewing system! Plus, you need a building that has tall ceilings, proper venting, proper drainage systems, and also access to high-pressure water as well. A small brewery is going to need specific utilities to work. For example, you need high-pressure water and a uniform flow that doesn’t impact water in the other areas of the building. Additionally, you might need a system to filter the water as well. Electrical services are also going to be important. Depending on your brewing equipment, you will need different levels of electrical requirements, as well as a system that can handle that strain. Proper drainage in several areas that flow well in various areas of the brewery is also needed, as well as proper venting. As you are building, make sure that your space can meet all these needs or your microbrewery will fall flat. Just like a restaurant, your surfaces need to be clean and also need to be very easy to clean as well. The finishes that you pick for your surfaces will make it easier to clean them, and it is worth factoring them into your construction. You should be able to wash all floors and walls, and the floor finish also needs to be durable enough to resist the brewing process and resist stains and damage as well. Steel buildings are the best for this because they can be washed and cleaned, and you can easily design a durable floor system around them as well. Look for a steel building for your brewery if possible, because it holds a lot of advantages that can mitigate the other problems that a brewery can face. Other Key Brewery Considerations: What Hops Will You Use? Finally, even as you build the building to make it perfect, you also need to consider what goes on inside your brewery! The hops that you use are going to be just as important as the materials that they go in, and you need to consider this choice carefully. Lots of different hops are going to be available, and all of them will have different beer profiles. For example, Cascade hops are used for bitterness, aromas, and also for light beers. Meanwhile, Southern Hemisphere hops are also used for their unique flavors as they are grown south of the equator and are focused on flavor. Picking the hops that you are going to brew for your beer is a tough choice for any small brewmaster, and that is going to be very important for your brewery as things go. So don’t be afraid to take some time before making the choice. Build Your Brewery, But Do It Right As you have seen from this article, building even a small brewery can be something that takes a lot of thought and requires some hard decisions to be made. So don’t be afraid to pump the brakes and think about all the tiny details that will make your brewery perfect. The more thought you put into the brewery, the better it will be whenever you get it up and running! So get the right hops, the correct specifications, and the space you need to build your brewery. The better that you do at building your brewery at the start, the more you can focus on expanding your operation once everything gets up and running!
When deciding to put up a garden shed, you must first decide what type of base to put it on. There are many factors you need to consider when making this choice. The most crucial factor is the type of soil your garden is in. If your soil is soft and wet, you will need to choose a different base than if your soil is dry and sandy. Here are some of the most popular choices for garden shed bases. 1) Concrete Shed Base Concrete is one of the most popular choices for garden shed bases. It is strong and durable, so it can support a lot of weight. It is also easy to clean and maintain. Consider a few things before choosing concrete as your garden shed base. The first thing you need to consider is the size of your shed. Concrete is an excellent choice for large sheds, but it may be too heavy for small sheds. You also need to consider the weight of your shed. If it is too heavy, the concrete may crack. The next thing you need to consider is the climate. Concrete may not be the best choice if you live in an area with a lot of snow and ice. Alternatively, it can also crack in extreme heat. 2) Plastic Shed Base Plastic is another popular choice for garden shed bases. It is lightweight and easy to install. Plastic is also a good choice for areas with a lot of snow and ice. However, it can crack in extreme heat. The most significant advantage of plastic is the cost. A Plastic Shed Base is one of the cheapest materials you can use for your garden shed. 3) Wood Shed Base Wood is a classic choice for garden shed bases. It is strong and durable. It can also be used to build the shed walls and roof. The only downside is that it is susceptible to rot and insect damage. If you choose to use wood for your garden shed base, make sure to treat it with a waterproofing sealant. This will help extend its life. You should also consider using pressure-treated lumber, which is treated with chemicals to resist rot and insects. 4) Gravel Shed Base Gravel is a good choice for areas with dry, sandy soil. It is easy to install and maintain. Gravel is also one of the cheapest materials you can use for your garden shed base. The downside of gravel is that it can be challenging to level. If you have a lot of uneven ground in your garden, gravel may not be the best choice. Another downside is that gravel can be a bit messy. Gravel may be tracked into your house if you have small children or pets. There are a lot of different materials you can use for your garden shed base. The best choice for you will depend on the type of soil, the size of your shed, the weight of your shed, and the climate. Plastic or gravel may be the best choice if you are on a budget. Otherwise, wood or concrete are good choices.
Are you bored with your idea of fun? What about having a spot of fun in your basement rather than running out of things to do, right? Now, sometimes having some fun in the underground basement can be exhilarating. However, a good basement underground mapping is necessary first before you start having some fun in it. This basement mapping will allow you to have a spot of fun in your basement and not worry anymore about something getting broken. If you’re starting a basement remodeling project, you’re probably excited about turning your dingy, dark basement into a beautiful and functional space. So, before you get started, here are the most popular uses of the basement. 1. Home Bar If you’re looking to kick back and relax, consider having a home bar. With a home bar, you can pull up a chair or sofa and call up your favorite cocktail. Of course, having a bar space in your home means you don’t have to venture to a bar or liquor store. You can even find home bar supplies online and have them delivered right to your door. 2. Game Room A game room in the basement for parties and family get-togethers is a great idea. It is multi-functional, allowing you to play card games, board games, and video games. A game room in the basement also makes a wonderful place to hang out. Kids can play video games with their friends, and adults can play cards, board games, and more. 3. Den or Informal Living Room The den or informal living room is one of the most important rooms in your home, as it’s where you spend most of your time. Whether you’re reading or watching TV, relaxing, or having a conversation with a friend, it’s the place you’ll want your home to feel warm, welcoming, and comfortable. 4. Wine Cellar The wine cellar is one of the most desirable rooms in any home. It’s a place to keep wine and other alcoholic beverages at the perfect temperature and a place where you can sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite drink. 5. Theater / Media Room A basement is a great place for home theaters and entertainment centers. A home theater gives you the same experience as the movies themselves, minus the long trip to the theater. A theater is perfect for entertaining guests, while a media room is great for watching your favorite movies and television shows. A home theater and media room will keep your guests entertained and allow you to relax while they’re in your home. 6. Library When planning your basement remodel, you’ll likely want to think about more than just the square footage. The most used room in the basement, besides the bathroom, is often the basement library. It’s one of the most popular uses of the basement in your home. Libraries can offer space for books, toys, puzzles, games, and anything in between. A library can be as elaborate or simple as you want it to be. 7. Extra Storage Everybody needs to store things. Whether it’s that new Star Wars toy you’ve just received or an extra box of clothes you brought with you from the move, it’s important to have somewhere to store it. Basements are ideal for this purpose. In fact, basements can be turned into the ultimate storage area. 8. Workout Room / Home Gym A basement workout room is a great place to work out. Basements give you plenty of room, have heat and air conditioning, and offer lots of natural light. You can even make your basement a workout space, including working out. You can lift weights and do different types of cardio. You can make a DIY gym by recycling exercise equipment you already have, or you can buy new gym equipment for your home. Additionally, incorporating red light therapy for workout recovery in your basement gym can provide additional benefits to aid muscle recovery and improve circulation. 9. Playroom Kids love playing, and they love having their own space to play. It is a “safe” place for them to play and run around and ‘be a kid.’ If you have a large basement, you can turn it into the ultimate playroom for your kids. 10. Additional Bedroom(s) When remodeling your basement, one idea to consider is to add a bedroom. Building up the basement (or adding a second story) is one of the most expensive home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake, but adding an additional bedroom in the basement is typically much less expensive than building an entirely new structure. 11. Bathroom The bathroom in the basement is a space filled with opportunity. It is on the same level as the laundry, food prep, toys, and laundry. It is the perfect space to add in storage, a sink, add in a shower, or even create a half bath. With a bathroom in the basement, you don’t have to take the steps or climb stairs to get to the main level bathroom. 12. Nooks A basement is a place that many homeowners try to keep clean and organized. Basements can take a lot of work to keep clean, and clutter can build up quickly. Luckily, more homeowners are learning that a nook is a great way of storing things that are rarely used. 13. Kitchenette / Kitchen The basement is the ideal place for a kitchenette or kitchenette renovation. The basement tends to be humid and damp, so any kitchen problem will manifest first in the basement. Since basements are generally unfinished, they are easy to clean and maintain. 14. Home Office Basements are great spaces to set up home offices. They are usually quite spacious and have a generally high ceiling. The basement of your home is probably the one space in your house where you’ll be most comfortable, and that’s exactly what you need if you’re setting up an office in your home. 15. Utility / Laundry Room Having a laundry room in the basement
Ordering and purchasing products online have become the norm in recent years. While brick-and-mortar stores continue to attract buyers, the shift of preference is hard to miss. The drastic change in consumer behavior may be attributed to the rise of mobile technology, though the advantages offered by virtual shopping could have also influenced this movement. A global consulting firm survey in 2021 found that 48% of consumers reported having changed their shopping habits due to the global pandemic. Aside from the shift in priorities, shoppers have also found efficiency and convenience in contactless transactions and virtual customer experience. Hence, online ordering is expected to grow continuously in popularity and influence across industries, including manufacturing. Both manufacturers and clients have benefited from the shift in how transactions are done. In the past, clients spent days waiting for companies’ quotes before placing an order. Meanwhile, manufacturers also waste time and effort in sending numerous quotations to clients without a guarantee of making a sale. These inconveniences and delays are significantly reduced with online transactions. If you’d like to know of other ways online ordering has made an impact on the manufacturing industry, here are some examples: Virtual business transactions improve efficiency for companies and customers. Aside from the time saved conducting business online, they also improve order accuracy, reduce errors, and allows customization when needed. For instance, customers who require CNC cutting services can upload CAD files on an ordering platform, giving the engineers a detailed picture of the design they want to achieve. Aside from enhanced order accuracy, clients can receive lead times and price quotations faster with online ordering. For example, a client requiring tube cutting can place an order online with the design, size details, and lead time required. Before the order is completed and processed, the client can review the prices for each service, the shipping costs, the expected completion date, and other information to help them decide if they should push through with it. Overall, online ordering can benefit service providers and their clients as it helps everyone save time, effort, and resources. In the past, many manufacturers focused on mass production, which left little room for customization. Today, online ordering is becoming more competitive than ever, so businesses have transformed their services to cater to the consumer’s requirements. Besides customization, online ordering platforms give customers more freedom to explore a company’s products and services. Clients can spend as much or as little time at an online shop, and they also have control over what they view. With a user-friendly interface, your online ordering platform can help you attract and retain customers because of the positive consumer experience you provide. The virtual connection between manufacturing companies and their customers allowed companies to gain valuable insight into consumer mindset and behavior. For instance, companies can gather data from ordering platforms to create customer profiles which they can use to enhance their products and services or improve their marketing strategy. Furthermore, customers can take advantage of the opportunity to provide company feedback through online platforms. Clients can answer surveys, leave a rating, comment on products or services they used, or ask questions through a company’s online portal. Then, the collected information can be used by manufacturers to improve the quality of their products and make adjustments to their current business processes as needed. While the present world market still has opportunities for brick-and-mortar shops, the positive impact of online ordering platforms on manufacturing overhead costs cannot be overlooked. For one, maintaining a physical store in the United States can cost between USD$2,000 and USD$100,000. However, the prices depend on the size of the operations. Many small and medium enterprises prefer to channel their resources toward other business areas, which is why online shops are ideal. By reducing operational costs, manufacturers can direct their investments on product improvement, customer service, web design, or price competitiveness. While saving money, business owners can also improve their products and services, which positively impacts the company and its clients. According to a 2022 report by business solutions provider Raydiant, 55.6% of customers prefer shopping online. This figure embodies the consumer mindset that manufacturing businesses can take advantage of. For one, companies can expand their scope to various locations to cater to more clients. They can also offer more products as they won’t have to address space limitations like brick-and-mortar shops. Conclusion The impact of online ordering on the manufacturing industry is expected to last, and the transformation will continue as long as it supports growth for both landscapes. Meanwhile, business owners can take advantage of this trend and utilize it to improve the quality of their products and services. The enhanced connection with their customer pool and potential business can also help drive growth and revenue, which is why manufacturers should optimize their online ordering opportunities.
Within the world of construction, there are a great variety of roles, industries, and businesses that are thriving. For anybody that’s looking into the most profitable ventures within the construction industry, either as an entrepreneur or as a worker, it’s important to look at the industry as a whole and how many “sub-industries” there could be. Let’s show you some of these. Site Clearing Site clearing is, in many ways, the antithesis of the construction industry. The construction industry as a whole has received a lot of criticism because of the lack of effective recycling practices. It’s an easy one to overlook because, in the real estate industry, where many buyers are looking for new house and land package deals to create their dream property, the process can take a lot longer than necessary. The construction of any new home involves many different moving parts, with a variety of contractors and constructors. Site clearing is one of the most profitable areas because this will not just ensure the materials are removed from the construction site swiftly, but they can be recycled and sold in recycling markets. A contractor could offer services in clearing a site before or after a job and create a second source of income by selling these items. Paving Companies Paving is vital, especially in the real estate industry. Everybody needs some type of paving, whether it’s in commercial industries or in residential areas. One of the benefits of this type of business is the low upfront costs. It’s also a very far-reaching business because of the sheer diversity on offer; it can be combined with other exterior services. Landscaping and exterior remodelling can work in tandem with this type of business venture. Manufacturing Materials From cement to bricks, blocks, and other paving services, retail is an incredibly profitable venture within the construction industry. The great benefit of this type of business is that you can cater for interior and exterior services. For example, you could sell tiles made of ceramics for countertops or flooring. Naturally, starting a business in this type of industry means you can sell supplementary materials or other types of products. You can manufacture materials which you can sell, like cement or cement blocks. This is also another way to benefit construction businesses. Working to sell exclusively to construction companies is a very lucrative endeavour. Solar Panel Construction and Insulation The world is looking for more environmentally friendly practices. Alternative energy sources are becoming more popular with people looking to bypass the excessive costs of their utility bills. Solar panels can provide a useful addition to anybody’s property, and there is a demand for experts in this field. As renewable energy becomes more common, there will be a greater need for construction companies with renewable energy sources, specifically solar panels. Skilled Contractors We are at a crossroads in the construction industry. There is now a greater demand for skilled contractors because the Baby Boomer generations are now retiring in their droves, but younger skilled contractors are not replacing them. While there has been a drive for younger contractors with specific skills like carpentry, the numbers are not adding up because younger members of society are becoming increasingly reliant on the internet to solve their problems. This means there is a massive gap in the markets to provide carpentry services, not just for construction companies, but for the average consumer. Carpentry covers a number of specialities, for example, making cabinets for the interiors of properties, but also bridge carpenters, who produce wood for bridges. The most beneficial thing about being a carpenter is, because it is a skill that is greatly in demand, you can charge a premium for your services. Remodelling Remodelling services, whether it’s interior or exterior remodelling, can prove beneficial when working in tandem with construction companies. Many individual contractors can work with construction companies on a freelance basis to provide those finishing touches to exterior parts of properties. Exterior remodelling covers several disciplines, for example, remodelling building facades or just replacing windows and doors in residential properties. The most important thing for anybody to recognise when they are trying to expand their business or start within the construction industry is to be competitive and recognise the gaps in the market, as well as the gaps in skills. The construction industry is always going to be a lucrative one because of the demand for infrastructure, but when we drill down into the smaller industries, we can start to pick apart the more lucrative aspects.
First-of-its-kind published national guidance for building designers and planners to consider accessibility for a neurodiverse population Neurodivergent conditions include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia. Neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s are also covered It is estimated that there are around 700,000 autistic people1 and around 1.5million have ADHD 2 in the UK and 900,000 living with dementia3 Building designers and public planners have long been responsible for ensuring that the built environment is accessible to people with physical disabilities but, until now, the needs of neurodivergent people and people with sensory and/or information processing differences have not received the same level of attention. In recognition of this, and in light of a research study which explored how neurodivergent people experience the built environment, BSI, as the national standards body, have today launched first-of-its-kind-standard on the design of the built environment for a neurodiverse society. Neurodivergence includes people with autism, ADHD, dementia, and a range of other sensory and/or information processing differences. It is estimated that around 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent in some form.4 The guidance from BSI contained within the new standard, PAS 6463, applies to buildings and external spaces for public and commercial use, as well as residential accommodation for independent or supported living. A significant number of people find elements of the built environment uncomfortable, distressing or a barrier to their use. For example, when interacting with the built environment, neurodivergent and neurodegenerative people can frequently experience “sensory overload”, overstimulation of the body’s senses leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed. The increased demand on an individual of the associated cognitive load can unsurprisingly lead to increased anxiety, fatigue and, in some cases, poor mental health. PAS 6463, Design for the mind – Neurodiversity and the built environment – Guide aims to assist building designers in mitigating and eliminating these negative impacts. Scott Steedman, Director-General, Standards at BSI, said: “Everyone deserves to experience the built environment in a way that supports their general wellbeing and generates better health outcomes. The new guidance within PAS 6463 fills a gap in design practice by addressing the needs of people whose minds process information and experiences differently, extending the benefit of inclusive design to a new and important community. With PAS 6463, designers can now benefit from guidance on lighting, décor, acoustics, and layout to support neurodiverse users of buildings and infrastructure.” Jean Hewitt, a senior member of the inclusive design team at Buro Happold and technical author of the PAS, added: “In addition to designing places to accommodate our diversity in form, size and physical ability, there is also a profound need to design for neurological difference. Since my first involvement in this area in 2009, I have hoped for some progress for the many neurodivergent colleagues, friends, and family whose lives are unnecessarily blighted by places that don’t work for them. Some have a formal diagnosis, but many do not; there are also many neurotypical people more mildly but regularly affected by environments on a day-to-day basis, perhaps triggering unsteadiness, migraines or experiencing extra daily stress through elements that are not intuitive or comfortable for them. “My learning throughout the process of developing this PAS leads me to believe at least 30% of the population are negatively impacted by elements that could so easily be adjusted or eliminated during design, procurement, and management without any cost implications. This PAS is an opportunity to ask everyone involved in the built environment to carefully consider this normal neurological diversity of humans rather than just meeting basic regulatory demands – places should be comfortable for everyone to visit and use without encountering emotional distress or difficulty. I’m very excited to have been involved in developing this guidance to help make this the case for many more people.” Alan Bainbridge, BBC Director of Workplace, said: “We’re always working hard to make our buildings as inclusive as possible, and our new BBC Cymru Wales Broadcast Centre lives up to that aspiration through its innovative neuro-inclusive design. We’re proud to have been able to share our planning experience with our peers and contribute to this important guidance.” Karen Wilding, Marketing Communications Manager at Forbo Flooring Systems, said: “At Forbo, we believe in creating better environments; spaces that have a positive impact on the planet and most importantly, people, which is why we are proud to have supported the development of the new BSI standard, PAS 6463. “Through our previous work and experience with the DSDC (Dementia Services Development Centre), we know the positive impact that informed design considerations, such as tonal contrasts, can have on the way people use, interact with, and respond to a space. As such, the launch of this new standard is an important and huge step forward for the industry. We look forward to seeing how designers use this guidance to create truly inclusive and positive spaces.” Simone West, TfL’s Inclusive Design Advisor, said: “TfL is proud to have played a pivotal role and contributed from a transport viewpoint in steering the production of this design guideline and standard. We hope that this is just the beginning, and that research can continue to contribute to increasing our knowledge and understanding of what makes environments better for everyone. As a public body whose services are used by millions of people, we understand the importance of ensuring better built environments for neurodivergent customers and colleagues.” Kevin Mills, Director of Capital Investment, Sport England added: “We are delighted to support this standard and proud that it is ‘open access’, meaning it will be freely available to everyone involved in the design and management of buildings and public spaces. This will ensure it has the greatest impact on the lives of neurodiverse people.”
Having cracks in your ceiling is such a hassle for all homeowners, not to mention how annoying it can be at times. If you are someone who has been struggling with cracks in your ceiling, then this article might be just for you. To assist you with such an issue, we have jotted down all of the details, from the different types of cracks that may occur in your ceiling to how you can fix them using simple yet effective means. Reasons Why You Might See Cracks In Your Ceiling Take a look at this section to find out why you might be experiencing cracks in your ceiling in the first place! Moisture Damaging Your Ceiling Moisture damage might also result in cracks in the ceiling. The roof or the floor just above the ceiling cracks because of potential moisture that has been accumulating in your walls and ceiling due to heavy rain in your area or because of plumbing leakage. If there is a bathroom right above the ceiling of the room that has cracks then that might be an added reason as to why your ceiling is having cracks. Your House Is Aging With time, the structure of the house deteriorates. As your house ages, it will have certain wear and tear in the long run. Ceiling crack is one of those particular issues that you will be seeing. Drywall Issues It’s common for improperly built drywall to crack, and ceiling drywall cracks are typically not dangerous. For instance, improperly taped drywall joints can result in this. In such a matter, the tape doesn’t necessarily hold on for quite a long time because it wasn’t applied properly or enough drywall mud wasn’t used when taping the seams. Hence, this may cause the drywall to crack as the tape starts to come loose. Your House Has A Very Weak Foundation Sadly, ceiling cracks may also indicate severe structural damage. For instance, subsidence of the foundation may result in ceiling fissures. This occurs as a result of the building’s frame being stressed by the foundation settlement. Such issues are very common all over the world. Many homeowners across the USA have to sadly face this issue, be it in Texas, Chicago, New York, San Jose, or elsewhere. And if you are finding cracks here and there in various ceilings of many rooms in your house, be sure that the main potential reason could be your house’s having a very weak foundation if none of the points mentioned above are the reason behind the cracks. In such cases, it is highly important to level up the foundation of your house properly from the beginning when your team is building up your house. And clay soil is a major contributing issue in such cases. Let’s assume you live in San Antonio, Texas; it is highly important that you have a great team of people around you who will help you have a proper house foundation. With a proper house building guideline, you will find out that there are precautions to take when leveling a house in San Antonio, or anywhere else with clay soil for that matter. Types Of Cracks In Your Ceiling And How To Fix Them As you have identified the reasons why there is a crack in your ceiling, it is also important to know what types of cracks are a sign that your house is going to collapse or which ones you should probably ignore. ● Hairline Cracks In most cases, a problem with the plaster covering the drywall is what causes hairline cracks. The plaster may expand or contract due to changes in temperature or humidity, resulting in minute fissures. These aren’t major issues and can be quickly remedied with simple cosmetic adjustments. Rarely are hairline cracks a significant cause for alarm. You can either fix them up with paint or ignore them. ● Straight Cracks Next up are straight cracks. During installation, poor tape or mudding techniques sometimes result in small, straight fissures. A straight crack in your ceiling sometimes results from the tape pulling away from the joints since there wasn’t enough mud applied to them in the first place. Straight cracks can also be caused by high humidity levels and foundation movement. You can probably add some drywall cement to the tape after it has come out and then reattach it to the joints since these cracks are frequently shallow. The tape might occasionally need to be changed if it comes out every now and then. You should smoothen the surface underneath the tape before applying a new tape, eliminate the loose tape using a knife, and make it easier to tape a new tape. After removing the old tape and smoothing the uneven surface that occurred because the tape came off, you should apply a fresh piece of tape to the area and then spread the drywall compound over it with a flat putty knife. ● Yellow Or Brown Colored Cracks Your ceiling may have discolored cracks, which is most likely the result of a possible water leak from plumbing issues or moisture being soaked in. Prior to making drywall repairs, it’s critical to take sufficient time to determine the source of such a leak and address it effectively. To avoid making the issue worse, it is best to consult a specialist to analyze the situation. You’ll need to fix your ceiling after the water damage’s underlying source is addressed, as straight cracks cannot be avoided at all. Before beginning work on your ceiling, you should dry out or get someone’s help to dry out the dampness or moisture in the ceiling if the area covered isn’t significant. However, a significant area being dampened will mean you will have to entirely remove the harmed pieces if the afflicted region is sizable or if the drywall has been saturated from top to bottom. ● Spiderweb Cracks If you haven’t noticed any of the cracks mentioned above, you probably have seen at least spiderweb
Vinyl flooring doesn’t pose many disadvantages. In fact, it is one of the best options if you are looking for durability, easy maintenance, and good looks. However, like every other flooring option, vinyl isn’t perfect. It may be more appropriate for some homeowners than others. The Pros of Vinyl Flooring Affordability This is perhaps the biggest benefit of vinyl flooring. Compared to wood and tiles, the upfront cost is pretty low. You can spend less than $1 per square foot on the lower end. Even though rigid core vinyl planks are more expensive, their average price per square foot is lower than alternative flooring types. Hardwood flooring or carpet, for example, can cost up to double the price of vinyl. Variety of Finishes Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of beautiful finishes to suit different needs. The floors are available in traditional and modern designs, including hardwood, stone, and marble imitations. You can also choose from abstract patterns and motifs for modern and contemporary rooms. Scratch-Resistance Vinyl planks are scratch-resistant. They are hard to damage because of the resistant wear layer. Unlike hardwood which exhibits dings and dents after years of use, vinyl will look great for a long time. Durability With proper maintenance, quality vinyl flooring options can last very long. It can last much longer than hardwood and certainly longer than carpet. Vinyl flooring requires little upkeep to stay in good condition for a long time. This is the sort of flooring where less is more regarding maintenance. You don’t need to use any expensive cleaning supplies. Most detergents and waxes can harm the material. Simply use a homemade mixture of hot water and white vinegar to clean your floors. Alternatively, you could mop the surface with a cleaner for vinyl flooring. Great for Pets and Kids Vinyl flooring is an excellent choice if you have children or pets. Even though it isn’t always fully waterproof, all types of vinyl are water-resistant. You don’t need to worry about accidental messes and spills staining your floor. You can simply clean with a mop or vacuum. Comfortable On Your Feet Vinyl flooring is softer and easier to walk on than hardwood or tile, even though it isn’t as comfortable as carpet. This is a significant advantage, especially if you want to put new flooring where people need to stand for extended periods. The ability of the material to maintain room temperature is another benefit in terms of comfort. Simply turn on the central heating, and your vinyl floor will feel reasonably warm to the touch. This perk is especially significant if you enjoy being barefoot inside your home, even during the cooler months. They Can Look Like Anything One of the best things about vinyl flooring is that it can be customized to look like anything you want. Your selections are obviously limited to what the manufacturer has to offer. However, you can always find something for your space. Would you like your vinyl planks to resemble natural wood? Do you want them to look like stone, wood, or a huge flower? You can have whatever you want. The Cons of Vinyl Flooring The benefits of vinyl flooring are undeniable. It is inexpensive, looks like natural wood, and comes in various styles. However, this flooring isn’t for everyone. Here are a few disadvantages of vinyl flooring: In conclusion, vinyl flooring is ideal for modern homes or renovations on a budget. Depending on the type, this flooring can simulate real wood at a lower cost. Vinyl flooring is also simple to install and maintain. It might not be as durable as tile or have the same market value as hardwood, but you can still count on it to last for many years.
