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Racy Building Strategies-50 |
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1 While choosing granite, the first thing to decide is whether you want textured surface granite or a plain looking one or one with lines or waves in it. Mostly, dark coloured black granite is preferred over the textured one. For good quality, look for no patches of discoloration in the slabs. Next, check that there are no hair cracks in the slabs. Nor there shouldn’t be any pinholes. Make these checks thoroughly. Now rub the granite surface with a piece of cloth dipped in kerosene oil or petrol. No colour should appear on the cloth after its rubbing on granite. If a colour appears, it will prove that industrial oil has been rubbed on the slabs by the stone dealer to intensify the colour. This granite will lose its colour in one or two months. Reject such slabs. This problem is generally faced in light shade black granite. Choose granite that is genuinely dark coloured.
2 Some more tips on choosing granite. Look for circular marks on the back of slabs. If such marks are there, don’t choose these slabs. To cut Granite slabs from big blocks, right method is to do water cutting by using big sized mechanized saws. Sometimes, cutting is done by using kerosene cutters which is not a proper method. These cutters leave circular patches of kerosene on the back of slabs. With the passage of time, this kerosene travels to the upper surface of granite leaving bad patches on it.
3 Next, check the thickness of granite slab yourself. Supplier will always tell a higher thickness by 2 to 3 mm than the actual one. Lesser thickness may upset your work and you may have to make it up by unnecessary filling of mortar below the slab. Granite is best for kitchen counters because it never loses its polish. It is a costly item and any relaxation on thickness should not be allowed.
4 Marble looks impregnable but in actual, it is a porous material. The one having low porosity, high density and hardness is considered good one. Density of good marble is about 2800 kg/cubic metre. Marble mines are available many where in the country but Makrana mines produce best quality natural marble. That’s why Makrana marble has become world famous. Makrana white is considered the best marble and remains the most preferred one. Its shine increases with time. It is Indian Makrana that has been used in Taj Mahal. It doesn’t get yellow with time. Also, it is stronger as compared to other marbles. So choose Makrana white for your house if marble flooring is your option.
5 More marbles are Dungri, Albeta, Kumhari, Gulabi, Adanga, Chauseera, Ulodi, Kola dungri. These names have been derived from the places where these marble mines exist. While selecting marble, always check the slabs for no pinholes or hair cracks in them. Pay special attention to edges and angles of each marble slab. No slab should have curved edges. All edges must be truly straight. All 4 angles should be truly right angles. Kishangarh marble is very porous, gets yellow with time and develops cracks when flooring is complete.
6 Marble is available in slabs, tiles and cut size. Choose marble slabs from thappi. Marble slabs that provide ‘book matching’ are costlier but bring real aesthetic effect. Book matching is the diamond shape formation of the streaks in marble slabs when 4 pieces of marble slabs are arranged together. Prefer to choose a supplier who cares for reputation. One, R K Marble of Rajasthan supplying Makrana under the name ‘wonder marble’ has become world’s largest marble mining company and entered Guinness Book of World Records.
7 There are hundreds of Makrana marble suppliers sitting in Makrana and competition is tough. One can buy good marble at really less rates by actually visiting Makrana which lies on Borawar bye pass Road in Rajasthan. Marble is available at Rs. 30 to Rs. 300 per sq. ft. Makrana may cost as less as Rs. 80 to a high of Rs. 450 per sq. ft. With time, some moisture from the sub base may rise and pass through it, causing some of its discoloration. So discuss this point with the supplier and get his guarantee against such discoloration. All projected slabs (may be on kitchen counter or stairs or verandahs) must have outer edges with ornamental finish as nosing. This nosing work is done at Rs. 7 to 9 per foot. Keep margin for the same in view while choosing sizes. Also keep in mind that marble needs polishing every 5 years if its real grace is to be maintained.
More tips will follow next week. Till then, happy building!
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Tip of the Moment
IS 2933 paints are enamel paints while IS 2932 paints are synthetic enamel paints.
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IMP : Due to His Pre-Occupations, The Author Is Unable To Find Time To Compile The Tips In Book Format. As And When, The Book Is Completed And Near Publication, It Will Be Notified On The Website. The Author Expresses His Gratitude To The Readers And Site-Visitors For The Huge Demand Made By Them For The Book.
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