How to design a house with proper Light and Ventilation?

How to design a house with proper Light and Ventilation? 10 Design ideas which can be incorporated during House Planning.

A sustainable house design can not only have accomplished building materials and layout of the building but it also needs to have good amount of professionalism offered towards achieving maximum satisfaction from the targeted design which has proper consideration for light and ventilation. In order to come up with a good house plan, you will need to put a certain amount of consideration as well as number of features to look out for in order to ensure that you attain proper lighting and ventilation within the houses. 

Among the many tips to look out for in order to make a proper plan for a house would include the following ten features to achieve proper ventilation and lighting:

1.The building Layout

The layout of the building would be in such a way that it should direct the right amount of sun light into the house providing just enough amount of heat to keep the house warm during coolers seasons and at the same time not being too hot during the warmer seasons. Different design layouts for the building would provide different methods of keeping the house cool and fresh. This is by applying different ventilation techniques purely depending on the design sensibility for the house.

2. Window design

The design and layout of the windows are aimed at letting in as much amount of natural light as possible thereby enhancing proper illumination internally. This is a great way of letting in energy free and cost effective day light into the house. This helps in reducing the overall electricity consumption costs for the house.

3. Shading

A proper house plan should include the construction of a house in an area that has a large amount of shade. Shades would help in preventing the entry of direct sunlight into the room or building. By doing so you will enable fresh cool air to go through the room keeping it well ventilated.

4. Insulation

Insulation of the whole house is a great way of keeping your house well ventilated at the same time maintaining proper lighting. This also includes the insulation of the windows to regulate the amount of light and heat that is coming within the house. This would assist you in saving costs associated with heating the room at night when it is very cold.

5.Thermal mass

The quality of air inside the house can be regulated by installing insulators or thermal mass gadgets which help in improving the cycle of air inside the house by maintaining an even temperature.

6. Ventilation

With proper ventilation for your house, you will be able to allow and encourage free air circulation into and out of the room. This means all the warm air within the room will easily be directed outside while cool air from outside would come in and fill the vacuum.

7. Interior ventilation

It is not only the outer features and designs that will help you make sure you keep the right amount of light or air circulation in check, the interior design is also an important factor in all this. The bathroom and kitchen for example are the main sources of heat and moisture within the house. Therefore these two spaces requires proper placement in the floor plan layout for proper ventilation and also to ensure that these are directed outside the house.

8. Structural ventilation

There is the possibility of moisture roasting and rotting inside your house. In order to prevent this from happening, you will need to have adequate ventilation in the basement or in the upper elevation to take away the hot air within the room which rises up. This is very important to be considered while the building plan is been worked out.

9.Roof ventilation

If there is sloping roof designed for the house, then there needs to be enough cut-outs/ pockets through which there can be cross ventilation of breeze through the house. As we know well that cold air settles down in a room and hot air rises up so we need to have proper outlets to let this hot air escape to the external atmosphere. This can only be achieved at the design stage so it becomes an important element to consider.

10. Foundation ventilation

In case you have unfinished basement or a house on sloping contoured site then you probably need extra vents which can ventilate this space and not allow it to be dumped with dirt or so.

It is therefore very important that you involve qualified architect to design your house who can take care of all these features. Absence of proper light and ventilation is something you will realize when the construction is complete and your life’s investment has been spent, so it’s better to invest wisely along with an architect who has a vision to take care of these features. 

We are refreshing our designs .......HomePlansIndia.com

Our designs have worked well for most people in India over 4 yrs, but now with newer and more modern technologies at our disposal we are offering our clients much more options to make a selection and purchase of a house plans and design from us. 

First - Make a bucket list of your wishes for your house plan

Bucket List for House Plan

Second - Write the house basic information

A. Size of plot

B. No floors

C. Total area of the house

Third - Search our site for the house plan which fits your requirement. 

Option 1 - Either yourself

Option 2 - By sending us your requirement by email.

Fourth - Once shortlisted do have almost of atleast 3 to 4 house plans of your choice and then rate them as per your interest and choice and design. 

Fifth - Once finalised purchase the same by placing an order online. The varied modes of payment make it a almost a child's play.

Option 1 - Pay in Indian Rupees for making online purchase with credit card, debit card, net banking, etc.

Option 2 - Pay in USD for making online purchase with your credit card, debit card, etc.

Option 3 - Place an order online and we will send you drawings by courier and make a cash on delivery.

With so much that can be done online, there's seems to be no end to. We do really hope and wish our clients the best in there search for the best dream home. If you still feel you need a more custom house plans then we are really here to make the same for you. Do send your queries to us at homeplasnind@gmail.com

Advantages of Green Roof for new Bungalow Designs in 2015

A decade ago we will not be talking about Green Roofs Design and incorporation in Bungalows or House Designs in India, but today with wide spread awareness about usage of green building designs and material usage, Green roofs are becoming prominent. What exactly is a green roof? Why suddenly everybody is talking about it, its advantages and being thing of the time. Green roofs are the rooftop of any building which is partially or completely covered with healthy vegetation which thrives under good sunlight and water. 
This is made possible by using a medium (like soil) for growing grass, flower plans and other varieties of vegetation which does need good amount of ambient sunlight. These are planted on top of a waterproofing membrane which is laid to slope on the terraces slab so that the slope directs the rain water or excess water towards the designated gutter locations on the terrace.  






In order to enjoy the benefits of these roofing materials in their bungalows, home owners must incorporate green roofs for there news bungalow design while it is still being designed. As architects we like to say, " take 100% decisions on paper than at actual construction site as the former is far cheaper and less time consuming than the latter. Our online architectural design firm HomeplansIndia.com is capable of drawing eco home designs in India. 

The following are the advantages of having a green roof for your new Bungalow Design:

1. Increases the Home Resale Value

Resale value is the amount of money for which an existing home can be sold at a later date. The installation of the green roof usually increases this amount considering the facts that the benefits that such roofs confer to the home owners far exceed those that traditional roofs do. This leads to increased profits for home owners. 

2. Reduction of Noise

The extra vegetation that is found on the roof tops usually absorbs extra sound from the surrounding areas of the home from such sources as animals, people, vehicles, and aircrafts. This makes the interior of such homes more quiet and habitable than ordinary housing facilities. 

3. Reduction of Electro-magnetic Radiation

The world is awash with numerous devices that emit electromagnetic radiation. These include mobile devices, medical equipment, and natural phenomena such as lightning e.t.c. These radiations do pose certain risks to humans such as cancer, cell mutation e.t.c. Green roofs reduce to a considerable extent the severity of these radiation which consequently diminish the potential harm they pose to man. 

4. Prevention of Fire Outbreaks

Green roofs have less burning heat load i.e. the quantity of heat generated when a substance burns as compared to traditional roofing materials. They therefore reduce to a greater extent the possibility of fire outbreaks, or in the event of such outbreaks, their severity. They therefore make buildings much safe and habitable for occupants. 

5. Increases Durability of Roofs

These roofing materials do reduce the exposure of the waterproofing membranes to the elements of weather such as rainfall, excess sunshine, large temperature fluctuations, and ultra violet radiation which most often than not predispose the roofing materials to micro-tearing, corrosion and other dangers. Consequently, they increase the overall lifespan of roofs which translates into less maintenance costs for home owners. 

6. Energy Efficient

These roofing materials reduce to a considerable extent the amount of energy that is required to moderate the temperature of the interior of buildings especially in times of extreme heat such as summer or extreme cold such as winter times. This is due to the fact that they trap in lots of heat during the winter months and absorb less heat in summer as compared to conventional roofing materials. This leads to greatly reduced energy costs for the home owners. Energy efficient house design is all that are necessary to take advantage of this benefit. 

Maintenance
These roofs need bit of a technical detailing and execution at site, but once if they are done well then they should not pose any threat. Do check the above schematic sketch to explain a working or construction of a green roof. 

Conclusion

The benefits of green roofs to the home owners cannot in anyway be underestimated. Any serious home owner cannot therefore afford to ignore them in their general home design. 

What are the different Stages of House Construction in India

Understanding the different stages of house construction from excavation to finishing is vital if you want to ensure you are en sync with the construction process. In this article we will look over the 12 stages of house building in India - from the start of house construction to the moment you receive the keys to your new home.

1. Site Preparation
The start of house construction begins with the preparation and clearing of the site. If necessary you may also need to carry out some earth moment and levelling at this time. Once the site is clear, levelled and ready you and the builder will stake out the floor plan on site. This will be the first time you experience the floor plan in reality rather than on paper - a truly wonderful moment!

2. Floor Slab
The next stage of house construction will be to install the main concrete floor slab. Foundations will be dug, caged and poured as per your structural engineers specifications and any “in slab” plumbing will be laid out. Once the foundations and plumbing are ready the main concrete floor slab will be poured.

3. Framing - Walls & Roof Structure
After the slab is cured work will begin on the main structure of the house, this is one of the most exciting stages of house building. In India there are many different methods of construction available and this stage will vary slightly depending on your particular method of house construction: timber, brick, concrete, steel etc. However the basic principle for this stage is the same - you will see the walls of your house rise from the slab and appear for the first time in front of your eyes.

4. Roofing
Once the construction of the walls and roof structure is complete the roof will be installed and made waterproof.

5. External Finishes
Depending on your type of house construction method, the exterior walls will now be finished. If your house has a solid wall construction such as block, brick or concrete this will typically involve rendering and painting the external walls. If you have a light framed structure such as wood or steel this will involved cladding and insulating the structure with your chosen material such as wooden planks or grp panels.

6. Windows & Doors
Now that heavy site work has finished it is safe to install the windows and external doors. This makes the building fully watertight and protected from the elements allowing the builders to start construction on the internal areas of the building which now follow such as electrical work, plumbing and finishing.

7. Rough Ins
Electricians and plumbers will install the required electrical cables and pipes. This stage of house construction is known as “roughing in” as they wont connect the cables or pipes to live sources until later in the construction process. Once they return they will
connect switches, power outlets and lights, but for now they will leave the cables and pipes protruding from walls, ready to be completed later in the process.

8. Internal Finishes
Now that the cables and pipes are installed work will begin on the non structural internal walls, internal wall finishes and floor finishes. This will include plastering, painting, tiling and the installation of finished floors.

9. Carpentry
During this stage of house construction carpenters will work on the installation of any built in furniture such as kitchen cabinets and bedroom closets. Things like skirting boards and door and window trims are also added at this time.

10. FF&E Fit Out
Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment (FF&E as it’s known in the trade) is the last major stage of house construction. Your electrician will come back and install your chosen lights, switches and power outlets and make the system live. Your plumber will return and install any faucets, sinks, toilets, showers and other wet systems. Finally you will receive delivery of other large appliances such as fridges, cookers and washing machines which will be installed by your builder.

11. Practical Completion
We are now at the stage of “practical completion” where your house is essentially complete. You will tour the property with the builder and make a final inspection to ensure everything has been built as agreed and the builder has completed work as agreed in the construction contract. This is your final chance to discuss any issues and have them addressed by the builder.

12. Handover
This is the moment you have been waiting for! It will seem like a long time since the start of house construction. The builder will hand you the keys to your new home after addressing the issues you raised during the “practical completion” tour.

Conclusion
So there you have it, the 12 stages of house building in India. We hope you now have a better understanding of house construction from excavation to finishing.
Remember that this is a general guide to house construction. We are a big country and the stages of house building in India will vary regionally. The method and material of house construction,as well as the builders preference may effect the order of construction.

How to Calculate the Cost of Constructing a Bungalow in India

In India it is more common than any other place, that client usually runs out of money before construction of his bungalow is complete. So we at homeplansindia.com consider that a well thought out cost estimation of your house plan is an essential element of house construction and cannot be avoided. If you have a well planned costing of your house design you will be able to distribute your funds evenly across the duration of the project, ensuring you can complete your bungalow as intended. Imagine if you built your dream home but ran out of money to install any windows and doors, or any toilets and sinks!?
Understanding the costing of house design is probably the most important step in constructing your own bungalow. In this article we will cover the key elements to consider when creating your own cost estimation of your house plan.

1. Land Cost
Buying land is likely to be the first cost you will encounter on your journey. As this is a fixed cost, it is easy to work in to your overall cost estimation. However don’t forget there are usually legal fees and taxes to pay on top of the value of the land. If you are making this cost estimation of house plans before you have purchased land we recommend you speak to some local realtors who will be able to give you a guide price to use in the costing of your house design.

2. Paperwork
The amount of paperwork that is required in constructing your own bungalow is often something that surprises people, costing significantly more than expected. This can vary from state to state so be sure to check locally what you will need and the associated costs involved. You are likely to need various surveys and ground tests as well as planning approval and a building licence. Try and find out what you will need to spend as early as possible and include it in the cost estimation of your house plan.

3. Architectural Design
Choosing the design of your bungalow is the most exciting part of the construction process for most people. If you going for a custom house plan then it is worth to get a custom fee proposal for your design requirement so that it can also be included in your overall house construction budget. If you are employing an architect then their fee will vary according to your design, typically costing 5 - 9% of the overall construction budget.

An alternative to hiring an architect is to purchase readymade home plans that fit your lifestyle. Choosing readymade house plans will provide you with a fixed costing of house design to include in your cost estimation plan.

4. Construction
Construction costs will vary greatly based on the complexity of design, the location and the desired level of specification of your bungalow. The usual method to establish an initial costing is to speak to various local building contractors and ask them about their usual “Costing per Square Foot” for the type of property you are interested in. This will give you a great ballpark figure in the costing of your house design.

It is a good idea to get this “Costing per Square Foot” before you start the design process. If you are using an architect they will use this cost to design a house that can fit within your budget, or if you are buying ready made plans you will know how many square feet of built space you can afford. Once you have a price you can insert it into the cost estimation of your house plan.

While this method of costing your house design is only an estimate, when you come to agree the actual fee of the Construction Contract with the builder there are various different types to choose from that will affect the overall costing of your house design.

5. Finishing & Furnishing
Typically the building contractor’s “Costing per square foot” will include all built work such as: walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, windows, doors, electric cabling and plumbing. All other items are budgeted for separately in what is known in the industry as Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment (FF&E). In the costing of house design this includes everything else your house will need: light fitting and bulbs, sinks, toilets, faucets, showers, oven, cooker, fridge, freezer, furniture etc. In the cost estimation of your house plan this is the most difficult cost to predetermine and one where people frequently find their projects costing more.

At the early stage of your “Costing” process you can use an estimated figure in the cost estimation of your house plan. However after you have a detailed design it is a wise choice to list every item that you will need to complete the build and associate with a fixed cost. Contact your local suppliers with a list of what you need and they will usually be more than happy to send you a detailed cost break down.


Summary
So there you have it, the five major costs associated with constructing your own bungalow. While the design of your new home is the aspect you may approach with the most gusto, be sure to stay on top of what all is going to cost you. It may not be as much fun as it sounds but a good cost estimation of house plans is an essential part of the building process.

Remember to find out all the costs as accurately as possible before you begin construction to avoid any nasty suprises. Making a detailed cost estimation of your house plan will, not only make your life easier and less stressful throughout the construction process.


Services by HomePlansIndia.com
If you do have your house plan ready and are planning to start with the construction, then maybe you would like to check with us once and we can prepare a Cost Estimate for you. This should give you a 90% correct estimate of your house construction expenditure and you can be rest assured to be within your budget. Do write to us at homeplansind@gmail.com

Introducing Luxury House Plans and Designs by HomePlansIndia.com - August 2015

Our current set of 100 house plans and designs covers most of our clients requirement, as we have customised our house plans to fit on common plot sizes, like 20 x 40 or 30 x 40 or 40 x 60 or 30 x 50 etc. Now we do see an uprising demand for large scale weekend houses or luxury bungalows for plot owners outside the city. With this thought we felt the need to share our much more elaborate designs and houses which are grand in scale and are much more spacious with a sense of belonging to the overall plot and nature. We feel these plans are luxurious as they are not just dwelling places which just includes basic requirement of any family with living room, dining, kitchen and bedrooms, etc and rather celebrate the vastness of the plot and tries to explore more interactive areas for the families multiple activities which can be entertained  in these large spaces.

We are also trying to define luxurious house plans in our way through these few ready made plans. All these layouts have few common essences of our design ideology which we think defines and makes any house plan a luxurious house plan. There is no dearth of house plans which anybody can search  on the web and can make it there own, but what makes a striking difference between any house plan from functional use to a house with thought for all comforts is very much dependant on the scale and volume of space that is available for use. A space is defined not just with its layout and furniture, but with its sheer simplicity and availability of grand spaces which our eyes and mind relishes the most. We in India live in crowded cities and cramped apartments or homes. Every Sq.ft. area of the house is a premium to us, so all of it is used for some or the other purpose of our daily life activities. Whereas this is where a large plot outside the city gives us the opportunity which our cities don't have, i.e. enough green open spaces, but we all know; how much we all love to have a great view of a lush green garden just outside our bedroom or from our balcony. That is where we feel our latest luxury house plans will work well for clients who have the privilege of having large plots available and are also open to the idea of grand spaces for there family.

Do check our collection of Luxury House Plans. If you have any query you can write to us at homeplansind@gmail.com we will be glad to respond back to you.

18 Different Flooring material suitable for Bungalows in India

A variety of flooring material is available now in India which are best suited for bungalows in India. Among the vast variety of flooring material available there are quite a no of them which are cost effective,

1. Terrazo Flooring

It is one of the oldest known flooring material used for doing flooring for houses. It is a mix of Aggregates of marble chips, granite chips or onyx chips mixed together with cement based bonding material mixed in proportion and laid directly on concrete unfinished floor to level. While it is still wet, it is levelled to slope as per the overall flooring design.

2. Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic Tiles are one of the most economical types of flooring material and are certainly one of the best floor materials for bungalows due to their huge variety of colour, tone, pattern and finish. 

3. Concrete Finished Flooring

Bare concrete floors may not sound like the best floor material for bungalows, but with a little extra work they can become both beautiful and economical choices. Different aggregates and pigments can be added to the concrete to create a variety of textures and tones and the finished floor can be polished to create a wonderful contemporary surface that can reflect light and brighten up your home. 

4. Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tiles are more expensive than ceramic tiles, but this type of flooring material offers more bang for your buck. Because they are stronger than ceramic tiles they can be installed without grout lines creating a smoother look and feel to your finished bungalow floor. Additionally with modern digital printing methods vitrified tiles can be produced with any pattern - natural wood, marble, or granite for example. 

5. Laminated Wooden Flooring

Laminated wood floors provide a great economical alternative to solid wood. These are produced with a very thin layer of an expensive natural wood that is then laminated onto cheap chipboard giving the illusion of a solid wood floor.

In India this is not the best floor material for bungalows as many areas of the country have huge swings in humidity which will adversely effect the laminate causing it to crack and buckle as the expands and contracts. However if you live in a fairly dry part of the country this type of flooring material can still be a good choice. 

6. Natural Marble Flooring 

Although traditionally used in sacred temples and luxurious palaces, this type of flooring material is now a viable economic option for residential properties throughout India. Marble floors will give your bungalow a grand and luxurious feel.

7. Natural Granite Flooring

8. Oxide Flooring

9. Laminated Wooden Flooring

10. Burnt Brick Flooring

11. Compressed Stabilised Earth Block Flooring

12. Composite Marble Flooring

13. Hardwood Flooring

14. Laminated Wooden Flooring

Laminated wood floors provide a great economical alternative to solid wood. These are produced with a very thin layer of an expensive natural wood that is then laminated onto cheap chipboard giving the illusion of a solid wood floor.

In India this is not the best floor material for bungalows as many areas of the country have huge swings in humidity which will adversely effect the laminate causing it to crack and buckle as the expands and contracts. However if you live in a fairly dry part of the country this type of flooring material can still be a good choice.

15. Finished Earth Flooring



16. Bamboo Flooring



17. Glass Tile Flooring



18. Carpet Flooring

Picking the right type of flooring material is ultimately down to a mixture of personal taste and personal budget. We hope this short list of the best types of floor materials in India has given you some inspiration to bring your new home one step closer.