The wearing qualities of all carpeting depend on the fibres
used and how dirt resistant they are. Wool carpets are
dirt resistant, luxuriously soft, and when mixed with
20% nylon they are very hard wearing. The polysters like
Tereleyne and Dacron are fairly water proof and are ideal
for bathrooms
Using the right
carpet:
Since different areas of the home wear differently, use
different qualities of carpets. For eg, stairs, passages
and living rooms get rougher use than bedrooms. Adult
rooms get more gentle treatment than children's rooms
and rooms near water (kitchens, bathrooms) need tougher
surfaces. Hard wear areas need the best quality that you
can afford. Light wear aeas can be covered with more luxurious
carpets. Have your carpets measured and laid by experts,
and check their estimates carefully to prevent over-ordering.
Caring for your carpets:
Vaccum clean it at least once a month and spot clean any
stains as soon as they occur, making sure you do not over
wet it.
Check
for overall finish and Strength In Furniture...
Gone are the days when you had to buy
what furniture your local furniture store had in supply.
Today you can order exactly the kind of furniture you
want. Largely, buying furniture is a matter of personal
taste, limited though by practical considerations like
size of the room and the general climateof the area you
stay in.
Low lustre
woods like pine and cane and light finishes suggest a
casual atmosphere. Highly polished dark woods like mahogany,
teak and walnut and dark finishes suggest a formal atmoshere.
Before you buy furniture, measure the dimensions of the
space where you intend to place it. Then measure the piece
to see that it fits. Regarding the quality:
*Check if the wood is of the good quality you want.
*See that the finish is even throughout and the wood grains
match across the pieces. See that the piece stands squarely
on the floor.
*The joints should be firm and tight (fitted with screws
in case of cupboards, etc.). Uneven joints and glue indicate
sloppy workmanship.
*Check if movable parts like drawers fit well. The wood
inside, beneath and behind the drawers should be sanded
to a smooth finish.
*Hardware like hinges, latches and handles should be tightly
and securely fixed. In upholstered furniture, the cloth
used should be thick and closely woven, the patrterns
should match all around and seams should be straight without
loose fastening.
*Sit on the chair or sofa to see that it is comfortable.
Wavy
Glass Is Defective...
The price of glass generally depends
on the thickness, which can vary from 3mm to 19mm. A 3mm
sheet can cost upto Rs.550 per sq. ft. The tint on the
glass adds nominally to the price. To check the quality
of the glass, inspect it from the sides. The glass should
not be wavy; if it is, it is defective.
Glass used on automobiles or windshields is toughened
glass. This glass is manufactured at temperatures of upto
900 degree centigrade.
While sheet glass is supposed to break into large pieces
on impact, good toughened glass is to break into minute
crystals.
.
A square inch of glass is supposed to break into approximately
64 pieces. Toughened glass also goes through an electricity
resistance test.
Buy
A Plywood According To The Application It Is Used For...
The quality of plywood you buy depends
on the quality of wood and the adhesives used for bonding.
There are two varieties:
The commercial
variety - where softwood is used. The Phenol Formaldehyde
variety (water proof variety) - where birch, teak, etc.
is used. Birch or teak can be identified by its rich,
dark colour. Buy according to the application of plywood.
For kitchen or bathrom doors, or areas exposed to moisture
like kitchen cabinets, use water proof plywood. If you
use commercial plywood in these areas it will start chipping
because of the moisture.
Commercial plywood is ideal for shelves, living room or
bedroom cabinets or storage cupboards. Always treat areas
where you use wood for protection from termites
Take
An Interior Decorator's Quotation In Advance...
When you hire an interior decorator for
your home or office, here are a few things to keep in
mind: Check the firm's credentials. Talk to
their previous clients, inspect some of their earlier
work to check on quality of materials used and timely
completion.
Check the interior decor of their office, it will give
you a fair idea of what they can deliver.
Take the quotation in advance and make sure all agreements
are in writing.
These days, a fairly large architect's firm can also provide
interior decor services. If you hire such a reputed firm,
you can be assured of quality work.
Using the right
carpet: 
Low lustre
woods like pine and cane and light finishes suggest a
casual atmosphere. Highly polished dark woods like mahogany,
teak and walnut and dark finishes suggest a formal atmoshere.
Before you buy furniture, measure the dimensions of the
space where you intend to place it. Then measure the piece
to see that it fits.
The tint on the
glass adds nominally to the price. To check the quality
of the glass, inspect it from the sides. The glass should
not be wavy; if it is, it is defective.
The commercial
variety - where softwood is used. The Phenol Formaldehyde
variety (water proof variety) - where birch, teak, etc.
is used. Birch or teak can be identified by its rich,
dark colour. Buy according to the application of plywood.
For kitchen or bathrom doors, or areas exposed to moisture
like kitchen cabinets, use water proof plywood. If you
use commercial plywood in these areas it will start chipping
because of the moisture.
Check the firm's credentials. Talk to
their previous clients, inspect some of their earlier
work to check on quality of materials used and timely
completion.
