The term “window draped curtains” includes curtains, skirts and any other piece of fabric used to decorate the windows of a house or an office. These draped pieces can be combined in a variety of ways to create designs for your different windows. Discovering what the best design for your draping depends on the environment in which they’ll be put, and the purpose for the covering the window.

Standard Curtains

Standard curtains are ideal choices to cover windows in various circumstances, due to the availability of them. These curtains, also known as drapes or window panels, come in a variety of colors and designs which makes them easy to match with the furniture and decor of a room. If you want to install standard curtains on the windows, place them on rods hanging just above each window. When they are placed on it, the curtains can be opened to allow light in or closed to block sunshine and provide privacy.

Translucent curtains and valances

The translucent curtains have the same basic features as standard: they are installed on a standard rod and can open and close over a window when necessary. The main benefit of the translucent curtains is that they allow sunlight to come in when closed but maintain the privacy that standard curtains provide. If you want to add a touch of color to translucent shades that are white or cream, consider putting a valance on top of the window which will create noticeable character in your draping design.

Design curtain to darken

If you need a room to be completely dark, curtains that darken (blackout) are the best option. These curtains are made with extra thickness to prevent sunlight from seeping through the fabric, making them ideal for bedrooms when it’s brightly lit at night, or if a person needs to sleep during the day. The blackout curtains also work well in rooms with televisions to prevent glare on the screen. Since these curtains usually come in dark colors, some people add a valance to balance the dark or put a different style drape over the blackout curtains.

Partial draping

If you do not need a drape that can close over the window, you can simply concentrate on aesthetics when it comes to the design of the curtains. To create a bright and open appearance, put narrow curtains on either side of the window, and tie a loop or hook so that the fabric is collected back in the side. If you do not like the sight of the rod exposed through the curtains, use a valance between the two sides of the same to cover it.

Cabinets in a kitchen need to be updated every few years to maintain an overall modern look. The type currently used are called hybrids because they include colors and contrasting styles being used together. The home design magazines can give you ideas about what is hip regarding cabinets. However, you should match the architecture of your home.  Appliances must also be taken into account.

Instructions

1. Draw your kitchen space and includes all the openings for windows, doors and any other openings you might have. Using graph paper allows one paper box to represents 4 inches (10 cm) of real space. Start with the sink area to design cabinets and show the plates to help you visualize your final design. Draw the plates with smooth fronts, rather than with sunken surfaces, and elegant handles so everything has a modern look.
2. Choose designs in two different colors or finishes that complement each other for a hybrid effect, if desired. Check books and interior design magazines for ideas. For example, use dark cherry cabinets with other light oak. Another popular set of contrasting finishes are black and white. Designing with stainless steel metal cabinets and mixing with wood gives a more luxurious look.
3. Plan your cabinets around your appliances, as you’ll want space for the dishwasher, refrigerator and stove in a convenient location for food preparation. For example, you might put three cabinets to the left of the dishwasher and three above them to keep it balanced. Draw doors and drawers beside the sink area two cabinet doors under the sink. Choose a wider cabinets, since the narrow ones make it more difficult to access plates and serving dishes.
4. Use colored pencils to add color to your kitchen design. The way cabinets, floor and appliances are combined, in terms of color, help you decide how your kitchen looks. Plan to incorporate knobs and handles on the doors, drawers and cabinets that match the metal of your appliances. Using elongated stainless steel handles for drawers and doors, for example, give you a high-tech look.
5. To give your kitchen a modern look, avoid using decorated wooden molding along the top of the cabinets. Use tile or granite countertops, along with a modern faucet on the sink, to emphasize modern cabinets. Installing tile, wallpaper or floor that has lots of patterns or design, or an old design, can cause the cabinet design to look outdated. Look through design books to establish a fresh, modern look that will look fashionable for years.

Most of the business buildings such as malls and individual stores are built with concrete construction. In some places, residential houses have exterior walls of concrete, designed to improve safety and provide a higher resistance to strong winds and storm levels. Although there are benefits of using concrete in construction, there are some considerations and limitations.

Benefits

Concrete provides protection against storms and superior criminal activity. A high percentage of new banks use concrete, reinforced with steel in the construction process, including the interior concrete walls. Additionally, concrete building offers a high level of fire resistance and reduces unwanted noise.

Types

There are two basic methods used in concrete construction. The first is the erection of pre-cast concrete walls that come from a manufacturer with a predetermined window and door and already installed pipes for mechanical applications. Many franchises use this type of building for their stores. The second method requires the formation of individual walls and pouring concrete in place. If a residence requires concrete walls, the second method is employed, often using a foam insulation in the walls.

Function

Concrete walls provide low-maintenance, permanent construction. In commercial applications, concrete is superior to wood frames when the structure must be completed quickly. A wall that takes two weeks to complete with a wooden frame can be poured in a couple of hours with concrete and cured in two days. Where street noise is a problem, the concrete provides an acoustic absorber for those inside the building.

Considerations

Before pouring the concrete walls, all mechanical aspects should be taken into consideration during the training process. Doors, windows, electrical outlets, plumbing and pipelines are required to be inspected before the walls are poured. Spend a little extra time developing the building design as remodeling a concrete structure is cost prohibitive.

Caveat

A concrete construction is not recommended for places where the ground sinks, unless a floating foundation is part of the design. Because even a slight movement can result in cracks and fissures, concrete buildings in this soil type require a special foundation or the use of posts installed deep in the bedrock, beneath the structure.

You can build a roof in six basic ways: flat, shed, gable, hipped, attic and attic. The most common types of roofs are flat, shed, two and four waters, while the sloping of a roof incorporates many of the building techniques applied in the construction of roofs with two and four waters, the final appearance is based on the method you use to build and the style – one of the elements that will give character to your home.

Main components

Most common components used to build roofs include primary and secondary beams in addition to the blinds. Generally, the central beam is used when a roof has at least two slopes. It is a long horizontal piece which is the most important element of the structure. The central beam helps align the secondary beams. The latter – are already common, capping, for overhang, valley or ‘V’ – are structural components that provide support for the weight of the roof. Not all beams are necessary in the construction of every roof. The scaffold, usually made at a factory, are structural supports that can be used instead of beams. On top of the scaffold, the entire roof is covered with roofing material, which is usually an overlay of 5/8 inch (1.6 cm) plywood.

Flat roofs

Flat roofs are common in commercial buildings and can be completely flat or have a slight inclination; the latter allows water to drain from the ceiling. They are also found in some single-family homes, but residential construction consists of two or three floors so flat roofs are not usually seen. A waterproof cover used for flat roofs is a simple rubber-like membrane, called Ethylene Propylene Diane M or EPDM. The installation of this cover does not require special skills or equipment; just apply the adhesive to the inner side of the membrane and place the membrane down.  The joints are sealed with a special tape.

Gabled

The gable roof consists of two sections that are joined in the middle. The two equal sides bow down from the main beam and the roof starts at one end of the house and ends at the other. Typically, equidistant beams are cut and align with the wall. Adjacent beams have to be cut at right angles to ensure a proper fit. Tiles are widely chosen as the material for pitched roofs. The installation procedures are not difficult and the materials are not expensive, compared to other options. You can also choose to install metal on new construction as long as it’s properly reinforced; you can install tile, slate or concrete tiles as well. Specific tools, specialized equipment and knowledge for proper installation are required.

Concrete is a popular material used for floors and roofs, thanks to its durability, easy maintenance and attractive appearance, when polished correctly. Concrete surfaces can be polished to a finished sheen requiring no coating or waxing. However, this process requires equipment and special techniques. Learning the basic methods for polishing concrete can help homeowners tell the difference between a well-polished surface and one that was not properly polished.

Wet polishing

The wet grinding of concrete involves using diamond abrasive grains to gradually soften the floor, deck or concrete surface. The water is used to cool the abrasion and keep dust levels low making the process safe. According to Red Concrete, wet abrasive polishing processes tend to last longer, because water acts as a lubricant. Unfortunately, the polished concrete in wet environments creates a disaster.

Dry polishing

Dry grinding is becoming increasingly common as dust container systems improve. This technique involves grinding the floor with a polisher hooked to a vacuum system. The system contains a lot of dust so you need to improve air quality and make it cleaner. According to Red Concrete, many workers use dry polishing in the early stages and then change to a wet one.

Polishing banks

Decks and other concrete forms with edges and corners require special techniques to soften correctly. Small, manageable polishes work best on the edge of concrete and are adjustable with flexible polishing fillings for curved areas. Workers should avoid tilting or rolling the polish, as it can cause a rippling surface. Instead, a horizontal movement with even pressure should be used to provide the best surface. Performing work on banks require greater care to polish large flat surfaces as small imperfections are more obvious.