- Knowing every step of construction is important to make informed decisions. Below are all the stages of homebuilding with detailed benefits, product usage tips and a lot more. All you have to do is pick your desired stage and explore!
- What is Painting?Paints are coatings of fluid materials which are applied as a final finish to surfaces like walls, ceiling, wood and metal works. The painting process includes preparing pre-formed material, base coating, drying, overlay coating and drying and the methods used to do these steps vary based on the different coatings and requirements.
- Importance -Painting is done to protect the surface from environmental effects, to prevent the wood from decay and metal from corrosion, to provide a decorative finish and to obtain a clean, hygienic and healthy living atmosphere.
- Sub-stages of Painting Painting is made up of various sub-stages like -External painting, Internal painting.
- Perfect time to Start -Winter season is the best time for external paint application. However, internal paint can be applied at any time of the year.
- Time required to complete the Substructure: -Approx. 16 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx. 21 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home.
- What is Substructure?The part of your home which is below the ground level is called Substructure. It mainly consists of foundation for your home, columns and walls below the ground level. Nowadays, multi-storey structures have basement parking and these basements are also included in the Substructure
- ImportanceThe main function of the Substructure is to support and anchor the superstructure safely into the Earth. Its function shows that it is the critical link in the distribution of building loads and as it is below the ground it is hidden from the view. It must be designed to accommodate both the form and layout of the superstructure. So, though the Substructure is hidden beneath the ground it needs special attention in designing.
- Substructure stage is made up of various sub-stages like -Excavation ,Levelling & P.C.C. for foundation, R.C.C. for foundation, R.C.C. columns up to plinth level, Backfilling of excavated earth
- Perfect time to Start - Substructure should be preferably completed before the rainy season to:Avoid accumulation of rainwater in the excavated areas, Give proper time for natural compaction of backfilled earth,
- Time required to complete the Substructure:Approx. 21 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx.. 30 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home, Excavation, levelling & P.C.C. should not take more than 5 days, Curing in footing should be carried out for 7 days
- Substructure should be preferably completed before the rainy season to:Storage of different materials like excavated earth, cement, sand, aggregates and reinforcement in limited available space, Preparing small quantities of concrete.
- What is Plinth?Plinth is the line which differentiates the Substructure and Superstructure. It is the part of the Superstructure between the top of the tie beam at the finished ground level (the top level of the soil surrounding the structure that has been prepared and levelled before construction) and the floor level of the building (the ground floor level inside the building).
- Importance -The Plinth height is provided essentially to protect the superstructure from dampness, which may seep in due to direct contact from the ground. The top plinth level is provided with the damp proof course, which gives additional protection against dampness.
- Sub-stages of Plinth - Plinth is made up of various sub-stages like:Casting of plinth beams, Plinth filling, Damp Proof Course, Grade Slab
- Perfect time to Start - Plinth level structure can be started at any time of the year as long as the below measures are followed:Maximum size of boulders to be used for plinth filling should be 300mm, A proper damp proof course should be provided or else water will start seeping on the ground floor area through capillary action,
- Time required to complete the Substructure: -Approx. 19 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx. 24 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home, Plinth filling will require maximum 5 to 6 days if IS standards are strictly followed
- Challenges-Storage of different materials like excavated earth, cement, sand, aggregates and reinforcement in limited available space, Preparing small quantities of concrete.
- What is Superstructure?Superstructure is an upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline. This term is applied to various kinds of physical structures such as buildings, bridges or ships. In construction, the Superstructure is the portion of a building which is constructed above the ground level and it serves the purpose of the structure’s intended use.
- Superstructure is made up of various sub-stages like:Columns and first flight of staircase, Floor slabs and beams, Roof slab and beams, Sunken slabs, Overhead water tanks, etc
- Perfect time to Start - In India, Superstructure can be built at any time of the year provided the below measures are followed:Avoid concreting activity if the atmospheric temperature goes beyond 40°C, Start concreting activity early in the morning during summer to avoid excess water evaporation due to high temperatures in the afternoon, Sprinkle aggregates with water before mixing the concrete to bring down their temperature, Due to temperature variation in winter, appropriate arrangement should be made to cover concrete surface immediately after concreting activity is completed, Water cement ratio should be properly controlled while doing concreting in winter season, During monsoon, materials like cement, sand and aggregates should be kept covered in a dry area.
- Time required to complete the Superstructure:Approx. 30 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx. 45 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home. Note: Work for slab and beams cannot start until the formwork for the columns has been removed. At all costs, avoid using marble chips/stone chips as cover blocks and early removal of formwork. Make sure to give proper time for curing of concrete.
- ChallengesCompleting the work as fast as possible, Preparing small quantities of concrete
- What is Masonry Construction?Masonry consists of building structures by laying individual masonry units (brick, concrete block, stone, etc.). Normally, the masonry units are laid with cement mortar which binds them together to create a structure.
- ImportanceMasonry construction can provide beautiful walls but due to the individual masonry units, Masonry Construction tends to be quite labour intensive.
- Sub-stages of Masonry Construction Masonry Construction is made up of various sub-stages like:Masonry in rooms, Masonry on terrace
- Perfect time to Start - Masonry construction can be done at any time of the year in India provided the below measures are followed:Bricks, blocks, fly ash bricks, etc. should be immersed in water at least 12 hours before starting Masonry Construction so that the material becomes sufficiently water-saturated, Provide lintels and coping above window and door openings in Masonry walls to reduce cracks around openings,
- Time required to complete the Substructure:Approx. 15 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx. 20 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home.
- Challenges -The most common challenge during masonry construction is the absorption of water from cement mortar by the bricks.
- What is Electrical and Plumbing Stage?Electrical and Plumbing are linked to every building project that includes design and construction.
- What is Plastering?Plaster is a thin layer of mortar applied over the masonry surface and it acts as a damp-proof coat over the masonry work. Plastering also provides a finished surface over the masonry that is firm and smooth hence it enhances the appearance of the building.
- Importance -The primary objective of plastering is to protect the surface from atmospheric influences, to cover the defective workmanship in masonry, to conceal porous materials and to provide a suitable surface for painting.
- Sub-stages of Plastering - Plaster is made up of various sub-stages like:Internal plaster (Inside the rooms), External plaster (All walls which are directly exposed to weather), Plaster on ceiling
- Perfect time to Start - Time required to complete Plaster Application:Approx. 7 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx. 10 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home
- ChallengesStorage of cement and sand, Mixing of materials like cement, sand and water in proper proportions
- What is Waterproofing?Waterproofing in buildings is the formation of an impervious barrier over surfaces of roofs to prevent water penetrations. It is the most critical activity during the final finishing of the house. Waterproofing in buildings and structures is generally required for roof, bathroom, toilets, balcony, water tanks, swimming pools and any other area which will be exposed to water.
- ImportanceFlexible waterproofing membranes perfectly protect walls and floors in basements and bathrooms, on balconies and terraces as well as swimming pools against water and humidity. Such protection is the prerequisite for sustainable and durable construction. If waterproofing fails, then it will impact/damage other elements like painting, plastering and R.C.C. members. That’s why, you should never compromise on quality when it comes to waterproofing.
- Sub-stages of Waterproofing Waterproofing is made up of various sub-stages like:Waterproofing in bathroom and toilets, Waterproofing on terrace
- Perfect time to Start - Summer season is the best time for carrying out waterproofing on the terrace and other exterior areas as it provides ample time for drying, Waterproofing for bathroom and toilets can be done at any time of the year,
- Time required to complete the Substructure:Approx. 4 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx. 5 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home, Waterproofing should ideally be the last activity in any building work.
- Challenges -The biggest challenge is to eliminate brickbat coba system of waterproofing because it is labour intensive as well as time-consuming.
- What is Flooring and Tiling?Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Tiling refers to the process of laying tiles or slabs of similar shape on roofs, walls or other surfaces such as countertops. Tiles give your home a whole new look, upping its aesthetic quality and adding a new character to it.
- Importance -Throughout its lifetime the floor supports the loads placed on it, together with its own weight. It is also the surface that goes through the most wear and tear and that's why, choosing the right material is of utmost importance in this stage of construction.
- Sub-stages of Flooring and Tiling Flooring and Tiling stage is made up of various sub-stages like:Flooring in rooms, bathrooms & toilets, Wall tiles in bathrooms, toilets & kitchen.
- Perfect time to Start - This activity can be carried out at any time of the year. Time required to complete Flooring and Tiling:Approx. 27 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx. 36 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home.
- Challenges - Procuring, storing and sieving of sand which will be used as flooring bed.
- What is Wall Putty?Putty is essentially a cementitious substance used to even out surfaces. In general, wall putty is nothing but a material with high plasticity which is similar to the texture of clay. It provides a protective smooth base for paint application.
- Importance - The fine pores on walls and ceiling can be filled up easily using wall putty, to provide you with a smooth, dry and even surface suitable for painting. It also provides complete protection against flaking, thereby assuring you of smooth and even looking walls for your home for many years.
- Sub-stages of Wall Putty Wall Putty Application is made up of various sub-stages like:Wall Putty on room walls, Wall Putty on the ceiling of rooms, Wall Putty on the external face of the building,Wall Putty on parapet walls
- Perfect time to Start -Wall Putty Application for walls and ceiling of rooms can be done at any time of the year in India, If external plaster is done during monsoon then wall putty application should start after monsoon gets over,
- Time required to complete the Substructure:- Approx. 11 days for a 750 sq. ft. home and approx. 13 days for a 1000 sq. ft. home, Wall Putty Application should start only after proper curing of plaster (Plaster curing requires minimum 7 days)
- Challenges -Uneven texture and colour due to the use of non-branded and local wall putty products, Ideal smooth finish in wall putty should be achieved in 2 to 3 mm. If non-branded and local wall putty is used then this thickness ranges from 4 to 5 mm.
