Cool roof is cool!

Living in a tropical country like the Philippines with a 90M population and having the worst air pollution rate in the world, will burn you. The weather is becoming unbearable, it's just too hot. The average temperature is 25 C and it could rise to as high as 43 C in a typical summer day. It's like having a sauna bath 24 hours a day. Don't get me wrong, sauna is heaven, but can't have it for 24 hours. No way man.

When I was just 'dreaming' of a house, I setup three must-haves - storage, sunlight and air. Costs of energy bills in the Philippines is just way too expensive and is continuoulsy going up, so if I can avoid using electricity, I will do it. I have a lot of things in my mind like what kind of windows to use, where will they be positioned, but I will share those in a different day. Now, I just want to concentrate in the roof material, because I won't change roof everyday. Whatever will be installed now will be there for the next 20 years.

I'm now requesting for quotations for my roof, and came across a very interesting term - cool roof. That's exactly what I want! I want a roof that's cool and will make our lives cool.

What is a cool roof?



A cool roof reflects and emits the sun's heat back to the sky instead of transferring it to the building below. "Coolness" is measured by two properties, solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Both properties are measured from 0 to 1 and the higher the value, the "cooler" the roof

Why not?

• Lower cooling energy use and lower utility bills (calling Meralco!)


• Lower electricity demand(the maximum energy load, in megawatts, an electric utility experiences to supply customers instantaneously, generally experienced in summer late afternoons as businesses and residences turn up their air conditioners), raised electricity production costs, and a potentially overburdened power grid;


• increased occupant comfort, especially during hot summer monthsreduced air conditioning use, resulting in energy savings typically of 10-30%1


• Decreased roof maintenance because the roof lasts longer

In a nut shell, a cool roof can significantly reduce your cooling energy costs and increase your comfort level by reducing temperature fluctuations inside your home. Average energy savings range from 7%-15% of total cooling costs. It's quite common for Filipinos to include bulk insulation in constructing their homes. This insulation can be entirely replaced by roofing systems that reflect solar radiation and emission to the sky.

How to find out the solar reflectance of the different roofing types?

Solar reflectance or albedo is categorized below. The closer to 1, the cooler it is.

• Highly Reflective Roof - 0.60 - 0.70


• Coloured Paint - 0.15 - 0.35


• Corrugated Roof - 0.10 - 0.15


• White Paint - 0.50 - 0.90


• Tar & Gravel Roof - 0.03 - 0.18


• Red/Brown Tile Roof - 0.10 - 0.35

How will I achieve a cool roof?

• Paint it white or any 'cool' color


• Choose a roofing material with an albedo closest to 1 (as described above)

To know more, visit

http://www.coolroofs.org/

Your Site Team

Now that you're all set to renovate your home, it's important to know who's who you will be working with for the next couple of weeks, or even months.

THE JOB site team of the contractor requires a group of personnel that will deliver to you the house of your dreams. After the design of the house is complete and the contractor has done all the necessary permit applications, schedules, estimates in the office, it is now time to execute the project. The jobsite personnel includes:

Project engineer
The project engineer is the person responsible for the overall performance of the project at the site. He or she reports to the head office and directly supervises the work crew at the site so that the design of the structure is followed. He or she is a civil engineer by training and can make decisions on the spot with regard to the process on how the structure is to be built.
The site engineer makes sure that the quality, budget and schedule requirements are met. He or she is also responsible for the safekeeping and overall safety and cleanliness of the site.

Foreman
The foreman is in charge of the skilled and unskilled people working at the site. He makes sure that the plans are properly staked out at the site and coordinates on a regular basis with the project engineer.

In the construction of a house, the foreman is mainly responsible for the execution of the project at the site. The skill of the foreman is usually that of a carpenter for he is responsible for the overall layout of the house.

Lead man
The lead man is also a skilled worker and, at the absence of the foreman, takes the responsibility of the foreman. You may call him the "vice foreman" and is likewise responsible. If the foreman is at the site, the lead man takes a skilled role usually that of a carpenter.

For large construction projects, there may also be a lead man for a specific skill as in a carpenter's lead man or a mason's lead man.

Concrete mason
The concrete mason mixes and pours concrete, levels it and puts on the finishing plastering to make a smooth finish. He is also responsible for the other designs such as moldings and grooves on the concrete surface.

A finishing mason has to have a talent for the arts because decorative finishes require a lot of creativity.

Carpenter
The carpenters are responsible for placing the guides during the layout and staking of the building perimeter. They are responsible for setting up the formworks and scaffolds that will support the house frame and structure during construction. They install most of the wooden fixings of a house. This would include doorjambs, doors, ceiling, cabinets and wooden walls.
With the introduction of new materials such as fiber cement boards, gypsum boards, PVC ceilings, the carpenters also install these. For a wooden type of roof framing, they are the ones who do this job.

Steelman
The steel man is responsible for laying out the reinforcing steel prior to concrete pouring. Some steelmen have skills in welding and they are the ones who would build the concrete truss system for the house. This can be a specialized job so some builders would rely on their subcontractors to do this aspect of the work.

These steelmen or welders also fabricate the steel windows and doors, enclosures and gates of your home.

Electrician
The electrician makes sure that the design of the electrical engineer is followed to specifications. He or she takes care of the electrical ducting including the provisions for the intercom, cable TV, security system and the other electrical facilities of the house. The responsibility of electricians is very critical since the safety of a house against fire due to faulty electrical systems relies greatly on them.

Plumber
Plumbers install the hot and cold water lines of your home with the use of special tools and equipment to ensure that pipe fittings and connections are secure in place.

The scope of their work extends to installing water closets, lavatories and even bathtubs. They also build the drainage system for your home.

Tinsmith

Tinsmiths are the ones who would fabricate and install the galvanized roofing sheets of the house. They cut, shape and connect gutters that are attached to the downspout, which will contain the excess rainfall.

For houses in which asphalt shingles or clay tiles are used, it is usually the carpenters who install these. Roofing installers are usually known for their "courage" in walking at heights since they are at the highest point with constant danger of falling. A joke in the homebuilding industry is that roofing installers have the "highest position" at the job site.

Landscaper
The landscaper usually enters the project during its final stages and builds the design that is laid out by the landscape designer.

Landscapers layout the stones, patios, trellis and plants that would complete the landscaping of your home.

Labor support

The skilled trades previously discussed need help from unskilled labor. They usually mix concrete for the masons, help with the carpenter in aligning and bringing things to the jobsite, clean the work area after work, carry hollow blocks, excavate foundations or even dispose of waste material from the jobsite.

The trades earlier discussed work under the direct supervision of the project engineer and foreman. On a regular basis or as the need arises, the professionals who have worked to design the house-the architect, structural engineer, electrical engineer, etc.-visit the site to make sure that their design is being followed to specifications by the contractors team. This ensures you of a well-built, high-quality, safe and beautiful home.


This is an article from Inquirer Global Nation

From renter to owner

EACH of us dreams of having our own home. When one starts his or her adult life, the first step usually is to rent a small place. As we move on in life and eventually have our own families, we come to a point when we ask ourselves if we are ready to acquire a home of our own. Having rented for so years, we finally would want to cross the line: from renter to owner.

Being prepared

If your goal is to eventually own a home, there is no better time to start preparing than now. Moving from a renter to an owner requires a lot of will power, energy and above all, honesty in dealing with ones' wants and financial capabilities. You have to sort out what you want, what you need and what you can afford for these can be different from each other. The decision to purchase a home depends a lot on your financial preparedness.

Crunching the numbers is one of the most important steps before deciding to move. As an example, if you are paying 25, 000 pesos per month as rent now, and then you may ask how much you may be able to borrow from the bank that will require a monthly payment of 25,000 pesos for the next 15 years. If you borrow 2.3 million pesos at 10-percent fixed interest and would want to pay in equal monthly amortization for 15 years, then your monthly payment would be about 25,000 pesos per month. Simply put, paying a monthly rent of 25, 000 pesos for the next 15 years is like paying a 2.3-million-peso loan for property that you will never own.
In moving from a renter to owner, equity is necessary to pay the down payment for your home. If for example you are buying a 4-million-peso property that has a loan to appraised value ratio of 0.6 (which means that 60 percent of the total appraised value can be borrowed from the bank), then you will have to give out 40 percent or 1.60 million pesos as the equity. Raising the equity can become the biggest hurdle in moving from a renter to owner.

Rent, especially in highly urbanized areas, will continue to go up to catch up with inflation.
Looking at the long term, the main reason you should buy a home is not to save money today but to save a lot of money and accumulate wealth throughout your entire life.

Real estate provides a hedge against inflation and serves a vehicle for the continuous accumulation of wealth. If you think that the monthly mortgage payments are huge, your rental payments will come to match them over time.

Other costs to consider

In buying a home, there are other costs to consider and you should be prepared for these. These costs include:

· Transfer costs -- Purchasing a home requires that you pay the necessary government taxes to register the property in your name.

· Move-in costs -- Moving into a new home requires a budget for hauling and transferring. New appliances and furniture may also have to be bought.

· Real property taxes -- As owners of real property, taxes are to be paid on land and its improvements. As a renter, you may not have to worry about these.

· Maintenance costs -- Depending on your contract with your landlord, you may or may not have to worry about the maintenance of your home. But if you own one, you will have to set aside a budget for maintenance. Maintenance costs may not be as high for a new home but gets larger as the structure grows older.

· Taxes on your loan -- Interest payments are now charged the value added tax.
Over time, as you pay your monthly amortization, your equity in your house will continue to increase since your loan balance steadily decreases.
Even if your home does not appreciate (which very rarely happens), you will be able to own a property that is free from any loan obligation.

As renters continue to spend money on the place where they live, homeowners will become richer through the gradual increase in home equity.

Pride of ownership

Having a home provides a lot of intangible benefits and is the dream of almost everyone. It can serve as a proof of the fruits of our labor.

Once you are locked in to a commitment to own a home, you continuously strive to meet the payments regularly. It may be hard at first but after you have adjusted your lifestyle, payments will be easier.

Moving from renter to owner takes a lot of courage. Having assessed your real needs and finances it may be the perfect time to own a home now.

If you have raised enough money for the equity, then you have to think about the monthly payments. If you have a regular job and salary, it would be prudent to set aside a total of 6 months amortization as an "emergency fund" just to cover any unexpected occurrences that would affect your monthly income.

If you are an entrepreneur and your business experiences a lot of ups and downs, then the requirements of your buffer fund may be more.

Not for everyone

Moving from renter to owner may not be for everyone. A reason for not buying or building a home and choosing to rent relates to lifestyle and the profession or job that one has.
If you are always moving because of the nature of your work, then renting may be a better option until you decide to settle in a specific place.

A final note: the downpayment may be the biggest obstacle in owning a home and it is wise to start saving now so when the time comes that you have the equity, then you can cross the line from renter to owner.

In borrowing money from the lenders, make sure that you have a healthy credit rating. As long as you have a good track record of paying your debts and obligations on time, then you may be able to borrow the amount that you need to finance your home.

This article was taken from Inquirer Global Nation

Is it worth it to buy a used home?

BUYING a used home can be a real estate investment option. In doing so, one should be extra careful to look at the fine details since the parts and components of the home may have been worn out and are no longer functional. Listed here are the advantages, as well as the disadvantages of buying a used home.

Advantages

Buying a used home offers many advantages:

· Used homes are more affordable. The main reason people buy used cars is their lower acquisition cost. A four-year-old car would cost at least 30 percent less as compared with the price of a new one. A similar analogy holds true for used homes. The primary advantage of buying a used home is the lower investment cost required. Due to the economic depreciation of homes, they are cheaper to buy than new homes. If new homes sell for 20, 000 pesos per square meter of improvement, used homes can be bought for a fraction of new home costs.

· Used homes are located in existing communities. Used homes are located in existing communities with most of the basic necessities. These conveniences include grocery stores, schools and public transportation.

· Used homes bring memories of the past. Many of us are attached to the past. That is the reason we see a lot of people collecting Volkswagen cars as well as Beatles memorabilia.
The same is true with homes. One may want to have those old Vigan tiles and the very thick narra planks on the second floor that squeak each time you walk on them. Old capiz windows that constantly create noise during the storm season offer something not found in new homes. Old homes also help us remember the way it was when we were children.
Some fanatics even buy a complete old home, tear it down and build it in a different location.

· Used homes can be "loaded" properties. A used car will probably have three sets of seat covers, all of the gadgets like a CD changer and amplifier that were all installed by the previous owner. For a used home, it usually has all of the extras that cannot be found in a new one. This includes landscaping, curtains, window blinds, fences and the like.

Disadvantages

There is no such thing as a one-sided deal. If there are advantages into buying a used home, there are of course disadvantages:

· Used homes are more expensive to maintain. Lots appreciate but homes depreciate. In a used home, the electrical systems, water line and drainage systems get the first bout with wear and tear. With time, water lines leak, drainage systems get broken and electrical systems need rework to accommodate the additional load requirements.

· Used homes may have an outmoded style. Homes built decades ago possess the style and character of their time. This may include adobe stone accents, single-sloped roofs and open gardens with a single car garage. This style may appeal to some but are no longer the style being used in newly built homes.

· Used homes may have a bad layout. Examine old homes and you may see a four-bedroom house with a single bathroom. Large homes these days practically have a separate bathroom for every room. Purchasing an old home may mean that you may have to construct additional bathrooms to accommodate your needs.

· Used homes may not have new features. If modular kitchens, high-tech security alarms and Internet wiring are very important to you, these may never be found in a used home. Technology is slowly coming into our homes and the newer the home, the newer the technology that is built into it.

It may really be difficult to buy a used home for one may have to look deeper into the hidden things in order to have an accurate evaluation. It may be prudent to ask for the help of a professional, whether it be an architect, engineer or a real estate appraiser who will give a technical assessment on the property. Again, similar to buying a used car, one would feel a lot better if he or she brings along a mechanic before deciding.

Taken from an article in Inquirer Global Nation

Remodeling your home

So, you've decided that you're current home no longer cuts the mustard but you love the area you live in and don't want to move away. I've seen this very informative article from Inquirer which provided me with a lot of pointers in renovating my home.

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YOU are comfortable with your new home but it's a little worn out now. You have lived in it for so many years and you are no longer satisfied with the space you have. It is now time to renovate but you do not know how to go about it. If you are in this situation, then read on. It is best that you answer your questions and face all your fears about renovating your home.
In renovation work, it is very common that people spend on the things that they see -- it can be a new paint job, a new and modern kitchen system, additional closets in the dressing room or a jacuzzi in the master bath. This line of thinking is but natural for we would want to see the fruits of our labor in our homes.

Essential parts of your home

It is very important, however, that prior to any renovation work that you are planning to do, make sure that the essential parts of a home should be first on your list. The essential parts are the parts and systems of the home that you do not see and generally involve the safety and functionality of your home.

These essential systems in your home are very critical for your safety and convenience. Just like a car, it is the engine and the brake system that will keep you running safely even though it has a worn-out body. The essential parts of a home include:

· Electrical system -- The electrical system of your house might need some rewiring. It is best that you contact an electrical professional that will assess the reliability and safety of the existing wiring system of your home.

· Water system -- Check if you have water leaks in the system. A simple way of checking is to turn off all the faucets in the house and see if the main water meter (usually located outside your home) is running. If the meter dial is continuously turning with all of the faucets of the house closed, then for sure you have a leak in the water system.

· Drainage system -- A worn-out drainage system is manifested by ceiling leaks and clogged bathroom and kitchen drains. Have them checked when renovating.

· Structural system -- Do not just add a floor or renovate the structure without consulting a structural engineer. The existing structure may not be able to support the additional weight of the new addition and it may cause your house to collapse. Termites also eat up a lot of wood in the house so make sure that all of the critical areas, especially the wooden columns, beams, floor supports and trusses are treated regularly and are still structurally sound.

· Aesthetic aspects of your home -- After you have checked the essentials, you can now move on to the esthetics. These include:

· Painting. Interior and exterior painting will make your house brighter and look cleaner. This is an investment that will also increase the value of the house when you plan to resell.

· Windows and doors. If you think that the windows and doors of your house are worn-out, you may choose to replace them. Making them bigger will make the inside of your home brighter. An added extra of course is that more air will be able to enter your home.

· Flooring. You can change your flooring by using new materials that are readily available in the market. Remember though that a flooring job is a messy one and you may have to vacate your house and rent another place on a short-term basis.

· Interior walls. You may opt to work on the wall covering of the interior of your house. It can be as simple as a paint job, or you may use laminated side panels or even a wallpaper system that will match the furniture and accessories.

· Lighting fixtures. With all of the lighting fixtures available these days, you may want to change them. Prices range from a few hundred pesos to hundreds of thousands.

· Ceiling system. ceiling system of your home can be changed to suit your design taste. Remember though that similar to the floor, this job can be messy and you may have to vacate your home temporarily.

· Kitchen system. This is one of the most popular renovation items. There are various kitchen system manufacturers these days and all you have to do is visit them at their showroom for advice. You may also ask your architect, interior designer or builder to help you.

· Bathroom. The bathroom, together with the kitchen is also a very popular renovation item. You get to select the tile designs and colors, bathroom fixture, toilet seats and lavatories and even the accessories like mirrors and towel holders. Be aware that you would have to prepare a hefty budget for the bathroom.

· Landscaping. You may want to do it yourself or you can consult with a landscaping expert for your design.

Vacate your home temporarily

In any major renovation job, it is strongly advised that you temporarily vacate your home so that work can progress smoothly. Most builders really cannot work to their best if there is someone staying in the house for the reason that they cannot mess up the place and simply dump their construction materials at the most convenient places.

If you think that you will be saving money by not renting outside, think again for your builder might charge you more since the firm will double handle materials at the site. And also, the workers will work less effectively since they will have to provide protection work for the furniture every time they work. If it is just a small renovation job, then of course you can stay home and do not need to relocate.

Remember that in a renovation job, it is you who will have the final decision on the materials and accessories that you can put in.

Ask advice from your builder and check also the prices that you have to pay for all of the materials.

Having a home that needs renovation is like having a used car that needs repair. Will you repair the engine first or the body first? It is important that you take care of the essentials before you work on to the esthetics.

After all, nobody drops dead with an ugly house. But a house with an old and dangerous electrical system can pose a big risk to lives and property.

Welcome...Rotonda! My place in the Philippines

The place is located in the most populous city of the Philippines, Quezon City. If I'm not mistaken, it's also the largest city. In fact, it was the former capital of the country, that’s why a lot of government offices are located here. It’s also fast becoming the city of the stars because almost all of the broadcasting networks can be found here as well. Apparently, I heard a rumour that it will become the ‘Hollywood’ of the Philippines. Goodluck!

I’ve lived in Quezon City all my life, so it’s really hard to move out of this place. Almost all our relatives live nearby as well, so I really didn’t look that far to find this.

Aside from that, I know it’s got potential, a huuuge potential!! The Ayala Trinoma mall has just opened (last year?), apart from the already existing 3rd biggest mall in Asia, SM North Edsa. These two combine makes the place so prominent and alive. I’m sure that the development won’t stop there. When I went home last year, the traffic along EDSA was intolerable. It takes 20 minutes just to pass along the intersection of EDSA and Munoz. It’s because the MRT extension project was finally being constructed. This project took I don’t know how long to get approved, so thankfully, it’s now on it’s way for the Quezon City people. Once it’s finished, travel from Monumento to Makati will hopefully be better. Of course, our place is in the middle of this MRT route and we will definitely take advantage of it.

The UP Ayala technohub, the first of its kind, has also been recently launched. I also heard that Congressional Avenue will soon have a dining strip, similar to the Eastwood City of Libis or the Greenbelt of Makati. I’m sure that there are a lot more to watch out for in this city.

How did I end up here?

I’ve lived in Sydney for the past 3 years, and I’m amazed at how this country preserve their historic buildings. When you look at their iconic structures, you won’t see any trace of weariness on them, but just glamour and elegance. Take the Queen Victoria Building in the city, for example. The structure was built in 1898, making it 111 years old this year. From my research, there had been a plan to demolish the structure on 1959, but instead, it was restored to its beauty between the years of 1984 and 1986. Who would imagine that the site where the coffee shops and the expensive boutiques have been there even before World War II? Amazing!



Why am I saying this?

I’ve always dreamt of a big house with a garden, as every Filipino would’ve dreamed of. It’s different when you have the space and the air and all the good things in life. But I find it hard to find ‘the’ place in Manila, where I grew up. I started searching for a house 2 years ago, and all I can find are townhouses, usually 3 or 5 in a row, and cramped in very narrow lots. Well, I think the budget that I’ve set is decent to buy ‘the’ house, but I was wrong. Nowadays, space is a luxury in Manila. With over 12 million people living in the city, it’s common for a family to live in a 50sqm condo or a townhouse. After inspecting over 20 townhouses, I got tired. I know for myself that space is my priority and this is my dream house. So, having the Sydney property investor mindset à location, location, location, I expanded my options and looked for not-so-new houses with potential. Yes, potential is indeed the key.

So, how did I end up with this house?

It was my sister who contacted the agents and inspected the houses while I’m in Sydney. I just assisted in searching properties over the internet, which there weren’t so many, and there was no single effective real estate portal in the Philippines, this is of course a different topic. The profile of those houses range from a confused owner with no final decision whether o sell their house to a very dodgy place where there was a previous shooting incident because the houses is tenanted by a police. Creepy eh? I don’t want to live in a house where me or my family could be mistaken for being a criminal and just start shooting at us! Noooo!

With the budget that I have, I’m limited to buy the old 80s houses or crampy townhouses. Being a third world country having more to worry about having food to eat than a place to live, the Philippines, is not very inclined in renovating old houses. So, houses built in the 80s stay the way it is. At this point, I was stucked. Old spacious house? Modern crampy townhouse? Gosh.

Location, location, location. It’s the most important factor in searching for a house, the designs and the paints can be changed, but the house will stay on the same spot forever. I went back home on December 2008, because my husband misses the Pinoy Paskuhan way. I took advantage of the time to search for ‘the’ house, this time with more courage and knowledge of what house I’m looking for. My sister is already in contact with an agent who had some prospects for us.

When I went in, I suddenly felt the airbreeze, the space, the brightness and calmness that I have in mind. The feeling that you’ve want to have after a hard day’s work, of course, without the LazyBoy chair and that dream bath yet, but I know that all these will come eventually.

I found the one.

Tada!

I know, I haven't blogged for weeks, as I was trying to source a prestigious photo of my first new old house. So, without further ado....welcome to the story of my first new old house!

My first new old house

I’ve been contemplating on starting a blog for years, but I haven’t had enough inspiration to focus on a specific topic. Today, I have decided to finally blog…at least start on an interesting topic…

I’ve recently bought a new house, yes a house! Isn’t it exciting?! It’s actually a new old house, because the house is 25 years old already. Since the year started, it’s been normal for me to spend my weekends in Borders scanning through tons and tons of photos in the magazine section, borrowing books in the library for articles and tips, and of course, surfing some awesome home improvement websites.

I’ve lived in Sydney for the past 3 years and their love of property development here is amazing. Year 1900 houses are being converted to look like brand new, bungalows converted to have more levels up, extensions here and there, and a lot lot more.

Aside from home improvements, I’m also stunned in green living. I’m currently living in a country where everything is living for the future – healthy living and fresh produce, building sustainable homes, solar power …awesome. All these ideas are going through my mind as I start renovating my own house.

This is an important stage in my life, and hopefully through this blog, I will be able to keep track of the whole renovation experience, and at the same time share some information and tips from my research to the people who are currently renovating or are planning to renovate soon.

So, don't move, improve!