Features
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Property Development
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What are the different classes of Zoning on a property?
A. The separation or division of a municipality into districts, the regulation of buildings and structures in such districts in accordance with their construction and the nature and extent of their use, and the dedication of such districts to particular uses designed to serve the General Welfare.
Zoning can be categorized into 3 sections:
1) Residential 1; 2; 3 & 4
2) Business 1; 2; 3 & 4
3) Industrial 1; 2 & 3
1) Residential
Residential 1- the zoning which stipulates that properties can have a density of only one dwelling (house) per stand or erf.
Residential 2 - allows a density of between 10 and 20 dwellings per hectare, bearing in mind that a hectare is 10 000 square metres (or just under 2.5 acres). This is obviously the ideal zoning for cluster housing or townhouse complexes.
Residential 3 - permits a density of between 21 and 40 dwellings per hectare, and is therefore usually used for smaller cluster or townhouse complexes.
Residential 4 - allows for a density of between 41 and 120 dwellings per hectare, and obviously caters for the construction of blocks of flats.
2) Business
Business 1 - the zoning one would seek for general business in the form of shopping centres or malls. This category is mostly unrestricted, which means that the developer or owner would be allowed to have almost any type of shop on the premises.
Business 2 - a zoning for a shopping centre, but with certain restricted businesses. For example, because of the location or immediate surroundings a restriction may be placed on opening a bottle store, or a pet shop.
Business 3 - a more strict zoning which will not allow a wider variety of businesses to open and operate in the centre.
Business 4 - the final zoning category for business, and does not involve shopping centres or malls at all. It provides for office use (with or without residential use) and is typified by the growing number of office parks that one sees in South African urban centres today.
3) Industrial
Industrial 1 - provides zoning for normal factories, warehouses or storage depots.
Industrial 2 - specifically for operations which can involve noxious and/or unpleasant odours and emissions.
Industrial 3 - caters for specific applications such as specialist workshops or mini-factories.
Budget fixes for the kitchen
The role of the kitchen has expanded over the past century, growing from an out-of-the-way service area to a room that's central both physically and functionally to the home.
It's no surprise that a room so significant presents costs so large during remodelling. The average kitchen remodelling project can be one of the most expensive projects homeowners undertake
Here are a few places you can trim your budget, whether you're hoping to spruce up your existing kitchen for a few bucks or overhaul the entire floor plan and bring in all-new materials.
Lighting
A sure way to avoid big-ticket expenses is to spruce up your existing kitchen rather than overhaul it, and new lighting is one of the fastest ways to lift a kitchen's mood and usefulness.
Halogen lamps are a good way to bounce light off the ceiling for indirect working light, and most come with dimmers so you can turn them down for more subtle lighting. For task and accent lighting, you can easily mount and plug in thin lights under cabinets - no wiring work required. New fixtures over a sink or island can boost performance and appearance.
Paint
There's nothing sacred about stained wood. Painted wood is just as appropriate in many kitchens, and paint lets you get the colour and finish you want at a fraction of the cost of refinishing cabinets - even if you hire a painter.
Appliance refinishing companies and even automobile paint shops can provide new complexions for your old range, refrigerator, or dishwasher. Just be sure you don't invest in a new look for an appliance that has only a couple of years of use left.
Special do-it-yourself wall-painting jobs, such as sponging, mottling, and rag-rolling, are a good way to divert attention from other less-attractive elements. Painted wood adds to the character of a kitchen.
Hardware and Moulding
New knobs and pulls on cabinets can add sparkle and life. Choose among glass, metal, rubber, wood, resin, and stone, and feel free to use multiple materials and styles to give kitchens a lift.
Featureless kitchens can benefit greatly from new mouldings. Use crown mouldings at the ceiling, install a chair rail or plate rail partway up the wall, and replace trim around windows and doors to create shape and detail.
Floor Plans
Better kitchens aren't always bigger. It's often wiser in terms of design and finances to reconfigure existing space than to build new. Instead of extending out, look inside to find possibilities. Removing interior walls usually costs less than adding exterior walls, and the hallways and closets that adjoin kitchens in many older homes provide prime opportunities for annexing space.
When you're considering efficient layouts, think about galley kitchens. You may not want a kitchen like those on a boat or in a motor home, but the functionality crammed into those kitchens is hard to resist.
For a feeling of spaciousness, devise a relatively compact cooking area and devote leftover space to a seating or eating area. Or open the kitchen to an adjoining dining room or family room, dividing the two spaces with an island or peninsula.
Simply adding an island can improve looks and performance in many kitchens. Islands are flexible design elements because they don't have to match the surrounding cabinets; antique tables often make great islands. If the island holds the sink or cook top, it often creates a more convenient floor plan and more work space.
Adding a pantry to your floor plan cuts cabinet costs. Pantries provide versatile storage and, depending on the style you choose, often require only an abundance of inexpensive shelving. Even a closet-size pantry can replace an entire wall of expensive cabinets, along with the countertops, backsplashes, and extra hinges and knobs that go with them.
Cabinetry
Quality new cabinets
When you're shopping for new cabinets, paying more for a good one is a smart investment. Look for high-quality construction and well-engineered features such as built-in spice racks, pop-up appliance platforms, etc.
Mixed looks
Well-designed kitchens don't require completely matched cabinetry, so if you like a mixed look, shop in antique stores and second-hand shops for china cabinets and dressers you can use in your plans. A vintage armoire or a stately bookcase can work like a pantry cabinet and bring a furniture look to the kitchen, while tables can make charming islands.
Reusing cabinets
Cabinets make up one-third to one-half of the cost of most kitchens, so good planning here has a large effect on your budget. For example, remember that new cabinets aren't your only option. New countertops and backsplashes could give existing cabinets a new lease on life. If the cabinets are structurally sound but visually unappealing, consider replacing just the doors and drawer fronts.
Well-designed kitchens don't require completely matched cabinetry
Countertops
Saving money on cabinets can free funds for countertop upgrades. If you select laminate, add bullnose edges or a wood strip for a decorative look. Solid-surfacing products cost more for materials and installation, but they can update the kitchen quickly. The same goes for ceramic tile, granite, marble, and butcher block.
Flooring
Tile
Shop for discontinued colours or patterns that are marked down. Or use a neutral-hued tile as a field tile and more expensive tiles for colour or pattern accents.
Faux flooring
Faux-stone vinyl and laminate flooring can create the look of granite or marble at bargain prices. Take a look at the latest trend of polished concrete floors - fabulous flooring at budget prices!
Labour - Don't skimp on skilled help
If you have to cut budget corners, economise on materials so you can hire the skilled help you need. By making the most of your budget and preventing costly mistakes, architects, interior designers, or kitchen designers can save you from substantial headaches and often cover the cost of their services.
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Gardening Also Offers Stress Relief and Boosts Brain Health
Gardening Tip
Here’s another thought to keep you lounging comfortably on your patio. Contrary to popular belief, there are no pixie gardening teams armed with spades that come out at night to dig over the soil around plants in nature. Why on earth did we get into that habit in our gardens? Digging over the soil literally turns the habitats of beneficial soil micro-organisms upside down and leaves a new section of soil exposed to the elements. If you mulch, your soil will be kept naturally well-drained, soft and fed.The hardest part of this will be to persuade your gardener that he no longer needs to get stuck into the beds with that dreaded fork because to him, loosened and dug over beds show you that he hasn’t been snoozing in the garden shed all day J. Patience! Persuade him to use the extra time to build and maintain a compost heap for you instead. Find out how to do it the lazy way in the next article.
The circadian clock
Landscaping
Aloe Vera
Herbs are basically plants that are being used for their medicinal, culinary, topical and aroma effects. The term Herb in general use refers to any part of a plant that is being used for these purposes. Specifically in regard to cooking, the term Herb usually means the leafy green parts (that can be either fresh or dried), whereas the term Spice usually refers to any other part of a plant that is being used for similar purposes (though usually dried only, not fresh)
Aloe vera is a succulent plant species that is found only in cultivation, having no naturally occurring populations, although closely related aloes do occur in northern Africa. The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine since the beginning of the first century AD. Extracts from A. vera are widely used in the cosmetics and alternative medicine industries, being marketed as variously having rejuvenating, healing, or soothing properties.Aloe is also an excellent treatment for skin conditions such as burns and eczema. It is often reported that burns can be healed remarkably quickly and the pain reduced very quickly with topical application of Aloe Vera to the burn area.
As well as applying topically, Aloe can also be taken internally so it is just as useful for internal epithelial tissue as it is for the skin. For example, mouth and stomach ulcers, nasal and sinuses, bowels, lungs and genital tracts. Aloe works on membranes and surfaces.Aloe also seems to be excellent at regulating the immune system (an immunomodulator). This means it can both stimulate the immune response for those with weakened immune systems either from exisiting conditions or post-illness fatigue. It can also calm the immune response, such as for Hayfever where less immune reaction is beneficial.Although Aloe is about 99% water, the remaining 1% is extremely powerful and it is thought this is because the close to 100 ingredients work extremely well together (synergistically). The ingredients in Aloe can be grouped into the following categories: Vitamins, Minerals, Sugars, Enzymes, Lignins, Amino Acids, Anthraquinones, Saponins, Fatty Acids, Salicylic Acid.
Gardening Is an Excellent Way to Improve Your Nutrition
No pesticides
Natural ways to ward off garden pests
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The nematodes are the species which occur naturally on earth and already present in the soil. They are not unsafe and risky. But all of the nematodes are not safe as some of them are parasites which causes diseases in animals and human beings. And also there a few species that are used to control pests in the garden in a natural way while some attack the living plants and feed on them.
Some describe them as worms as they are related to true worms. Actually they are the species with smooth and unsegmented bodies which are so tiny to see them. Some are of pear shape and others are long in shape and slender. They are environmentally friendly and fit to use in the garden to get rid of uncontrollable pests.
On what do they feed?
Some nematodes makes burrows into the tissues of plants while some feed on the outer surface of plants and damage stems, flowers and foliage. It does not matter where they feed but these tiny creatures seriously spoil the plants with their sharp mouth which they use to puncture the sell oof leaves and plants. Actually the main damage to the plant occurs when the nematodes inject its saliva into the plant cell and then sucks the useful nutrients of plants by damaging them or leading them to lifeless.
Benefits of using nematodes in your garden
You find general nematodes and beneficial nematodes which are friendly to gardeners. You can use them in your garden in an easy way.
They are very effective on pests and insects.
Easy to apply before dawn and after dusk.
Are harmless to birds and children.
Are perfectly safe to use on food crops and other useful plants.
Most of the commercial gardeners and farmers use these nematodes to control pest in their farm and garden and can be found more in number if you plant the trees and plants by which they get attracted.
How to get the best from nematodes?
To acquire the best from these worms, you need to apply them to the moist soil as it lets them to move freely in moist soil. It is best if you apply them in the evening when watering the plants. You can use fertilizers with nematodes as it works best with plants and even in killing the pests. Make sure that the soil is always damp as it is useful for nematodes to come above the soil and feed on pests and insects.
In what way do they work on pests?
Being aggressive in nature, they attack the insects and pests by entering into the body openings of the insects and release bacteria that kills insects. This way it kills the pests quickly. As the nematodes reproduce inside the dead pests, a new generation is formed to disperse the nest pests from the garden without harming the plants.
Thus, ensure that you are watering the garden and lawn continuously after applying nematodes in every corner of the garden where you feel the pests located over there. Make sure that the grass on the lawn does not get dry after applying nematodes as it won't prove effective in dry conditions.
What are Beneficial Nematodes?
Those who are garden enthusiasts and has a good collection of different plants in the garden attain benefits through this beneficial nematodes. It gives value to plants and soil by controlling the unwanted insects and flies present in the soil. It is sometimes so hard to manage the different types of insects, worms, ants, flies and cutworms which spoils the growth of plants.
When you treat the plant with beneficial nematodes which are present in the soil , then they control pest insects , larvae or grubs that are always harmful to the growth of plants. These nematodes target only the pests from entering through the mouth of larvae, respiratory opening or any other opening and starts feeding on them. This product is not open to the elements like animals and human beings which causes health risk
How to apply these beneficial nematodes?
You need to follow certain steps in applying them. Actually, nematodes require damp soil to find the host as it becomes difficult for them to move in dry soil. You must add water to the pest infested region before adding nematodes. There should be limited water as excessive amounts of water will not attack the pests.
It is very simple to apply in an optimum time when there are larvae in soil. You must mix this with water and spread on the soil where there are crops and big useful plants.
What actually are these nematodes in general?
They are roundworms from a film nematode class which reside in huge amounts in the soil. Most of them are better known as plant parasitic organisms which are found upon plant roots. On the other hand , researches have proved that nematodes are more advantageous which help in a complete way in controlling harmful pests and also in the degradation of organic matter.
Best natural way to get rid of insects that destroy lawns and useful plants
Beneficial nematodes are very effective on grubs, larvae, flea beetles, cutworms, black vine weevils, June beetles, rose chafer, army worms and other insects. To control all these pests, nematodes are the only organisms that naturally attack a wide variety of pests in agricultural farm and in your garden.
Storage and handling of this natural pest control
You have to follow the instructions on the package for best method of mixing it in water. There are different formulations for different insects.
They can be mixed in water and stored in a cool place, but should not be placed in a hot vehicle or left in spray bottles or tanks for a long time.
It is because, nematodes require moisture to move freely in soil. Take care to use the only required amount of water to soak the soil.
Application is easy to follow
Sometimes, most of the nematodes are compatible when used in a pressurized form, through aerial sprayers, in the form of mist or through pump sprayers. Every method you follow to apply it works well. Nowadays the farmers are using these for an irrigation system to save some useful crops.
They don't need any mask or other safety equipment as they are safe for animals and human beings as they don't leave any residues after application.
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Multipurpose interior paint for healthy living
individuality. As a result, the indoor microclimate is more than ever a major factor in well-being and quality of life.
There is no dispute that harmful substances like solvents and plasticisers can lead to a general feeling of malaise, with children being substantially more sensitive than adults. Even a low concentration of harmful substances can impair their health. It is of particular concern that these substances may often be emitted from paintwork into the indoor atmosphere for months on end. Neither solvents nor plasticisers are added to KEIM Biosil, so there's absolutely no question of hazardous emissions. After all, what's not there can't be emitted. Moreover, thanks to the natural alkalinity of its water glass binder, Biosil doesn't even contain preservatives, so making it ideally suitable for allergy sufferers. Biosil's excellent environmental profile has been confirmed by the industry association behind the natureplus quality mark, the "Internationaler Verein Focus on health and the environment 2 KEIM Biosil Multipurpose paint for living areas Environmentally friendly and non-hazardous to healthOverview of key features:
• Multipurpose paint for living areas
• Silicate emulsion paint to DIN 18363, 2.4.1
• Awarded the „natureplus®“ quality mark
• Zero emissions and excellent water vapour permeability ensure a healthy indoor microclimate
• Particularly suitable for sensitive areas
• Wet abrasion resistance, class 2 to DIN EN 13300
• Tested as safe for foodstuff applications
• Tested as non-flammable
• Contains no substances which cause fogging
• Suitable for allergy sufferers
• Resistant to mould growth
• Excellent hiding power
Your specialist contractor can give you good advice.
Optil®-System
Organic content < 5%, scrub-resistant, (wet abrasion class
2 for white and colour shades).
Especially intensive, lightfast colour shades with ultra matt appearance. Particularly suited for demanding interior design and application under difficult light conditions. Premium quality for maximum light scattering.
Special shade "brillant white" without
MacroFill-Technology.Colour shade
White and shades according to KEIM Palette exclusiv and Avantgarde colour swatches
(inclusive monochrome shades)
Brush, roller or airless spraying
For two coats:
approx. 250 ml/m²
5 l and 15 l containers
Pallet: 24 x 15 l / 70 x 5 l
KEIM Innotop is a ready-to-use sol-silicate interior paint manufactured in accordance with
DIN EN 13 300 (also complies with
DIN 18 363 sect. 2.4.1 silicate emulsion paint).
KEIM Innotop is the all-rounder for first and renovation coatings of interior wall and ceiling surfaces.
Wet abrasion class 3.Colour shade
White and KEIM Palette exclusiv. Tinting only factory-made.
Brush, roller, sprayer
On a smooth substrate: approx. 125 - 150 ml KEIM Innotop per m² and coating
5 l and 15 l container
Exterior Organic Paint
DIN 18 363 sect. 2.4.1. The colour powder is made from pure inorganic, lightfast pigments and fillers. The liquid binder hereto is KEIM Fixativ. A paint for the highest loads required, meeting environmental standards, incombustible, for economical coatings with outstanding durability. Provides
weather-resistant coatings that last for decades. Mineral matt and absolutely lightfast.Colour shade
KEIM Palette exclusiv and full colours 9001 – 9010Application
Brush, sprayerConsumption
For two coats:
approx.. 0.35 kg KEIM Colour Powder
+ approx. 0.40 l KEIM FixativPackaging
5 kg bags and 30 kg sacks,
full colours in 5 kg bags,
Pallet: 30 x 30 kg
KEIM Granital is a water-repellent, ready-to-use silicate emulsion paint as per
DIN 18 363 sect. 2.4.1., non-flammable, with absolutely lightfast inorganic pigments and fillers; particularly suited for economical and durable coatings on all mineral substrates. Protects mineral substrates from severe weather loads, especially from acid atmosphere. KEIM Granital is water-repellent, highly water vapour permeable and environmentally friendly.Colour shade
White, according to KEIM Palette exclusiv and colour concentrates (9001-9010)Application
Brush, roller or airless spraying
(nozzle size: 0.79 mm)Consumption
For two coats:
approx. 0.35 kg/m² KEIM Granital + approx. 0.03 l KEIM Fixativ or
KEIM Spezial-FixativPackaging
5 kg and 25 kg containers
Pallet: 24 x 25 kg / 70 x 5 kg
KEIM Lignosil-Color, in combination with the primer
KEIM Lignosil-Base, provides a durable, weather protective coating, tested as per DIN EN 927.
Colour shade
White, KEIM Palette Exclusive, more colours on request
Application
Brush, roller, airless
For two coats over
KEIM Lignosil-Base: approx.
0.2 l/m² KEIM Lignosil-Color.
2.5 l, 5 l und 20 l container
Quality sample: 250 ml
Colourless
Brush, roller, airless
For two priming coats onto planed, uncoated new wood depending on wood type: approx. 0.1 l/m²
KEIM Lignosil-Base.
2.5 l, 5 l und 20 l container
Quality sample: 250 ml
Organic Fillers & Renders
Ready-to-use silicate-based filler composition for interior and exterior mineral substrates.To use for extensive filling (levelling) of render and concrete in preparation for silicate emulsion paints, sol-silicate paints, silicate paints or silicate render and embedding reinforcement fabric.Layer thicknesses: 0 - 3 mm
Grain size 0 - 0.5 mm.Colour shade
White
Application
Trowel, float, filling knife
Consumption
Approx. 1.5 kg/m² per mm of layer thickness.
Packaging
5 kg and 25 kg container
Pallet: 24 x 25 kg / 70 x 5 kg