Friday, 9 November 2012

Windows, new and advanced


TRENDS
The use of cutting-edge technology has ensured that windows are getting energy-efficient and better. Bindu Gopal Rao explores the wide range of options available in the market today.

Windows are a wonderful functional element in a home. As a source that allows for natural light and ventilation, and one that shuts out noise. They can also be done up to add up to the overall decor of a home. Windows today are getting smarter and better and actually use cutting-edge technologies (yes, you read that right) to give you an experience like never before.

New vistas


Shani Corporation Limited has introduced Cora uPVC Performance Windows in India, which are both sound-proof and eco-friendly. These windows are built using eco-stabilisers and offer optimum insulation, therefore saving energy and the environment. They are versatile in design and function and can be uniquely configured into large combinations for maximising views and enhancing lifestyles. Pawan Rana, CMD of Shani Corporation Limited says, “We use the highest quality UPVC products in different designs which are perfect for Indian building styles. Each window is custom-made to suit your requirements - in size, colour and design.” Ram Kumar, zonal head, Karnataka, Fenesta Windows adds, “Changing home windows is a hot new idea in home improvement. It has always been Fenesta’s endeavour to design windows that are suited for India’s unique requirements. Our newly launched villa windows not only address these unique requirements but also expand the design palette available to architects and end users.” 

The villa window integrates the traditional Indian window design of grill and mesh (popularly made out of wood) with UPVC, the new age window material pioneered by the company in India. Some other unique window design options include designs that can span entire balconies, rise from floor to ceiling, sliders, casements (windows with sash that open outside), slider and casement combo, bay windows that can be created at any angle, arches and French windows.

The latest range of world class weather proof UPVC windows are especially designed for the lifestyle conscious in the country. “The new system is specifically significant for high-rise, condominium dwellings as it effectively counters high-pressure winds and rains, considerably enhancing the safety and comfort of houses. 

These windows are structurally strong and have a long life. They have been proven to substantially bring down noise and dust levels as well as reduce air conditioning bills. They are resistant to termites and require low maintenance. The windows come in a wide variety of colour and design options, thus making them a preferred choice for builders, architects and individual consumers,” says Rohit Bhatia, Business Head, OMA. Pella’s energy-saving technology can make a major difference in terms of comfort and energy use. These windows actually save up to 86 per cent of energy. Amit Sabharwall, COO, Pella India explains, “by using argon gas in between panes of glass, our windows make sure the air is non toxic and provides an extra layer of insulation from heat and cold. 

Low-Emissivity (Low-E) coating blocks harmful UV rays and reflects heat energy and also prevents fade damage to carpet, furniture and window treatments. Our range of ‘between-the-glass options’, helps you snap in blinds, shades, decorative panels and grills which are easy to change.”

Dress them up
Choosing the best curtains that complement the decor is the first step when it comes to decorating windows. 

Using linen window coverings to gorgeous silk panels, curtains are an easy way to decorate the window. Around the curtains, you can use tie-ups and stickers to keep them tied up. 

The latest innovative ways being used by people are painting the window in decorative styles or using caricature designs. Windows are important features while decorating interiors. You can have glass panel windows which ensure that your home gets enough natural light and ventilation also. Frosted glass, sliding glass and design windows enhance the decor of your home. 

Moreover, there are many varieties of designs for window curtains and blinds in the market. 

“Watch the windows of your home come to life with beautiful vinyl wall stickers. They are easy to use and give a beautiful paint-like effect to the surface you apply it on. You can place it on any smooth surface like windows or glass to change the look of your interiors.

What’s more, it is reusable and repositionable, so you can use it eight-ten times on different surfaces easily. Place them all together or decorate different walls all around the room. This is a very creative, highly aesthetic, adhesive wall art product and is a do-it-yourself one. The design range responds to almost every mood and personal preference,” says Narasimha Jayakumar, Chief Operating Officer of HomeShop18.com.

Product range

Big sized wooden windows with straight line designs and UPVC windows are the latest trend in India these days. “With changing trends we see that customers prefer using unique styles for their windows. The latest trend that marks windows is an arch window that adds to the elegance of the house, casement window that provides excellent ventilation, a bay window that adds to the focal point of the room and gives a feeling of spaciousness and garden windows that are generally used in the kitchen to ensure that there is enough light and air entering the kitchen adding to the greenhouse effect. These styles can be used in a standalone position or in a combination as per the design of the house. Latest window accessories used by customers to beautify their house are the window grills (aluminium, brass, mild steel, wrought iron, stainless steel or designer), faux iron, curtain rods, wall hangings around the rods on the window, wind chimes, painted windows, etc” says Sanjay Raj, CEO & Executive Director of Golden Gate Properties Ltd. 

Windows are no longer elements used to fill the openings in the building envelope. Today’s windows are expected to perform various functions such as letting in light, keeping out heat/cold, noise attenuation as well as being aesthetically attractive, needing lower maintenance and using energy saving/efficient materials. “The main advantage that the customer seeks today apart from the ones mentioned above is energy saving i.e. window material leading to a reduction in air conditioning bills up to 20-30 per cent plus saving of wood. 

“Therefore, windows made with high usage of energy-intensive materials like aluminium is a major plus. Consumer preferences in India are evolving from region to region and options are available in slider and casement windows, and combinations of fixed and casement. All these factors have propelled A49 group to construct innovative frontiers using this technology and innovation,” says Harsh Bhutani, Managing Director ED & P.

Window treatments

Window treatments are the best way to add colour, pattern and instant style to your room. While there are many types of window treatments that are available in the Indian market, they don’t all cater to your needs, so one has to choose accordingly. 

“Look at curtains, for instance. They are versatile when it comes to style, but only have two options when it comes to managing the amount of light that enters a room. 

“You can only have them either open or closed which limits your choice. Blinds also offer lots of options when it comes to light regulation. You can control these with much ease, letting you adjust the amount of light you want to allow into the room. 

“You can either have them fully opened, or opened in varying degrees, until they are closed. With these treatments, you can either have total brightness or total darkness depending on your choice. Modern blinds come with latest technologies where you can control them with a remote control. 

You can opt for variety of blinds which are there in the market like: rollers, blackouts, wooden, pleated, Venetian, Roman shade,” opines Vandana Khoshla, Creative Director of Elvy Lifestyle. Window shopping can be great fun, even literally, so give your windows a facelift now.

Home Trends For The Season


Living in a beautiful home is a need that is hard to dispute. Again, fashion is not just beauty but a blend of good attitude makes it more appealing. A home like everything else can be done up to reflect latest trends. Here’s how.

Bold Colors and Wallpapers are in

wall art deer stencil
Today customers mainly look at retro and classy interiors with a “wow” appeal. “The latest trend marks bold colors that exude tons of personality. Another trend cascading the market is decorative walls with graphical stickers or decals or mirrored wall papers.
The latest trend in terms of color would be vibrant as people want to match the monsoon décor hence Turquoise, sea green, baby pink lavender, bold floral prints, owl prints are a few of the colors that people prefer.

Exotic wood work  making inroads in Indian homes.

wall art duckling stencil
Bamboos, exotic hardwoods and cork flooring are becoming increasingly popular choices and 3 D wall tiles are also a flowing trend in the market of interiors. They are incredibly appealing and affordable, making your room look pleasant and vibrant. Beside these wooden flooring is very upbeat and in vogue,” says Sanjay Raj, CEO & Executive Director, Golden Gate Properties Ltd.

You are known by the accessories you keep.

interior themes
New home gadgets and accessories that are being used for home décor are antiques like fire place screen, candle holder, glass storage stands, dark colours of area rugs , wooden wall decors, sculptures,  antique clock, lamp shades which are owl shaped , pen stands etc. The reasons for change in the home and décor are mainly due to growing awareness of people and exposure for them to various options. With the advent of globalization and a major paradigm shift in the lifestyles of people there is always room to spend that little extra buck to beautify their homes.

Innovative digital wall and floorings to expand your creative canvas.

Mosaic
Alok Goel, CEO, Nitco adds. “The new trend that is catching up is Digital and Mosaico Tiles. Mosaico is an art of creating designs with small pieces of various materials like ceramic and vitrified tiles, stones, marble or any other material. Mosaic Tile fitting is where one can explore creativity and bring out really exclusive designs. The best part is there is no standardization; no limitation to professionals and one have liberty to experiment and execute the designs.’

‘Today one can work with stone, ceramics, shells, art glass, mirror, beads, and even odd items like doll parts, pearls, or photographs. 3D Printed tiles’ are the latest innovation in tile technology. Flat walls are passé. Nitco has acquired a state-of-the-art system that enables the printing process to be used on ceramic tiles. These tiles are created based on principles and procedures which are similar to graphic art work which offer photo-like high resolution impressions. Digital Technology is the future of your home décor, home walling, we at NITCO are very optimistic that digital printing will soon become a design based market from a price based one. Digital tiles are a must have for accentuating one’s lifestyle.’

Tata Realty to raise Rs 1,400 crore via non-convertible debentures


Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd (TRIL), a subsidiary of Tata Sons, is raising Rs 1,400 crore through a non-convertible debenture (NCD) issue to replace debt in a project in Chennai with long-term, cheaper borrowing.
.TRIL Infopark Ltd is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) building a 26 acre special economic zone (SEZ) project, Ramanujan IT City, a joint venture development by TRIL, Indian Hotels Co. Ltd and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corp. Ltd.
“The entire money will be used to replace the debt we already have on the project and not for funding of the project,” said managing director and chief executive Sanjay Ubale. “The investors in the issue are mostly foreign investors.”
The project is under construction, with about 1.4 million sq. ft of office space leased and operational and another 2 million sq. ft be to be developed. At a later stage, a 100 room serviced apartment building will also be built, Ubale said.
Standard Chartered Bank is the arranger in the issue, while Aditya Birla Finance Ltd is the co-arranger, said TRIL chief financial officer Niyant Maru.
TRIL’s NCD issue opened and closed on the same day last week, indicating that investors had been identified and the issue received good response, said analysts.
NCDs typically cannot be converted to stock and offer yields of 14-20%.
The real estate sector has been flooded with a number of NCD issues as developers are trying to raise capital for a variety of reasons including debt repayment and land payments.
NCDs are an effective instrument to bring in foreign funds in the form of debt, said Ambar Maheshwari, managing director, corporate finance, at property advisory Jones Lang LaSalle.
Issues of the instrument are mostly taking place in late-stage projects as against greenfield ones because developers have realized that it is harder to sell to investors when projects are at the digging stage, analysts added.
Brickwork Ratings India Pvt. Ltd has assigned a provisional rating of A (SO) with stable outlook for TRIL Infopark’s proposed NCD issue. Instruments with this rating are considered to have an adequate degree of safety regarding timely servicing of financial obligations and carry low credit risk.
The structured obligation suffix is added considering the escrow of lease rental receivables and the maintenance of a debt service reserve account with a minimum of three months interest under the control of the debenture trustee.
Rajalakshmi R., manager, research, Brickwork Ratings, said high interest rates and limits on banks’ exposure to commercial real estate have seen realty firms accessing capital markets via NCDs.
“A number of real estate companies seek to replace high cost funds with NCDs. Sometimes credit enhancements provided, such as an escrow of receivables, explicit support from parent company etc, see the credit quality of the instrument increase and render them more viable for investors,” she said. “The success of an NCD issue depends on the project type and status, promoters’ background, investor appetite for the sector, current economic scenario, pricing, etc.”
In recent months, Bangalore-based developers Golden Gate Properties Ltd and Century Real Estate Holdings Pvt. Ltd raised Rs 200 crore and Rs 100 crore, respectively, from JM Financial Ltd.

Thursday, 1 November 2012

MOTOR SPORTS National TSD Rally from Saturday

JK Tyre on Tuesday announced the launch of the FMSCI Indian National TSD Rally Championship (fourwheelers) that is set to roll out with a ceremonial start on Saturday.
    India’s first ever National Time Speed 
Distance rally, promoted by Berunda Adventure Club and with a prize money of Rs 50 lakh, will feature six rounds --Bangalore, Ranchi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Coimbatore. The inaugural round will be flagged off on Sunday at 7am from Golden Gate properties (Tumkur road). The rally will traverse through Magadi, Ramnagar, Bidadi, Kanakpura, Sarjapur before finishing at Love Shack, near Indiranagar, covering a distance of 265-km.
    So far, the championship organisers have received 50 entries and they expect more participants to register before the entries close on Wednesday.
    The rally will be run in three categories -- Expert Class, Expert (With Original Equipments) and Amateurs.
    Leading car manufacturers such as Tata Motors (six vehicles) and Volkswagen India (four) have confirmed their entries while the promoters are hoping to attract constructors like Ford, Hyundai, Mahindra and Maruti.