[Maibaa]

Are there any negatives to have the window grill installed on the outside of a UPVC window (sliding or casement) rather than from the inside? I see most apartments and individual houses in Bangalore have grills on the inside of the window while the UPVC frame is exposed outside.

Apart from aesthetics, is there any issue in installing the grill outside?

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by Maibaa

Are there any negatives to have the window grill installed on the outside of a UPVC window (sliding or casement) rather than from the inside? I see most apartments and individual houses in Bangalore have grills on the inside of the window while the UPVC frame is exposed outside.

Apart from aesthetics, is there any issue in installing the grill outside?

No issue. Installing will be a pain if on a high rise since the only access to the welder is via the window.

Some apartment associations do not allow any structure to protrude out of the window. In which case you will have to fit the grill on the inside of the window, inside the home. For ex. SJR Equinox Apartment in ECity Bangalore has this restriction. My Brother who stays there had to get the grill installed on the outside of a UPCV window removed since the apartment association had this clause.

[Maibaa]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

No issue. Installing will be a pain if on a high rise since the only access to the welder is via the window.

Some apartment associations do not allow any structure to protrude out of the window.

I am constructing an independent home and I don't have the apartment or high rise related restrictions.

The UPVC is not installed yet and grill will be installed prior to window fitting. I prefer the grill to be outside as it spoils the interior look when installed inside. Some people say there will be water seepage thru the window in the long run when rain water accumulates on the window sill when grill is outside. I am not sure if this is true.

[Yieldway17]

Originally Posted by adi.mariner

There was a building across the road behind which were rhe Railway tracks. The building was acting as a buffer and reducing the sound coming because of the passing trains. But now the building has been demolished and the train sound has increased exponentially. Keeping the sliding windows closed also doesn't help a lot. Any solution to this problem would be appreciated.

Are you looking for the entire home or for specific rooms in your home?

If former, you may consider building a noise barrier wall like those seen along the highways going through residential areas in western countries? I don't know the expertise and material availability in India and also not sure it helps with train noise frequencies.

Also, look at installing double pane glasses for your windows if it's not already.

For individual rooms, there are few acoustic proofing solutions available which involves heavy padding with sound proof materials etc. which you may consider.

[adi.mariner]

Originally Posted by Yieldway17

Are you looking for the entire home or for specific rooms in your home?

Thanks for the suggestions. It is a flat in an individual building. So looking to improve insulation for the bedrooms only. The barrier solution wouldn't be feasible as the flat is on the 6th Floor.
As for the double pane windows, I will surely check about them. Also will take a look at the sound dampening material and if it can used anywhere.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by Maibaa

Are there any negatives to have the window grill installed on the outside of a UPVC window (sliding or casement) rather than from the inside? I see most apartments and individual houses in Bangalore have grills on the inside of the window while the UPVC frame is exposed outside.

Originally Posted by Maibaa

Some people say there will be water seepage thru the window in the long run when rain water accumulates on the window sill when grill is outside. I am not sure if this is true.

In my apartment, the grill is installed on the outside and there has been no water seepage issue like you mentioned in the last 10 years. In fact, the same builder has many apartments in our locality and all of them have the grill on the outside. I hope your windows have proper sunshade which keeps most of the rain from directly hitting.

[Funny]

We are in the process of getting our full flat re-painted and water proofing for certain areas where water is seeping through walls. Have got quotations from Urban Company and Asian Paints for both the work. Asian Paints is slightly on the higher side and doesn't seem to provide any warranty on the waterproofing work whereas UC is providing 3yrs warranty for the same. We are confused between the two. While UC has mixed reviews, I am not able to find much about Asian Paints and hope that they will be good based on the Brand value alone. Any recommendations?

[diyguy]

Originally Posted by Funny

Asian Paints is slightly on the higher side and doesn't seem to provide any warranty on the waterproofing work whereas UC is providing 3yrs warranty for the same.

I have used UC extensively for various services - AC service, AC install/uninstall, Hair cut, Womens Parlor stuff and their work has always been just ok. I wouldn't take their warranty too seriously. I have also used Asian Paints concept painting for 4 walls at home in the past and they had done a very good job. I would go with the paint leader in this case, if i were you.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by Funny

We are in the process of getting our full flat re-painted and water proofing for certain areas where water is seeping through walls. Have got quotations from Urban Company and Asian Paints for both the work. Asian Paints is slightly on the higher side and doesn't seem to provide any warranty on the waterproofing work whereas UC is providing 3yrs warranty for the same. We are confused between the two. While UC has mixed reviews, I am not able to find much about Asian Paints and hope that they will be good based on the Brand value alone. Any recommendations?

I would recommend a local trusted painter than these companies. They usually do a better job and accommodate changes in plans more willingly and also cost lesser. Do this if you are willing to get the materials yourself. In my experience, this turns out around 30 to 40% cheaper than the Asian paints quotation. This was 1.5 years ago when we repainted the interior of my home of around 2000 sqft . The key is to find a reputed local painter who work in your area.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Funny

We are in the process of getting our full flat re-painted and water proofing for certain areas where water is seeping through walls. Have got quotations from Urban Company and Asian Paints for both the work. Asian Paints is slightly on the higher side and doesn't seem to provide any warranty on the waterproofing work whereas UC is providing 3yrs warranty for the same. We are confused between the two. While UC has mixed reviews, I am not able to find much about Asian Paints and hope that they will be good based on the Brand value alone. Any recommendations?

Regarding Waterproofing.

Water seepage through the walls is an extremely difficult thing to diagnose. The water that seeps out at one point will have traveled through micro cracks over a substantial distance, so correcting the problem at the outlet of water will not solve your problem. What I suggest is :

1. Scrape the paint at the seepage point.
2. Now trace the water path by scraping the wall that is damp. You may have to dig deep to get to the damp area.
3. Continue the search, it is easy as the path will be quite damp.

At the end you will come to the source. That will be either or a combination of the following
. Leaking water pipe.
. Leaking drain pipe.
. Crack in the ceiling that lets water seep down from the toilet above.
. Crack in the ceiling that lets water seep down from the terrace above.

Once you find the source you can rectify the leakage. Otherwise your wall will weep perrenially.

[Ragavsr]

Originally Posted by Funny

water proofing for certain areas where water is seeping through walls.

Originally Posted by Aroy

Once you find the source you can rectify the leakage. Otherwise your wall will weep perrenially.

Adding on to what Aroy has said , waterproofing is useless without fixing the source of it. In case the leakage is anywhere near the washroom/toilet area from above, white cement between the tiles eroding away is something I have found to be a major cause in both the buildings I maintain. Something that is extremely easy and cheap to fix was causing this nuisance. Also look out for improperly laid drain pipes where water flows on the wall before entering the pipe.

[FURY_44]

Originally Posted by amitk26

An update on Slag Sand use for plastering in place of river sand or M Sand based on my personal experience.
I would recommend everyone looking for plastering sand to use slag in place of river sand.

They applied an test patch with PPC cement and in 2 days it attained really good strength and it was really hard for them to remove using chisel and hammer.

Slag is a cementuous material a waste product of steel production it consists of Al2O3 , Fe2O3 , MgO, CaOH , SiO2 that is same materials which makes cement. It is often fine ground and called GGBS for mixing in cement to sell as PSC or in RMC mix.

In Bangalore it costed me 1800/- per ton unloaded at site (compared to 2300/- for river sand and 1300/ for M sand) however finding a supplier was really hard. Most of the listings on IndiaMart are fake and they just try to push M sand or river sand.

Thank you amitk26 for spending so much time on researching about Slag sand and sharing it out with fellow members here.

After reading your post it got me really curious to know more about this "Slag Sand", I wanted to know what it was, how it would look like and where it's available. I did my own research a little bit and I was convinced this is what I am going to use for plastering my under construction home.

I did enquire directly with JSW on their website, one of their representatives quickly reached out to me and offered to bring a sample of the Slag Sand to my address, the next morning he had bought with him a 50kg bag of the material, turns out they sell it over bags as well.

With seeing new things for the first time, my contractor/mason were skeptical to even create a sample patch of plastering using Slag sand, heck they did not even touch the bag for a full 2 months. Around 50% of plastering work went ahead after this and finally the JSW representative himself came across and asked the mason for a test patch, with a lot of reluctance we had the test patch across one of the walls. The next morning I was in for a shock, with my bare hands I could literally feel how well it had gelled with the cement and the wall, there was absolutely no wetness and the patch was stuck like glue.

I was furious at my contractor for not being able to use the sand for plastering, they just want the easy way out. I have 4 more bags of the sand with me, it costs Rs.140/bag 50kgs, on tonnage basis it comes directly from JSW Bellary at around Rs.2200/ton, a minimum order of 32 tons.

I will surely and most definitely suggest Slag sand for brick work, concrete and plastering going ahead, it's a 100% tamper proof, unlike the M Sand where they mix dust and call it water washed M sand, only when it dries we get to know the real nature of M Sand.

Here's the JSW representative's number for Bangalore: Nayan: +91 81974 23146

[ksakotai]

Originally Posted by Funny

We are in the process of getting our full flat re-painted and water proofing for certain areas where water is seeping through walls. Have got quotations from Urban Company and Asian Paints for both the work. Asian Paints is slightly on the higher side and doesn't seem to provide any warranty on the waterproofing work whereas UC is providing 3yrs warranty for the same. We are confused between the two. While UC has mixed reviews, I am not able to find much about Asian Paints and hope that they will be good based on the Brand value alone. Any recommendations?

Water seepage is one thing that can cause nightmares... Most (99%) builders do a shoddy job of making walls, with just bricks and cement with semi-skilled mistrys and workers. As a result you see hair-line cracks appear within no time. Ideally one should put "kabootar jaali" and then plaster - this bonds well with cement and prevents invisible cracks.

I would suggest, go with a reputed Water Proofing (WP) company first, to fix this issue rather than a paint company like Asian Paints... They will just apply Dr Fixit and be done with it. You will again see water seepage after a year or even earlier. In my personal experience, and as other BHPians have mentioned, find the source of the water leak. Sometimes, if your neighbor's bathroom (or kitchen) is on the other side of the wall that may be the culprit.

The WP company will chip the wall, apply FOSROC slurry (with cement). This is the best WP compound I have used. Once it dries, you can ask Asian Paints or whoever to apply LATICRETE wall putty and then paint. Most will be reluctant because they either dont know the right way or get price benefits with cheaper products. I dont have high opinion of Birla Wall Putty.

All these are worthwhile if it is your own flat. If you are renting ask your landlord.

My 2 cents........

[rajesh1868]

I have a long balcony which I am planning to cover with windows to protect from dust and rain.
I am told that we can use Aluminum or uPVC. What are the pros and cons of these?
I did a google search but most results were from a European perspective

[condor]

Originally Posted by FURY_44

.. really curious to know more about this "Slag Sand", I wanted to know what it was, how it would look like

Hi Fury,
thanks for the contact. Can you also share a pic of how the slag cement looks like ? the crushed also if you can. Thanks.