Decorating Guides
Houzz Experts: Top Decor & Design Questions Answered - Part 2
Our guest experts Kayzad Shroff and Maria Leon offer solutions to design-related questions posed by Houzzers
Architects Kayzad Shroff and Maria Leon of Shroffleon have been our Houzz Experts for the past six weeks, offering insights and advice on questions posed by Houzzers on a variety of design topics. Previously, they’ve tackled queries on cladding for exteriors, courtyard designs and bedroom design – you can read the highlights of these discussions here. As Part 2 of the same series, we bring to you a selection of some of their tips on recent topics, ranging from cladding materials for exteriors to extending roofs to staircase designs.
With the sixth week coming to a close, we also announce the conclusion of the Houzz Expert series. A big thank you to Shroffleon for their support and enthusiastic participation.
To see full discussions on the last three topics, visit these links: cladding materials for exteriors, extending roofs and staircase designs.
With the sixth week coming to a close, we also announce the conclusion of the Houzz Expert series. A big thank you to Shroffleon for their support and enthusiastic participation.
To see full discussions on the last three topics, visit these links: cladding materials for exteriors, extending roofs and staircase designs.
Picture is representational
Anita: Do vitrified or ceramic cladding tiles allow walls to breathe? Are they prone to collecting moss in the rainy season?
SHROFFLEóN: Vitrified tiles by themselves do not particularly allow the walls to breathe, and hence are prone to cracking. That being said, they do not collect moss either. If you are, however, set on using these tiles, I suggest you use them in a mosaic fashion, where smaller tiles or broken pieces are used. This will allow the wall to breathe, though there might be more moss collection due to the greater amount of grouting.
rohanmehta6: I’m building a house in New Delhi and plan on using high-pressure laminates for cladding. Would that be a good choice? If not, what would you suggest to get a similar look and feel?
SHROFFLEóN: High-pressure laminates are a good choice. They come in a range of finishes and costs. If the ones you are considering are on the higher cost side, we advise you look into zinc or terracotta cladding, as well. They definitely give off a richer look.
Browse through the entire discussion thread on cladding materials
Anita: Do vitrified or ceramic cladding tiles allow walls to breathe? Are they prone to collecting moss in the rainy season?
SHROFFLEóN: Vitrified tiles by themselves do not particularly allow the walls to breathe, and hence are prone to cracking. That being said, they do not collect moss either. If you are, however, set on using these tiles, I suggest you use them in a mosaic fashion, where smaller tiles or broken pieces are used. This will allow the wall to breathe, though there might be more moss collection due to the greater amount of grouting.
rohanmehta6: I’m building a house in New Delhi and plan on using high-pressure laminates for cladding. Would that be a good choice? If not, what would you suggest to get a similar look and feel?
SHROFFLEóN: High-pressure laminates are a good choice. They come in a range of finishes and costs. If the ones you are considering are on the higher cost side, we advise you look into zinc or terracotta cladding, as well. They definitely give off a richer look.
Browse through the entire discussion thread on cladding materials
Picture is representational
Extending roof
anitasurve: How can a courtyard be covered from the top when the house is shut, to keep it safe from intrusion?
SHROFFLEóN: There are a couple of ways you can do this. One is to have a grilled cover on top, akin to a pergola, which you can beautify with greens. This will keep the place relatively cooler, as well as protected from intruders. This is a more economical option.
The second would be to have a retractable roof, which can be mechanically opened or closed as required.
vedikaseth: I have an open balcony and I want to prepare it for the Mumbai rains. What type of flexible covering can I use to cover the balcony and take it down post monsoon?
SHROFFLEóN: Bombay rains are harsh! One thing you can do is use flexible covers that work similarly to roller blinds, and are transparent, which allows light to enter. There are many companies that offer such products. Just choose one where the installation is easy and taking down the sheets is not an issue once the rains are over. Do keep in mind, however, that the water will still enter the balcony … you will simply be reducing the force of rains, and will require a water outlet.
Extending roof
anitasurve: How can a courtyard be covered from the top when the house is shut, to keep it safe from intrusion?
SHROFFLEóN: There are a couple of ways you can do this. One is to have a grilled cover on top, akin to a pergola, which you can beautify with greens. This will keep the place relatively cooler, as well as protected from intruders. This is a more economical option.
The second would be to have a retractable roof, which can be mechanically opened or closed as required.
vedikaseth: I have an open balcony and I want to prepare it for the Mumbai rains. What type of flexible covering can I use to cover the balcony and take it down post monsoon?
SHROFFLEóN: Bombay rains are harsh! One thing you can do is use flexible covers that work similarly to roller blinds, and are transparent, which allows light to enter. There are many companies that offer such products. Just choose one where the installation is easy and taking down the sheets is not an issue once the rains are over. Do keep in mind, however, that the water will still enter the balcony … you will simply be reducing the force of rains, and will require a water outlet.
Picture is representational
sararahim123: I’ve been thinking of getting my roof relaid, as we live in an old ancestral home. How much would it cost? Could you give me an idea?
SHROFFLEóN: In general, as it’s an old structure, expect surprises once the current roofing is ripped open. Would be prudent to budget a bit more than whatever the contractor initially estimates.
Rita Bhatia: I have a holiday home in Shimla and we’re currently constructing an extended outdoor bar area. What kind of roofing solutions can I look at – I want materials that would be suitable to the climate and also look good.
SHROFFLEóN: Not knowing the general aesthetic of the home, it is a bit difficult to suggest materials that would be in sync with your place. In general, we would suggest a metallic or wooden structure with tiles or corrugated sheets for the roofing. Regardless of the material, it is the detailing with which it is made that makes the aesthetic difference, so do choose your contractor and vendor carefully.
Read the discussion on extending roofs
sararahim123: I’ve been thinking of getting my roof relaid, as we live in an old ancestral home. How much would it cost? Could you give me an idea?
SHROFFLEóN: In general, as it’s an old structure, expect surprises once the current roofing is ripped open. Would be prudent to budget a bit more than whatever the contractor initially estimates.
Rita Bhatia: I have a holiday home in Shimla and we’re currently constructing an extended outdoor bar area. What kind of roofing solutions can I look at – I want materials that would be suitable to the climate and also look good.
SHROFFLEóN: Not knowing the general aesthetic of the home, it is a bit difficult to suggest materials that would be in sync with your place. In general, we would suggest a metallic or wooden structure with tiles or corrugated sheets for the roofing. Regardless of the material, it is the detailing with which it is made that makes the aesthetic difference, so do choose your contractor and vendor carefully.
Read the discussion on extending roofs
Staircase design
sararahim123: I have a wooden staircase at home, very similar to this design. However, we don’t have large windows around it, so it tends to get pretty dark. I like the idea of these tiny lights but I feel they won’t be sufficient for my staircase. What other ideas can you suggest?
SHROFFLEóN: If it’s simply ambient lighting you want, you could choose the type of tiny lights shown in the image, which throw light on the stairs. If you need more illumination, you could consider adding a railing with a light underneath. If general illumination is what you are going after, but in a muted way, we suggest wall sconces that throw light upwards onto the ceiling, diffusing the light.
Paradise Consultancy: What are the ideal materials and laying techniques to make a staircase look less bulky or seamless with the interiors?
SHROFFLEóN: Less bulky and seamless to us would mean different things. Less bulky could be a metal or wood structure with treads of wood or stone. For the side rails, you could consider a see-though material such as glass or even metal cables. Seamless would be a continuation of the materials used in the house, primarily on the floor, with a hint of curves in the geometry.
Sunila Patel: How can I turn a very steep staircase into a regular one without spending a large amount of money?
SHROFFLEóN: Frankly, we don’t think there is a way other than redoing the stairs. You could try modifying the staircase, but the costs and effort required will not be in sync with the end product. We would strongly suggest starting over.
Read more:
Houzz Experts: Top Decor & Design Questions Answered - Part 1
Tell us:
Have any other questions relating to interior design or architecture? Post them in the Discussions forum.
sararahim123: I have a wooden staircase at home, very similar to this design. However, we don’t have large windows around it, so it tends to get pretty dark. I like the idea of these tiny lights but I feel they won’t be sufficient for my staircase. What other ideas can you suggest?
SHROFFLEóN: If it’s simply ambient lighting you want, you could choose the type of tiny lights shown in the image, which throw light on the stairs. If you need more illumination, you could consider adding a railing with a light underneath. If general illumination is what you are going after, but in a muted way, we suggest wall sconces that throw light upwards onto the ceiling, diffusing the light.
Paradise Consultancy: What are the ideal materials and laying techniques to make a staircase look less bulky or seamless with the interiors?
SHROFFLEóN: Less bulky and seamless to us would mean different things. Less bulky could be a metal or wood structure with treads of wood or stone. For the side rails, you could consider a see-though material such as glass or even metal cables. Seamless would be a continuation of the materials used in the house, primarily on the floor, with a hint of curves in the geometry.
Sunila Patel: How can I turn a very steep staircase into a regular one without spending a large amount of money?
SHROFFLEóN: Frankly, we don’t think there is a way other than redoing the stairs. You could try modifying the staircase, but the costs and effort required will not be in sync with the end product. We would strongly suggest starting over.
Read more:
Houzz Experts: Top Decor & Design Questions Answered - Part 1
Tell us:
Have any other questions relating to interior design or architecture? Post them in the Discussions forum.
Rajeev Rajan: I came across this image of shipping container sheets used for exteriors, on Houzz. It looks quite interesting but is this a practical option for Pune homes? What are the cons of using steel for exteriors?
SHROFFLEóN: These kind of homes do look quite nice. However, there are a few issues related to using shipping container sheets. They come in set sizes and their height is pretty low, which means that post insulation, the walls get even shorter. Also, as this is not a regular type of job, you will need to find an agency that has worked in this kind of construction before.
Curve design and consultancy: Can you suggest energy-efficient, eco-friendly and low-cost cladding materials suited to India.
SHROFFLEóN: The answer to your query depends quite a bit on your budget. The options could range from bamboo screening to ceramic tiles or stone to even zinc panels. You could try introducing screens, too.