I want security doors for two maisonettes that I am building.

I went comparison shopping and found a wide range of prices from KES 18,000 all the way to KES 500,000 for Israeli built doors that I loved, but the price range is out of my reach.

Israel doors:
http://www.leadinglocks.com/view.php?ID=70

My question: Do you know anyone who is reverse engineering these kinds of doors here in Kenya?

Thanks!

Another question:

Know of anyone who fabricates windows/doors with stainless steel? I am told that SS is way more secure than traditional chuma (steel) since SS cannot be cut with the usual tools available to most common wezi.

I would like to know how one can identify standard and non standard Y12s, Y16s etc. I went to the hardware shop to get some chuma and was informed that they have standard and non-standard

Thanks a4architect

@limanika. 99% of stone coated steel roof tiles use gauge 26 steel mabati.

All stone coated steel roofs are the same.
The reason some fade is that they come in basic colours so when someone requests a special colour, they just spray paint using car paint. This spray painting is the reason for fading.

They are all manufactured in China under same standards.

Someone in Australia/New Zealand has been holding the patent for this.Am sure by now the patent has expired.

http://en.wikipedia.org/...ne-coated_metal_roofing

For married couples trust me let the wife decide whatever makes her happy. Otherwise you shall be forking money fie redecoration very soon. Call Peter Marangi aje with a colour chart get very nice mags like with speeads and interiors. . . Unless it is your private room speaking as a plug

I beg to differ on a few points:
.First, small one-time buyers of the stone coated tiles may be unable to negotiate any appreciable discount from the suppliers. Assume I require 350sm tiles for my house. If I were to buy from the company selling 1700/sm, I would spend 595K. Assume on the other hand I bought from tactile at 1300/sm.. I would spend 455K – A saving of 140k that would go into timber for trusses etc.
If however buying for a large scheme – say 100 houses, maybe then one could get a decent discount.
.On the other point the tiles may be all the same technically but aesthetically No. Ever seen two houses side by side with stone coated roof tiles same colour shade - one whose roof tiles that have faded and the other with tiles that have stood the test of time and retained original colour shade?
Aesthetically speaking, the one with faded tiles cannot be said to be appealing.

Check FOB China prices here.

http://www.alibaba.com/s...-coated-steel-roof.html


It costs kes 500 per m2.
Add freight, taxes, transport. Say kes 1,000 Per m2.

A 20 ft container has 4000m2.
An average house will consume say 400m2.
If 10 guys pool together, they will achieve a discounted price of kes 1500 per m2 or less.
Same with a developer constructing over 10 houses. He will achieve kes 1500 per m2 or less.

Simply put, a Chinese guy roofs his house using stone coated steel tiles at the same cost that a Kenyan guy roof his house with mabati, kes 500 per m2.

@limanika. Ok. Once you find contradictory info on the roof fading causes, please share with us here.

There is an advert i see on TV saying that the fading stone coated roof tiles are fake. Looks like you have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
Welcome to the world of Mr Google. Make Google your friend for accurate info.

The typical tactile tile is larger than Decra one and you only need 2 No. to make 1SM, see link below.

http://tactileroofing.co.ke/products/

If you were to add 16% to the cost of KSh. 1,380 for 2 tiles, then 1 Sm will cost you 1,600/-.
Decra costs KShs. 1900-2100/- per SM. You still make 15-24% saving by buying from Tactile. From where i sit, the only thing one need check is whether they are prone to fading or not