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Question for a4architect
Rank: Veteran Joined: 9/21/2011 Posts: 2,032
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Am looking for the slightest excuse to buy local and hold the view that some time in near future we should not import any finished product that goes to build a house. For say 99% of the people, the largest investment they will ever make is the roof over their head, or the roof over their tenants’ heads. It would make great sense to retain all this money here and create jobs with it.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
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@limanika. Good to know you are a true nationalist like me. Unfortunately, there is nothing local in the stone coated roof tile. The steel is made in China or South Korea. What the Kenyans are doing is to paint/galvanise it. If you really want to buy local, clay is the solution. It comes in various patterns eg mangalore, spanish S, etc etc. Stone coated roof tiles are a method of trying to immitate clay tiles. Clay tiles cost kes 600 per m2, same as stone coated roof tile in China. Get the real tiles, save money and create jobs.  As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 9/21/2011 Posts: 2,032
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a4architect.com wrote:@limanika. Good to know you are a true nationalist like me. Unfortunately, there is nothing local in the stone coated roof tile. The steel is made in China or South Korea. What the Kenyans are doing is to paint/galvanise it. If you really want to buy local, clay is the solution. It comes in various patterns eg mangalore, spanish S, etc etc. Stone coated roof tiles are a method of trying to immitate clay tiles. Clay tiles cost kes 600 per m2, same as stone coated roof tile in China. Get the real tiles, save money and create jobs.  You are talking about the present / past and to that extent you are correct. However am talking about possibilities in the future. Our problem in Africa is that we adopt whatever technology and standards the West comes up with. If we cannot manufacture steel competitively just because we do not have enough iron ore, then why can’t we make some Kenya Standard to the effect that roofing of houses should be in clay tiles and nothing else– We should build our houses with local material that are available here at home, just like our fore fathers used to. The west and the Chinese would rather do the same than import such finished goods from Africa - Please someone confirm if we ever export these clay tiles to the West / East? If only we can invest in smart technology and reduce the cost of doing business in Kenya and Africa at large– transportation costs, corruption, energy costs, etc, it should be possible to compete at par with china and manufacture some of these products right here. We can still import some raw materials that need to go into the mix.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
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http://www.european-time...struction/uganda-clays/
Quote:The company has been ISO 9001:2000 certified since 2003 and is working on ISO 9001:2008 certification. Uganda Clays exports its products to Kenya and Southern Sudan and sees significant potential in Tanzania and Rwanda. Charles Rubaijaniza is optimistic about the growth of the company because of the many market opportunities in the East African Region. As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
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Rank: New-farer Joined: 9/6/2010 Posts: 97 Location: nairobi, kenya
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I recently used the tactile roofing tiles for a recent project, we worked out a deal whereby I got a profile for around 650 inclusive VAT, and 2 profiles cover an area slightly over 1 square meter. So go and bargain. As I used the tile in a recent project I can't comment on the longevity of the color, but I don't think it should be a problem given their state of the art manufacturing process compared to roofing tile factory I visited in China. For now I can say that there is no shade variation between the tiles and they have all necessary accessories in stock. We used the MRM light weight steel roofing structure for the project and completion time for the entire process was very quick. I have used clay tiles with IT-4 sheets before and the result was beautiful classic Mediterranean look though the savings weren't considerable when compared to the coated steel tile roof. Before you can be be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 9/21/2011 Posts: 2,032
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Vj wrote:I recently used the tactile roofing tiles for a recent project, we worked out a deal whereby I got a profile for around 650 inclusive VAT, and 2 profiles cover an area slightly over 1 square meter. So go and bargain.
As I used the tile in a recent project I can't comment on the longevity of the color, but I don't think it should be a problem given their state of the art manufacturing process compared to roofing tile factory I visited in China. For now I can say that there is no shade variation between the tiles and they have all necessary accessories in stock. We used the MRM light weight steel roofing structure for the project and completion time for the entire process was very quick.
I have used clay tiles with IT-4 sheets before and the result was beautiful classic Mediterranean look though the savings weren't considerable when compared to the coated steel tile roof. That was very good deal, you saved 30% right there. How does cost of MRM roof structure compare with timber?
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Rank: New-farer Joined: 9/6/2010 Posts: 97 Location: nairobi, kenya
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The MRM roof structure came to about 2500 per square meter, I don't have the exact figures but we were paying around 250,000 more for the steel roof compared to a timber roof. As much as timber roofs will serve you well, the reason I choose steel over timber is due to the sagging of timber trusses when the roof leaks and it complicates the repair process, and the timber quality nowadays just isn't at par with that from the past, timber roofs from back in the day lasted without issues. Before you can be be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 9/21/2011 Posts: 2,032
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Vj wrote:The MRM roof structure came to about 2500 per square meter, I don't have the exact figures but we were paying around 250,000 more for the steel roof compared to a timber roof.
As much as timber roofs will serve you well, the reason I choose steel over timber is due to the sagging of timber trusses when the roof leaks and it complicates the repair process, and the timber quality nowadays just isn't at par with that from the past, timber roofs from back in the day lasted without issues. @VJ, Many thanks for sharing. You paid a premium for MRM roof structure out of choice, this is ok. What I find interesting – assuming your roof is 350SM minimum is that you saved upwards of 200K by going for Tactile as opposed to Decra, and this would have been enough to cater for timber roof structure. On the issue of fading, I would be willing to give Tile and Carpet the benefit of doubt. They have painstakingly built a reputation with their other products and I would not expect them to fail on this after investing so much. The net effect is that there will be a price war, competitors will be forced to lower prices or move out. The downside is that Tile and Carpet could raise prices if demand is too high. All in all, a step in the right direction.
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Rank: Member Joined: 12/21/2009 Posts: 602
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Wajenzi wenzangu: In the interest of sharing, I found chuma artisans on outer ring road (mutindwa area) that are making security doors that have the look and feel of those Israeli doors I mentioned earlier. The quoted price is 18,000/= for basic door and 30,000/= for a double door. They would not let me take a photo to post here, but I was pretty impressed. They have impressive gates too. Disclaimer: Not associated with them, but a big advocate of locally made products... Dahatre wrote: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?
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Rank: Member Joined: 10/8/2010 Posts: 446 Location: london
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@Architect, what do you do when a slab top layer has been washed by the rain during the laying? it rained when we were doing koroga.
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Rank: Member Joined: 1/26/2009 Posts: 45
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@african coloner, Added water reduces the strength of the concrete. It increase the w/c (water/cement raio) which should be maintained at an optimum. How much did it rain?, when you say "washed" does it imply it rained heavily and eroded the concrete? if the rain was not much, you can let the concrete cure for 7 days and do a non destructive strength test. The 7 day strength will help an engineer determine if your slab, with the reduced strength, can take its intended loads. If the strength is too low, you unfortunately gota remove the slab and start afresh.
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Rank: Member Joined: 10/8/2010 Posts: 446 Location: london
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Mosby wrote:@african coloner, Added water reduces the strength of the concrete. It increase the w/c (water/cement raio) which should be maintained at an optimum. How much did it rain?, when you say "washed" does it imply it rained heavily and eroded the concrete? if the rain was not much, you can let the concrete cure for 7 days and do a non destructive strength test. The 7 day strength will help an engineer determine if your slab, with the reduced strength, can take its intended loads. If the strength is too low, you unfortunately gota remove the slab and start afresh. it rained heavy on last part and washed the cement on top layer though water not leaking through, how long do you cure for the slab?
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
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@african coloner. @mosbys advice is proper. Your structural engineer will have to carry out strength tests to ensure strength has not been compromised as per initial structural design. As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
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Rank: Member Joined: 1/9/2009 Posts: 169 Location: Syokimau
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@African coloner, if the steel reinforcement was exposed by the rain then its not good news but if it wasn't then at least you have a chance of rescuing the slab because the forces you are supporting with the concrete/reinforced slab are taken care of mostly towards the bottom of the slab.
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Rank: Member Joined: 12/11/2006 Posts: 889
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@Architect I have a plot in Utawala (40x80). Actual dimensions are 10.8m by 26m. I plan to build rental units but in phases since i don't have enough cash. So for 2.5M, how many simple two bedrooms houses can i build on such a land. Is one bedroom house better than two on this one. regards “Invest in yourself. Your career is the engine of your wealth.”
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
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@ngapat. Would you like low, middle or high cost finishes? See here for examples http://www.a4architect.c...ow-cost-flats-in-kenya/
For number of units check here http://www.a4architect.c...-60-ft-plot-at-membley/
http://www.a4architect.c...bedsitter-flats-rental/
http://www.a4architect.c...-60ft-plot-at-embakasi/
For exact number of units with the maximum ROI, a feasibility study needs to be carried out by a registered architect. Fees for services are as below www.a4architect.com/about-us/fees-breakdown/As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
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Rank: Member Joined: 10/8/2010 Posts: 446 Location: london
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How do you go about putting a house fire place in an old bungalow house with a big lounge that was originally built without?
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
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@african coloner. Simply construct the chimeny walling from living room floor , through the roof till chimney top. This should be a very simple addition to a house since the chimney wall is self supporting. As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
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Rank: Member Joined: 8/17/2011 Posts: 207 Location: humu humu
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Halo guys. am doing mixed units of 4 one bedroomed units,2 2bedroom and 2 bedsittesr on an Eighth..upon copmletion, the total units upto 3rd floor shall be 24. currently at first slab level/shutter..how do i post pics in WaZUA? i intend to first completly finish ground floor. The project is in nakuru whitehouse estate..
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Rank: Member Joined: 8/17/2011 Posts: 207 Location: humu humu
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 kaifastus wrote:Halo guys. am doing mixed units of 4 one bedroomed units,2 2bedroom and 2 bedsittesr on an Eighth..upon copmletion, the total units upto 3rd floor shall be 24. currently at first slab level/shutter..how do i post pics in WaZUA? i intend to first completly finish ground floor. The project is in nakuru whitehouse estate.. [img]
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