KZN

EDITION

#1

Kwa Zulu Natal

Buildin, Home Decor, Plumbing, electrical and so much more..........

Kwa Zulu Natal
Building,

Construction and
Home Decor

Welcome to the first edition of our digital
home magazine.

We really hope you enjoy reading through
our interesting facts .

We would also like to take this opportunity
to thank the advertisers for there support.

Electricity

Electricity is a term used to refer to the presence, as well as the flow of electric
charge. Through electricity, we are able to transmit energy that we use t perform

various tasks such as lighting, running machines, and devices at home, among
others.



The term electricity is, on most occasions, confused by the word “electrical
energy.” However, they are completely different terms. In simpler terms, electricity
is the medium of transmission for electrical energy, just like water is the medium

of a transmission medium for the wave energy.

Current Electricity, is the rate at which the electrons flow from one place
to another. The drifting electrons generate the electricity here. This kind of

electricity is measured using amperes.

And, unlike in the static electricity, the current electricity has to move
through a conductor. An electrical conductor is any material that

allows an easy flow of electricity through it. Mostly copper wires are
ideal for this purpose.

Electricity facts

The release of electric charge in the atmosphere is what we refer to as
lightning. A Lightning strike travels at a speed of around 220,000,000 mph,
which around 1/3 of the speed of light.
Lightning can reach a temperature of nearly 54,000 °F.
Two similar charges repel which two opposite charges attract. For example,
two negatives or positives will repel, while a negative and a positive will
attract.
Electric eels are known to generate electric shocks of about 500 volts. They
use this charge either for hunting or self defence.
Why don’t birds get electrocuted when they sit on electric power lines? The
reason is that one doesn’t complete a circuit. If by any chance, the bird
touches another wire while still touching the other, it will complete a circuit
and get electrocuted.
Are you aware that even in our bodies we have some electricity? Some
organs, like the heart, beat because of electricity. It is electricity that
causes the muscles of the heart to contract. This is clearly shown through
an ECG machine as it displays a line with regular spikes, moving across the
screen.
Just like gravity, electric fields work the same way. However, while gravity
always attracts, an electric field, on the other hand, can either repulse or
attract.

Interesting Construction facts

A 57-Storey skyscraper that was built within 19 days
In China, a construction company has claimed to be the fastest builders
within the construction industry after building a 57-Storey skyscraper in
just 19 days. The companies engineer stated, “With the traditional
method they have to build a skyscraper brick by brick, but with our
method, we just need to assemble the blocks”.
They even created a time-lapse video whilst building this mini-city sky-
scraper which has become incredibly popular on Chinese video sharing
sites ever since it was first uploaded – check it out here
This company is now trying to build the world’s tallest skyscraper –
building around 220-stories within 3 months. Sounds impossible, right?
Apparently not.

In 1983, hundreds of workers broke the world record by building a 3-
bedroom house in just 3 days. It was soon sold to a family – but they
didn’t tell the family about the home’s origin. The home became an
instant nightmare, the family began to find uneven slabs, burst pipes,
flawed roof, mismatched paint, buckled walls, crooked doors, faulty
sewer – you name it, they probably found it. You would’ve thought that
the family looked at the house before buying it… apparently not.

SOME
CONSTRUCTION

FUNNIES

SOME INTERESTING BATHROOM FACTS

The average person spends at least 92 days in the toilet over their lifetime
Yes, that’s right. The average person uses the toilet around 5 to 7 times a
day, adding up to an impressive 2500 times a year. Taking into account the
minutes that you spend each time, you could be spending from more than
three months to even three years of your life in the toilet.
The oldest bathtub yet discovered dates back to 1500BC
Greece might be the birthplace of Philosophy and Democracy but it seems
that it is also the birthplace of the oldest bathtub that has yet been
discovered. The bathtub was designed for the Queen’s bathroom in the
Palace of Knossos in Crete and dates all the way back to the Minoan epoch.
There is a Toilet Themed Park
You’ve heard right! South Korea is the first (and probably the last) country
to have ever opened a “Restroom Cultural Park”. This one-of-a-kind-park
opened its doors to the public in 2012 and features a toilet shaped museum,
toilet sculptures and toilet- related art. It is also probably the best place to
find out more rare bathroom facts.
You can pay in advance online to use a public toilet
Venice has introduced a new public toilet system, where you can go online
and pay for your public toilet visit in advance and you can also purchase a
daily or weekly pass. This can be a good solution for tourists as Venice has
many shops and cafes that lack public toilets.





TRUE FENCE FACTS

Generally, walls are made of solid materials like concrete while fences are made of
light materials like wire mesh among other materials. Fences, unlike walls, can be
made of live plants like Kei Apple (Dovyalis Caffra).
The longest fence in the world is in Australia. Dingo Fence, which stretches 5,614
kilometers (3,488 miles) in length and 5.9ft in height, was constructed between
1880 and 1885. Another name for this fence is Dog Fence. It was primarily designed
to keep wild dogs out of the fertile southeastern part of Australia.
The second longest fence in Australia, and of course in the world, was constructed
in 1907. It stretches 3,253 kilometers (2,021 miles). It is called Rabbit Proof Fence
and extends the entire length of Australia. This fence was 2.5 times longer than
that Great Wall of China. Its primary purpose was to prevent rabbits from
damaging food crops.
Contrary to what many people believe, the US/Mexico border fence was not
designed to keep smugglers at bay. The very first wall was constructed by the
Federal Bureau of Animal Industry. The original purpose of the wall was to help
deal with ticks. US cattle ranchers used to complain that Mexican cattle kept
wandering into their ranches and infesting American cattle with ticks. After several
years of such complaints, the original US/Mexico border fence was erected. The
wall was made of barbed wire strung on wooden posts.
In ancient times, the cheapest alternative to erecting a fence was to dig a deep
ditch or trench and fill it with water. This kind of fence was called a moat, and was
used to keep attackers at bay.
Many premises are required by law to have appropriate fences. These premises
include zoos, military areas, and industrial plants premises among others.
Did you also know that front fences come under the jurisdiction of local councils as
far as their specifications are concerned, while rear and side fences are a civil
matter? Did you also know that the highest fence in Queensland cannot exceed 1.8
meters? Now you know.

THE 10 BEST WAYS TO MAINTAIN

YOUR HOUSE

YOUR HOUSE IS MOST LIKELY THE MOST EXPENSIVE PURCHASE OF YOUR LIFETIME
— AND A SAFE HAVEN THAT PROVIDES A HUB FOR EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES,

RELAXATION AND MAKING MEMORIES. IT DOESN’T REMAIN IN GREAT SHAPE
WITHOUT SOME EFFORT, BUT WITH SOME LOVING CARE AND AN ORGANIZED
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, YOU CAN MANAGE THE UPKEEP WITHOUT ADDED

STRESS.
1. PREVENT WATER DAMAGE.
2. CONTROL MOISTURE LEVELS.
3. KEEP THE AIR CLEAN.
4. CHECK YOUR HVAC UNIT.
5. VACUUM YOUR FLOOR REGULARLY.
6. KEEP YOUR DRYER VENT CLEAN.
7. CLEAN CEILING FANS AND
BATHROOM FANS.
8. CHECK EXTERIOR COMPONENTS.
9. SCHEDULE SERVICES FOR PEST
CONTROL.
10. MAINTAIN YOUR DECK.

SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR ENERGY IS RADIANT LIGHT AND HEAT FROM THE SUN THAT IS HARNESSED
USING A RANGE OF TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS SOLAR POWER TO GENERATE
ELECTRICITY, SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY (INCLUDING SOLAR WATER HEATING)
FROM THE SOLAR ENERGY FACTS WE’VE GATHERED, WE KNOW THAT PLANTS
LOVE SOLAR ENERGY. IT’S ANOTHER ONE OF OUR SOLAR ENERGY FACTS THAT
SOLAR ENERGY IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE!
EVERY HOUR, THE EARTH GETS ENOUGH SOLAR ENERGY TO POWER THE ENTIRE
WORLD FOR A YEAR.
THE AMOUNT OF SOLAR ENERGY THAT HITS THE EARTH IN ONE HOUR COULD
FULFILL ALL THE EARTH’S ENERGY NEEDS FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR! HOWEVER, DUE
TO MOUNTAINS, OCEANS, AND OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTRAINTS, MOST OF
THIS ENERGY IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COLLECT THROUGH SOLAR PANELS. THE ENTIRE
WORLD USES SOLAR ENERGY EVERY DAY. TREES NEED SUNLIGHT FOR
PHOTOSYNTHESIS.
THE AMOUNT OF SOLAR ENERGY THAT HITS THE EARTH IN ONE HOUR COULD
FULFILL ALL THE EARTH’S ENERGY NEEDS FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR! THE ENTIRE
WORLD USES SOLAR ENERGY EVERY DAY.

CULTIVATING GARDENING FACTS

THE WORD "PEACH" IS FROM THE LATIN MALUM PERSICUM, WHICH LITERALLY MEANS
"PERSIAN APPLE."
NEARLY 1,000 JASMINE FLOWERS AND A DOZEN ROSES GO INTO A SINGLE BOTTLE OF
CHANEL NO. 5 PERFUME.
THE EARLIEST GARDENS WERE STRICTLY PRACTICAL AND WERE USED TO GROW FOOD
AND MEDICINAL HERBS. AROUND 1500 B.C. IN EGYPT, THE FIRST DECORATIVE GARDENS
APPEARED.
THE FIRST GREENHOUSES IN HISTORY WERE BUILT IN ROME IN A.D. 30 UNDER THE
ORDERS OF EMPEROR TIBERIUS WHO WANTED TO EAT A CUCUMBER A DAY. ANDREW
FANEUIL IN BOSTON BUILT THE FIRST GREENHOUSE IN NORTH AMERICA IN 1737.[8]
WATERMELONS ARE ACTUALLY VEGETABLES AND ARE RELATED TO SQUASH,
CUCUMBERS, AND PUMPKINS.
FAMOUS LITERARY WORKS THAT CENTER THEIR PLOTS ON GARDENS INCLUDE THE
SECRET GARDEN, THE DARK MATERIALS TRILOGY, TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN, “THE
SELFISH GIANT,” ROMEO AND JULIET, “THE MERCHANT’S TALE” IN CANTERBURY TALES,
LA ROMAN DE LA ROSE, REBECCA, THE DOOR IN THE WALL, AND THE BOOK OF GENESIS
IN THE BIBLE.[17]
THE NAME OF THE FLOWER HELIOTROPE IS FROM THE ANCIENT GREEK (HELIOS,
MEANING SUN, AND TREPOS, MEANING “TURNING TO GO INTO TO”) BECAUSE ITS LEAVES
AND FLOWERS TURN TOWARD THE SUN.
WORLD NAKED GARDENING DAY IS CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY. IT
AIMS TO PROMOTE HARMONY AND PEACE WITH NATURE.
ACCORDING TO SIR FRANCIS BACON, GARDENS ARE THE “PUREST OF HUMAN
PLEASURES

CULTIVATING GARDENING FACTS

WHEN A VIRUS CHANGED THE COLOR OF TULIPS IN HOLLAND IN 1637, PEOPLE BELIEVED
THAT A NEW TYPE OF PLANT HAD BEEN DISCOVERED—WHICH, IN TURN, LED TO A FULL-
BLOWN TULIP CRAZE. DURING THIS TIME, ONE OF THE PRICES FOR A SINGLE BULB INCLUDED
A LOAD OF GRAIN, 1,000 POUNDS OF CHEESE, 12 SHEEP, 10 OXEN, 5 PIGS, 4 BARRELS OF
BEER, 2 TUBS OF BUTTER, 2 HOGSHEADS OF WINE, A SUIT OF CLOTHES, AND A SILVER CUP.
THE NAME CHRYSANTHEMUM DERIVES FROM THE GREEK WORDS CHRYSOS, MEANING
“GOLD,” AND ANTHOS, MEANING “FLOWER.” GARLANDS SERVED AS PROTECTION AGAINST
DEMONS, AND DRINKING DEW FROM CHRYSANTHEMUM FLOWERS WAS SUPPOSED TO
PROLONG LIFE.
TOMATO FACTS
THE SCIENTIFIC NAME FOR THE TOMATO IS LYCOPERSICON LYCOPERSICUM, WHICH MEANS
"WOLF PEACH"
THERE ARE AT LEAST 10,000 VARIETIES OF TOMATOES. OVER 60 MILLION TONS OF
TOMATOES ARE PRODUCED EACH YEAR, MAKING IT THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR FRUIT. THE
SECOND MOST POPULAR FRUIT IS THE BANANA.
THERE IS A GARDEN IN ENGLAND CALLED THE POISON GARDEN. IT IS HOME TO 100
MURDEROUS PLANTS. VISITORS TO THIS DANGEROUS GARDEN ARE PROHIBITED FROM
SMELLING, TOUCHING, OR TASTING ANY OF THE PLANTS.
DANDELIONS WERE USED AS A FOOD SOURCE AND AS A MEDICINE FOR AT LEAST 1,000
YEARS. EUROPEAN IMMIGRANTS PURPOSELY CARRIED SEEDS TO AMERICA, WHERE GREENS
WERE USED FOR SALADS AND TEAS. DANDELION ROOTS WERE SERVED AS A VEGETABLE
COURSE, OR WERE DRIED AND USED AS A COFFEE SUBSTITUTE. THE FLOWERS WERE USED TO
MAKE DANDELION WINE AND TO MAKE A YELLOW DYE FOR WOOL. THERE HAS BEEN A
RECENT REVIVAL OF USING THE DANDELION IN THESE MANY WAYS.

THATCHING

FACTS

THATCHING IS THE CRAFT
OF BUILDING A ROOF WITH
DRY VEGETATION SUCH AS
STRAW, WATER REED,
SEDGE (CLADIUM
MARISCUS), RUSHES,
HEATHER, OR PALM
BRANCHES, LAYERING THE
VEGETATION SO AS TO
SHED WATER AWAY FROM
THE INNER ROOF. SINCE
THE BULK OF THE
VEGETATION STAYS DRY
AND IS DENSELY PACKED—
TRAPPING AIR—THATCHING
ALSO FUNCTIONS AS
INSULATION. IT IS A VERY
OLD ROOFING METHOD
AND HAS BEEN USED IN
BOTH TROPICAL AND
TEMPERATE CLIMATES.
THATCH IS STILL
EMPLOYED BY BUILDERS IN
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES,
USUALLY WITH LOW-COST
LOCAL VEGETATION. BY
CONTRAST, IN SOME
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IT
IS THE CHOICE OF SOME
AFFLUENT PEOPLE WHO
DESIRE A RUSTIC LOOK FOR
THEIR HOME, WOULD LIKE
A MORE ECOLOGICALLY
FRIENDLY ROOF, OR WHO
HAVE PURCHASED AN
ORIGINALLY THATCHED
ABODE.

LETS LAUGH

A GOOD FLUSH BEATS A FULL HOUSE EVERY TIME!
SOMEBODY BROKE INTO THE POLICE STATION AND STOLE THE ONLY TOILET IN THE BUILDING.
RIGHT NOW THE COPS ARE ANXIOUS TO APPREHEND THE PERPETRATOR BUT THEY HAVE
NOTHING TO GO ON.
A MAN AT A TRAIN STOP SHOWS OFF PICTURES OF HIS THREE SONS TO A FRIEND. “WHAT DO
YOUR BOYS DO FOR A LIVING?” ASKED THE MAN. “WELL MY YOUNGEST IS A NEUROSURGEON
AND MY MIDDLE IS A LAWYER,” HE REPLIED. “WHAT DOES THE OLDEST DO?” THE MAN ASKED.
THE FATHER REPLIED, “HE’S THE PLUMBER THAT PUT THEM THROUGH SCHOOL.”
A DOCTOR HAD A BACKED UP TOILET AND KNOCKED ON HIS NEIGHBOR’S DOOR IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE NIGHT. THE NEIGHBOR, A PLUMBER, COMPLAINED THAT HE WAS SLEEPING AND IT’S HIS
DAY OFF, BUT THE DOCTOR REPLIED, “I’M ALWAYS ON CALL!” THE PLUMBER WEARILY GOT
DRESSED, WENT OVER TO THE DOC’S TOILET, LIFTED THE LID, TOSSED IN TWO ASPIRINS AND
SAID, “IF IT’S STILL LIKE THIS IN THE MORNING, GIVE ME A CALL
6. HOW MANY PLUMBERS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB? NONE, THAT’S A UNION
JOB.
A PLUMBER WAS CALLED TO AN UPSCALE APARTMENT IN NEW YORK CITY TO REPAIR A
LEAKING PIPE. UPON ARRIVING, HE FOUND THAT THE WOMAN WAS DRESSED PROVOCATIVELY
AND SEEMED TO BE HOVERING AROUND HIM. AFTER A WHILE, THE TWO BECAME A LITTLE
FRIENDLY AND THINGS GOT HEATED BETWEEN THEM. AT AROUND 5 P.M., THE PHONE RANG
AND SHE HURRIED OFF TO ANSWER IT, RETURNING WITH THE BAD NEWS THAT HER HUSBAND
WAS ON HIS WAY HOME. SHE SAID, “TONIGHT IS HIS BOWLING NIGHT, SO WHY DON’T YOU
COME BACK AROUND 8 P.M. AND WE CAN FINISH THIS?” THE PLUMBER REPLIED, “WHAT, ON MY
OWN TIME?”
THE PLUMBER WAS WORKING IN A HOUSE WHEN THE LADY OF THE HOUSE SAID TO HIM,
“WOULD IT BE OKAY FOR ME TO TAKE A BATH WHILE YOU’RE EATING LUNCH?” THE PLUMBER
STOPPED WORKING, SAT ON THE TOILET AND REPLIED, “IT’S OKAY WITH ME LADY, AS LONG AS
YOU DON’T SPLASH MY SANDWICHES.”
2. PLUMBERS NEVER GET NERVOUS. HOW DO YOU KNOW? WELL, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A
PLUMBER BITING HIS NAILS?

UNUSUAL
LOCKS AND

KEYS

INTERESTING ENERGY FACTS

ONLY 10% OF ENERGY IN A LIGHT BULB IS USED TO CREATE LIGHT. NINETY PERCENT OF
A LIGHT BULB’S ENERGY CREATES HEAT. COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS (CFLS),
ON THE OTHER HAND, USE ABOUT 80% LESS ELECTRICITY THAN CONVENTIONAL BULBS
AND LAST UP TO 12 TIMES AS LONG
ABOUT 5,000 YEARS AGO, THE ENERGY PEOPLE CONSUMED FOR THEIR SURVIVAL
AVERAGED ABOUT 12,000 KILOCALORIES PER PERSON EACH DAY. IN AD 1400, EACH
PERSON WAS CONSUMING ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH ENERGY (26,000 KILOCALORIES).
AFTER THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, THE DEMAND ALMOST TRIPLED TO AN AVERAGE
OF 77,000 KILOCALORIES PER PERSON IN 1875. BY 1975, IT HAD TRIPLED AGAIN TO
230,000 KILOCALORIES PER PERSON
THE WORLD’S BIGGEST BLACKOUT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 14, 2004, WHEN A MASSIVE
POWER OUTAGE OCCURRED ACROSS THE NORTHEASTERN U.S. AND THROUGHOUT
ONTARIO, CANADA, AFFECTING 50 MILLION PEOPLE
GOOGLE ACCOUNTS FOR ROUGHLY 0.013% OF THE WORLD’S ENERGY USE. IT USES
ENOUGH ENERGY TO CONTINUOUSLY POWER 200,000 HOMES.
ACCORDING TO GOOGLE, THE ENERGY IT TAKES TO CONDUCT 100 SEARCHES ON ITS
SITE IS EQUIVALENT TO A 60-WATT LIGHT BULB BURNING FOR 28 MINUTES. GOOGLE
USES ABOUT 0.0003 KWH OF ENERGY TO ANSWER THE AVENGE SEARCH QUERY, WHICH
TRANSLATES INTO ABOUT 0.2 G OF CARBON DIOXIDE RELEASED.
ELECTRIC UTILITIES ARE THE LARGEST SOURCE OF GREENHOUSE GAS

THINGS ABOUT THE GARDEN YOU DID NOT KNOW

A SUNFLOWER IS MADE UP OF MANY FLOWERS
THE SUNFLOWER HAS YELLOW PETALS AND A FUZZY BROWN CENTER. THE FUZZY
BROWN CENTER OF A SUNFLOWER IS 1000-2000 INDIVIDUAL FLOWERS! THEY ARE
ALL HELD ON TOGETHER BY A SINGLE STALK.

PLANTS REACT TO SOUND
STUDY SHOWS THAT TALKING TO PLANTS HELPS THEM GROW. VIBRATION IN MUSIC
OR YOUR VOICE CAN AFFECT THE PLANT IN A WAY THAT THEY GROW BETTER.
COMPARED TO A GREENHOUSE WITH NO NOISE, A PLANT CAN GROW BETTER BESIDE
A RADIO. IT’S CRAZY.

BAKING SODA GIVES YOU SWEETER TOMATOES
WHEN SPRINKLED TO YOUR SOIL, BAKING SODA DECREASES THE ACIDITY LEVELS OF
THE SOIL. IN TURN, SWEETENS UP YOUR TOMATOES.

BUTTERFLIES LIKE FLOWERS, BUT LOVE WEEDS
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT BUTTERFLIES ARE MORE ATTRACTED TO DANDELIONS
AND CLOVERS THAN FLOWERS THESE DAYS. IT IS BECAUSE MOST OF THE FLOWERS
BEING GROWN TODAY HAVE PESTICIDES THAT BUTTERFLIES HATE. SOME FLOWERS
EVEN COME GENETICALLY BRED TO ENHANCE THEIR GROWTH. BUT IN TURN, THEY
LOSE THEIR FRAGRANCE.

FAMOUS FRUITS THAT BELONG TO THE ROSE FAMILY
APPLES, PEACHES, CHERRIES, PEARS, RASPBERRIES, AND STRAWBERRIES ARE
ROSACEA. THESE FRUITS MAKE THEM A COUSIN TO THE FAMOUS LONG-STEMMED
VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL, THE ROSE.



PAINTING YOUR HOME? 10 THINGS TO KNOW

BEFORE YOU START

#1. IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS
A MORE BEAUTIFUL HOUSE THAT YOU’RE PROUD OF IS DEFINITELY A GOAL. ADDING VALUE
TO POSSIBLY YOUR LARGEST INVESTMENT, YOUR HOUSE, IS ALSO A GOAL. HOWEVER,
THINK DEEPER… WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH PAINTING? BE REALISTIC
AND THINK ABOUT YOUR GOALS. A COAT OF PAINT ISN’T GOING TO TURN YOUR
VICTORIAN HOME INTO A MID-CENTURY MODERN NO MATTER WHAT COLORS YOU
CHOOSE. ARE YOU WANTING A DARKER DRAMATIC SHADE TO HELP YOUR HOME STAND
OUT OR ARE YOU ALREADY IN A DARK, SHADY ENVIRONMENT AND WANT TO LIGHTEN
THINGS UP?
#2. EDUCATE YOURSELF
BEFORE PAINTING YOUR HOME YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UNDERTONES, LIGHTING, AND
LRV. YOU MAY REALLY WANT THAT MODERN FARMHOUSE WHITE AND HAVE PINNED
THOUSANDS OF INSPIRATION HOMES, BUT YOUR HOA ONLY ALLOWS PAINT COLORS IN
THE LRV RANGE OF 15-55. YES. IT SUCKS! YOU SPEND ALL THIS TIME RESEARCHING ONLY
TO FIND OUT YOUR DREAM CAN’T HAPPEN. OR, YOU WANT THE DARK HOUSE THAT LOOKS
EDGY AND COOL BUT AFTER IT WAS PAINTED YOU REALIZE IT HAS A BLUE UNDERTONE YOU
WEREN’T EXPECTING. EDUCATE YOURSELF FIRST.
#3. UNDERTONES
YES, UNDERTONES IS THE DREADED WORD FOR DESIGNERS. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT
UNDERTONES ARE GOING TO APPEAR WHEN YOU ACTUALLY SPEND THE TIME GETTING THE
PAINT ON THE WALL, BRICK, SIDING, ETC. PAINT COLOR IS CREATED FROM DIFFERENT
SHADES BEING MIXED TOGETHER… BROWN, RED, BLACK, YELLOW, WHITE, ETC. THAT SAID,
FROM THE LIST, WHAT COLOR IS GOING TO SHINE THROUGH? THAT COLOR IS YOUR
UNDERTONE. THE EASIEST WAY TO IDENTIFY UNDERTONES IS TO PUT YOUR PAINT CHIP ON
A PIECE OF WHITE PAPER. REALLY LOOK AT IT IN DIFFERENT LIGHTING. THE UNDERTONE
WILL SHINE THROUGH.

PAINTING YOUR HOME? 10 THINGS TO KNOW

BEFORE YOU START

#4. LIGHTING
DIFFERENT LIGHTING DEFINITELY IS AN ISSUE WHEN PAINTING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR.
DO YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WITH A LOT OF TREE COVERAGE WHERE IT’S MOSTLY SHADED?
IN THIS CASE, YOUR PAINT WILL APPEAR DARKER. OR, DO YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE
YOUR HOME IS EXPOSED TO FULL MORNING SUNSHINE? IF SO, DIFFERENT TONES WILL
DEFINITELY APPEAR IN YOUR PAINT MAKING IT LOOK LIGHTER AND SOMETIMES EVEN A
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COLOR.
#5. WHITE OR OFF-WHITE PAINT
WHITE, OR SHADES OF WHITE, ARE THE TRICKIEST ALL OF ALL IN MY OPINION. THERE IS
NOTHING SIMPLE ABOUT WHITE! IF YOU’RE THINKING UNDERTONES, WHICH YOU
SHOULD BE BEFORE PAINTING, WHITES ARE GOING TO BE FILLED WITH DIFFERENT
COLORS AND TONES. DOES THE WHITE TURN GRAY IN DIFFERENT LIGHTING? IS IT A
STARK WHITE WITH BLUE UNDERTONES? IS IT A WARM WHITE WITH YELLOW
UNDERTONES? DOES IT STAY CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY OR DO YOU END UP
WITH A DIFFERENT SHADE BY EVENING? WHITES WILL FOOL YOU ALMOST 100% OF THE
TIME.
#6. BLACK OR CHARCOAL PAINT
YUP. JUST LIKE WHITES, BLACK PAINT IS ANOTHER DIFFICULT COLOR TO TRULY FIGURE
OUT. JUST WHEN YOU THINK IT’S THE PERFECT BLACK, A SNEAKY UNDERTONE SHOWS
THROUGH AND YOU END UP WITH A DARK BROWN OR IN SOME CASES A TINGE OF BLUE.
TO FIND A NEUTRAL BLACK SOUNDS GOOD BUT LIGHTING TAKES OVER AND BLACKS
CHANGE COLORS. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FAVORITE BLACK PAINT COLORS.

#7. LRV
THE ACRONYM LRV STANDS FOR
LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUE (OR
SOMETIMES LIGHT REFLECTIVE
VALUE). LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUE
REFERS TO HOW LIGHT OR HOW DARK
A PAINT COLOR IS AND HOW MUCH
LIGHT A PAINT COLOR REFLECTS. THE
DARKER THE PAINT COLOR- THE
LOWER THE LRV NUMBER. THE
LIGHTER THE PAINT COLOR- THE
HIGHER THE LRV NUMBER. COLORS
WITH A HIGHER LRV CAN BE
CHALLENGING BECAUSE THEY PICK UP
THE COLORS AROUND THEM. IN
CONTRAST, DEPENDING ON THE
ENVIRONMENT, COLORS WITH A
LOWER LRV MAY NEED MORE
EXTERIOR LIGHT BECAUSE THE PAINT
ISN’T REFLECTING THE LIGHT AROUND.

PAINTING YOUR HOME? 10 THINGS TO KNOW

BEFORE YOU START

#8. FIXED ELEMENTS
WHAT ARE FIXED ELEMENTS? TURNS OUT FIXED ELEMENTS ARE EASY TO IDENTIFY IN MOST
CASES. FIXED ELEMENTS ARE THINGS YOU AREN’T CHANGING. BEFORE YOU PAINT, IDENTIFY
WHAT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU’RE NOT REPLACING YOUR ROOF, IT
BECOMES A FIXED ELEMENT. GARAGE DOORS, DRIVEWAY, LANDSCAPE, NEIGHBORS’ HOMES,
GUTTER PLACEMENT AND COLOR, SOFFITS, ETC. COULD ALL POTENTIALLY BE FIXED ELEMENTS.
THEY WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE COLOR YOU CHOOSE.
#9. KEEP IT SIMPLE
YOU DON’T NEED 5, 6, 7 DIFFERENT PAINT COLORS ON YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR. KEEP IT
SIMPLE. IF YOU HAVE BRICK OR STONE, YOU’RE ALREADY DEALING WITH DIFFERENT SHADES
WITHIN THOSE ELEMENTS. NOT TO MENTION SOME OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ROOF STYLES.
YOU ALREADY HAVE A LOT GOING ON. THAT SAID, IT’S BEST TO STICK WITH 2 OR 3 DIFFERENT
COLORS, MAX. DRAW COLORS FROM THE BRICK OR STONE AND USE THOSE SHADES FOR
YOUR OTHER ELEMENTS.
#10. GET A BRICK&BATTEN VIRTUAL EXTERIOR DESIGN
IT’S JUST AS EASY TO PAINT YOUR HOUSE THE RIGHT COLOR AS IT IS THE WRONG COLOR. OUR
BRICK&BATTEN DESIGNERS KNOW PAINT! THEY KNOW UNDERTONES AND LRV AND ARE
TRAINED TO FIND THE BEST COLOR FOR YOUR HOME’S ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT.
THEN, SHOW IN A VIRTUAL PHOTO WHAT YOUR HOUSE WILL LOOK LIKE PAINTED THAT
COLOR. KEEP YOUR HAIR AND LET OUR DESIGNERS GET TO WORK ON FINDING THE BEST
COLOR FOR YOU!

I Hope you Enjoyed our
mag,

next edition in 25 August





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