Wind forces
By Emily Collins Construction • • • 0 Comments

Wind protection for your Barbados home

Even in warm and sunny Barbados, wind, rain and storms can significantly damage your home. During a storm or hurricane, gusts of wind and drenching rain can cause your home to fail in a variety of ways – and this can be a particular worry if you are overseas at the time.

In tropical climates like ours, it is critical to ensure that your home is well-prepared to resist the ravages of tropical storms and hurricanes. As a result, it is crucial to consider while designing your home. You need to build resilience into the structure.

As the world struggles to adapt to climate change, extreme tropical weather systems may become more often and severe. As a result, having a basic understanding of how wind forces, particularly in a storm or hurricane, can affect your property is beneficial.

The Effects of Wind Forces

Several factors determine the effect of wind forces on a structure. The wind speed and the geographical circumstances surrounding your home are examples of these. The extent of the impact will also be determined by building variables such as shape, direction, height, and structural properties.

The Effects of Different Wind Speeds

Tropical locations are vulnerable to a range of high-wind weather phenomena.

Tropical depressions, storms, and hurricanes are common in the Caribbean. They can produce high wind speeds, which can have various effects on your home.

The Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale method assigns five levels of intensity to hurricanes.

Topical depressions

Tropical depressions have wind speeds ranging from 30 to 38 mph (miles per hour) or 48 to 62 km/h (kilometres per hour).

Wind damage to well-constructed homes is negligible to non-existent. Poorly constructed or impermanent structures, on the other hand, may withstand modest damage.

Tropical Storm

Wind speeds in tropical storms range from 39 to 73 mph (63 to 118 km/h).

Storm gusts of less than 51 mph can cause modest damage to temporary and shoddily-built structures.

Wind speeds of 50 to 60 mph will moderately damage houses with poor to mediocre construction. Damage to shingles, fascias, siding, and fences is possible. In severe gusts, some windows may potentially be blown out.

Hurricane Category One

A Category 1 hurricane has winds of 74 to 95 mph (119 to 153 km/h).

Some well-built frame houses may suffer roof and siding damage due to strong winds. These winds may also cause harm to your home by causing trees and huge branches to fall.

Because severe wind forces will inflict extensive damage to utility poles and power lines, you will most likely be without energy.

Hurricane Category 2

Hurricanes in category two have wind speeds ranging from 96 to 110 mph (154 to 177 km/h).

These winds are hazardous at this point. They may do considerable harm to well-built framed houses and roofs.

Hurricane Category 3

Wind speeds in Category 3 range from 111 to 129 mph (178 to 208 km/h), and the category is upgraded to “major” and capable of wreaking havoc. Even roofs and structures with properly designed framed roofs and walls may sustain substantial damage. Tree branches will snap or uproot entirely from the ground.

Electricity wires and poles will be severely damaged. As a result, you may be without power for several weeks.

Hurricane Category 4

Hurricanes and typhoons in category four have winds of 130 to 156 mph (209 to 251 km/h).

These winds have the potential to cause significant damage. The majority of lightweight roofs will be demolished. Furthermore, many homes with a framed structure will suffer substantial damage.

Wind damage to properly constructed reinforced concrete roofs and block walls are expected to be minor. Unprotected or non-impact-resistant windows and doors, on the other hand, are liable to fail in strong winds.

Hurricane Category 5

A category five storm hurricane is dangerous with winds of up to 252 km/h (157 mph).

These winds will destroy most framed homes. All framed roofs will fail.

A Category 5 hurricane should, in general, not impact well-built concrete masonry and reinforced concrete structures.

Here are a few things to think about now that we’ve covered some of the ways significant wind forces can affect your home.

Construction and Materials

Your home’s performance in a severe wind weather event is determined by the materials and construction type used. In the event of a major hurricane, this element is critical.

Lightweight framed construction for your walls and roofs is an excellent thermal response in a hot tropical region. They can also be designed and built to survive a hurricane or a storm. However, with significant weather systems such as category 4 and 5 hurricanes, they are more prone to fail.

A well-constructed concrete masonry or reinforced concrete home is more naturally resistant to the forces of the wind.

Steel-reinforced concrete walls and roofs will likely be the safest material in a strong category four or five storms. They may not be perfect for thermal comfort in hot tropical regions, but they will withstand the pressure of strong winds. They are also resistant to wind-borne debris.

Your Home’s Dimensions and Shape

The shape of your home influences how wind forces interact with it.

It is easier for the wind to flow a  circular or multi-sided house (such as an octagon) than a square or rectangular one.

Wind forces can cause an increase in pressure in homes with long flat sides.

Roof Types and Shapes

The shape of your roof will also influence its durability. For example, a circular roof or several sloping panels, such as a hexagon or octagon, will function better.

A dome roof has a similar effect, allowing wind to flow more easily around it. The wind has less resistance because it flows readily around and over the top.

Even four sloping panels on a hip roof outperform two slanted panels on a gable roof.

Wind uplift is less of an issue on steeper pitches like 30 to 45 degrees than on level fields.

As previously stated, reinforced concrete roof slabs will naturally withstand more powerful storms such as category four and five hurricanes.

Windows and doors

During a hurricane, windows and doors are particularly vulnerable.

These can be blown right out of their opening by strong winds. Furthermore, wind-borne debris can easily pierce a non-impact-resistant window. So, protecting windows and doors is a good idea.

You can use properly constructed storm shutters to protect your window and door openings. Temporary plywood shutters with a thickness of at least 5/8 inch can also be installed.

On the other hand, impact-resistant glass will keep things carried up by the wind from entering your home. When something hits this one-of-a-kind glass, it may shatter, but it will not let anything pass through.

Branches and trees

If large tree branches or entire trees fall on your house, they can cause significant damage.

As a result, trimming tree branches that hang over your house is a good idea.

Though trees are fantastic for giving shade to and around the home in the summer, they can be dangerous in a storm or hurricane. As a result, think about growing large trees away from your house.

If you would like to discuss building wind resistance and resilience into your property, then contact the team at Berkan Construction. We will be happy to share our knowledge and experience of building in Barbados with you.

Building on a slope
By Emily Collins Construction • General Information • Tips and Tricks • 0 Comments

A guide to building on a slope

You have found the perfect plot of land for your new Barbados home. It’s in the right area, has a fantastic view and it’s on budget too. But there is a downside – it’s on a slope!

“Don’t simply discount it”, says Berkan Construction’s Adam McDermott. “If you love the plot, then let your architect use their skills to design the right property and let us handle any building challenges”.

So, what do you need to know about building your Barbados home on a sloped plot? We’ve put together this handy guide.

1 Building options

There are two ways houses are built on sloped plots – cut-and-fill or stilts.

Cut-and-fill means levelling out the ground for the foundation by adding or removing soil. Soil may be used to fill the plot and make it level or cut/dug from the slope and used to shore up retaining walls or simply removed from the site.

Using stilts is an alternative used across the island and involves using a crane to lift the home onto supporting wood or steel columns. This is a more cost-effective method and can open up a whole realm of architectural designs.

2 Should you build on a slope

Yes, some of the world’s most exceptional homes are built on slopes because of:

  • The views – the location can offer uninterrupted views for miles across the ocean or the island.
  • The landscaping – building on a slope can provide some fantastic landscaping opportunities.
  • The space – plots with a steep slope allows for extra space for walkout basements that can serve as an additional floor or rooms.
  • Natural lighting – homes built on a slope can maximise natural light and provide different options for windows.
  • Privacy and seclusion – building on a slope allows you to select a location off the beaten track.

3 What are the challenges of building on sloping land

There are two main challenges faced by your architect and construction team.

  • The gradient
  • Whether the plot is upslope or downslope

A simple guide to determining how challenging a particular site will be is its gradient rating. Less than 10 per cent is considered slight and the easiest to build on. A gradient between 11 and 20 per cent is deemed to be moderate. Any slope above 20 per cent is deemed steep.

Building on gradients above 15 per cent will increase costs as the work becomes more challenging.

An upslope plot (where the front of the house rises to the back) is also more demanding than a downslope plot. Be aware that these plots usually require some cutting or even blasting and the disposal of rocks and soil.

Building on a slope in Barbados

4 What you need to know about building on a slope

There are some areas that you need to be aware of when designing and building your Barbados home on a sloping plot.

Additional Foundation Work

When planning your budget, remember that even moderately sloped sites typically require:

  • More concrete
  • Deeper excavation by specialised excavation equipment or blasting
  • Retaining walls or terraces
  • Specialised solutions for drainage and septic systems
  • Extra labour and materials to ensure your home meets building regulations.
  • Longer construction times

Drainage & Sewage

Proper attention to and management of surface and sub-surface water drainage is crucial when building on a slope, especially in the Caribbean.

Rainfall-runoff must be redirected away from the foundations without endangering neighbouring properties or flooding public roads. Retaining walls need to be “tanked” (waterproofed) and drained to prevent water from pooling there.

Swales and culverts can channel the runoff to stormwater drains or soakaways. These are holes dug in the ground and filled with rubble that allow surface water to percolate back into the ground.

Homes built with a full basement below the seasonal high-water table can be impacted by sub-surface water. We have several workarounds available, from French drains and adding crushed stone beneath the foundation to installing a sump pump during the rainy season.

Sewage treatment can be challenging if your plot is some way from the sewage line. You may need to install a pump or install tumble bays to slow the flow.

Soil storage

If we have recommended that your plot requires the cut-and-fill method, you will need to budget for the removal or storage (if being used for filling) of the soil and debris.

You’ll also need a staging area for vehicles, equipment, and deliveries.

Access to the property

Another area you will need to consider in your budget is access to the property for you and your construction team. Again, the plot may be a bargain, but you might incur high costs for additional grading if access is limited.

Switchback and curved driveways are great, but if your property does not have the room, you will have to install a steep driveway.

Soil Type

The type of soil on your plot can be easily overlooked but can cause problems for construction teams. While granular soils drain well and can bear high loads, soils with high clay do not. Certain clays can damage foundations and may require engineering fixes or additional fill of granular soil.

Rock ledges near the surface can also present drainage and septic systems difficulties. The most budget-friendly solution is to work around them, as blasting them out is costly and carries a risk to neighbouring foundations.

Building your dream Barbados home on a slope does have its challenges. The plots are challenging to access with heavy equipment. The time and costs required to build the foundation often increase, and you may have drainage challenges.

However, these challenges can all be addressed with the right architectural design, superb engineering and an experienced construction team. So, if you have found your dream property and it’s on a slope, don’t panic! Contact us today and let us guide you. Call or email us today at +1 246 243 0958 and info@berkanconstruction.com.

Open floor plan
By Emily Collins Architects • Barbados • Construction • Interior Design • Renovation • • 0 Comments

Is an open floor plan right for you?

Watch any HGTV show today, and the open concept or open plan layout is the design of choice for modern interior designers. And it is now a common choice for homeowners too who are busy opening their homes, removing internal walls and combining spaces such as the kitchen, living room and dining room.

Of course, open-plan layouts are not new. They have been around for centuries when everyone lived in one small room, around a fireplace, including the animals. However, our current understanding of an open floor plan was introduced in the latter 1900s with architects like Frank Lloyd Wright.

So, when it comes to designing your new Barbados home, should you opt for an open concept floor plan, or are several smaller rooms the better option?

Cross ventilation

This works best to keep your home cool when there is an unobstructed path for air to flow from one end to the other. So an open concept will definitely help with the movement of air through your house and passive cooling.

Improved natural lighting

Natural light can reach further into your home without light-blocking walls, making it feel larger, airier and brighter – and improving your mood!

Greater connection with outdoors

This is a trend that we’ll see increasingly more of during 2022. Known as biophilic design, incorporating nature in your home has a wealth of mental health benefits. And it looks great too. 

Open floor plans make connecting with the natural environment much more accessible than with alternative partitioned options. For example, your living space, dining area and kitchen can connect directly with a patio or terrace. 

Make everything feel larger

When rooms are partitioned by walls, they can feel small and dark. However, an open floor plan can make the spaces allocated to different home areas feel larger and lighter with a greater sense of space.

Greater flexibility

Without the limits of walls and partitions and no awkward spaces, you can arrange your furniture and areas with greater flexibility. And change them according to your needs at the time.

With the recent increase in working (and schooling) from home, open plan layouts have allowed spaces to perform multiple tasks. For example, dining and living areas can now act as a schoolroom, gym and office. 

Brings everyone together

An open floor plan creates multi-functional spaces where living and being together becomes effortless. It also makes entertaining more manageable, especially when you have direct access to your terrace or patio. 

Adds value to your home

Thanks to the TV shows, a home with an open floor plan is more visually appealing and considered more desirable and will sell for more than those with lots of smaller rooms. 

Open floor plan

Of course, there are some disadvantages to the open floor plan layout you should consider when designing your Barbados home.

Lack of privacy

Without walls, there is the potential for a lack of privacy. Whether they want to or not, everyone in the home is involved with what is happening in the main living space.

Sound transmission

Alongside the reduction in privacy is the increase in sound transmission – especially when there are children in the house.

Mess and smells

An open floor plan means there are fewer places to hide your clutter! With lots of areas in clear view, it’s essential to have everything cleared away, or the whole space looks untidy and messy. No walls and doors in the kitchen also mean there are no scent barriers!

This also means that cooking smells reach every area of the open-plan space, studying and office work may be disrupted by children playing and entertaining can be difficult if the kids want to watch TV.

There are several reasons to choose an open floor plan for your Barbados house – increased cooling, better lighting and an increased feeling of space.

However, if you have a family, they can be noisy and messy, and you might want to include an additional space to ensure some privacy for specific tasks. Discuss your options with your architect so that your property gives you all the pros of open-plan living while you can manage any of the cons.

Source

https://www.realhomes.com

https://architropics.com

how to keep your Barbados house cool
By Emily Collins Architects • Construction • General Information • Interior Design • Tips and Tricks • • • • • • 0 Comments

How to keep your Barbados home cool

When planning your new home in the Caribbean, your priority might be the design and aesthetics. You want your property to have the “wow factor”, with cutting-edge architecture that makes it stands out from the neighbours. 

You might want to incorporate your environmental credentials and build with sustainability in mind at every step. Or your property could be all about the view!

Whatever your design motivation, when building in the Caribbean, your final design must solve the problem of how to keep cool. 

During the summer months especially, the heat can become overwhelming. If you don’t want a huge electricity bill each month, you need to create a design responsive to the Caribbean climate with the maximum amount of shade and ventilation.

Many older colonial properties built in the Tropics tackled the issue with some clever design decisions we can still learn from today:

Courtyards: many houses were laid out around a courtyard, with arcades enabling residents to move from room to room in the shade.

Doors: typically very tall with small windows or postigos (blind doors) that could be opened to provide light and ventilation without disturbing the residents’ privacy by opening the whole door.

Ceilings: vaulted ceilings were not easy to build but were higher than flat ones and kept rooms cooler.

Mamparas: these swing doors, with decorative glass panels and fancy woodwork, were popular in the 1800s and allowed air to circulate between rooms.

So, if you’re considering building a home in Barbados or anywhere in the Caribbean, what principles should you consider? Here are our top suggestions to make your Barbados house cool throughout the year without relying too much on air conditioning.

1 Orientation

Where you place your home on your plot of land will determine how well you can maximise the prevailing winds and protect against sun exposure.

Architropics explains that the prevailing winds generally come from the east in the Caribbean, with the sun path passing primarily to the south for most of the year. The reason for this sun pattern is because the Caribbean islands are north of the equator. 

If your design is rectangular, they recommend considering orienting the length of your building east to west. This orientation minimises exposure to the morning and evening sun. 

However, the wish to minimise sun exposure needs to be weighed with taking advantage of the all-important prevailing breeze. Therefore, determine which rooms need the most ventilation and locate them towards prevailing winds.

Don’t forget to ask your architect about openings, roof overhangs, and where to locate trees and vegetation to create as much shade as possible.

2 Shade

Ask your architect for a shading strategy. Not only will this limit the sun heating walls and surfaced, which then transfers to interior spaces. Direct sunlight through windows, for example, can significantly increase the internal temperature of your home. 

In Barbados, as the sun’s path tracks to the south for most of the year, horizontal shading is ideal for north and south-facing walls and openings. 

A small roof overhang might protect the north-facing wall of a single storey home. At the same time, you will require a much larger overhang to shade an entire southern wall.

As with older home styles, verandas and patios can shade northern and southern facing walls when the sun is at its highest during the middle of the day.

Architropics recommends that walls facing east and west have vertical shading such as screens or vegetation to protect them from solar heat gain.

Large trees can also provide general, creating cooler air temperatures entering the house.

3 Ventilation

To create a comfortable indoor temperature without resorting to air conditioning, you need to have a constant, unobstructed flow of cool air passing from one side to the other. 

This process is called cross ventilation and should be incorporated into the design process. You require a minimum of two openings on different sides of each room. This encourages air movement in the entire room and not just the corner. 

For example, large casement and louvre windows and doors allow air to pass through almost 100 per cent of their opening. On the other hand, sash or sliding windows permit less than 50 per cent of its opening. 

And make sure windows are protected in some way so they can remain open during rainfall or overnight without compromising your security. 

It is also recommended that you include vents at or near roof level to let hot air escape and draw cooler air through lower-level windows. This technique is called the stack effect.

How to keep your Barbados home cool

4 Materials and Construction

Concrete blocks, in-situ (cast-in-place) concrete, or masonry bricks are the preferred choice throughout the Caribbean. However, they absorb heat during the day and release this into the room at night. Lightweight materials do not store heat and are better for their thermal qualities. 

Discuss the options with your architect but remember that concrete walls offer other benefits such as their resistance to hurricanes, flooding and mould. And if you use a mass wall system, shade them with roof overhangs, screens or shady trees.

5 Roof Design

As the most exposed area in your house to the sun’s rays, your roof is responsible for radiating considerable heat into a home. 

Architropics recommends using light-coloured, reflective roofing materials to reduce the amount of heat passing through the interior.

They explain: “A double roof system also has benefits in reducing the heat that enters your home. Double roofs comprise two layers of roof. An air space typically separates the two layers. Hence, the upper roof layer protects the lower roof from direct sun exposure. This system significantly reduces the heat gain on a roof”.

Other solutions to keep your home cool include high roofs and steep pitches, which allow the heat to be safe from people in the space below.

6 Exterior Spaces

Within your new home, you’ll want to include plenty of outside spaces such as patios, verandas, and courtyards. These will be usable throughout the year and can provide shade to interior areas of the house.

Ensure that you partially or entirely cover exterior areas to provide both shade and protection when it rains.

7 Energy Efficiency

Shockingly, over 20 per cent of the world’s energy usage goes towards construction and maintaining houses, apartments and other residential buildings. 

So, when building your new home in Barbados, ask your architect to use more energy-efficient strategies and practices such as:

  • Solar thermal panels for heating water
  • Solar/photovoltaic for electricity generation
  • Low wattage lighting
  • Water-saving devices
  • Rain-water storage

If your house is well designed, you should avoid or limit your use of air conditioning systems to keep your home cool throughout the year. 

The team at Berkan Construction can work with you and your architect to ensure your new home is not only cool, comfortable and stylish but also functional and sustainable. Contact us today.

Source

architropics.com

insightguides.com

Building your home in Barbados
By Emily Collins Architects • Barbados • Construction • General Information • Interior Design • Project Management • Tips and Tricks • • • • 0 Comments

4 tips for building your Barbados house

Building your home in Barbados is an exciting time. Not only do you have the opportunity to live in this beautiful country, but you get to live in a house of your design.

While there is no magic formula, some tips simplify the process, especially if you are not on the island during the build. 

1 Be flexible from the start

We don’t want to start with a negative but rather a dose of realism. Despite everyone’s best efforts, things will go amiss during the build. Suppliers will deliver the wrong products, and tiles will break, cables cut accidentally, permits delayed. However, patience, understanding and acceptance that this will happen will cut your stress levels when it does – and make the process more enjoyable.

2 Planning, planning, planning

Put in the time in the beginning to plan your project. Work out precisely what you want, your must-haves and non-negotiables. Think about your nice-to-haves. Can you afford them? Importantly plan your budget, so there are no surprises or disappointments later in the build.

3 Hire the right people to support you

Understanding construction cost estimates or Barbados’ building regulations can be daunting if you have no building knowledge. However, while bringing different professions on board during your build adds to the overall budget, it will pay off in terms of time, energy, stress and even money in the long term.

Architect

Your chosen architect will be your first point of reference. Not only will they design your home to your specifications, budget, structural limitations, and in line with building regulations, they will also manage planning permissions and any other permits. They can also liaise with an engineer.

Visit the Barbados Institute of Architects or speak with the team at Berkan Construction who can help.

Contractor

Selecting the right contractor for your budget is key to its success. You need to hire not just on price alone – but make sure they have a passion for their work, have the necessary qualifications, have an eye for detail and understand your vision. Always ask for references, visit some of their projects.

Berkan Construction makes the construction process as painless as possible by offering complete general contracting services, including site clearing, grading of land, and maintaining existing and erecting new structures related to building construction and maintenance.

In addition, the team offers commitment at all levels of a building project, from preparing for construction to construction management services. As a result, they successfully meet clients demands for cost-effective and responsive services.

Architect project manager

Project Manager

Unless you are prepared to be on-site daily and understand the building process, planning and budgets, you need to employ a project manager. The role of the project manager is diverse, covering:

  • Managing the contractor
  • Ensuring the build is following the plan
  • Checking costs and orders
  • Following up deliveries
  • Keeping everything on schedule
  • Liaising with local teams

A good project manager will keep your build on schedule, on budget and safe from unscrupulous people who can jeopardise your dream.

Berkan Construction can provide this service for you. They provide overall planning, coordination and control of a project, so you don’t have to worry about anything.

Interior Designer

Don’t leave appointing an interior designer to the end of the project. Bringing a designer in at the early stages can save compromises and additional costs later on. 

Knowing where you will place your dining table and sofa means you can place your electrical sockets in the right place. The colours, materials and style of your open-plan kitchen will have an impact on your entire living space. Without knowing the overall style of your new home, how can you choose flooring? And, knowing what type of window coverings you want will determine the type of windows and doors you install. 

Use professional services

Before you sign, always use a lawyer to draw up your contracts and ensure you understand and agree with every aspect, including payments and liability.

And make sure you have construction insurance in place just in case mistakes happen. It will give you great peace of mind even if you don’t need it during your build.

4 Budget for the interior

Many house builders are so focused on building a beautiful home on the outside, and they don’t allocate a sufficient budget for the interior. This isn’t just for the kitchen and bathrooms but flooring, paint, lighting, furnishing, window treatments and all the little things that make a home.  

If you are thinking of building a home in Barbados and need help and guidance, then contact the team at Berkan Construction. They will be more than happy to discuss your project and answer any questions you might have. 

Just complete the contact form and book a discovery call today.

Tips for environmentally friendly building in Barbados
By Emily Collins Architects • Barbados • Construction • General Information • Project Management • Renovation • Tips and Tricks • • • 0 Comments

Environmentally-friendly construction in Barbados

In a recent Facebook post, we considered ways that you can make your Barbados build as environmentally-friendly as possible. Not only is an eco-approach good for the island, but it is also good for your wallet in the long term.

In this article, we thought we’d cover some of these points in further detail to help you with ideas to discuss with your architect and your construction team. At Berkan Construction we try to be as environmentally aware and sustainable as possible, so give us a call if you’d like to discuss this further.

Being environmentally sensitive in your house build or renovation isn’t just a personal choice anymore. The impact of climate change, increasing energy costs and the desire to build sensitively to minimize the impact of development all play their part.

Building and renovating in a sustainable way means:

  • Focusing on the efficient use of materials
  • Improving energy usage
  • Considering indoor air quality
  • Lowering emissions
  • Enhancing surrounding ecosystems

What about the costs?

Building sustainable property does not need to cost more than using traditional construction techniques. Moreover, once installed, lower operating and maintenance costs help recover any higher initial costs in as little as five years.

As green technologies develop and more homeowners make this choice, sustainable homes are becoming more viable as costs decrease. Indeed, reports in the US show that the average premium for green buildings in the US is slightly less than 2 per cent.

However, to achieve these savings you need an integrated approach to the house build covering the architect, contractor and other professionals.

It’s all in the planning and design

Ikigai Consulting has some great design ideas for building sustainably in the Caribbean. They include:

1 Before building new, consider renovation or remodelling. Homeowners can make significant savings on time, labour, materials, energy, and approvals.

2 When building from new, consider recycled and reclaimed building materials including discarded shipping containers, timber, stone, and metal sheeting.

3 Offset construction costs by collecting and reselling any unused materials.

4 Plan how to manage stormwater using permeable pavers, gravel pathways, green roofing and open grid systems.

5 Landscape areas across the site using native plants, trees and scrubs and avoid decorative lawns that require more water, chemicals and care.

6 If suitable for your Caribbean location, consider a rainwater harvesting system for non-potable purposes such as toilets.

7 Use lighter colours and solar reflective paints on the outside of your build to reduce mechanical cooling costs.

8 Consider building a smaller home that is more space-efficient. Not only is it cheaper to build, your ongoing maintenance and operating costs will be reduced and the environmental impact lessened.

9 A simple, open layout will reduce material, improve air circulation and increase natural lighting.

10 Use standardized dimensions rather than customised designs to optimize materials and reduce waste.

11 Make sure that the property is orientated not just for the view but for maximum airflow.

12 Ask your architect to incorporate large, operable, energy-efficient windows to allow more natural light and air into the property.

13 Install solar reflective films and tints to reduce solar gain and cooling costs.

14 Consider non-mechanical cooling techniques such as solar shades, elevated ground floors, evaporative cooling and solar chimneys.

15 Ask your contractor to increase the eaves around the property to reduce how much sun falls on the exterior walls.

16 Install low flow fixtures to conserve municipal water supplies and costs.

17 Choose LED fixtures and fittings to reduce your electricity costs. These are widely available in Barbados.

18 Install energy-efficient ceiling fans, appliances and equipment.

19 Install solar panels to reduce energy costs.

For further information and advice about your home build or renovation, contact the Berkan Construction team today or complete the enquiry form.

*https://www.buildings.com

20 Lancaster Drive 20 Royal Westmoreland
By Emily Collins Barbados • Construction • Project Management • 0 Comments

Lancaster Drive 20 completed

Berkan Construction is delighted to announce the completion of Lancaster Drive 20 on the Royal Westmoreland Estate. The property is now furnished and ready for sale.

“This was a wonderful project to work on with Royal Westmoreland. The property is in a prime position on the best ridge on the estate. The design, build and finishes reflect its prestigious location,” said Adam McDermott, Berkan Construction Services director Read more

Choosing an architect in Barbados
By Adam McDermott Architects • Construction 0 Comments

Tips for choosing a Barbados architect

You’ve found the perfect plot of land on Barbados. You know you’ll be able to get a building permit. And you’ve watched every episode of Dream Homes on HGTV. You know what your want from your property. It’s now time to hand your dream to an architect and help them put your plans on paper.

But choosing an architect to bring your building project to life is difficult. Do they share your vision? Can they do what you want? So we’ve put together some tips to help you choose.

Read more