Well these painted panels above the top of the window in this photo are an example.
This example is not very attractive in my opinion
Finishing up with painted infills like this is often a consequence of not having eaves and/or increasing ceiling height without considering window size (an easy thing to miss if you are building for the first time)
if you don’t like them make sure you check the builders elevation drawings carefully.
Why are they used?
Basically these are much cheaper for the builder than a brick infill as they save both the cost of a lintel and the brickwork.
They also make the construction of the required brick articulation joints for the builder simpler (see Brick Articulation Joints )
Solutions
They can look better if you make them a feature. I once designed a house with painted infills at each gable end of the house. My solution was to use overlapping planks (painted cement sheets) rather than a single panel, and was quite pleased with the look.This approach could be used if you only realises you have infills late in the building process as you could nail them directly over the existing board.
Another approach particularly for North facing windows is have a small pergola set under the gutter this provides shade and makes the infill less obvious. (see Shading for dimensions of a pergola)
If you’re planning on updating the lighting in your home, consider switching to a modern vibe.
Modernizing your home’s lighting means adopting sleek and straightforward ways to light up space effectively.
An upgrade to the lighting in your home can make a significant impact that everyone will surely love.
The proper lighting plays an important role and highlights your home’s best features, from its architectural feats to the overall colour scheme.
When you want to improve the general appeal of your home while highlighting all the best features, implementing new updates would greatly help.
Here are several lighting ideas you might want to try.
Utilize A Dimmer
For a multipurpose room in your home, consider utilizing a dimmer.
If you don’t have one yet, it connects to light fixtures to lower the brightness level, allowing you to control the lighting environment and conserve energy simultaneously.
Dimmers ensure better flexibility depending on your mood, time, and event.
If you’re planning to install dimmers, it’s best to work with a licensed electrician Sydney to get the job done efficiently.
As a worthwhile investment, dimmers can minimize energy consumption and prolong the lifespan of the light bulbs in your home.
With the versatile lighting options, you can create in all the rooms in your home, having dimmers is truly a must-have.
Level Up The Design
If you feel the lighting elements in your home are out of date as new trends flood the market, you can still keep your home updated.
One approach you might want to consider is exchanging a lighting fixture or two to showcase a trend you love.
The addition of a modern and sleek floor lamp with a metal detail will effectively give a room a fresh look even if you have old furniture around.
During the selection process, make sure to go for pieces that work best with the current colour theme of your home, along with the overall design.
Remember that these brand-new lighting fixtures should blend seamlessly with your home while also imparting a new element at the same time.
Install Under-Cabinet Light Strips
A convenient way to upgrade the lighting in certain parts of your home is utilizing under-cabinet light strips, especially in the workroom or kitchen.
Generally, these lights work by shining directly on the work area and making it easier to carry out tasks.
You can easily switch these lights off when not in use.
Switch To A New Colour Palette
If you want to introduce a touch of colour to your home, you might consider incorporating light fixtures in colours you love.
To create an interesting focal point in one of the main rooms in your home, such as the dining area, consider adding a vibrant table lamp or an eye-catching pendant light right in the middle.
If you find bright colours too heavy for your tastes, go for lighting fixtures with glossy metallic finishes, ideal for imparting warmth to a space without overpowering hues.
Copper is one of the current trends these days.
You can incorporate the trend by selecting a copper pendant light to create a modern yet sophisticated look.
The addition of a new lighting fixture is a simple yet effective way to make a space stand out.
Make Use Of Modern Lighting Fixtures
Aside from pendants, there are other lighting fixtures to consider for your home, but if you want to create a modern feel, you can go for chandeliers, recessed lighting, and track lighting.
Today, you can get these lighting fixtures in a variety of designs.
Make sure you’ll check out all the available choices on the market to find the right one for your home.
These lighting fixtures are all ceiling-based which frees up space in a room and ensures an open space to create a minimalist vibe.
You can also consider adding wall sconces that will help minimize the clutter and blend seamlessly into a modern-themed home.
Make Use Of Coloured Lighting
Some houses utilize coloured lighting to add an exciting flair to the overall ambience.
You might want to add coloured lighting into a modern design to help the interiors pop.
One way to switch from various light hues is to use a smart bulb.
The interplay of coloured lighting works best if you want to feature the highlights of your home, such as massive wall art or cabinets showcasing your prized collections.
Final Thoughts
An effective way to update your home or provide it with a modern flair is through lighting.
By choosing the right lighting fixtures that seamlessly blend in with your home’s current theme while effectively highlighting the best features of your home and maintaining functionality at the same time, it’ll work wonders in all the rooms in your home.
Author Bio: Andrew Clover is a certified electrician with 12 years of residential and commercial experience in inspections, repairs and installations. He shares his expertise on electrical basics by writing blogs. During his free time, Andrew loves fishing and hiking.
A spade is probably the most important tool in gardening so its worth getting a good one.
Few tools are more crucial to gardening than a durable, sturdy garden spade.
You don’t want to get something that looks OK but breaks in half or bends the first time it is used, or is uncomfortable to use.
The business end of a spade is shaped like a rectangle, with a straight flat blade and a square shallow pan for lifting, rather than scooping dirt.
Although it can be used to shovel materials its not its main purpose.
If you are doing lots of shovelling it is worth buying a separate shovel.
Major DIY stores and garden centers sell a wide range of spades.
I’m not a big fan of buying a spade on line because you need to pick them up and check they feel comfortable.
Spade handles come in different lengths to fit different people. If the handle is too short, it will be hard for you to handle the spade without hurting your back so make sure the spade feels comfortable.
Pick the spades up in the store, feel it, and handle as much as you need to be sure you get a good feel for it in your hands and with your body.
Spade handles come in ‘D’ and ‘T’ shapes . The ‘D’ shape is more durable and easier to use than the ‘T’.
Look for a garden spade with 200mm x 300mm inch blade asa larger one may be more difficult to use
The top edge of the garden spade should have a thick top to set your foot on so you can push down.
Without the thick top your foot quickly gets sore and you can’t get the push you need.
A stainless steel blade is the best and longest lasting all-around spade.
A sharp flat spade edge can cut and lift turf, cut through tree roots when digging holes for planting, and create more defined shapes in turf or soil.
Once you have got your spade look after it and make sure you keep the blade clean and the handle smooth, it all makes digging much easier.
I also run an angle grinder along the edge from time to time to keep it sharp.
The spade in the picture above is forged stainless steel with a GRP handle. I’ve had it for years and it will probably last me out.
So, before you get started with building your preferred modular home, the following are some tips you may want to know:
Understand The Basics Of Modular Home-Building Process
Modular is the term used for those constructed with standardized measurements or units.
Instead of building different sections of the house on- site, the construction happens inside the manufacturing facility and the home is often shipped to the specific building location.
Therefore, rather than getting a load of raw lumbers at your building site, you could receive walls or whole rooms.
The components of modular homes are made according to the quality control specifications and local building codes.
The actual number of the modules may depend on your home design’s complexity.
Whatever happens, get rid of the temptation of purchasing a piece of land on which to build your modular home.
The characteristics of a good location for modular homes are as follows:
Neighbourhood. Take some time to check out the location and its periphery for government and social amenities, such as churches, offices, work locations, and schools. If possible, opt for a neighbourhood that feels comfortable and safe.
<liWide Lot. Having a big piece of land is always better than a small one, regardless of how big or small your modular home is. In addition, having a wide lot makes it possible to create a beautiful lawn and driveways.
Type Of Soil. The type of soil in the land may influence the construction in your preferred location. Be sure to do your due diligence to determine the kind of structures that the soil in your location may handle. You’ll have to decide if you’d rather change your modular home or move to another area.
Water Availability. Make sure to purchase land in an area close to a clean water source. You wouldn’t want to experience water scarcity when you’re building your modular home.
Secure Your Financing
Once you decide to build a modular home, you may get a loan or opt for self-finance.
Self-financing can be done if you have enough equity or sufficient cash in another property to acquire another mortgage.
If you prefer the loan route, your first step is to meet with your mortgage broker or bank to go through the approval process.
This will give you an idea of how much you may need to spend on both your new home and land.
As a result, you won’t waste time considering other options that are way beyond your budget.
Focus On The Finishing Touches
Several things, such as showers and sinks, will be installed in the modules once they arrive from the manufacturer.
Some items, including dryers, refrigerators, and washers, will be delivered when the house is built.
Be sure to review your inventory properly to ensure you’ve received everything you were supposed to.
However, it’s also vital to note that not everything can be finished by your chosen manufacturers.
Choose Your Floor Plan
A floor plan is essentially the blueprint of a home’s overhead layout. Viewing a pre-drawn floor plan allows you to have an idea of the home style you want, what’s best suited for your needs, and how the rooms are connected. When selecting a floor plan, these considerations may help you make a well-informed decision:
Functionality. Designing a customizable space and browsing a floor plan is fun, but never forget about adding functionality to your space. Make sure to select the right number of bedrooms for comfortable living.
Purpose Of Your Modular Home. Think of every room as having a purpose of its own. Remember this when choosing your floor plan as you might not want bedrooms right beside the living room where it might be loud. So, take time to consider the purpose of every living space.
Calculate The Costs
Typically, modular homes are cheaper than traditional built homes.
Several locations and some factors might make your modular homes pricier than average, though.
Moreover, you should note that there are costs that the manufactures won’t have factored in when they present you the base price.
Such costs may include ductwork, electrical work, plumbing, adding a basement, and septic tank installation.
Once you decide to tweak the original plan of your manufacturer, like installing hardwood floors rather than carpets, the costs may increase.
Conclusion
Building a modular home is a cost-effective and quick way to construct a home unlike building traditional ones.
However, the process can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time considering this type of home.
Make sure to do your research and keep the tips mentioned here in mind.
This way, you can be assured of the modular home of your dreams.
Author’s Bio
Dante Press is a real estate supervisor. He’s been in the real estate industry for 10 years. He shares his expertise through social media platforms and by writing blog posts. Dante loves playing sports like basketball and badminton.
Well in my garage there are the following fuel sources
50 Litres of Petrol. (in the car fuel tank)
A litre of white spirit.
A litre turps substitute.
2 x 5kg gas bottles.
Several tins of half used gloss and enamel paint.
Large box of scrap wood.
Various cardboard boxes.
As far as ignition sources go there is
Electrical Sparks from 240 volt power tools
Sparks from angle grinder
Car electrical system
And I don’t even have a welder or brazing torch!
If a fire started, and was undiscovered, how long would it take to spread to the rest of the house?………………….Not very long if you have got a standard internal door and one layer of standard plasterboard on the walls and ceiling. (In the UK if there is a room above a garage the standard is two layers of plasterboard with off set joints between sheets)
It could well be worth upgrading the specification for your new house to improve the fire resistance of garage walls, ceilings and doors! Perhaps you might also consider fitting a sprinkler point.
Whether you’re building a house in Darwin or searching for the best Bellarine Peninsula builders to construct your dream holiday home, there are some common factors that go into residential construction in Australia that all prospective homeowners need to understand.
For a smooth, error-free construction process with an ideal end-result, keep the following six tips in mind:
1. Have a general plan for your future
It may seem strange to ask you to have a plan for your future when you’re focused on building a house. . . However, this is highly relevant as it can help guide you in the many decisions you will face throughout the construction process.
If you haven’t planned out your future, you might think the cheaper three-bedroom display home will be suitable.
If you sit down and think about children, family visits, and other factors, you may decide to invest in a larger house and land package, with more rooms, a bigger backyard, and space to build a granny flat down the line.
Those who don’t want kids may even opt to go smaller!
The point is that if you want to build your dream home, you need to think about all the different stages of your life.
Things may not go to plan, of course, however, any dream home should be planned around the fulfillment of your dreams in life.
2. Take advantage of display homes
Display homes are there to give you a feel for what the plans will look like in real life.
Even the best 3D model can’t capture the feeling of standing inside a home and seeing how furniture and appliances fit.
So, take plenty of time to explore various display homes before committing to a builder and a plan.
Take note of what you like and don’t like about each one, and you’ll soon have a clear picture of what your dream home looks like.
3. Be careful in choosing a builder
Even before the pandemic, there were problematic builders in Australia.
However, over the last two years, many have folded due to unsustainable business practices.
When a builder goes out of business, prospective homeowners are rarely fully reimbursed, even if the work is substandard and/or hasn’t been completed.
This is just one of many potential problems you can face with a builder, and the consequences can be devastating, so, it’s essential to do your due diligence and ensure you sign up with a reputable company.
4. Budget for extra expenses
If your budget barely covers the initial quoted cost of the home, you’ll have no room for unexpected expenses that may arise.
Perhaps you want to go off-plan and have a more spacious loungeroom or wider front door.
There are many reasons why your plans may change, so make sure you budget appropriately.
5. Finish with a thorough inspection
When you get word that your house has been completed, it’s tempting to sign off on it so you can move in right away.
However, doing so can leave you stuck with all sorts of problems and no avenue to remedy them (apart from paying to fix them yourself).
There are a number of insulation products with reflective surfaces now available but how do they work?
Why do the instructions tell you to put the more reflective surface on the underside rather that the top?
Here is some information to help you understand what’s happening.
All surfaces have different levels of ability to reflect heat with black and matt finishes being very poor and shiny metal surfaces being very good. Most reflective surfaces are also poor emitters of heat. This characteristic is called emissivity (normally written as ‘e’).
An example is clean aluminium foil has an ‘e’ value of around 0.03. This is much less than common building materials such as:
bricks ‘e’ = 0.9 ; or
Building membrane ‘e’ = 0.5
Low emissivity finishes are generally considered to have an ‘e’ value of less than 0.05.
As dust can increase emissivity by 0.25 Aluminium foil is only considered to be low emissivity on vertical surfaces or the underside of a inclined or horizontal surface such as a roof or ceiling, where it will remain clean.
The emissivity acts with the surface layer of air on the building material to give an overall R value for the surface.
The following table shows how the ‘R’ values increase with a Reflective (low emissivity) surface compared with a high emissivity surface.
Cavity Width
Direction of
Heat Flow
Low Emissivity
R value
High Emissivity
R value
Horizontal
Up
0.23
0.11
Down
0.8
0.16
Sloping 45 degrees
Up
0.24
0.11
Down
0.39
0.13
Vertical
Horizontal
0.3
0.12
You will see that low emissivity insulation such as aluminium ceiling insulation has better performance (Higher R values) when the the Hotter air is above the insulation than the reverse.
This means that in summer it resists heat during the day but allows the house to cool more quickly at night. In winter, however the performance in keeping the heat in the house will not be as good.
As the head of your household’s finances, you may be looking to save on expenses wherever you can.
This helps protect you from unnecessary spending, and can even help free up some money for your family to spend elsewhere.
One of the ways you can save money is to regularly assess how much you spend on electricity and the internet and see if there are any better prices available.
To help get you started on this process, here are five ways to compare your energy and internet plan options.
1. Bundle Up
Many utility providers offer bundled plans, where you can get a variety of services all on one bill.
This bundling often comes with discounts on each service, as it benefits the provider to have more steady users.
Start by contacting your current service provider to see if you can combine electricity & internet through them. If they don’t offer such a bundle, you may want to contact other providers and inquire about their bundles and rates.
Then, choose the option that best fits your budget.
More and more providers are switching to cleaner and cheaper energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydro. In addition to being better for the environment, these sources can also be more reliable than traditional coal power.
This saves the utility company time and money in a variety of ways.
Most will pass those savings onto their customers, letting you reap the benefits as well.
Contact your energy provider to see if getting your energy from an alternate source is possible and how much it can save you each billing period.
3. Take Advantage of Specials
Both energy and internet providers may offer specials for new customers, especially those who are interested in bundling multiple services.
It’s well worth doing some research to determine what specials are on for the providers in your area.
You can do this by calling around or by looking on their websites.
If you’d rather not leave your current provider, you can contact them and see if they have any specials that you qualify for.
Some may have deals for long-time customers who renew or upgrade their service that can save you some money without having to switch.
4. Consider a Contract
A fourth option for getting lower prices on electricity and internet plans is to look for plans with a fixed contract length, as opposed to month-to-month options.
Service providers benefit from having repeat and reliable customers.
As a result, many are willing to offer a special price on services for customers who agree to a locked-in contract.
If you feel that your energy and internet usages are pretty steady, or if you believe that the provider can meet your needs for the length of the contract, then this may be an excellent option for you.
5. Ask Around
One final way to help you compare energy and internet plans is to talk to customers of other providers.
You could do this by asking neighbors who they use and what their costs are like.
You could also reach out to friends and family members that you may have in the surrounding area and ask them.
You may find out that you’ve got the best plan on the block, or you may find out a hidden gem of a provider.
Bottom Line
Comparing energy and internet plans is a smart way to make sure you’re paying a fair price.
Don’t be afraid to shop around a bit to see what other deals are out there.
Talk to customers of other providers, or to the providers themselves, and ask about plans and prices.
Your budget’s bottom line will thank you for your diligence.
Most people spend a lot of time thinking about their front door. . . . . but forget about their back door.
There seems to be a bit of a convention for back doors.
Conventional Doors
Quite often if a conventional door is used usually have a half window and usually only have a single simple lock.
Unfortunately criminals know that an easy way to break in is to break the small window, reach in, and unlock the door.
It’s not as though you really need the window as most back doors are in the laundry which isn’t a room you spend a lot of time in, and it usually has a window.
My preferred approach is a solid back door with two locks fitted at least 300mm apart.
One a deadlock, as I am always a bit suspicious about Construction Locks
Not only is this more secure, and offers better insulation but its likely to be slightly cheaper. Also you can always put a couple of coat hooks on the back of the door to hang your gardening clothes.
As you can see from this photo of a previous back2 door I specified the double locks but didn’t think to specify ‘no window’.
My latest houseI is a plain door!
Full Length Sliding Glass Doors
When looking at a display home you might find the builder uses ‘Patio Doors’ for the laundry.
A bathroom renovation can add a lot of value to a home, and even if you have no intention of selling your house in the foreseeable future, a fresh, upgraded bathroom experience can make a world of difference in your day-to-day life.
However, planning a bathroom upgrade isn’t exactly easy. You have a lot of options to choose from, and some features may be more worthwhile than others depending on your budget.
Let’s go over our top 3 luxury bathroom features to help you get the most out of your next bathroom upgrade.
Heated Flooring
Have you ever gotten out of the shower on a cold winter evening, felt amazing from the hot water on your body, and then promptly had that sensation ruined by ice-cold tiles on your feet? Well, there’s a solution to that: Heated floors.
Heated bathroom floors help raise your home’s value, provide you with a better bathroom experience, and add a luxurious flair to your bathroom overall.
Even better, a heated floor can save you money in the long run since it can effectively lower your heating and cooling costs. So, it’s a luxury investment that pays off.
This doesn’t have to be a major investment, either. There are floor heating options in several price ranges, and if your budget is reasonable to begin with, you can likely afford at least this one luxury feature.
Green-Themed Features
Nowadays, “going green” is all the rage, and there are some good reasons behind that.
Things such as low-energy lights, water-saving showerheads and faucets, low water consumption toilets, and automatic shutoff lights can help you reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment in fairly dramatic ways.
However, the benefits aren’t just one-sided. Lower resource consumption means your bills will be lower each month. Plus, several technological advancements have made such “green” bathroom features not only more luxurious but far more practical than what you may have heard about them in the past.
Now, they can perform just as well as their traditional counterpart, integrate modern design elements into their aesthetics and features, and are overall much more than simply “green” alternatives.
More importantly, with the popularity of the “green” movement, homebuyers are looking for these features to be pre-installed. So, making this investment can help you sell your home more easily in the future.
Professional Design Theme
When you walk into the average bathroom, the walls tend to be bare and plain, or they’re layered with wallpaper that looks like it’s from the 1950s.
That’s okay if you like that style. However, that’s not going to cut it if you’re trying to gain a more luxurious washroom experience or increase your home’s value.
Instead, it’s a worthwhile choice to pay for a professional bathroom renovation service, especially one with an artistic design team, who create something truly unique.
While you’re focusing on luxury features such as a high-end spa bath, heated floors, and other functional parts of the room, a creative designer can bring your wildest dreams to life and make your bathroom embody the luxurious feeling you’re going for.
Choose What’s Best for You
Obviously, there are more choices than just these three. From various high-end tile options to fixtures made from precious metals, and vanities that look like they belong in a museum, the list goes on and on.
It’s important to choose the features that match your sense of style and try to consider the impact they’ll have on your monthly bills or your home value.
