Design
Window Abbreviations
When you are looking at builders plans it can be hard to understand what all the abbreviations mean! Here are some common window Abbreviations /Acronyms: AL – Aluminium (also Alum) AW – Awning Window CG – Clear Glass CLR.OPG –…
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Sisalation or Sarking
Sarking is the sheet material which can be put over the roof trusses before the final roof covering is installed. It’s normally standard on a metal roof as it prevents condensation on the underside of a roof from dropping onto the ceiling below….
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Roof Slope
This house has one of the steepest roofs that I have seen around Melbourne. I certainly think doing any work would be a bit scary, and very expensive. So what are the considerations when thinking about Roof Slope (or Roof Pitch) Roofing…
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Will a Big House Make You Happy?
Inspired by a post on www.mrmoneymustache.com Why do you, or your spouse, want a big house? What are you trying to buy? . . . . . . Well most people think they are buying happiness. Does you family really…
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Placing Fill
Of so you want to place some fill. . . .perhaps behind a retaining wall to level a garden . . . So what do you need to understand? Here are some things to consider. Final Volume – Loose Volume Most people…
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Access to Rear
With the narrow blocks that are becoming more common you see a lot of new houses built right to the side boundary on both sides. In some cases that can’t be avoided, but I think there is a real advantage…
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On-Site Stormwater Detention – Storage
Background Many urban developments, and subdivisions, require stormwater flows from your block to be limited to a maximum flow rate. (See: ‘Onsite Stormwater Dention‘ for the reason why) Although councils will require the calculations to be done by a qualified hydraulic engineer here is some…
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Skylights
Thinking about putting some skylights in the roof? Planning one of those rooms with a glazed roof panel? You really need to think very carefully before you go ahead! Summer In summer the heat gain and glare can be enormous causing major…
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Retaining Walls – Besser Blocks
If you want a rendered surface on your retaining wall one of the best ways of achieving this is by using ‘Besser Blocks’. These are hollow concrete blocks which are designed to incorporate steel reinforcement within the block. A few issues…
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Daylight Tubes
If you have a gloomy smaller room (for example bathroom, WIR, or hallway) consider a daylight tube. They are a more energy efficient alternative to conventional skylights or having to keep putting the lights on. Daylight tubes have three parts: Roof mounted clear,…
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