Design
Plasterboard
A lot of people say Gyprock, but this is really a manufacturers name, so the correct name is Plasterboard. So plasterboard is plasterboard right?……………………Actually wrong there are quite a wide range of plasterboard options available. Perhaps you should consider alternative…
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Sink or Cook Top on Island
I see a lot of island kitchens in display homes and when visiting friends……..one thing that puzzles me is that they all have the sink in the island unit. In my opinion it’s better to have the cooktop on the…
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Why Double Brick
Double Brick is the most common method of construction in WA. Construction consists of two panels (sometimes called leaves) of masonry with a cavity between them. The panels are connected by steel ties at regular intervals. A better description would be Structural Masonry,…
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Why Brick Veneer?
Brick veneer is probably the most common method of construction in Australia. However if you live in Western Australia you will find Double Brick is more popular in that state. Although brick veneer is the usual term these comments will…
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Planning the Laundry
In England the washing machine and dryer are generally in the kitchen. As a consequence the laundry in our first house we built was tiny. It was just big enough to fit the washing machine, dryer, laundry trough, and a…
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Roof Choice – Risk
Something you might never have thought about when thinking about the sort of roof that you want on your new house is Risk. Low Risk A conventional roof which slopes to the outside can be considered to be a low…
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Building on Fill – Screw Piles
I have previously posted about building on fill using Concrete Piers. Well one alternative to constructing concrete piers is to use Screw Piles such as the one to the right. These are made from a thick steel tube with: A…
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High Ceilings – Unexpected Effects
Quite a lot of people go for Higher Rooms because it does give a more impressive interior effect. Something to bear in mind is that it can effect the external appearance of the house by making the windows look small. This…
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Want a Flat Roof ?
When thinking about a flat roof for your new home my advice is…..a roof can be: Flat. Inexpensive. Have a long leak free life. PICK ANY TWO! Sounds harsh but my experience, and others I have talked to, confirms this…
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Starting House Design 1- Bubble Diagram 1
A big mistake in designing a house is to get involved in detail too quickly. Rough sketches of a floor plan, which you can easily change, are the best way to start. . . . Much better than using a computer…
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