Block Retaining Wall – Loose Lay
Loose lay retaining wall blocks are concrete blocks that have a nib cast on the underside. (see photo) This stops each block slipping forward of the block below. There are a number of different manufacturers and most produce more than…
Read more
The Risk Of Too Much Security
As I visit lots of houses I often wonder if some houses have too much security. I see lots of houses with roller shutters or even steel gratings over the windows like these. Quite often when I ring the bell…
Read more
Split Level Bedroom – Fail
Why would you go to the effort of building that platform for the bed? . . . . .and why the curves? This could be a major hazard if you need to go to the toilet in the night! ….
Read more
Virtual Build?
I recently saw an advert for ‘MyPlace’ a ‘Virtual Build Information System’ by Burbank. What Is A Virtual Build Information System? MyPlace is a virtual construction site which provides a visual aid in the progress of your home’s construction. It…
Read more
Builders Excuses
Lets face it, building isn’t always easy. Each house has its own problems and the builders have to deal with the weather. Things do go wrong . . . so the measure of a good builder is how they resolve…
Read more
Ikea Hacking
Like this set of unusual shelves I saw on the Dornob Site? Well furniture like this doesn’t have to cost a packet! This unit was built using components from standard Ikea Flat Packs assembled in a different way. Interested ….
Read more
Overhanging Brickwork
Unfortunately brickwork overhanging the slab like this is more common than it should be. . . . but it’s often not the brickie’s fault. How it Happens Normally the problem is that the slab has been constructed smaller than the…
Read more
OTIS The Tiny ‘House’
How small can you go? Well this is the Optimal Traveling Independent Space(OTIS) It’s a 6.7 square metre “living system” that can be towed on a trailer. The pod-shaped tiny house includes indoor ‘plumbing’ in the form of a composting…
Read more
Height Above Ground
For the typical modern house with slab on ground base there are two minimum heights above ground level that need to be considered: Next to the building. Distance of 1m away. The reason for these minimums is to keep water…
Read more
Front Fence Win
What do you think about this front fence? Ever seen one like this before? As well as looking different I think it looks attractive, and does the job of separating the front yard from the street. For me this…
Read more