Buyers guides
A cladding buyers guide
Building cladding is not just for aesthetics; it is an integral part of a building’s envelope and needs to be carefully selected to ensure the best performance. Lance Turner looks at cladding options and the pros and cons of each material type.
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Efficient homes
Interview with a designer: cladding in the sub-tropics
Rain and heat mean different cladding and finishing choices in the sub-tropics, says Stephanie Skyring, an architect based in Brisbane. But a focus on sustainable materials is key, no matter the climate.
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Efficient homes
Cladding case study: Timber cottage with low-maintenance twist
This house in Willunga, SA, uses timber cladding for a cottage feel, but adds low-maintenance Colorbond and magnesium oxide board for the hard-to-reach areas.
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Efficient homes
Cladding case study: Cladding connections
This home in Melbourne has cladding made from beautiful 1960s timber, reused from the house that stood on the site before, combined with Colorbond and Shadowclad ply.
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Efficient homes
Condensation management
It’s important to consider both ventilation and moisture control in order to avoid condensation problems. Jenny Edwards recommends a holistic approach.
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Building materials
Energy-efficient stained glass
Vicky Grosser shows how it is possible to reuse old materials like stained glass in a new energy-efficient build.
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Solar & batteries
Desert Rose
An Aussie net-zero energy house takes on the competition in Dubai, bringing home an impressive second place overall in the 2018 Solar Decathlon.
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Buyers guides
Windows that perform: A window and film buyers guide
Poorly performing windows can drag down the thermal performance of your home. Lance Turner looks at some solutions.
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Building materials
Strength, stability and performance: The right floor for your build
When building, you may put a lot of thought into the floor coverings, but what about the sub-floor structure? Both are important to ensure a sustainable result. Lance Turner surveys the options.
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All-electric
Sealed with a SIP
The energy costs for this four-person household were $560 for the year (basically just the daily charge), due to an airtight house design, a PV system well-matched to usage and a switch to all-electric. Kyle O'Farrell describes how they got there.
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Building materials
A roof over your head: Choosing the right roofing materials
There are many different roofing materials to choose from, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how sustainable are they?
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