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| 6 Jun 2013 Tiles and Lippage
Lippage is a condition in floor tiling where one edge of a tile is on a different plane to an adjacent tile. In plain terms this means that one tile is higher than another giving the finished surface an uneven appearance. When large tiles are used on surfaces with compound falls to a floor waste, […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Tilt-Up Construction
Tilt-up construction is common in the commercial and industrial building sector and it is becoming more popular in the housing sector as a construction method. Tilt-up construction is a form of precast construction walls where panels are built on the ground on site, lifted and placed, then propped in position while the roofing structure is […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Timber Rot
Timber rot was a major problem in some Perth homes. A survey a few years ago suggested that houses in Subiaco, Ardross, Floreat, Nedlands and Mosman Park were most likely to suffer from timber rot. This incidence of timber rot is not surprising as it usually occurs in older homes and caused by a lack […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is often talked about as vital for good passive-solar design. Thermal mass in WA is easier to provide that you think, purely due to the materials we prefer to build with. The installation of concrete floors and brick walls provides the thermal mass of our buildings. We must make sure that it works […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Renovation and other checks
If you are uncertain as to the condition of the building’s foundations or the general soundness of the house, it may be worthwhile to call in an inspector or engineer for a professional opinion. You should find, however, that if you borrow funds for your extensions, the lender will have their own inspectors check that […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Solar Systems Installed in Australia
Residential 1kW systems are most common at the moment due to the Federal Government Rebate funding up to a maximum of a 1000 watt (1kW) system. A lot of customers are installing 2 or 3 kW inverters in their systems however so that they can add additional capacity in the future as power get […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Renovation Planning
Once the decision to extend has been made, it is a good idea, if you are relatively new to the house, to live in the existing home as it is for a period to get the feel of the place, which will help you greatly with your plans. It is vitally important not to inhibit […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Skylights – Design and Selection Overview
Careful attention to the design and selection of skylights is important as this will save energy, help to avoid problems and ensure a pleasing result for your living or working environment. The following factors should be considered to ensure the end result achieves light levels amendable to a safe and happy environment and the full […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Roof Sarking
Roof sarking is a membrane that is fitted during tile or metal roof construction. The flexible membrane is usually installed under the battens to provide thermal insulation and to prevent water and dust penetration in the roof space. In bushfire prone areas flying embers cannot enter this space through the roof due to sarking protection. […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Skylights – Sizing for adequate light
AS4285 – 2007 Size of Skylights The table below refers to skylight sizes commonly available throughout Australia. For practical purposes this table shows them as applied to typical rooms in Australian residential buildings where the skylights are not the only natural source of light. This table is based on many years of industry experience. Other […]