Features
-
Oak: the best timber in Australia?
Ted Riddle shares his thoughts on oak and explains why, despite some faults, he rates it as the best timber in Australia. I recently had the pleasure ... -
The drying potential of membranes
Jesse Clarke, building scientist at CSR, discusses the idea of using vapour permeable membranes for moisture control in buildings. In recent history, membranes have played two key ... -
A safer solution to asbestos removal
Dealing with asbestos is an unfortunate part of construction in Australia; however, the task is becoming easier thanks to an intuitive product developed in Queensland. With an alarming ... -
Waterproofing and screeds – above or below?
Andrew Golle clears up the confusion surrounding screeds and explains the difference between waterproofing above or below. Providing surface and sub-surface drainage by implementing falls, to an ... -
What you need to know about thermal mass
David Arnott explains the ins and outs of thermal mass and how it affects building materials. The term passive design is one that many people would have ... -
Efflorescence: the dreaded white powder
Efflorescence deposits to external terracotta tiling. Efflorescence defects, although not classified as a functional failure, can detract from the overall finish and result in annoying ongoing ... -
Elevators making their way into the industry
The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is well and truly under way around Australia, which has opened up the need for innovations in ... -
Smart homes, smart revenue
One-third of new homes and a quarter of renovations include smart wiring, which means greater sales value for builders. Paul Skelton explains. You’ve probably heard about home automation, ... -
Creating a functional and safe kitchen
Kitchens can be a beautiful part of the home and it is too easy to focus on the aethetics, but as Selina Zwolsman explains, it must ... -
Simon Owen explains the proper installation of aluminium-framed windows
Despite prescriptive instructions in window system manufacturers’ literature and warnings in entry-level manuals aimed at building investigators, the lack of correct installation of dams at the ...
