7 design tips for an eco-friendly home that doesn't cost the earth
Having an eco friendly home is about more than just saving money. It means that you’re doing your bit for Mother Nature. Reducing your home’s carbon footprint is a worthwhile endeavour, but sometimes the costs associated can be off-putting. But what if we told you that, with a few tweaks in home design, you could have an environmentally conscious home that’s not going to cost an arm and a leg? We’re not kidding, so read on to find out seven design tips that will transform your place into an efficient and green household.
Read moreOutdoor Kitchens
The 21st Century has brought us lots of new innovations to simplify our lifestyles.The formal dinner parties of the past have declined to make way for a more relaxed, casual style of entertaining and none more popular than dining Al Fresco and cooking in an Outdoor Kitchen.
Read moreShade Sails
Shade Sails (also known as Sail Shades) and awnings are a great solution for providing protection from sun, rain and wind in outdoor areas. There are many commercial properties such as cafes, pubs, clubs, schools, day care centres, hospitals and nursing homes utilizing their outdoor areas with overhead coverings and private companies providing outdoor space for their staff to use for coffee and lunch breaks. They are now also more and more homes and private residences with shade sails and awnings.
Read moreElectrical Safety
Have you ever stopped to consider the importance of electricity, particularly in the home, and how much we rely on it for so many day to day things? And have you ever truly thought about how dangerous electricity can be and therefore how important it is to always engage the services of a licensed electrician. Never take for granted the importance or danger of any electrical fixture or appliance and the absolute necessity for a professional to carry out any electrical work.
Read moreWhat to look for when considering tiles and tilers
When it comes to tiles we tend to think of the wet areas of the house - kitchen, bathroom and laundries. But there are so many styles, shapes, sizes and materials of tiles available for many more uses than just our wet areas including floors and walls for living rooms, entry halls, fireplaces and stairs, not to mention outdoor areas such as verandahs, terraces, pathways, entertaining areas and pools.
Read moreRendering a fresh look
There would be few homes these days that do not have some interior or exterior rendered walls. Many contemporary homes are rendered entirely on the outside especially new builds, while a large number of existing or older style homes are rendered to give them a new lease of life and more kerb appeal. Rendering creates a modern elegant finish with clean simple lines while providing a protective layer to the walls making them longer lasting and lower in maintenance.
Read moreThe homeowner’s guide to purchasing a water heater
The water heater is an essential part of most houses. Without it, daily routines like doing the dishes, showering, and powering appliances would become very difficult. Thus, these sturdy, dependable devices need the right amount of care and attention. If you want to ensure that yours continues to run smoothly, carry out regular maintenance and check its condition.
Read moreEnclosed elegance: 4 steps towards preparing your house for guests
With Christmas right around the corner, it won’t be long until you start making plans for the holiday and the most important meal of the year. In fact, you might already have begun. Some families like to get organised early and know exactly who is staying where and in which house to find the turkey.
Read moreChoosing exterior shutters for your home
Adding shutters to your home is a great way to increase value, security, privacy, and curb appeal. They’re stylish and low maintenance, and there are plenty to choose from. The two main types of exterior shutters are plantation shutters and roller shutters.
Read moreRenovating your home in Brisbane
Do you live in Brisbane and planning a home renovation, house extension or adding that outdoor living area you have been dreaming of? If so, a Carpenter is the one tradesperson who will be able to accomplish nearly all facets of any Brisbane home renovation, kitchen renovation, extension or outdoor living area project you have planned
Read moreHow much will it cost to repair a blocked toilet in Sydney?
Toilets are probably the most crucial plumbing fixture in the home. When your Sydney toilet gets blocked, you want the problem fixed as quickly as possible. But how much will you have to pay? Here are some guidelines around the costs of having your blocked toilet repaired by a licensed Sydney plumber.
Read moreBathroom Trends For 2015
Once the bathroom was a just a functional space for the family to bathe & refresh.
Read moreHow to light your home
When planning lighting solutions for your home, it is important to consider what each room needs, in terms of ambiance, decoration, and utility. Using a few different types of lighting in each room will give the best effect, and provide you with greater control. Installing dimmer switches on your lights is also a great way to easily manipulate the ambiance of a room.
Read moreColour Scheming Made Easy
if you have a sunroom, look at a complementary paint colour scheme where you use colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange.
Read moreConsultants for Residential Building work
Basix: Environmental Consultant Basix Certificate (environmental performance evaluation) is required for all development applications. This certificate has been required with all development since 2006. This details the energy and water use and storage and recycling on site. The certificate is tied to the title and has to be certified as completed by the building inspector when the project is complete and before you can move in.
Read moreHow much does a second storey addition cost?
Have you ever wondered: ‘How much does a Second Storey Addition Cost?’ and ‘Should I extend out or build up? Which will cost more?’ Adding a second storey does not always cost more than a home extension. Sometimes it actually makes more sense to add another level, but homeowners can be put off by thinking that this costs more than a ground floor home extension. This is not necessarily the case! This article reveals the inside scoop on whether building a ground floor extension or adding a second story on your house would be best for you.
Read moreRendered feature walls pack a textured punch
Creating a successful interior design requires clever balance. We consider colours, shapes, sizes, and light, but one element many people neglect is texture. Simply painting a feature wall in a different colour or applying wallpaper can leave us wanting more- and rendering is a way to achieve that. A professional rendering company can help you achieve a range of different finishes, to make your feature wall something special.
Read moreRevive your roof
Most Australians are house proud. Regardless of the size and style of our homes we like to keep them well maintained, clean, neat and tidy. But sometimes our roofs get overlooked. Particularly if the house is two or more stories, or has a flat roof. It could be a case of out of sight out of mind. It only takes rain and wind to create leaks into our ceiling to make us realise that it’s time for some much needed roof maintenance.
Read moreWhat do plumbers do?
Plumbers work is a very necessary and essential part of any building work whether it’s a new build, an extension, renovation or improvement to any home or commercial premises. It is vital to have a licensed professional plumber carry out any plumbing related work to ensure it is legal and guaranteed. When plumbing goes wrong it can be disastrous so never try to do it yourself.
Read moreRenovations for the older folk
Downsizing or moving into a Retirement Village can be a daunting prospect for the elderly. Many older folk would prefer to stay in their existing home if possible so that they can still be surrounded by their memories, chat to the neighbours they have know for decades and remain independent for as long as possible.
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