How to choose the right kitchen bench top
The kitchen is the beating heart of your home. It should be a functional and hard wearing as well as an attractive and inviting space.
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Consultants 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.
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Seven simple DIY ways to clear a blocked drain
Most residents give little, if any, thought to the things they flush down the toilet and wash down their sinks. Water companies spend millions each year clearing out foreign matter that has ended up in our increasingly overloaded sewer systems. But the water companies aren’t the only ones responsible for drains. Find out more and what you can do about it here.
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Guide to Bathroom Lighting and IP Rating
Starting with the technical details, safety is key when choosing your bathroom lighting. To identify whether a light is safe for your bathroom, all lights are given an IP Rating (Ingress Protection rating) which measures how resistant the light is to both water and dust particles. IP Ratings can be determined by reading the first and second digits following the initial ‘IP’.
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Know the NO’s when it comes to Asbestos
Asbestos was a very popular building product widely used in Australia for decades. Asbestos fibers are much finer than human hair, they can float in the air not visible to the naked eye and can easily be inhaled.
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Different types of glass
There is a huge range in the glass types available when designing or replacing the glass windows and doors in your home. When choosing the glass that is used to make up new windows or doors, homeowners have a considerably large choice in the type of glass that they would like – each with varying functions and aesthetics. The glass that is used in window and doors can be customised to suit individual preferences. This includes different combinations of thickness, size, tint, colour, and film.
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Shade 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.
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How a handyman can save you time and money
When small jobs pop up around the house we tend to do one of two things, tackle them ourselves with no expertise, or ignore them and hope they go away (they don’t). Hiring a handyman to help with odd jobs can save you a world of pain, and money. He’s a jack of all trades, from plumbing, to electrical, to carpentry. Here’s three ways he can save you time and money.
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Driveways make a statement
Everyone wants the front of their home to look fantastic. The driveway of the average Australian suburban house block takes up a big chunk of real estate. Your driveway needs to compliment the style of your home and landscaping. A driveway needs not only look great but has to be able to stand up to the rigors of having the ton or so of family car traversing it constantly. Other than the kids bedrooms it will take more abuse than any other part of your home
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Fencing to reduce traffic noise
If your home or business is located on or near a busy road, noise can be a real problem. There are ways noise can be reduced inside your home, from using glazing on the windows and insulation in the walls. There are also certain types of walls and fences that can be built around your property that can help significantly reduce the sound of passing traffic.
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Electrical 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.
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Professional painters - the pluses
Building, renovating, updating, time for a change or selling are the more common reasons to paint your home. Inside, outside, one room or many, it is important to get the colour and the finish just right and to achieve that it is advisable to enlist the services of a professional licensed painter.
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Top 10 Scandinavian Lighting Ideas for a Dining Area
Choosing your lights should involve a mix of both practicality and personal preference. Ambient lighting is designed to create a warm and welcoming mood in your kitchen.
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Is polished concrete more expensive than tiling?
There are a number of things to consider when choosing between polished concrete and tiles, and it is important to think carefully before making a final decision. From how the flooring surface will be used to the relative costs involved, these considerations will help guide your project and allow you to make a sound decision.
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What statement does your door make?
As they say first impressions are lasting ones. Make a statement with your front entry door and create an immediate impression for your visitors. However it’s not only your front entry door that can create an impression, internal doors are the entry to each room in the house and are important as well.
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Home renovation costs: when to save, when to splurge
Undertaking a major home renovation and extension is a large investment in your family home, and in your family’s future. There is a myriad of decisions and selections that need to be made, and overarching it all is a budget that you are determined to work within. This advice will help you decide if you should spend or splurge.
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Making the most of your pool area
Swimming pools are often the focal points of modern landscape designs. However the areas around them are often overlooked and neglected when it comes to maximising the potential of our backyards.
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How to choose a staircase
There are many homes throughout Australia with staircases and in some more than one. A staircase can be tucked away and unobtrusive or can be a focal point and add real wow factor to your home. Taking regulations and guidelines into account your staircase can then only be limited by space, budget and imagination.
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Roofing: concrete tiles or Colorbond steel?
Whether you’re building, renovating, or doing repairs, it’s worth reconsidering your roof. The best fit for your home and lifestyle isn’t always immediately apparent, and there are plenty of factors to consider. The most popular roofing materials in Australia are concrete tiles and Colorbond steel.
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Tiling - should you DIY or use a professional?
Are you considering tackling a tiling project at your place, it's a lot more complicated than it looks, here's some points to consider before deciding whether to DIY or call in an experienced Tiler.
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