Granny Flats and Kit Homes for the Australian market

Backyard Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 23:39:00 +0000

Granny flat backyard designs is a great way to make use of your valuable empty back yard. It is an excellent investment for the family looking for extra living space as there is nowhere in Australia where you can purchase a house and land for as low as the cost of a granny flat construction.

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Pool Fencing in Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 04:27:00 +0000

Pool fencing is mandatory in all States and Territories in Australia, so if a pool is going into your backyard, so must a fence.

Almost half of all drowning deaths in the 0-5 year age group occur in backyard swimming pools, so pool fencing has an important role to play in preventing these tragic deaths.

Conforming to Australian Standards

When buying a pool fence, make sure it conforms to the Australian Standard 1926.1. Responsibility for ensuring pool fencing complies with appropriate legislation rests with local councils, so your first step should be to contact your council for specific advice.

There are slightly different fencing requirements for pools depending on when and where the pool was installed, but the following list should give you a good idea of whether your fence complies with legislation.

The pool fence should fully isolate the pool from the house and the neighbourhood.

A toddler should not be able to crawl under the gate or any other part of the fence (the gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground should be less than 10 cm).

The gate should be able to close by itself and latch shut. Check that it is able to swing freely to the closed position when open and latch securely.

The vertical or near vertical railings should be less than 10 cm apart to prevent a small child from squeezing through them.

The horizontal fence rails should be more than 90 cm apart so a small child cannot get a foothold to climb over the fence.

The positioning of the fence should be well clear (usually 1.2 m) of any objects such as BBQs, trees, rocks and shrubs that could help a small child climb onto the fence.

The gate release mechanism should be well above ground level (usually 1.5 m) or alternatively, located inside the gate and covered by an approved shield (usually at a height of 1.2 m).

What if I don’t have kids?

You still must have a pool fence even if you don’t have children. A significant percentage of toddler pool drowning deaths do not occur in their own backyard, but in relatives, friends or neighbours’ pools.
It is also your responsibility to erect and maintain a pool fence even if you are not living in the property yourself, i.e., you are a landlord and have tenants on your property.
In some states, for pools installed before a certain period (e.g., 1 Aug 1990 in NSW), it is permitted for you to have three-sided pool fencing that allows access to the pool through the rest of the house. In this case, all doors and windows leading to the house must be secure. For added safety and peace of mind you may want to consider upgrading to four-sided fencing, particularly if children use the pool.

Yearly Checks

Royal Life Saving recommends that you conduct a thorough check of your fence every year before summer (and a quick check at least once a month) to ensure that it is complies with the safety list above and is in a good state of repair.
Some councils conduct regular council inspections to make sure the fence is properly maintained and meets the requirements of the Australian standard. Other councils may offer an inspection service for a small fee, whereby they inspect your pool and issue you with a compliant certificate if your pool meets the legislation.

Common Sense Tips

Even with a pool fence, accidents can still happen, so make sure you take these safety precautions if you have a pool in your backyard.

Never prop the pool gate open.

Make sure there are no objects left near the fence that young children could use as a climbing aid to get over the fence.

Display a guide to resuscitation prominently near the pool.

Familiarise your children with water and teach them to swim as early as possible.

Learn resuscitation.

Make sure an adult is always supervising whenever children are in the pool.

Final Tip!

A study by the Australian Consumers Association found that pool fences with a loop design (in which tubular sections of pipe are bent through upper rails) are safer than those with a flat top design (in which tubular bars are fixed and spot-welded inside flat horizontal upper and lower rails). The study tested strength and rigidity if a child was trying to squeeze through the fence bars.

Returning to Granny flats http://www.granyflat.com.au
Returning to Kit-homes http://www.kithome.org
Returning to Renovations and Extensions http://www.novadesigns.org

Swim spas for small spaces

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 08:21:00 +0000

Do you have room in the backyard for a swimming spa?

When there isn't enough room for an outdoor or indoor swimming pool, but you like the idea of exercising in water and don't want the hassle of driving to a public pool, why not consider the idea of installing a swim spa. Read more ...

Shelves add character to a room

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:36:00 +0000

We all need extra space right? Doesn't matter whether it is in the shed, in the office, or the house. Over the years we collect more and more stuff, and quite often it gets stored on the floor simply because it seems to be an easy place to put things.

But what about the walls? They make ideal areas to put up some shelving and help to keep the floor tidy and hopefully accident free.

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Splashback Tiling

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 23:49:00 +0000

To add splashback tiling is like putting the final touches to a painting, for example. Even although you need to consider your splashback well in advance of the tiling being started.

Splashbacks allows you to bring colour to a wall, especially where white wall tiles have been used in a bathroom for example. Splashbacks also enable you to create some kind of a theme.

Sometimes it is worth to spend a little more money on the splashback than the other tiles simple because of the value you might benefit in having the splashback in the first place. Splashbacks can be very effective in producing a wow factor when walking into a room.

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Tips on how to hang a picture

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 05:30:00 +0000

For many people, hanging a picture is relatively simple. Just hit a nail into the wall and put the picture on the hook, right! That might work in most cases, but what if the position of the picture means that the room looks out of focus?

After all generally there is a purpose of hanging a picture on the wall in the first place. It might be to make the area more lived in. Or it might be for sentimental reasons, like a nice memory comes to mind by looking at the picture.

If by hanging the picture reminds us of something or someone then it makes sense that we might give the process a little more effort than just a nail and a hammer.
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Process of Laying Wall Tiles

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 10:54:00 +0000

The process of laying wall tiles starts with having a good foundation.

Tiling a wall has a lot to do with the floor and if they are not level this will affect your starting point. Before you start make sure that you have everything on hand that you will require to complete the job including the right type of adhesive compound and adequate quantity. Then, set your starting point. Read more ...

Getting rid of discoloured grout

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 03:46:00 +0000

Allow the tile grout to become discoloured and you invite a myriad of problems. Not least being the repairing and cleaning of these areas even although the effort is well worth it.

Whilst we would all like to think that tile grout will last forever, if the job was done well in the first place you will get a long wear albeit the colour will fade.

Like with all man made materials, lots of wear and the weather will have an effect on the tile grout. So it makes more sense to keep areas dry and clean as much as possible to prevent situations that will become costly to repair in the long run.

Exterior moulding to change the house appearance

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 01:31:00 +0000

Are you looking to make some changes to the exterior look of your house; then why not try some external mouldings? There are a number of different profiles to choose; from classical facades to ultra-modern.

Exterior moulding can be used to frame windows, doors and the sides of a home and are available in a wide variety of styles and types. Exterior trim and moulding can also add detail to roof lines, gables or porches.

As a visual, aesthetic element to exterior home design, moulding is a simple and inexpensive way to remodel or update a home's exterior.

Wood moulding is one of the less common moulding options because of its tendency to warp with exposure to heat and moisture. However, wood can be handcrafted into several elaborate design styles, making it an ideal choice for restored historical homes.

Plastic exterior moulding is a more common material choice because it is resistant to weather damage. It is typically a single, solid piece, which means that some designs that are possible in handcrafted wood moulding are not possible in plastic moulding.

It's important to choose exterior moulding in a style and colour that compliments the overall exterior design of the home, as well as the surrounding landscape. For example, a minimalist home with simplistic moulding is better than ornately detailed handcrafted wood moulding.

External mouldings have the advantage of being lightweight and are relatively easy to work with compared to conventional building products and techniques. They look like high end concrete but weigh only a fraction as much - and often cost only a fraction as much as well.

They can be installed during the initial construction of a home or building, or added on as decorative moulding after construction. Installation is as easy as adhering them to the wall surface. With a wide range of finish options available, lightweight building products can also make your finished project look amazing! And the insulation properties of the products give you an added benefit (and value to your property).

Window sills not only increase the curb appeal of your windows, but are also designed to prevent water damage around windows. Sills are designed with a slope running from back to front to force water away from your windows, preventing water from accumulating and leaking into your windows preventing rot or mould growth because of water and moisture.

Because of this, exterior sills make an ideal window sill replacement for those who have known the trouble of replacing a window sill. Exterior sills may be adhered to brick, stone, stucco, ICF and EIFS and siding.

Exterior moulding contributes to a home's value by increasing the curb appeal of the home. Selecting appropriate exterior moulding is an essential component to home renovation. Exterior trim and moulding also provides an opportunity to add colour to a home's exterior. Trim and moulding make a home look finished, increasing the overall value of the home.

When our clients are looking for a building design that makes their house stand out from their neighbours, whether it’s for a residential home, granny flat or kit home, we will often make suggestions to vary the design by using different profiles of external moulding.

Louvre windows make an ideal artistic statement

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 04:49:00 +0000

Louvre windows were once considered a thing of the past. However, like many styles of past eras, they are once again in fashion.

They look great in a 1 or 2 bedroom granny flat and allow air to flow through almost 100% of the window area.

When opened, louvres are like free air conditioning which is great especially when your home is based in tropical climates like Queensland. You get to control the strength of the breeze or to ensure the Louvre is sealed tight to keep water and wind out by a simple close of the handle.

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Paving a Way with Pavers

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 01:11:00 +0000

Paving a way with pavers to landscape requires a commitment of putting pen to paper to be guaranteed of some form of success.

You will get a much clearer idea of the scale you need to work with. And let's face it, it is much easier to draw out your landscape ideas on paper than to manually start the job and decide half way through that it is not working out how you envisaged it.

SOIL AND SITE CLASSIFICATIONS

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 01:25:00 +0000

Soil classifications are extremely important when looking to build a granny flat in any Australian
backyard. A builder and engineer need to know how reactive or problematic the soil is to determine what kind of footings each granny flat will have. We have provided exerts relevant to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission ruling.

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How to create more kitchen storage space

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 06:07:00 +0000

Many of us believe that we don’t have the storage space that we need within our kitchen. This is perhaps one of the top reasons as to why people invest in remodelling their kitchen. However, there are plenty of ways that you can add storage space to your kitchen without throwing a lot of money at it. Here are a couple of good ideas.

Add shelving:

The easiest way of adding storage space to any room, no matter how big or small, is to add shelves to the room. This is a simple job to do and shouldn’t take you more than ten minutes for each shelf. All you need is a couple of shelves, some screws and a drill.

Anybody with an ounce of DIY prowess should be able to accomplish this. Some of the best places to add shelves include the corners of the room where often it goes unused.

If you have a lot of cabinets, why not consider adding a ‘stem’ rack underneath? Again, this job is as simple as installing shelves. All you do is screw them underneath the cabinet. These can hold any glass with a stem, and some of them are even capable of holding wine bottles. This is perfect if you want to add a lot of storage space to your kitchen.

Making better use of walls:

If you have a lot of pots, pans and knives why not consider storing them on the walls as opposed to in the cabinets? This can free up a lot of space and make the kitchen look interesting. You can purchase magnetic strips for your knives and pegboards for your pots and pans from any good retailer of kitchenware.

Cabinet inserts:

You could even look into the option of cabinet inserts. These effectively double the amount of shelf space that you have available within your cabinets. Again, you can purchase these from any decent home store, and they shouldn’t be too expensive to purchase either!

Additional benches:

If you have a bit of space in the centre of the room then perhaps you could look into the option of a bench with storage space underneath. This isn’t an idea for everybody, but it could add a real sense of character to your room. Make sure you have enough space to move around with afterwards of course! You could even purchase a small bench to use as your ‘preparation’ bench if you are looking to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

When the Nova Group is designing for a granny flat or a kit home, we are acutely aware of building kitchens into a compact area. It can be challenging but there are always good options to be creative.

Laying ceramic tiles over vinyl flooring in bathroom

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 02:19:00 +0000

An old vinyl floor can be a good base for ceramic tile if the floor is stiff enough and the vinyl is properly prepared — eliminating the problem of tearing it up. This article explains what to look for and how to do it.

Old vinyl floors in bathrooms are a pain to tear up, and if the vinyl was installed before 1980 it may even contain asbestos. However, if you don't mind raising the height of the floor a little, you can usually tile right over it, even directly on the vinyl, and thus not have to deal with the asbestos issue at all.

Ceramic tile requires a stiff base to keep it and the grout from cracking. So the first thing you have to do is check the thickness of your floor. You can usually figure the thickness by pulling up a floor register or removing the door threshold. If the ceiling is open below the floor, you can often tell from where plumbing penetrates the floor. As a last resort, remove the toilet and examine the area around the ring; you'll have to pull the toilet anyway at some point.

If your floor framing is spaced 16 in. apart, the combination of subfloor plus underlayment (a second layer of plywood directly under the vinyl) should add up to at least 1-1/8 in. If it's 24 in. apart, it should add up to 1-1/2 in. If the floor is less than this, it probably isn't stiff enough to lay tile directly on vinyl. In that case use tiling Method 1, and add either 1/4- or 1/2-in. cement board to build it up. Keep in mind that in doing so, you'll be raising the floor level 1/2 to 3/4 in. (cement board plus 1/4-in. tile), which means that you'll have to trim the door, raise the vanity, extend the toilet ring, and make a new transition to the hallway.

If your floor is already stiff enough, you can lay the tile directly over the vinyl using Method 2. With this method you only build your floor up 1/4 in. However, if you choose this method, you should be aware of the asbestos issue. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that was used in many products including vinyl tile, asphalt tile, sheet flooring and adhesives made until 1980. So if your floor was laid after 1980, it won't contain asbestos unless the installer used older materials. You can clean and sand it to improve tile adhesion, or even tear it out.

However, if you have an older home, and don't know when the floor was laid, do not sand it or disturb it. Simply strip off the old grime and wax with an ammonia-based cleaner. When it's dry, apply a little tile adhesive and let it dry to test for good adhesion. If thin-set mortar with an acrylic additive doesn't stick well, try a mastic-type adhesive. Both are available at home centres and tile stores.

In any case, tighten any loose flooring by screwing down the entire surface with galvanized wood screws spaced every 6 in. Add more screws in obviously loose areas. For more information visit http://www.familyhandyman.com/tiling/tile-installation/how-to-tile-bathroom-floors/step-by-step

Owner Build Granny Flats

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:25:00 +0000

Easier & faster to build, owning a granny flat in WA is a rising trend.

These secondary dwellings have consistently proved to be another source of income especially for the retired people facing challenging economic crisis. Many of the older blocks of land around Australia are large and valuable, yet the living space is small. Wise investors can see the potential. Even wiser investors can see a bigger potential when they have the time to become an owner builder and construct their own secondary dwellings.

Granny flats by the Nova Group provide excellent living options and the many variations to choose from have proved equally attractive in several states across the length & breadth of the Australian sub-continent.

These small home solutions are also very popular as granny flats for Sydney & granny flats for Melbourne. The Nova Group owner build granny flat means you can build to your time frame and more importantly to your budget. Having Nova provide you with all the materials and drawings and you providing the labour content, you end up with a second dwelling that is very cost effective and to be proud of.

Constructing Detached Granny Flats in NSW as Owner Builder

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:07:00 +0000

Like for a new house, an owner builder of a granny flat must essentially make sure to comply and meet the requirements of the NSW Housing Code. It generally includes specifications largely applying to height, site coverage, floor area & building setbacks.

Though this criterion is normally used in the NSW Housing Code, it also applies collectively to the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP when you are constructing a granny flat. Permissible maximum site coverage the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP includes for the granny flat is along with the house.

Offering respite, no other private open space or parking area is required to be provided for the granny flat apart from what is already available with the existing residence.

Owner builders generally require the backing of an experienced team to ensure they are on the right track to achieve a successful outcome. When they purchase their granny flat kit me from the Nova Design Group, the service and advice they receive is second to none.

Granny Flats are Popular Solutions for Extended Families

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 31 May 2013 08:57:00 +0000

Aimed to decrease disruption to the existing structure, granny flats have fast emerged as a popular solution for many extended families in Australia. The Nova Group specializes in designing and building 1 and 2 bedroom granny flats throughout Queensland and New South Wales where constructing a granny flat is hassle free to you because their expert team takes care of all the approvals, insurance and building infrastructure.

Nova offers a streamlined service that includes building on level foundations as well as more complicated situations where land is prone to flooding and is on a slope.

Nova prides itself on being creative in designing for their vast range of granny flats. A granny flat floor plan modified to fit all the day to day luxuries of a house into a small living area requires talent to ensure the area is workable, functional and comfortable for the resident.

Granny flats as a secondary dwelling serves as a boon for extended families saving you money in the long term by turning valuable land space into an income producing asset when the granny flat is rented out. With the demand for rental properties on the rise, decent tenants are willing to pay for rent as much as they would to live in the main house.

Granny Flats are Booming in S.E. Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 31 May 2013 04:47:00 +0000

Especially popular along the south-eastern coast line ever since the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP policy was announced, Granny Flat Melbourne, Granny Flat Sydney & Granny Flat Gold Coast constructions have witnessed a similar boost as more and more people are taking advantage of this cost effective living option. Granny Flats in WA are also adopting this cost effective trend.

Granny flats are small homes that are also ideal for the first home buyers. This this example, it contains 2 bedrooms each with their own en-suite and a double car park. Make further en quires by contacting the Nova Group on 07 3385 0698.

Property investors have also shown a keen interest to use this opportunity as a business prospect. There is even a trend where a large number of people are choosing to convert garages into a legal granny flat by gaining approval through a Complying Development or Development Application (DA). A garage cannot become a liveable area unless it meets certain legal requirements. The financial depression and current affordable housing crisis have equally contributed in establishing the construction of granny flats as a viable alternative.

Building a Granny Flat

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 31 May 2013 04:34:00 +0000

Building a granny flat or a small extension to your existing house is relatively quite simple. It is required that the granny flat you plan to build must adhere to the policy on heights, site coverage, maximum floor area & building setbacks.

It is also advisable that when you look forward to constructing a granny flat you might as well speak to an architect or a building designer expert like the Nova Design Group who could guide you through the kind of development.

If the development is an extension to the existing house, which is different to a standalone granny flat, generally there are no lot size restrictions. All granny flats are nevertheless subject to meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia.

Eligible Criteria for Owner Builder License

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Fri, 31 May 2013 04:14:00 +0000

Any person can apply for an Owner Builder license provided you own the development land. In the case where there is more than one owner, it is essential that all owners must consent for application. However, it is sensibly recommended that the owner with the most appropriate skill-set take up the lead and come forward as the primary applicant. Even companies can apply for an owner builder permit.

Gaining your owner builder license requires due diligence on your behalf to ensure that you are familiar with the many aspects involved in the preliminary set up through to how to handle and manage finances and trades people. The Queensland Building Services Authority (BSA) provide a very detailed outline of all the different requirements that an owner builder needs to consider before beginning.

It would be well worth your while to spend as long as it takes to prepare yourself in advance administratively so that the process can go as smoothly as possible.

When you are preparing to become an owner builder, you will be bound under the Act prepared by the State of Australia. In Queensland for example, you will be bound by the QBSA Act 1991, and this Act allows persons (who are not licensed buildng contractors) to build their own home on land that is owned by them.

Without any restrictions on the number of owner builder licences for the same site, an owner builder needs to get Public Liability Insurance for the project before he begins work.

The Nova Group works with many owner builders, especially those persons who are looking to build granny flats in rural areas, have the time to devote to the construction and want to save money. The Nova Group also makes the job of an owner builder very easy as they supply the appropriate working drawings to suit your location and take all the hassle out of deciding on the building materials as they delivery everything to your door step.

Granny Flats for Boomerang Generation

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Thu, 30 May 2013 05:56:00 +0000

Granny flats are a great financial and economic living proposition since the credit crisis which began 5 years ago culminating in the present depressive economic scenario.

Especially for the young generation who cannot afford to build homes of their own; granny flats are a simple, prompt and cost-effective solution.

Likewise, house building extensions carried out by the Nova Group who design and build granny flat designs can give ideas of how to prepare for a small area floor plan.

Moreover, when the government is planning to relax regulations, owning a granny flat is a smart idea.

It makes sound sense to take advantage of these proposals while they last and work out a granny flat floor plan to suit the availability of open area around your dwelling.

It would be a wise approach to opt for a granny flat design that can also be used as an office space for the growing number of people who work from home. Granny flats designed and built by the Nova Group are affordable and easily financed by our expert team.

Granny Flats for the Ipswich QLD area

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:20:00 +0000

Ipswich residents you may not be aware, but changes to regulations now allow a second dwelling to be built on a residential property, without council developmental approval.Does the idea of earning extra money from renting out a granny flat interest you?

By following the guidelines of a Single Residential (House) incorporating an Auxiliary Unit (Second Dwellings) you can avoid the hassle of needing to get council approval.

Under these guidelines the criteria of an Auxiliary Unit must not exceed 65m2 gross floor area, and must be attached to or associated with the house on the same lot.

Depending on the residential zone you are living in, there are different planning requirements to adhere by.

A property in the Large Lot Residential Zone (4000m2 – 6000m2) is classed self-assessable, meaning it doesn’t require developmental approval, if situated outside of the LLR2 sub area, larger than the minimum lot size and complying with the Self Assessable – Acceptable Solutions for Single Residential in the Residential Code.

A property in the Residential Low Density Zone is classed as self-assessable, if it is 450m2 or more in area and complying with the Self Assessable – Acceptable Solutions for Single Residential in the Residential Code.

The key requirement for lots more than 450m2 in area require the maximum area covered by all buildings and structures to not exceed; 60% of the lot area for lots less than 600m2, 50% of the lot area for lots greater than 600m2.

Auxiliary Units also need to be located adjoining, below, above or at the side or rear of the property. The Council’s preferred location is to the rear of the principle dwelling, however not mandatory.

The key requirement for lots less than 450m2 in area require the maximum area covered by all buildings and structures to not exceed 60% of the lot area.

So why not take advantage of this great opportunity, and reap the benefits of having a granny flat built on your property.

Exterior Wall Cladding for your Kit Home

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:22:00 +0000

One of the most common and economical external wall cladding being used on homes, townhouses and commercial buildings in the Australian market is the James Hardie “HardieFlex” and “HardiePlank Weatherboards”.

HardieFlex is a tough, hard-wearing, low maintenance flat sheet that makes it easy to achieve a smooth, painted finish and is used in the construction of granny flat and kit homes designed and built by the Nova Group. As well as a wall cladding, we also use the cladding for the eaves, veranda and carport soffit lining.The product is easy to work with, easily fixed to timber or metal frames, is low maintenance and can be quickly painted making it an idea product to achieve fast results.

Another common product we use is the HardiePlank which is known for its durability, versatility and colourful appearance. It is available as pre-primed or it can be sealed, primed and painted in the factory in a wide range of colours and arrives on site ready for fast and easy installation. Unlike wood, HardiePlank will stay looking good year after year and will stand up to the toughest weather conditions without cracking, peeling or chipping and it resists scratches and vermin damage.

HardiePlank Composition

HardiePlank is a combination of cellulose fibers, along with cement-like materials. In other words, it’s partly wood, partly cement. Break a piece of HardiePlank and inside you will see a brittle core interlaced with wood fibers.

A Green Building Material?

With everything in this day and age being about green and sustainability, HardiePlank makes for a strong argument because the cellulose fibers that are used do not come from endangered species of wood. The cement and sand used is certainly in great abundance and no toxic materials such as vinyl are used in the production. Add to this fact that the material lasts so long, especially if painted and properly maintained.

Is HardiePlank Fire Resistant?

HardiePlank is fire resistant, but not fireproof. Not even brick can completely protect a house from fire. HardiePlank does not contribute combustibles towards a fire like vinyl which is a petroleum product that significantly feeds the flames or wood that is obviously a highly combustible product. HardiePlank can be viewed as a type of neutral building material, as far as fire resistance goes.

It looks like Wood

Whilst on close inspection it does not look like wood, from a distance it does and it is this appearance and the cost when compared to wood is why the Nova Group uses this product, along with the fact that the kit home can be painted with any texture paint to give a finish to be proud of.

In Australia where carpenter ants and termites are always a problem for wood siding materials, insects do not care about HardiePlank because even though it does have that cellulose fiber, there is not enough of it to interest them. HardiePlank is considered to be insect resistant.

What is the cost?

HardiePlank is not a cheap product when compared with vinyl but is the best option when compared with the cost of wood. The Nova Group prefers this product over any other because it is tough, there is no shortage and is easily accessible.

Roof Repairs

noreply@blogger.com (Nova Design Group) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:57:00 +0000

Repairing the roof could be the most important home improvement

When a roof becomes damaged from a storm or is in need of repair the issue immediately becomes urgent. A roof is often taken for granted, that it will last forever simply because it is out of normal vision. Yet, despite the fact that we seldom look upwards to consider that the roof might need some attention, putting attention to the roof gets put into the “too hard” basket.

Taking chances by not checking the roof on a regular basis can be a very expensive exercise, especially where the roof is in an area with interchangeable weather like stormy winters with heavy rain, strong winds or thick snow or where the sun beats down on the land causing the land to become parched and dry and materials to become brittle and lose their integrity.

Any leak or problem with the roof surface no matter how insignificant it might be in the beginning will cause a bigger problem in the future. The leak might appear in the summer time during a rainy day. You are aware of the leak, but the next day the sun is out in full force again and you go about your business and forget the leak. But, the leak doesn’t go away and over the months and years to follow the damage will be magnified and the cost to repair will be much higher than if the leak had been attended to from the beginning.

When a roof problem occurs, the solution can be one of the options below:

• Repairing the roof can be a simple DIY (Do It Yourself) where no help is needed. Handymen are quite capable of repairing a damaged roof or leak. And for obvious reasons security measures should be taken while working on the roof because it can be really hazardous and accidents do occur. Common sense principles must always be applied.

• Alternatively, DIY might not be for you and so a professional company or person equipped to fix the roof will need to be called. In any case, it is always better to be safe than sorry!.

A few suggestions to look out for:

1. Ensure roof drains are clog free from airborne materials and trees that constantly lose their leaves.

2. Look for damaged nails wear and tear. Corroding nails leave microscopic holes that invite water in.

3. Improperly hung gutters and gutter placement is critical. A strong wind is enough to tamper with the gutter system and divert rain onto the roof.

4. Moss can be hazardous because it retains moisture and then begins to drip.

5. Roofs must be properly and sufficiently insulated.

6. Evidence of past DIY repairs from improper plastering to inadequately plugged-up holes.

The Nova Group uses Colorbond roofing materials and takes extra care when installing a roof for any of the granny flats or kit homes they construct.