Advice wanted Granite or Caesarstone?
This seems to be a common misconception, it depends on the quality of sealer and the stone some what, have spoken to two different stone masons both supplying to premium…
Foam panel insulation
How do foam boards go in a fire? Isn't polystyrene rather flammable and give off extremely toxic fumes when burning?
Happy to be proved wrong, just curious?
Neighbor's External Air Con Noise - LOUD
I think the EPA regulations set a maximum of 60db at 1m...
Motorised awning window actuators?
Hi,
Looking at retro-fitting electric winders to existing awning windows at the top of a raked ceiling...
I know they can do it to new windows quite easily but i'm struggling to…
Shower tap or flick mixer?
I'm not entirely sure...in the plans it just says tempered water to bathrooms, i'm assuming it just means the hot water is pre-mixed using a "tempering valve" with cold water…
Shower tap or flick mixer?
What do you think about flick mixers in showers instead of taps?
Good or bad?
Have selected flick mixers in the new house however have some concerns about getting the right temperature/flow…
Granite benchtops
We have a 55cm "overhang" in 30mm granite, to do it they had to hide a piece of 2 pac MDF to support it underneath so the unsupported overhang ended…
How to size ac's for 6 star homes?
The house is having R4.1 in the ceiling and R3.0 in the walls...not sure if its getting foil though...the builder is higher end so expect it will have foil.
Decided…
Is it the right time
Fu
I'm no expert but this has been my experience, we have two couch lawns (not sure on the exact variety) in the Adelaide hills, our front lawn wasn't watered the…
Ducted heat transfer
Yes, very successful, ours has a low hum from the motor however it is over 20 years old. Have a combustion heater in one room and use it to transfer…
Open Fireplace
Hi,
Don't know anything about construction, however have you considered having a slow combustion insert put into the open fire?
They produce allot more heat and are far more efficient, as open…
Bio Ethanol Fireplace
Ambience only, they don't put out much heat. Get some ethanol and pour a small amount into a small metal dish, light it and feel the heat coming off it...that…
How to size ac's for 6 star homes?
For our house they had to run it through the software and make some minor modifications to achieve the six star, mainly double glazing to the upstairs living areas of…
Undermount rangehoods
Appliance Guru
"you are going to have SMELLS throughout an open living area on Clothes, Furniture etc (Hmmmm i personally prefer not too)"
Sorry but i've never had a problem with this...…
Undermount rangehoods
I'm confused why people make such a big deal about rangehoods... If i was buying a show off one then of course spend the big bucks (which we have at…
Do you regret getting a ceramic cooktop?
Have a 6 year old Ceramic (glass?) Miele cooktop, not a single scratch or mark on it and use it at least 2-3 times a week. I love how seamless…
Kitchen design thought? Approx costing?
Thanks Earl,
Yes its for the installed cost. We've been expecting to have to pay significantly more for the joinery, just not sure how much. We can use any contractor we…
Kitchen design thought? Approx costing?
Hey,
So this is my kitchen design for my new holiday house, any suggestions? Problems people can see? It's all to scale and the redline indicates the wall.
Insulation ideas for new home?
Hi,
I don't know allot about brands etc, but just figured i would share my experience. I designed a duplex house without taking and consideration to thermal efficiency however it…
How to size ac's for 6 star homes?
Hi,
So basically have a 6 star thermal efficiency rating for a new house design, (6 star was mandatory). Anyway as its only a holiday house installing a split system, one…
Would you buy a house without a gas point?
In SA 6 star is already mandatory, it is more important to old people who have the money to care about the environment... so in the more expensive end a…
Split system - effective through into other rooms
You'll get some effect, we have a 400m2 house with only one 8.1kW split system in the main room, the thermal mass of the house keeps the temp fairly consistent…
Underbench Mircrowave?
Not really concerned about safety to be honest, most microwaves have a child lock if it was a problem, i just really wasn't sure if people considered them normal or…
Bosch Or Smeg Oven/Cooktop
Sad to hear, i really do like my Smeg oven, i haven't actually looked at appliances in the flesh yet for our new house...but come to think of it i…
Underbench Mircrowave?
Do u mean where the microwave is supported above the bench but not in like an oven tower?
If so i think its actually one of the most practical options because…
Underbench Mircrowave?
Not really...i think it just becomes natural to bend over slightly or stand out abit so u can see the face, u can put a metal face around it like…
Underbench Mircrowave?
Ye i have never found the bending an issue...my logic is if u can have an underbench oven whats the difference?
I'm really glad most people have been so positive about…
Does your balcony leak?
Agree about the builders, the two builders who pretty well said they wouldn't do them were cheaper big name builders, the third who was a local builder, highly regarded with…
Does your balcony leak?
Hi
When we were getting quotes for a holiday house design we originally had balconies over two living areas, three different builders said they strongly recommended against them due to the…
Bosch Or Smeg Oven/Cooktop
I haven't cooked with a Bosch but have Smeg oven, then everything else Miele, i am very happy with my Smeg oven, its well built in terms of construction quality,…