….a journey and adventure into house design
Internal Plastering is progressing…
Mar 8th
After waiting around 2-3 weeks the internal plastering has finally started…we are edging closer towards to completion of the house. My estimate is that it will be another 3-4 months until complete…well at least I hope so!
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...Yes, it’s a beautiful site…
Feb 20th
Funny, but I was thinking wether any work would get done on the weekend and to my shock…the roof was done and dusted on Saturday afternoon.
I talked to my neighbor and he said there was a team of around 5 or 6 work from around 8am till 1pm to get the colorbond roofing on! wow, that amazingly quick. I’m impressed. It looks great
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Insulation + Solar HWS Rebate withdrawn…
Feb 19th
The Australian government today announced that the Insulation Rebate and also the SHW system rebate would be stopped immediately. This is due to multiple deaths associated with the insulation rebate due to shonky workmanship and not enough training and check put in place by the government.
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2010/mr20100219.html
http://www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/solarhotwater/index.html
Now we added a variation to our contract to get a Solar HWS installed and with the rebates it is coming to around $1000, but we have not filled in the forms for the rebate. From the web site information, as long as the unit has been ordered before the 19th of Feb we are OK and can receive the whole rebate of $1600. I have check with our CRO (Customer Relationship Officer) and she has confirmed that they have already ordered the unit which is great! Phewww.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Gutters..on..
Feb 18th
The gutters and colorbond roof sheeting (Surf Mist in color) were delivered yesterday..I didn’t expect the gutters to be attached to the house the next day, but I was surprised. See for yourself!
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Gas, Water and Electrical wiring – Done
Feb 17th
It looks like a lot of work has been going on. The Gas has been run, the electrical is in and so are the water pipes. They did miss some chasing to the OPL area for a power point and another gas point but I have advised Ventura and it will get done. The Sensor wire for the Solar Hot Water system has also been put in.
Gas Lines are yellow..
Water pipes are grey..
I remember water pipes used to be copper, now they are grey plastic. I say it’s a good idea, as they don’t corrode.
Our Customer Relations Officer called us today to tell us we also needed another Meter Box for the Gas as the gas pressure in our area is too low and they need a bigger box. They said they can’t take out the current one and replace it, but rather put another on in. I’m a bit annoyed about this, but it is hidden away so it’s not that bad.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Solar Passive Design Information/Reading..
Feb 16th
Here are some useful links for Solar Passive Design ideas I have tried to use in the build of our home. I hope they come in handy for you!
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/ – Your Home Technical Manual
http://www.clean.energy.wa.gov.au – Government of WA – Office of Energy
http://www.designingforclimate.com.au – Think Brick – Climate Design Wizard
http://www.ecospecifier.org/knowledge_base/technical_guides – Ecospecifier Technical Guides
http://www.homeone.com.au – Australian Home Forum – very useful – full of info.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Sarking vs. Concertina Foil Batts
Feb 16th
Well we had previously looked at getting Sarking under the roof to reduce radiant heat penetrating the house (97% radiant heat reduction), but this came out being to expensive with the builder…around $4K! I have in the meantime been investigating other options and I have found “Concertina Foil Batts”.
It is an interesting product and is easy to retro-fit, by just laying it ontop of the insulation batts. Roof trusses are still exposed so you are able to walk on the timber if you need to do any kind of work in the ceiling. The technical specs are equivilent to sarking by reducing 97% of radiant heat downward flow.
With all the news coverage in regards to foil insulation (Government Insulation Rebate $1200), I’m concerned in terms of installation and electrocution! Talking with the company they have said that most incidents have occurred in QLD where the electrical work has been shody and installers have used staples to fasten the foil insulation into the beams. In the cases where the people have been electrocuted has been when they have stapled through live wires. Concertina bats are just laid ontop of the insulation batts without stapling…mmmm..still considering what I should do!
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Roof Construction – Day 3
Feb 10th
Looks like the roofies have finished the job. Although I have noticed that the alfresco ceiling timber are incorrect. They should be at 32 corse, not 28. I have advised the supervisor and it is getting fixed!
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Roof Construction – Day 1
Feb 5th
The roofies has started work…the trusses laying ontop of the brickwork have been completed.
The good news is that the wall has also been fixed. It is now straight. It seems that they didn’t knock down the whole wall, so I’m unsure of how they actually straightened it out! Maybe they placed select bricks in order to do this?!
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...