Home design tips

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Design tips:

• Face living areas towards the North. The extra light will make the space more enjoyable and increase thermal comfort in winter.
• Whenever possible avoid putting garages or storage spaces on the North side of houses as it will reduce access to sunlight for other areas of the home.
• 90 centimeter window & door overhangs will allow maximum penetration of sunlight in the winter and provide shade in the summer.
• Have lower window sills in living areas to allow maximum penetration of sunlight in winter.
• Do not put balconies off bedrooms. Balconies off bedrooms are rarely used.
• Always design spaces in 60cm increments. Most building materials are made in some multiple of this length.
• Decks, balconies and porches should never be less than 2 meters wide. They become unusable and non-ergonomic if their width is less than 2 meters.
• Bedrooms should be a minimum of 3 metres by 3 meters - for ergonomic reasons.
• Have an open plan (common space) area centered around the kitchen. Separate living, dining and cooking areas are a hold-over from a bygone era where wealthy homes had servants.
• Have a spacious outdoor area accessible from the common (open plan) area.
• Provide a private/quite area for individuals in the household where they can pursue there own activities and interests.

Construction tips:

• Use our construction cost estimator to help determine a "ballpark" cost.
• A concrete slab on ground with solid/thick walls internally and externally will give you a warmer house in winter and a cooler house in summer.
• Build the house with a well insulated roof or concrete roof. This is best for energy efficiency.
• Cost effective methods of construction utilise timber wall frames and simply designed timber trusses on brick piers.
• Simply designed trussed roofs are the most economical.
• Start collecting second-hand doors, windows and kitchen cupboards to reduce construction costs.
• Auctions are a great place to source discounted construction materials and PC items such as basins, tubs, tiles, and taps.
• For cost effective timber flooring lay yellow tongue floor sheeting in a stacked bond arrangement. Sand and polish with 3 coats of polyurethane and a maximum percentage of black tint.