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Getting the Most Out of Your General Contractor

If you are thinking about hiring a general contractor, you should read my blog before you pick up the phone or send that email. I am not a general contractor myself, but I have just finished restoring my home. It was a big project that involved working with multiple contractors over an extended period of time. Although I am not a professional, I learnt an awful lot about how to get the most out of a team of contractors and how to keep a project on schedule and under budget. I also learnt a thing or two about the work they were carrying out.

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Getting the Most Out of Your General Contractor

Cladding Materials You Could Choose For Your Granny Flat

by Kurt Lawson

Initially, cladding was incorporated into construction for the primary reasons of keeping the structure protected from the changing elements. Most recently, homeowners are becoming aware that the cladding they choose can provide them with additional functionalities depending on the material that it is made from. Whether you would like enhanced insulation during the summer and winter or if you would like your cladding to function as a design element, you will find a host of options to choose from. Here are some of the cladding materials that you could select when constructing an extension such as a granny flat on your premises.

Weatherboard

In Australia, weatherboard is the most commonly available cladding material that you will find. This timber material was manufactured for the sole purpose of providing Australian structures with adequate protection against the unpredictable weather changes that occur all year round. It comprises multiple planks of wood that are arranged to overlap each other, which ensures that rainwater is redirected away from the structure and into your drainage systems. Therefore, weatherboard would be a perfect choice if weather-tightness is your main concern when in search of cladding,  Some of the species of timber used in the manufacture of weatherboards include pre-treated pine, cypress, cedar and more.

Vinyl

One of the biggest misconceptions homeowners have about vinyl is that this plastic-like material would not be a good long-term solution when it comes to weather protection. In reality, the manufacture of vinyl cladding has seen significant technological advancements, which have worked to make this one of the most durable materials that you could consider. In addition to this, vinyl cladding is available in a vast assortment of textures, profiles and colours. This broad range of choices makes it suitable for homeowners looking for cladding that would be able to match the current siding installed on their primary structure. Another little-known advantage of investing in vinyl cladding is the sound insulation properties it lends to the structure too!

Solid brick

Although brick is a primary construction material, you can also use solid brick as siding for your structure. This type of cladding also referred to as double brick siding, comprises two layers of bricks that are attached to the exterior of the structure. Solid brick cladding is particularly beneficial if you would like to enhance the thermal properties of your structure, which would lead to a boost in the energy efficiency of your extension. 

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