“Keep Your Cool”

Summer is here, so keep your cool by:

1. Think:  Insulation  

Insulating your home will improve your lifestyle, keep the summer heat and the winter cold outside (where it belongs) and will reduce energy consumption, which everyone is interested in these days.

As well, insulated home requires much less expensive heating and cooling than an uninsulated one, leading to significant (50%) energy savings.

When selecting batts; the higher the quoted R Value, the greater the ability to resist heat flow.

The roof of your home is the greatest source of heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, so ceiling insulation is important.  The ceilings of existing homes with pitched roofs can be insulated easily (especially on a cool days!), roof spaces can get HOT as.

To be effective, installation of insulation must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, instructions and details.  There should be no gaps between batts, ceiling joints or wall studs.

2. Outdoor Living

Well planned outdoor living areas can provide additional living space at a minimum cost.

In Wollongong , welcome north-easterly winds prevail on summer afternoons.

Placing the veranda, terrace or deck on the northern side of the house will not only utilise these breezes but also will provide protection from winter southerly winds.

Damaging summer sun can be eliminated and warming winter sun allowed to penetrate through careful planning of the roof.

A canopy over a deck open to the north would provide full shade in summer while allowing winter sun to penetrate.

Also consider the relationship between the terrace, veranda or deck and the internal living spaces of the house.

How Can I Get My Project Started?

If you are thinking of building then you already know how hard it is to find correct information.  Just to find out what it would cost to build can be a major undertaking.  What kind of quality level is needed, which of approvals and possibilities you should know about before you start the actual project…..it’s a lot, that’s where an architect can help.

1. Firstly write down what it is you want and need.  Be as clear as possible about what you want to achieve, what you need and what you can afford.  This is called the “brief”. You can include notes, drawings, photographs and clippings from magazines.

2. When you first meet with your architect briefly outline the nature of your project and the budget you have in mind.  The architect can assist you in clarifying and formulating your brief.  Discuss the services the architect will provide and the stages of the project.

3. Have a look at past projects designed by the architect to see if you like the designs.

4. You may ask for client references.  Are previous clients satisfied with the services they received?  Is the client enjoying the solution designed for them?  Would the client recommend that architect?

5. Check the architect’s qualifications and registration.  If in doubt, check with the Board of Architects to ensure that they are registered as architects.