Asbestos is understandably a material that gives tradespeople, renovators and home buyers cause for concern. Exposure to this invisible hazardous material can cause fatal lung diseases with symptoms able to go undetected for decades. Asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003 and it is now banned in all other OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and…
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Backyard granny flats are facing a new future as state governments pull back on regulations around secondary dwellings to ease Australia’s housing shortage. With a naming history that stems from the fact they were originally built for and could only be legally used by the homeowner’s family members, granny flats have been given new government…
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Fly screens are a common fixture on many homes, but what if you have an awkward window or door you need to protect? Retractable fly screens are the perfect answer for extra-wide or unusual spaces in your home, such as bi-fold and French doorways or casement and awning windows. Retractable fly screens can also add…
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Australians are no strangers to natural disasters with a KPMG analysis in September 2023 revealing 18 million were impacted by at least one natural disaster the previous year. An El Niño event on the east coast this summer, plus a positive Indian Ocean Dipole event (IOD) on the west coast, resulted in a double whammy…
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Along with your kitchen, your bathroom is the most widely used and indispensable area in your house. It can also be the most expensive to update and repair as both electrical and plumbing work may be needed. So, choose fixtures and fittings such as tapware carefully and with an eye on your wallet. Let’s take…
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When you think of tinted windows, it’s usually cars, rather than your home, that come to mind. But your home can also benefit from the privacy, security, energy savings and value that tinted windows provide when used on your car. Window tinting film comes in different formats and price ranges; and you won’t lose sight…
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Keen green thumbs or those who enjoy spending their downtime outdoors will soon notice if the garden retaining wall has seen better days. As with all parts of a house or garden, these walls require regular maintenance to stay in the best shape. It is wise to remember that retaining walls are usually a safety…
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It’s hard to believe households once managed without the modern simplicity of clothes washing machines. Yet washing machines as we know them have only been widely available and relatively affordable since the 1950s. Ancient times The Romans were the first people to recreate clothes washing into a commercial business with “fullone” men undertaking public clothes…
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You don’t have to be a green thumb or have a big garden to experience the special joy of picking and eating homegrown produce. No gardening experience is needed to do this and both homeowners and renters can grow these gardens, even if you only have a balcony. Plus, with grocery prices higher than ever,…
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In a perfect world, people could leave their doors and windows wide open 24/7 without fear of unwanted intrusions. Those who live in remote areas may still be able to do so but, if you live in the suburbs, you will want to put security first. A surprisingly high number of thieves enter homes through…
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