9 Star Homes the Easy Way

Energy efficient homes are here to stay and one thing’s clear, builder, Gary Wright is leading the way.  He builds 8 and 9 Star rated homes for as little as $220,000.

In this interview Gary explains how he used passive solar design principles, and performance glass to build the Jade 909, an affordable 9 Star display home.

The Jade 909 offers an amazing 119% reduction in energy and 76% reduction in water use compared to a standard home in Perth using the WA Sustainability tool. 

This interview is proudly brought to you by Viridian New World Glass

Listen Now (Track 3)


Visit Gary's website for more information about the Jade 909 and his business - www.righthomes.com.au

You may also like to subscribe to the new Viridan Glass blog.  It's called Glass Talks.  We have been finding it to be a quick and easy way to learn more about performance glass and tips like how to assess glass after flood damage.

We take a close look at changes to AS1684-2010, the Australian Standard for Residential Timber-framed Construction

AS1684, commonly referred to as the Timber Framing Code was updated in 2010.  It is now available for purchase and it will be formally referenced in the Building Code of Australia in May 2011.

Listen to our interview and learn about key technical and editorial changes such as alternative and simplified tie-down systems for high wind areas, information on engineered wood products and adjustments to span tables.

This interview was sponsored by Wood Solutions

Listen Now (Track 1) 
  

Broadcast Builder Edition 6 also includes a discussion with Garry Mercer from Masterton Homes that reveals some of Jim Masterton's secrets to success thanks to the support of Hudson Building Supplies.

We also talk to Kennards Hire about the benefits of hiring versus buying, David Baggs from Ecospecifier about 'Thermal Mass' and tell you can use Stiletto Hammers to avoid and tennis elbow, a painful condition common in builders and carpenters. 

Learn how you can win $529 worth of Milwaukee tools

Learn more about the latest edition

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We're excited to tell you about a course that will teach you how to manage projects like the best of them.

• Do you need help streamlining your project management?
• Would you like your projects completed on time and budget?
• Are you using Microsoft Project properly?
• Do you understand how a “Critical Path” is generated?

Then this course is for you.

It's a 2 Day MS Project Course run by Ivor Kosowitz from Fast Track on the Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th of March

John O’Neill, O’Neill Construction, Sydney, writes:
“The knowledge I gained from the few hours was more “relevant” information on planning projects than I received over numerous courses over 30 years in this business. Just do it!”

View the course outline and get more information about Ivor and Fast Track Solutions

Cost: $795 plus GST

Reserve your place NOW! Email or call Ivor (08) 9275-9188
 

"A well documented religiously kept Site Diary is one of the best things you can do to protect the value of your work in a Payment dispute, yet it is one of the rarest things to find.

In this article, Anthony Igra from Contractors Debt Recovery explains the value of keeping records on site.

Standards Australia has announced key changes to the revised Standard for Residential Slabs and Footings (AS2870)

The revised Standard will:

• Place more emphasis on description and specification of the design and construction requirements necessary to limit the occurrence of abnormal moisture
conditions

• Provide extensive advice on design and construction to minimise the effects of aggressive soils, including highly saline soils and acid sulphate soils.

• Be extended to include informative appendices on deep footing systems and design for particular tree effects

 

Tennis elbow is a painful condition common in builders and carpenters.  It's medical name is epicondylitis. 

Lateral epicondylitis is a type of over-use syndrome that often develops after repetitive use (doing the same task over and over). It is caused by inflammation of the tendons where the join onto the bone (the outside of the elbow).

Management and preventative strategies can include:

- the use of a light-weight, ergonomic hammer
- correct hammering technique
  (don't drip too tight or close to the hammer head)
- wear a forearm brace
- visit a physio
 

Read more
Learn why Stiletto Hammers should be the next addition to your tool box.

Safety Alert - Harness Use

We found a great article about Harness Use in the latest edition of WorkSafe Victoria's construction newsletter.  

If you still take short-cuts on correct harness use, this article by height safety expert, Peter Ferguson is a must read.