Construction & Glazing Blog

Plain concrete with a broom or trowel finish is the most budget-friendly choice and suits clean, modern homes. It can be coloured, and a good sealer helps it resist oil and tyre marks.

Exposed aggregate shows the stones in the mix, which hides dirt well and gives extra grip on sloping driveways. It costs a little more, but it is very hard-wearing and needs only an occasional reseal.

Under the Building Code of Australia, a balustrade is generally needed where a floor, deck or stair is more than 1 metre above the ground below. Most residential balustrades must be at least 1 metre high.

Glass panels must be toughened safety glass of the right thickness for the fixing system. Pool fencing has its own rules, so always use an installer who works to the relevant Australian Standards.

Cement render is strong and cost-effective, and works well on brick and block walls. It is usually painted once cured, and can show fine cracks if the wall moves.

Acrylic render contains polymers that make it more flexible, so it resists cracking better and suits lightweight cladding and foam panels. It often comes pre-coloured, which saves on painting.

A pergola creates a full outdoor room over a patio or deck. Opening louvre roofs let you control sun and rain, which makes them popular for year-round entertaining.

Canopies suit entries and doorways, where a glass canopy keeps rain off while letting light through. Awnings are the best fit for shading windows and shopfronts from harsh afternoon sun.