Leaks in patios

/in /by

We’ve finally seen a break in this terrible weather and I’m sure if you’ve got a leaky patio in Brisbane you’ve certainly had enough with it by now!

Why do patios leak?

Patios can generally be bought down to one of four categories, and not all of them are due to bad tradmanship. The first thing you need to realise is that your new patio was more than likely an afterthought, you’ve decided to take advantage of Brisbane’s beautiful weather or create an entertaining area well after you’ve bought or built the house, a lot of the time it’s because your family is growing and your needs are changing. Due to this it can be very difficult finding a high spot on the house to attach the patio to so it can get a decent amount of fall to get that water away from the house and down in to the gutter.

Secondly, if a great Brisbane patio builder has finished their job and you have other trades come to your house to perform work this can potentially cause you problems. At Additions Building Company we find our leak problems come from clients that have had solar panels installed or electrical work done a few months after we’ve finished our job. You always hear the same story of it was fine for the first few months and then it started leaking and after talking with the client some more you realise they’ve had another trade on our roof. While we’ve only had two leaks in the past year or so they have been directly caused by other trades not sealing up their work after they have finished, it is generally pretty obvious where they’ve gone wrong.

The next problem I generally encounter are patios that have been built by people that just don’t specialise in this type of work and don’t understand how to use the materials properly. The biggest mistakes they make are; not folding the back of the sheet up to stop water running in to the back channel, not installing foam in the back channel to create a seal around the sheet end, not cleaning the fascia down properly before sealing the back channel to it or simply not knowing how to seal a back channel properly in the first place. Most of these things can be fixed after the patio has been built but why would you want to come back and do a job twice when you can do it right the first time! But a lot of the time it really just comes down to poor design by tradesman with a complete lack of understanding of the materials and in these cases my advice is always the same, employ someone who does this for a full time job and has a lot of experience in it, not someone who is a house framer or local handy man that is experiencing a downturn in their usual work and is looking to fill their gaps. You wouldn’t employ a jetski mechanic to fix an aircraft engine just because both jobs require a mechanic! Patio builders need to be specialised, also I would run a licence check on anyone you employ on the BSA website so see if they have any blemishes on their record as this will give you a good indication of if they’ll come back and fix any problems.

The last problem you’ll really experience for a leak in your patio roof in Brisbane is wind. Your patio has been designed to have a really low fall in it and normally has just foam and the sheet turned up against the house, however under certain wind conditions, like the ones we’ve seen recently, the wind can blow and push the water up and over the turn up and come through on to you underneath. When we’ve got really low roofs like this or you’ve got a dominant wind against the house we put a flashing over the back channel and cut it into the same shape as the roof profile to completely seal this off so you don’t get wet.

Building it yourself?

My final piece of advice for this week is, if you’re building your own patio you really need to pay attention to the fall and the joint to the house, if you get these two things wrong your patio is going to cause you all sorts of headaches. I spend and enormous amount of time and effort training all my new staff in these two aspects and because of this we have very very few leaks.

Decks1

Building a deck – From start to finish

/in /by

Ever wondered what the process is going to be for your project?

Here is an example of a deck we built recently for a client; the following is an explanation of the entire process from start to finish.

Debbie called and asked if we could come over and have a look at a project she had in mind, which was to build a deck over her existing garage. I turned up and met Debbie’s family and we talked about what she would like to do and what was possible, keeping in mind that we were working with an existing structure and of course keeping within the current building regulations. After drilling a few small pilot holes in her wall to see if it could withstand holding up the new deck and checking that we could get a good amount of head room, I worked out a design and a price that Debbie was happy with. After about a week and a half we had all the local authority permits and were ready to put materials and staff on site.

We started the project by pulling the tiles off the existing roof and demolishing the pine rafters, this left us a good clear space to start building. We then put up a pole plate to hold the joists at the house side and proceeded to install the joists and bearer. For this project we decided to go with LOSP treated LVL’s, while I don’t usually use these on a deck due to their poor weather qualities they were chosen as the deck is fully waterproofed for tiles and they are a lot easier to install than a traditional hardwood joist. I also chose to use a larger than necessary joist as this takes out any potential bounce in the deck and will stop tiles from cracking.

As we had limited head room we had to check out the joists over the pole plate, this does cut down on some of the strength of the joist so we also installed a joist hanger on each one to support it. A new bearer was also installed and put up with temporary props until the new hot dipped galvanised posts arrive, which are eventually put in to large concrete footings.

Martin then sealed all the joists in all the appropriate places, such as where a row of noggins are going to support the flooring and also at the ends of the joists where they can potentially get wet during a storm. We then started to lay the flooring, we decided to use a hardies product made out of compressed fibro board, this is both glued and screwed down and also has a 6mm gap between each sheet. This is so we can put a flexible joint in to help stop any tiles from cracking due to movement. Once the floor has been laid we then tape all the edges to get a nice clean line when installing the flexible joint, which is polyester filler.

After the floor has been finished holes need to be cut out to support all of the posts for the roof and handrails, these holes will eventually get the same flexible joint put around them too. To install these solid Kwila posts each one gets two 12mm bolts to connect it to the bearer and also have all their joining surfaces primed and sealed. Once the posts are all up the handrails are installed as well as the roof beam, these are all made from solid hardwood as this stuff lasts forever.

Now it’s time to put the roof up! Debbie went for a fully insulated roof and it couldn’t have been a better choice for the area, since we had such limited room we flashed under the existing roof to gain as much height as possible. After the roof sheeting was up and finished it was time to install the balustrade, which in this case is stainless steel wire. You have to be a bit careful with wire balustrade as there are a lot of regulations you need to be up to date with to be able to do it legally. Each wire is installed and tightened, which can be done in the future too in case they every come loose, and they are also supported at very short intervals. Once this is finished its time to install the flashings, gutters and fascias on to the roof to finish it off. We put a flashing under the tiles on the roof to ensure Debbie had no leaks back in to her house.

The next job is to install a pair of French doors, an opening was enlarged from an existing window and a new header was installed, this supports the house roof. The doors come pre hinged and fitted with all the locks and handles which makes this a very easy job for us. Architraves and beading is put around the edges of the door to finish it off and the installation of the doors is now complete.

The final job for Debbie’s wonderful new deck in Brisbane is the tilling, he arrives and puts down a waterproof membrane on the entire floor area, he starts to lay the tiles and when he’s done he uses a flexible grout and places a flexible joint against the house, as well as a drip line at the front.

The deck is now complete and Debbie and her family can put their new furniture on it!

– Gordon

tingalpa1

Positioning your patio

/in /by

How to position your new patio

One of the biggest challenges in designing your new patio in Brisbane is getting optimal daytime use out of it in regards to heat, light and ventilation.

Heat

As all us Brisbanites know, we cop a lot sun, especially during the summer months. The sun rises in the east, goes overhead and sets in the west. The morning sun isn’t too much of an issue for us but come midday we all know it can get a bit horrendous. If you choose to go down the road of an insulated patio this will block the midday sun from transferring the heat directly under the patio, where as a single skin patio heats up and will transfer it directly to you and your friends and family sitting underneath it. There are a few companies who will make outlandish claims to you about having special heat reflective single skin roofs, while they may be a degree or two cooler underneath than a standard single skin roof this is only enough for them to make this claim and not get in to trouble. Having had over 20 years experience in building this type of roof I can guarantee you that an insulated roof, and only an insulated roof, will stop the transfer of heat to you and your family underneath. While you will still get sun coming in from the sides we can overcome this for as long as possible by using what we call an overhang, where we extend the roof further than your patio areas foot print, this is just one of the tactics we can use to make sure you’re as cool as possible under your new patio. I make sure I train all my staff in these tactics, other examples of ways to battle the sun is; if your patio faces west we can lower the front as much as possible so we can give you more shade, If it faces north or south we’ll put in extra overhang on the roof or more often than not we’ll put a timber slat wall on the sides for extra shade protection.

Something that I find most patios designers fail to take in to account is what effect the sun will have on your patio during winter time. In the winter the sun is a lot lower in the sky which puts sun into the patio, in winter this isn’t a bad thing as we all know it’s far, far cooler sun and it will help to lighten up the whole area. If this is going to be an issue for your particular house we can leave the north face open as this will let the sun in as it travels through the day or in some circumstances we can even fall the patio back on to your house, this will let in loads of light and winter sun. There is always a way to make your new patio as useful and effective as possible all its take is a bit of thought. All of my staff are highly trained in patio positing and design, I do this to make sure when we come to quote you we are optimising your patio.

Light

Getting light in to a patio is really important for two reasons. Firstly, you want to be protected from the heat without the cost of creating a dark space that you don’t enjoy sitting under and secondly you want light in your new patio because this will put light in to your house instead of blocking it out. The most common misconception I’ve come across when people are trying to get light in to their new patio in Brisbane is that a skylight is their best option. While this will put light in to the patio it puts virtually none in to the house, they also draw an enormous amount of heat in the summer which makes them not very practical. The best way we can get light to your patio, and your house, is by using a flat white ceiling and as much height as we can, as the more height the more light. At Additions Building Company we build a lot of insulated flyover roofs , all with the appropriate overhangs to stop the sun coming in too much in summer. Over the years I’ve seen a lot of patios designed by our competition with no overhangs to save you money, while this is great because it’s cheaper for you and will let as much light as possible in to the patio, this is a false economy because you’re really limiting the time throughout the day where you can actually use it. A badly designed patio can really only be used about 30 percent of the daylight hours where as a well designed one should be able to be used 100 percent of the time.

Ventilation

Summer in Queensland is incredibly hot, especially the summer we are going through right now, even if you have an insulated patio without proper ventilation it can be unpleasant. I teach my staff to make the most of the opportunities your house and your yard can present us with. For example the ultimate patio that I would build is one that faces the prevailing winds in summer, with a pool in front of it using an insulated flyover roof. We’ve built a lot of patios along these lines and you really get to see how they work, the house roof heats up and creates a draft from the coolest spot, which is the patio, this in turn pulls air across the pool and on a hot day the pool will cool down the air flow, pulling cold air up and through your patio. This is exactly the type of patio I have planned to build on my next house, although the pool will actually be a large fishpond with lilies and native fish as my days of pool maintenance are over. I have seen this concept so many times now and every time we build this style everyone is extremely pleased with the results.

If you’ve decided you need a patio positioning expert to come out and give you the best option possible why not visit out patios in Brisbane website or call me directly on 0438648689

– Gordon

Decks1

Decking material choices – continued

/in /by

As a follow on from my previous blog entry I thought we should cover some of the flooring types readably available to the Australian consumer.

Soft or hardwood?

Choosing the right kind of timber decking for your job really depends on the climate that you live in.

Softwood

Softwoods are a CCA treated pine and tend to work really well in a colder climate, this is because they don’t rot and are very stable at lower temperatures. However they do need a specific nail type to hold them down because the warmer it gets the more they tend to twist and move around, so they need a larger nail with a twist shank to keep them nice and tight in place. In saying this thoughs oftwoods don’t work well in Brisbane decks, this is because we have such high temperatures, so even with a good nail they tend to lift off the joists. I’ve also found over the years that due to the low grade of timber that softwoods are generally supplied in you get a lot of expansion and contraction cracks and knot failure, because of this I try to avoid using them at all costs, not to mention the fact that you as the deck owner will need to give the deck a lot of ongoing service and maintenance to keep it safe and in good condition. While softwoods don’t work in decks built in Brisbane they are great in other application, I recently built a deck in New Zealand out of softwood and its standing up really well.

Hardwood

Hardwoods come in a multitude of species. There are a lot of great Australian decking materials on the market at the moment. One of my favourite to use is spotted gum, it’s really common and you can get it in all sorts of varieties like mixed packs or specific colours such as red or white. I’ve always found mixed gum to be really good quality if you can get it from a reputable source, like a high quality timber yard. It is sometimes available in the auction houses but this is always seconds, or sometimes even thirds! and are very poor quality. The one thing I’ve always found with Australian hardwood decks is the flooring varies dramatically, even within the same pack, so you need a carpenter with really good skills to get a dramatic colourful deck. I always try and build our decks in such a way that we can really show off the beautiful Australian timbers that we have on offer

The other main hardwoods that we get in Australia are Indonesian hardwoods such as; Kwila, Merbau and Balau. These are all an exception hardwood for your new timber deck in Brisbane, they come in really long lengths, are always exception quality and are reasonably priced. This means that they do the job really well, however I feel like these floors are exactly that, just a floor, you just don’t get the same character out of a Kwila floor like you would with an Australian mixed gum.

How to keep it in place

For a very long time we used I used to insist that my staff use an old traditional method for laying our flooring, which was using a 2 inch bulled head galvanised nail, predrilled, offset, skewed and punched in. I always preferred this way because while there were plenty of nail guns and nails on the market, none of them could do the job as well as I would have liked them to. While we can still offer this if it’s the look you are going for, We’ve now moved over to using a nail gun because there is finally a nail on the market that will do the job as well as I would like it to. Using a stainless steel ringshank nail we can hold down your decking incredibly well, in fact much, much better than the older traditional method.

– Gordon

Think you’ve got enough information to move ahead with your decking choice? Why not visit us at our Brisbane decking website or call me directly on 0438648689.

Decks1

Decking material choices

/in /by

When it comes to joists and bearers there are 3 main types to choose from. One being hardwood and all of its species, two being softwood and three being steel.

Hardwoods

Hardwoods come in a variety of types and grades for all different applications however, most timber yards will supply the lowest grade of f14 for decks in Brisbane, they do this purely to be the lowest price but in doing this they are doing you no favours. F14 hardwood is a rough hardwood and very hard to work, it often isn’t very straight which makes the laying of a floor of your new deck very awkward. As a company we only buy F17 appearance grade timber, this is because it is always straight, clean and easy to work with and we always buy, when possible, treated hardwoods as I prefer the extra protection and it also means your new deck will last a lifetime.

Softwoods

Softwoods are being specified by a lot of draftsmen now days specifically in laminated materials called LVL (laminated veneer lumber). These are pine ply with an LOSP treatment; however they are not designed to be used as external joists as the preserving treatment washes out over time in the weather, this leaves a pine joist to rot out over the next year or two if it’s not retreated.

A deck built in Brisbane out of LVL’s will last a very short time unless it is built by an excellent tradesman with an in depth knowledge of this timber type and the owner does an enormous amount of ongoing maintenance, which is not something I would like to have to do to my new deck. I think this is not a good choice at all and it just goes to show the lack of experience and knowledge of drafts people and builders who use it as an external joist.

The other softwood readably available is CCA treated F7, which is pine. It can last extremely well outside but it has some inherent problems, as its low grade and you need to use large timber members to span short distances, also you have to use the correct hardware on it as nails from decking will want to lift out unless they have a twist or ring shank, however if they are installed correctly it can and will last a long time.

Steel

Steel being the final choice has never been my preference, I have repaired too many steel sections on decks from rust to be a fan and I find they are ugly, but in saying that there are some very good systems out there in steel, Duragal is one of them as it is electroplated not galvanised. Built correctly they will last a long time but one of their biggest drawbacks is decking has to be screwed down which takes a fair amount of time and they tend to be bouncy, but they are relatively inexpensive way for someone to build a deck.

We built, as a company, a few steel decks supplied and marketed by one of the larger patio companies but unfortunately we found them to be very poor quality and have decided not to build them anymore as we just can’t do them to the standard we would prefer.

How to choose

All of the above materials have their place in the market, but the problem I see is a lot of inexperience in their use. This causes the client a lot of problems down the track. We always prefer to build a deck with a roof as it will last a lot longer than one without. Any deck built by a deck specialist in Brisbane will normally outlast something built by the local carpenter or handyman, a deck built by a skilled tradesman should last a lifetime.

– Gordon

Types of patio roofs – the technical stuff!

/in /by

Roof sheeting for patios

When you are selecting which roof type for your new patio in Brisbane there are really only three options that you should consider

1) W Pan which looks like a large w shape
2) V line which looks like a VJ board underneath
3) Insulated which have a colourbond™ profile roof, a polystyrene core and a flat ceiling

The following is a list of benefits and drawbacks of each product for your new patio roof

W pan

W pan is a very old style and system of roof sheeting, its main benefit is that it is relatively strong and being an older style of roofing it is also cheaper than most of the other roofs available for your patio in Brisbane. It is generally a colourbond™ product however due to the profile its reflective qualities for light underneath aren’t that good and its heat reflection is negligible as it reflects a little and absorbs a lot. Some manufacturers do offer this product in aluminium however in our experience aluminium has all the same problems as steel with the added problems of its paint oxidising very quickly, leaving you with a terrible finish, a high amount of heat transfer due to the metals properties, this is why high quality pots and pans tend to be made from aluminium as it can transfer heat to the inside, or to you under the patio, incredibly efficiently, and it tends to catch a lot of condensation under it causing mildew to grow.

Vline

Vline is the latest product out in single skin roof sheeting and it is made from high tensile colourbond™ steel. This product isn’t quite as strong as W pan however it does do its job incredibly well and you won’t regret having it as your new patio cover.

Vline has a flat surface underneath which reflects a reasonable amount of light around, this makes the patio feel light, bright and spacious rather than cold and closed in like some products. The only drawback to this product is that being single skin it tends to be a bit warmer than you would like underneath, there are some single skin products on the market that claim to have insulating and heat reflecting properties however in our experience this appears to be marketing hype

Insulated

Insulated roofs have been out on the market for a fair while now and an insulated patio in Brisbane is the best you can build for our climate, however it does come at a cost.
The roof has a profile on top, available in either corrugated or ribbed, a polystyrene core allowing for practically zero heat transfer and a flat white metal ceiling to give the maximum amount of light reflection under your patio. An insulated roof is the only patio roof available that is safe to walk on and it has the added bonus of a hidden section in the joins where wiring can be run so you can install anything from a ceiling fan to speakers up on the roof and out of the way. Due to these properties we always highly recommend an insulated roof to all of our roofs over decks, custom designed patios and in some application’s even carports in Brisbane. We have noticed there are some patio companies on the market offering wall panelling, which has two flat surfaces, as a roofing option. This is a product that was never designed to be a roof and while it may be cheaper in the long run it will cause you more headaches than the savings were worth. This is because it has no water runoff, joints which will leak due to not having an overlap and no strength to span distances needed by most roofs. As there are a lot of very reputable manufactures supplying purpose made insulated roofing at a reasonable price we recommend you avoid this panel at all costs.

– Gordon

Timber balustrade and handrail

/in /by

How to use it at its best

Timber handrail and balustrade is an elegant natural alternative to the increasingly popular stainless steel wire that is popping up everywhere. The use of timber entirely depends upon the application and is at its best when matching your deck to your house.

Your safety is our priority

It is our top priority to ensure your beautiful new deck in Brisbane is as safe as it possibly can be that’s why we make sure everything we build is built to code. That means if your deck is above 600mm of natural ground height we’ll build your handrail at an absolute minimum of 1 meter – we can’t have your little ones climbing overboard! And you won’t find any gaps bigger than 125mm in our balustrade, this stops anything that might fall against it from going over the hedge and possibly harming someone below.

The handrail – a place to lean, a place to rest your beer.

When deciding on a handrail you really need to consider what the deck is going to be used for and what overall look and feel you are trying to achieve. Do you have a period house and need to match the deck in? Or you simply just have kids and don’t trust them to rest things on the handrail? In that case there are plenty of options such as ladies waist or bread loaf, but if you’re a big entertainer and you need a nice big flat handrail to rest that beer or glass of wine on while enjoying the company of friends then you should consider a flat handrail with a width of at least 150mm. Regardless of what you choose it is incredibly important that it’s secured properly, handrail needs to be able to withstand a person falling on it and not have them go through! For handrail types such as ladies waist and bread loaf they can only be attached with special purpose dowels to secure them to the post along with some rust proof galvanized nails on either side! We can’t stress just how important it is to secure that all important handrail.

The overall finish

Where ever possible we recommend that you use a good sturdy Australian hardwood, while pine is perfectly acceptable as long as it’s primed on all surfaces, we are a true believer in hardwood. Not only does it give a nicer finish but it’s big, solid and sturdy and is designed for the outdoors. Primed pine, if treated correctly and well maintained, has a life span of 25 years where as a deck in Brisbane’s weather built in hardwood will outlive you as long as its painted or oiled. For some great examples of how you can best use timber head along to our Brisbane Patios, Decks, Carports and sunrooms section and check out the gallery.

– Gordon

Deck Rochedale 2 b

Maintaining your deck

/in /by

Deck maintenance will prolong the life of your deck, which will save you money on replacing boards or major repairs, it will also help you get the maximum sale price for your home some day! One of the major factors in deck maintenance is oiling the deck. For long term savings, learning how to oil a deck is a great investment.

How to oil a deck in five easy steps

1. Clear the decks! It’s vital to clean your deck thoroughly. Even your best efforts at deck maintenance will fail if you don’t clean it before you start. Remove loose material from between the boards, sand down grimy patches, sweep the deck then apply deck cleaner before rinsing thoroughly with a hose.

2. Ensure it’s completely dry. This one is the easy bit! Just sit back and wait for the deck to dry properly! This is an essential part of oiling your deck as the oil won’t be as effective on damp boards.

3. Plan it. When the deck is dry, the next step in your deck maintenance is to map out where you will start and where you will finish applying the oil. This means less waste as you won’t go over areas where oil has already been applied.

4. Apply deck oil in long strokes. After stirring the deck oil, start applying it. A long, continuous application will ensure the best finish so don’t make stabbing thrusts when applying. Leave to dry.

5. Second Coat. The final step involves applying a second coat. Always use less oil on the second coat as excess oil may pool and leave a mess – a real trick for people learning how to oil a deck!

Top Tips From A Professional Deck Builder, Brisbane

 

  • Use the best quality deck oil, applicators and materials that your budget allows. They’ll make a big difference to the result.
  • Using a lambs wool cloth in place of a roller will give you a better finish
  • Don’t apply deck oil in direct sunlight and make sure there’s no chance of rain for 24-48 hours after oiling your deck. Remember, multiple coats mean multiple days, so look for a sunny week ahead!
  • Don’t cut corners. Trying to oil a deck in one application just leads to a mess job, pooling oil and a rough finish.
  • If you’re staining your deck, be careful! Applying a stain much darker than the natural timber colour will make minor scuffs look dreadful.
  • Re-oil your deck and carry out basic maintenance every 6-12 months for best results

 

Ready to carry out your deck maintenance?

These simple steps should have you well prepared for your deck maintenance. Deck builders will tell you that well maintained decks need fewer repairs so learning how to oil a deck properly is a great idea.

Additions Building offers deck building and repairs, expertise and advice. Our list of services can be found in our Brisbane Decks section. Get in touch now for a 100% obligation free quote on your pergola roofing from a trusted local deck builder in Brisbane.

– Gordon

Designing A Pergola For Brisbane’s Climate

/in /by

Creating a pergola Brisbane will envy involves some forward planning. Where will it go? What will it be built of? How big shall I make it? With these questions answered, you’ll have a pergola Brisbane-style; that is, a pergola that will best suit Queensland’s unique climate.

Designing A Pergola To Suit The Brisbane Weather – And You

It’s not just aesthetic design that will help you create the perfect pergola. While looking great is important, the right location is also significant. You want to place your pergola where you can enjoy a cooling breeze on a hot day. Putting your pergola in a sheltered spot where there is no breeze defeats the purpose of investing in an open structure.

Building Materials For Pergolas

The materials you choose for your pergola should blend in with the look of your home and surroundings. Timber will be the ideal material if you have an older timber home with lots of trees around the property while the clean lines of a metal pergola might be a better choice for a modern home and setting. But don’t forget Brisbane’s unforgiving climate! Will metal look as good after years in a bayside environment? Will timber stand up to battering after battering if you live in a storm-prone area? Will you need blinds if your pergola sits in full sun? Or screens if you live near Brisbane or Redland’s famous bayside mozzie habitats? The materials and coatings you use for your pergola should look good but they should also be chosen with your particular setting in mind.
Pergola roofing material can be clear plastic, single skin metal roofing or insulated metal roofing and each makes a huge difference to how you enjoy your outdoor living area. (Learn more about pergola roofing)

Building a Pergola in Brisbane? Need Help In Creating The Perfect Pergola?

With so many things to think about, it’s smart to chat with pergola or deck builders, Brisbane-based and knowledgeable about the local climate. They’ll tell you what materials are best for you and whether or not the plans you have in mind really are right for your home and location.

Additions Building are specialists at building pergolas and will advise you on the designs and materials that best suit your property and location. Their list of services can be found in our Brisbane Decks and Pergolas gallery section. Get in touch now for a 100% obligation free quote on your Gold Coast, Redlands or Brisbane pergola from a trusted local deck builder in Brisbane.

– Gordon

Brisbane Carports

/in /by

Brisbane Carports – The Good, the Bad and the Very Ugly

Brisbane carports can be split into three categories: the good, the bad and the very ugly. Read on and discover how you can ensure that your new car port is a value adding, car safe investment, also known as a good one. There are enough bad and very ugly Brisbane carports out there without you adding to the list!

Carports and Brisbane Home Values

Take a look around and you’ll see many Brisbane carports have flat roofs. Sadly, those flat-topped carports do not add as much value to the properties they’re sitting on as the pitch-roofed variety. For reasons of aesthetics or water drainage, this is something to consider when investing in a carport.

Avoiding an ugly carport costs you money

Another thing to keep in mind is how the design of your carport will blend in with your home and grounds. Many Brisbane carports look like they’ve been tacked onto the home with no degree of integration at all. The result is an ugly structure that stands out like a sore thumb and adds nothing to the property value. Don’t choose a carport on price tag alone – it could lose you money in the long run. The overall look after the carport is erected should be your primary consideration.

Top five factors to consider when building a carport in Brisbane or Redlands

 

  • Protection for your car from salty sea air, South East Queensland’s famous storms and other environmental factors.
  • Look. In addition to how your carport will look and what that will do to your property values, consider how you will make it aesthetically pleasing, from a designer driveway to a climbing vine to built in shelving and storage. Be sure to budget these in and keep them in mind when approaching your carport designer.
  • Ease of access. This may determine whether your carport will be near your house or further up the driveway if you have restricted or curving vehicular access.
  • Size. Consider whether your carport might serve as a sheltered entertainment area on a rainy day, or be a place where the kids leave their bikes and toys. The Brisbane lifestyle means many carports are more than mere parking spaces!
  • Price. With all renovations, cheapest isn’t always best. If you’re planning to DIY your carport, consider buying a kit or getting a builder to help with the planning stage. For information on Brisbane City Council and Redlands City Council regulations, please see our Renovations Brisbane section

 

Brisbane Carports

When choosing deck builders Brisbane or Redlands, the best builders of Brisbane carports are the ones who can advise on plans and show you how the carport will look alongside your home. We’ll also advise you on any permits that might be required. Additions Building are experts at building carports and will happily advise on what carport will best suit your home. Our list of services can be found in our Brisbane Decks, Patios and Carports section. Get in touch now for a 100% obligation free quote on your carport from a trusted local deck builder in Brisbane.

 

QBCC # 651283
The number one choice when it comes to
Brisbane carport, patio and sunroom builders!

WHAT WE DO

Carports, Caravans & Boat Shelters
Insulated Carport
Boat Shelters
Caravan Carports
Carport Privacy Screens
Patios & Outdoor Areas
Patio Privacy Screens
Insulated Patios
Sunrooms & Patio Enclosures
Deck Building

Request a Quote

QUICKLINKS

Home
About Us
Contact Us
Blog
Sitemap