American shingles

As an alternative roofing material to tiles and Colorbond, consider American shingles, a commonly used roofing material in the United States and Canada.

They are made from a base of asphalt and each shingle is recyclable at the end of it's life.

Shingles are lightweight in comparison to tiles and have a high level of wind resistance as well as being hail proof.

Shingles are laid on a plywood base and come in a range of profiles and colours.

For more information go to the local Australian American Shingles website.

Further reading

Australian home design styles. This article gives a brief explanation of some of the residential architecture styles found in Australia. Just as these styles have developed from previous ones, the current styles are also being combined to create new hybrid designs, some of which work better than others.

BASIX and Statement of Environmental Effects. Drawings are only a small portion of what councils in Australia require to enable them to give consent to your development application, building permit or building licence. Reports such as Statement of Environmental Effects, BASIX (in NSW), waste management reports, geotechnical reports, landscaping plans and more may need to be lodged with your plans.

Choosing the right windows and doors. If you are currently building or renovating a home, than you know that there is a huge variety of window and door options out there Windows and doors say a lot about a home. They are functional and need to perform well, yet they can also be statement pieces and express so much about who lives there. What you choose will depend on the functions you need, the style you love and the security you expect.

Colorbond roof sheeting. Learn about the various types, applications and profiles of this iconic Australian product.

Dealing with tradesmen. Some practical tips on dealing with tradesmen.

Funky claddings. Cladding can be fun, durable and classic; you just need to be careful in your selection. Many crazy items can be used as claddings but it's the waterproofing and longevity factors that will limit your choices, not your imagination.