Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 05, 2009 5:13 pm Hi
We're finalising our plans before starting on an owner build adventure and had always intended to build our external walls in double brick. We like to solid look/feel of double brick and also its effectiveness in overall solar passive design. The plan was to render/bag both the exterior and interior once finished - and so use 'cheap' bricks, but we have recently started to wonder whether another option might be better, where we wouldnt need to render at all. We don't really like the look of traditional face-brick and are after cleaner lines and a more contemporary/smooth look (hence the initial plans to render) but are there other options which might be better/cheaper/more unique?? One idea we had was to possible use large sandstone/limestone blocks. We are using a fair bit of stone as a feature, along with timber windows, doors, joinery...so like the idea of having natural features, but at the same time, clean modern lines. Has anyone used something like that to build their house out of?? Any thoughts, suggestions, opinions would be great!! Thanks, Adam Re: Double brick - are there better options? 3Feb 06, 2009 10:29 pm Sorry, I'm finding bloody bricks hard enough. Thinking outside the square is simply beyond me at this point. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Double brick - are there better options? 4Feb 06, 2009 10:31 pm joles Sorry, I'm finding bloody bricks hard enough. Thinking outside the square is simply beyond me at this point. that's ok joles, i haven't even got building approval yet, so im probably a bit ahead of myself anyway maybe just bricks and render will be the way to go.... Re: Double brick - are there better options? 5Feb 07, 2009 8:09 am I was present when our builder applied Armatex for a recent rendering finish. The rendering for front and back of two story house was done in two days by 2-3 guys. The mixing process was cakemix style, then trowel and a couple of plastic angle lines to ensure the sharp edges. Using this finsih internally and externally seems ok to me and entirely possible to be completed by handyman.
We had double brick with render internally in our prev house. All internal walls were brick based. It was a single storey house built in 74. The render was throughout and faultless after 30 years. It was a fantastic look and absolutely bullet proof ( as my sons found out through out their growing up!). Be aware that mods to the house can be hardwork. Changing power points on internal walls is a big deal. Also if it the weather heats up and sustains itself you run the risk of being in an oven. gongbuilding Re: Double brick - are there better options? 6Feb 07, 2009 8:17 am Full brick houses are great from a thermal comfort point of view. They also are the longest lasting and least maintenance solution of all the general options. They cost more, but only marginally more (in WA that's all they build).
The reason full brick houses end up costing more is that you can then have a suspended concrete slab for the First Floor. This is where the cost goes, but then, once again, it's the best option (but not necessary). Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Double brick - are there better options? 7Feb 07, 2009 9:19 am Casa2,
How much more cost are we talking about here if we want to upgrade to full brick internal walls from the standard? I used to live in Perth and Yes all the houses internal walls are bricks based. Williams Landing Stage 10 - Kingwell Neighbourhood Re: Double brick - are there better options? 8Feb 07, 2009 10:24 am FND,
I don't know the exact figure. There was a builder once that said they would build full brick for the same price as brick veneer and I've seen literature on the web that show there isn't much price difference. The best thing to do is ask a builder that does lots of full brick houses (at least 15%). Sorry I can't be much help. Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Double brick - are there better options? 9Feb 07, 2009 10:29 am Thanks casa2.
I will try to contact those builders who build at least 15% full brick house. Hopefully I can come back with the figures and let u know =) Williams Landing Stage 10 - Kingwell Neighbourhood Re: Double brick - are there better options? 11Feb 07, 2009 7:24 pm I'm a steel frame man.. we have had 2 houses now built with steel frames and they just gives you absolute peace of mind around this enormous termite problem... I like full brick too but I doubt if you'd get a project builder in NSW (where we are )to do it... and it would probably cost a fortune Life is an enjoyment, enjoy it Re: Double brick - are there better options? 12Feb 07, 2009 7:39 pm gongbuilding Also if it the weather heats up and sustains itself you run the risk of being in an oven. I have to totally agree with this! I have lived most of my life in double brick houses and yes they are nice and cool on a hot day but put a few of those together and it's a nightmare! Especially with no air-con. But to get back on topic have you thought of using cladding instead of bricks? There are so many different varieties to choose from. Lots of modern and traditional styles. For my second storey it will be part brick, part Matrix Cladding and part Hardiboard (I think that's the name). Check out this site http://scyon.com.au/ Re: Double brick - are there better options? 13Feb 07, 2009 7:54 pm We were quoted $100,000 more, for a full brick 34 sq house by a volume builder - it blew us away !!
I would never live in a **** house again ! The heat in summer is unbearable - particularly late in the day but especially at n ight when it radiates inwards ! Since then, we have lived in a brick veneer & fibro - both rentals. The insulated b/v was fine but especially wonderful at night ,when it would cool down quickly; & in winter we had no issues with the cold. The uninsulated fibro - freezing in winter & horribly hot in summer. My architectural friend once said that the ideal for this climate is reverse brick veneer ie brick or some kind of mass for the internals & insulated cladding for the externals. I'm sure there are plenty of forum members who could shed light on this. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Double brick - are there better options? 14Feb 07, 2009 8:50 pm Southies We were quoted $100,000 more, for a full brick 34 sq house by a volume builder - it blew us away !! I would never live in a **** house again ! The heat in summer is unbearable - particularly late in the day but especially at n ight when it radiates inwards ! Since then, we have lived in a brick veneer & fibro - both rentals. The insulated b/v was fine but especially wonderful at night ,when it would cool down quickly; & in winter we had no issues with the cold. The uninsulated fibro - freezing in winter & horribly hot in summer. My architectural friend once said that the ideal for this climate is reverse brick veneer ie brick or some kind of mass for the internals & insulated cladding for the externals. I'm sure there are plenty of forum members who could shed light on this. Most of that $100,000 extra would have been for a suspended concrete floor. Also, builders that are not used to full brick just charge more to discourage people. Full brick works well, even with multiple hot days in a row as long a you ventilate well all night. This means cross flow ventilation and flyscreens. If done properly, a full brick house is great. And yes, go for the suspended concrete slab on the first floor. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Double brick - are there better options? 15Feb 07, 2009 10:10 pm Our first house, which we built and lived in for 28 happy years, was a very large split level place. The living areas were all double brick with a suspended slab over the garage and internal face brick walls. The bedroom/bathroom wing was on 3 levels and was brick veneer. So I feel qualified to comment.
We noticed no difference in the two parts of the house with regard to temperature control or livability. We did a lot of retrofitting of electrics and technology and both were fairly similar.....ie external wall cavities were the only avenue for adding wires in both ends. I think the solid brick end was better for soundproofing. I preferred hanging light pictures in the brick veneer end and solid objects (eg plasma TV) in the face brick end. The face bricks were very rough clinkers and holes were easily and invisibly filled....I used wood putty. Maintenance was minimal, but there was no opportunity to do a face-lift with new paint etc. It was lucky we continued to love those bricks through the decades...... We're currently building our new home in brick veneer. With proper termite treatment and annual inspections we hope we'll be OK. I certainly don't feel disadvantaged by not having a double brick option. Although both systems have their clear and specific plusses and minuses, in our experience they seem to balance out fairly evenly. Cheers zeke Re: Double brick - are there better options? 16Feb 08, 2009 10:12 am Thanks for all the responses and comments!
I'm in Canberra and we definitely get our fair share at both ends of the temperature spectrum!! I think we're going to stick with double brick and a rendered finish for all our perimeter walls and brick veneer/gyprock for internal walls. Definitely agree that the heat after a few hot days needs to be managed, but hopefully we'll have sufficient cross ventilation and shading to stop it from getting too bad! If our seven meter bifolds don't help do the job, i'll be very disappointed!! We're thinking about some form of air conditioning, just as a back up, but hopefully wont need to use it much at all!! By the way, does anyone happen to know what a good price - per thousand - for "commons" bricks are (the 'cheap' type ) Thanks again! Adam 5 10477 Hi Kristy Around $1.7-1.8m or around $4,600/sqm. if you PM me your email I will send you a break up in a spreadsheet so you can get an understanding of the costs for… 1 9956 Double brick homes are the worst type of building conventions for the australian climate 1 1119 |