A few basic questions

NewHome2008 · Jan 21, 2008 3:58 pm

Hi all,

New to this forum and hope everyone may be able to help answer a few basic questions.

What are the pro's and con's or concrete slab versus stumps. Most new homes these days seem to be built on slab, i understand its cheaper but what are the significant differences ?

My other question is who do most new homes not have eaves anymore? Again im guessing its a cost issue but what are the pro's and con's of them in Melbourne ?

Hope someone can help. Thanks in advance.

stonecutter1309 · Jan 21, 2008 4:07 pm

NewHome2008

My other question is who do most new homes not have eaves anymore? Again im guessing its a cost issue but what are the pro's and con's of them in Melbourne ?

Welcome! There are plenty of arguments about eaves and whether you should or should not have them

In Sydney - we started to see the disappearance of eaves so that people could build bigger houses!

I personally think eaves are an important part of keeping the heat out & I like the look - a house without eaves, to me is like looking at a face without ears!

This website has plenty of info:
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/t ... l/fs19.htm

Cabinfever · Jan 21, 2008 4:32 pm

A house with no eaves looks ugly to me. There are good practical reasons houses have been traditionally built with eaves, and only a few (fleeting) fashion and financiial reasons not to have them.

Stumps are also superior imo especially in hot climates, or areas where it may be useful to get off the ground - eg bugs, flood risk etc

I also wonder with a slab foundation what happens when you want to rennovate - such as moving a bathroom ? Maybe someone can enlighten me ?

Djelibeybi · Jan 21, 2008 5:25 pm

NewHome2008

My other question is who do most new homes not have eaves anymore? Again im guessing its a cost issue but what are the pro's and con's of them in Melbourne ?

Interestingly, one of the requirements of the land development we just bought in is 450mm eaves for the entire roof line of the house. This is in Melbourne's north. So, we've had to add eaves to the facade of the house we've chosen.

Dukekamaya · Jan 21, 2008 10:11 pm

Cabinfever

I also wonder with a slab foundation what happens when you want to rennovate - such as moving a bathroom ? Maybe someone can enlighten me ?

BIG BIG $$$$$$$$ - you'll be cutting half the house foundation up

Leece · Jan 21, 2008 10:19 pm

a lot of houses I have seen don't have eaves, In the new estates the houses seem to be on top of each other, so without eaves you can have bigger houses.

our new home wont have eaves, I wish it did, but wont be adding them on due to cost.

NewHome2008 · Jan 22, 2008 11:02 am

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

We thought the eaves was just a cost issue and we now we from one post that perhaps they're coming back in. I think we will spend the extra and get them as they do look better and have substantial benefit.

Its what we thought about the concrete slab, there is little that can be done if something goes wrong or needs to be changed. Stumps are significantly more expensive I think but I think we will look into that option.

Thanks again.

ahuang · Jan 23, 2008 6:11 pm

Please, don't start that eaves debate again..... We heard enough from both side in this forum....

Where is Matt??

NewHome2008 · Jan 24, 2008 2:20 pm

ahuang

I apologise if this debate has been done before, would you be able to direct me to the forum as im very interested to read people's ideas.

Michelle · Jan 24, 2008 2:30 pm

NewHome2008

ahuang

I apologise if this debate has been done before, would you be able to direct me to the forum as im very interested to read people's ideas.

It’s a standard joke……it means no offence to you Newhome……. :wink:

Sorry about that, but all of us reading it knows what he meant. :lol:

I’ll try and dig up something relating the EAVES comments for you.

Michelle · Jan 24, 2008 2:36 pm

here is a post for you to read

https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... highlight=eaves

ahuang · Jan 24, 2008 2:40 pm

NewHome2008

ahuang

I apologise if this debate has been done before, would you be able to direct me to the forum as im very interested to read people's ideas.

Sorry if I sounds harsh or mean, I was just joking... I think this is the one you can have a feel of what I mean....

https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... ight=eaves

gpierce · Jan 24, 2008 3:10 pm

Dukekamaya

Cabinfever

I also wonder with a slab foundation what happens when you want to rennovate - such as moving a bathroom ? Maybe someone can enlighten me ?

BIG BIG $$$$$$$$ - you'll be cutting half the house foundation up

Not sure that's quite right. Could be a cost, but I don't think that big $$$$. Normally what you do is come in with a concrete saw and cut a small path from old to new or from the entrance plumbing to new and from new to wherever the drain is. I don't think this costs that much. It didn't in America anyway:)

Our house will be a combination of slab and suspended slab. Not sure if added support might be needed somewhere if needing to cut that, but that could add extra $$.

Greg

NewHome2008 · Jan 24, 2008 4:37 pm

No offence taken I just dont want people to have to post all over again if its been done before. I tried to serach but didn't come up with much so the link you guys have provided are great.

Thanks.