Bricks
Bricks serve a different purpose as internal walls than they do as external walls, and have good insulative properties.
What are bricks?
Bricks are rigid blocks,...
Mortar
Mortar is the material used to hold bricks together. There are a number of variations in mortar that are worth knowing about.
Mortar is used...
Plaster
Plaster is often used as a filler, especially to repair damaged walls. It's also used for decorative mouldings, among other things.
What is plaster?
Plaster is...
Cyclone code requirements for walls
Depending on where you live, there may be special requirements for fire or cyclone codes. See how these affect you.
Each year, Australian lives are...
Framing materials
The different materials that can be used to create the frame or structure of a home will have a big impact on its strength,...
Oriented strand board (OSB)
Oriented strand board (or OSB as it's known) is used in light frame construction to offer greater strength, stability and reinforcement.
What is oriented strand...
Asbestos sheeting
Asbestos sheets, when broken, can cause cancer. They are often found in older houses, where they were used for insulation purposes.
Asbestos sheeting needs to...
Straw bale houses
Straw bale houses aren't particularly common, but offer excellent insulation and a cost effective way to build a home.
Straw bale houses are typically easy...
Structural insulated panel (SIP) walls
Structural insulated panels (or SIPs) are typically made of wood and styrofoam, and are an effective alternative to light frame construction.
What are structural insulated...
Steel framing
Steel is increasingly used in modern house framing, and is valued for its versatility, longevity and strength.
What is a steel frame?
Most buildings structured around...