Timber framing
Most homes in Australia are built using light frame construction using timber. Find out about the properties of these homes.
Timber house frames are very...
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...
Metal cladding
Metal cladding is strong and weather resistant, and offers a very wide range of decorative and design choices for a home's exterior.
Metal cladding can...
Cob homes
Cob walls are typically quite roughly built, but do offer some advantages over many of the more sophisticated choices.
What is cob?
Like mud brick and...
Mud brick and adobe
Mud brick and adobe are two other types of wall materials that are making a resurgence as alternative building materials.
What is mud brick or...
Plastic cladding/vinyl cladding
Plastic or vinyl cladding is often made to imitate weatherboards, and is a relatively cheap and durable alternative.
What is vinyl cladding?
Vinyl (or plastic, or...
Weatherboard/wood cladding
Weatherboard is very common in older Australian homes. It is easy to maintain, and relatively cost-efficient to buy and install.
What is weatherboard or wood...
Stone cladding
Stone cladding, in addition to the many attractive finishes it offers, is very resilient and durable, and only requires very basic maintenance.
Stone cladding can...
Breeze blocks/besser blocks
Known by many names, these types of bricks are easy to build with and are very commonly used to make building walls in Australia.
Besser...
External wall materials
External walls need to be tough, but they also need to look good. Find out more about what sorts of materials are used on...