Blog

Rockcote CoolPlast strikes again

2018-03-29T09:20:53+13:00March 18th, 2018|Building, General|

In the heart of Christchurch, amidst the ongoing rebuild sits a newly refurbished building An existing masonry construction that underwent significant restrengthening and overall interior and exterior finishing. Premier Plastering were called upon to undertake the plastering work which included the complete exterior plastering and feature internal atrium works. Our Rockcote Masonry Render System reinforced with fibreglass [...]

Foresight pays off

2017-06-15T10:52:52+12:00June 15th, 2017|Building, Heritage, Painting|

We have lived in our Devonport villa for close on 20 years. We did a major renovation about 15 years ago, but very little since. At the end of 2016 we decide it was time for a freshen up and to finish some of those ‘jobs I’ve been meaning to do’. When our original [...]

‘The Wolf’ gives his own home some TLC

2017-06-15T10:27:03+12:00June 15th, 2017|Painting|

This summer has been a busy one for the Wolfkamp family. While others were bathing and belly-flopping at the beach, I was head down working hard on our family home. We live in a traditional Devonport Villa. The big Reno was done 15+ years ago, when we pushed out the back of the [...]

The Wolf hits 50

2016-06-13T08:19:41+12:00June 13th, 2016|General|

I hit a pretty big milestone this year.  It could have slipped under the radar quite happily, but coinciding with the filming of season 5 of The Block NZ ensured that reaching the half century mark didn't occur subtly.  There was cake to be had, and no that is not our family wolf in the [...]

Gracefully Ageing Your Home

2017-03-09T09:58:41+13:00January 28th, 2016|Heritage|

As time goes by everyone’s needs change, none more so than our kids. As parents we can manage some of these changes with creative thinking, such as giving your little ones clothes a couple sizes up so there is room to grow into them. Others are a bit more frustrating, like finding yourself spending hours [...]

Walls, stripping off

2017-03-09T09:58:41+13:00January 21st, 2016|Building|

Following on from the Demolition article, I thought that I would take a look at what to do while the walls are open. Substantial renovations, extensions and new builds offer an unexpected opportunity for most home owners. Given the great technological growth of the last few decades, and accepting the fact that the bulk of [...]

Planning and Preparation

2017-03-09T09:58:41+13:00January 21st, 2016|Building|

While inspiration or necessity might be the spark for a renovation, the fuel that keeps the project moving forward is the planning and preparation. Broadly speaking, all building projects, regardless of size, require two crucial areas of planning. There is the planning needed to satisfy any building regulations and requirements set out by Government and [...]

Restricted Building Work (RBW)

2017-03-09T09:58:41+13:00January 21st, 2016|Building|

The well publicised changes to the Building Act and the introduction of the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme have and will make a significant impact on the way homes are built and renovated in New Zealand. It has also introduced some new terminology and phrases into the building language. Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP) are now required [...]

Insulation and Wall Linings

2016-01-21T14:48:59+13:00January 21st, 2016|Insulation|

In general, we should accept that the bulk of New Zealand’s housing stock was built before 1978. The reason I choose this date it that it marks the year when insulation in walls become part of the Building Code. As I mention in the “Walls” article, stripping off the interior lining provides the perfect opportunity [...]