One storey vs two storey – How to know what’s right for you?

one storey vs two storey building

Constructing a dream house is not as easy a task as it sounds. It requires a lot of effort along with other items. But since we all want our house to be beautiful and unique, single storey or two storey is the question that pops in our head the first. Well, here we will clear all your doubts and help you with the storey best suitable to your taste.

Advantages of Single Storey Building

Here are a few advantages you can enjoy in a single storey building:

  • Faster construction: Single storey building is always made very fast. Though a good amount of planning goes behind such work it is comparatively quicker to build than two storey building. Moreover, you can occupy one portion of the building and stay while the other portion is still under home renovations.
  • Money:When it comes to constructing a building, it usually requires a good amount of money. Hence if you are on a budget and want to build your dream house try to go for a single storey. It is very cost-effective and is lower on building cost.
  • A lot of natural lighting:The maximum amount of natural lighting is possible in a single storey building. This is possible because natural light can be obtained from different angles in a single storey building. It can be the roof, windows, etc. it also saves on electricity.

Disadvantages of Single Storey Building

  • A large area or floor spacing is required when making a single storey building.
  • It requires a good amount of money on ventilation and heating. It also requires deep cleaning of windows.

Advantages of Two-Storey Building

  • Use of space:Double-story building gives you optimal usage of your area. It will provide you a larger space for living even though your block is small. This type of buildings is excellent for suburban areas.
  • Privacy:Two storey buildings are great for providing privacy. Single storey buildings are often clustered together but in a two storey building rooms can vary. For example, the bedroom can be on the second floor while the living room can be on the first floor. If you want home extensions, that can also be a good idea.
  • View:If you bought a property that has an amazing view, two storey building is great for enjoying the view. Whether it’s a coastal area or a hillside, two storey building is perfect to enjoy the mesmerizing view. If you are looking for two storey house designs, try checking online.

Disadvantages of Two-Storey Building

  • Accessibility issues:Since two storey buildings are present with stairs, people who are quite old or anyone with mobility issues will face a lot of problems climbing up those stairs. People who are in wheelchairs will not be able to go on the second storey until they have not spent some extra dollars to buildwheelchair-accessible stairs.
  • Certain structural limitations:Two storey buildings are not that flexible when it comes to design and interior decorations. Since the ground floor is technically supporting the upper floor, there are certain limitations with the design layout.
  • Heating costs:Weather can be a big blunder when you want to get a two storey building. This is because you will be bound to adjust the temperature inside of the house only to find it more challenging. In the end, you will be paying more than the regular heating and cooling costs.
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Why We Take Health & Safety So Seriously at Greg Clark Building

home extensions

Health and safety is one of the most important considerations for any construction project. Whether we are undertaking a simple home renovations project or a complex second storey addition, health and safety are key considerations at Greg Clark Building.  In fact, our integrated Management system provides for the Work Health and Safety Act of 2011.

As a professional construction company, there are several reasons why we take health & safety so seriously. In this post, we look at various reasons why health and safety remains such a crucial aspect in this industry and in our company.

Prevent Workplace Injuries at Construction Sites

Up to 12,600 construction workers in Australia file compensation claims annually. These claims relate to injuries and diseases resulting in one or more weeks off work.  Safe Work Australia reports that in 2020, 28 construction workers died due to injuries sustained while at work.

At Greg Clark Building our focus is to ensure zero work related injuries occur. We understand that in a dynamic environment, construction sites often require employees to work at a height, handle heavy loads, operate large machinery and work with rough materials. Therefore, we train the workforce on different strategies to minimize workplace risks significantly.

Protecting The General Public

Health and safety is not only about our workers, but about the general public and our clients too. Many of our job sites are located in built up areas, and sometimes right in the middle of the city, so we focus on having the processes in place to protect third parties.

Failing to implement legal health and safety structures amounts to breach of the Work, Health and Safety ACT of 2011. At Greg Clark Building we work together as a team to ensure we are always following all of the legal requirements. Whether we are working on small house renovation, complex two storey extensions or medium mixed use projects the relevant health and safety measures have to be in place.

In this article we went through why it is that we take health and safety measures so seriously and how we do so as a team. We have an incredible reputation and we intend on maintaining our reputation, which is why we hold these structures so highly.

If you are planning a new house renovation project, or looking to build a fresh brand new home, or even more complex projects  chat with our team today about our options.

 

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5 Sustainable Building Materials that Save You Money

home renovations

The construction, operation and maintenance of buildings accounts for almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Additionally, Australia’s population growth will reach 31 million in 2030. And, as Australia’s population keeps growing, the demand for affordable housing continues to rise. For instance, Melbourne alone is expected to need an additional 720,000 homes by 2031. Besides, we expect to see more home extension ideas and new home designs.

For Australians to cater for the increased demand for housing while protecting the environment and catering for low and medium income classes, the need for sustainable building materials becomes more apparent.

Using the sustainable building materials for new home renovations and home extensions will mean a lower impact on the environment. Not to mention, these building materials lower the cost of constructing. For instance, poor insulation could lead to increased emissions from air conditioning units, and increased utility bills.

In this post, we highlight the top five sustainable building materials available for Australian use. Therefore, if you are considering two-storey house designs, you may consider these sustainable building materials. Let us jump right in!

Best Eco-Friendly Thermal Insulation Materials

Air leakage in residential and commercial properties accounts for increased cooling and heating costs in Australia. Therefore, alternative insulation is a cost effective and sustainable building material due to the fact that eco-friendly thermal insulation contributes to reduced emissions by preventing loss of air. Thermal insulation doubles as fire protection, damp proofing and effective noise insulation.

In Australia, eco-friendly thermal insulation materials feature ingredients like cellulose, hemp, wood, earth wool, sheep’s wool, glass wool, and polyester. Compared to the artificial counterparts, the renewable materials spend less energy to process. Besides, these materials are entirely recyclable.

Recycled Plastics, Metal, and Reclaimed Wood

Disposal of used plastics is a huge issue, but not just here in Australia, globally. Recycled plastics are an incredible building material, not only due to the environmental aspects, but also because of the vast variety in applications.

When metal products have outlived their current intended use, they can be recycled into new steel and used to generate a variety of construction materials. Choosing recycled metal for construction of new building extensions contributes to energy saving efforts and significantly lowers the cost of construction.

Most types of reclaimed wood can go into making different forms of medium density fiberboards. Reclaimed wood can be used for the construction of walls, beams, panels, cabinetry, framing and furniture. However, it is important to note that wood is susceptible to water-damage and pests.

Hempcrete

Builders have termed Hempcrete as the eco-friendly construction material, breathing new life into Australian homes. The process of structurally developing a building using Hempcrete is close to conventional building. Hempcrete is a lightweight construction product and a wonderful insulating material. Not to mention, building and construction experts say as an eco-friendly construction material, Hempcrete is breathable and serves as a fill around the timber frame and finishing plaster, most ideal for the construction of freestanding walls.

Archimats

Researchers are pioneering recyclable building materials that will revolutionize the construction industry. Short for architecture materials, archimats feature an intertwined or interlocked inner architecture, giving them additional freedom over the conventional composite materials.

Archimats have better energy absorption characteristics and provide superior strength and good sound absorption properties. Therefore, archimats offer a more sustainable construction material.

Cork

Made from cork oak tree, cork makes a wonderful renewable and eco-friendly construction material. Cork has unique features, making it most ideal for building coverings and flooring. It is anti-allergenic and durable, making it a great choice for sustainable and pocket friendly construction materials. We find the application of cork in construction in expansion joints for roads, bridges, and dams. Ideally, cork is an elastic and resistant material.

 

These alternative materials may not be for everyone, but they are cost effective, sustainable and energy efficient. At Greg Clark Building, we advocate the use of sustainable construction materials in renovations, and house extension ideas, for larger projects these materials may not be as suitable.

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