& the rest...
the salty air
“Deirdre is considering changing the roof of the house to metal, but one thing you have to consider this close to the beach is salt-laden air,” says Wayd. “Salt causes metal to corrode faster than it normally would. We’re not close enough to the sea for it to be a major problem but when there are storm swells the salt will travel, so consider using a specially coated metal to help prevent rust. Hinges, locks and latches are another problem area as they have moving parts that can be susceptible to rust if not lubricated properly – but this can be addressed during the renovation. Then, once a year, hose down the house, especially the windows and roof, to remove any salt residue.”
stay-at-home kid
“If Drew wants to use his room as a multifunctional space, getting the balance right is critical,” says Lisa. “Zone the floorplan and create clear pathways to avoid an overcrowded feeling. Then think about storage: combinations of exposed and camouflaged elements, which visually declutter while using every inch of space. One option for Drew would be a wall of joinery with the bed built in, and a study area on one side. The scale of the furniture is really important – Drew should aim for a balance of large and a few smaller objects. Too many smaller pieces will make the room feel cluttered.”
going underground
“One of Deirdre’s many plans has been to dig down under the house and create a sub-floor level as a self-contained space for Drew,” says Andrew. “There are some instances where going down is a good option – if you have limited space to work with, for example. But excavation work can be very labour intensive and that means it doesn’t come cheap. When a house is built on sand as this one is, it’s very easy to dig down but the cost comes in building retaining walls to keep the sand from collapsing in on itself. Then you have the cost of supporting the house while you’re doing the work. If the budget isn’t huge, you’re always better off staying above ground and using the natural contours of the land wherever possible.”
“Salt causes metal to corrode faster than it normally would. We’re not close enough for it to be a major problem here” WAYD MUNRO, PANEL BUILDER