Renovations that last with materials that stand the test of time

The following is a collection of photos of homes Peter Bracey has renovated between 5 and 15 years ago. As you can see they look like they were renovated yesterday.

This is the advantage of employing a quality builder who only uses the best quality Australian made materials that have been tested for decades in our harsh and extreme climate from the cyclone prone areas of northern Australia to the bush fire areas of the west and east to the cold of the south.

Not only are the materials installed on your home important, they are only half the renovation. The first class tradesmen that work for Peter Bracey are the icing on the cake – Some of them have worked for Peter for over 30 years.

When you have Peter Bracey call out to quote your home renovation he calls personally (no high pressure salesmen), and will be on time.

Peter will show you all his relevant builders licenses (Peter holds a full license) and gives you a list of the last 200 happy, satisfied clients for you to contact. I doubt you will get that many references from any other builder.

“Perfection, nothing less!” since 1969

Different Types of House Cladding

Exterior cladding has proven to be a popular choice for many homeowners. This technique can improve the look of a home and increase its ability to hold up well against the elements and general wear-and-tear. But while more home improvement companies and contracting organisations have begun offering exterior cladding services, different materials are used within the industry. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, but understanding the basics of each can help anyone make the right decision for their unique need.

Timber Cladding

This type of cladding is popular among older homes, and is known for its grain texture. While its price is reasonable, it often requires sanding and other upkeep procedures periodically. This type of house cladding has fallen out of favour at many organisations, but it is still in use in some areas.

Fibre Cement Cladding

Fibre cement cladding has been noted for its unique, modern appearance and its ability to hold up well with little maintenance. However, this type of material can be tedious to install and it is also known to be affected by high temperatures.

Colourbond Cladding

Of all the types of house cladding used today, this version is one of the most modern. This modern design offers good structural protection, but it also requires proper insulation and preparation methods to help it hold up to harsher conditions.

Palliside Cladding

Palliside is a popular choice for those seeking exterior cladding due to a number of reasons. It holds up well to the elements and is resistant to rotting, chipping, and fading. In addition, it helps to protect a home against harsh climate conditions, insects, and other threats. While this siding does utilise insulation as well, it also helps keep sound and moisture out of the structure.

Getting Quality Exterior Cladding Services

Peter Bracey Home Improvement is a leader in the area of exterior home cladding with high-quality Palliside materials. Those interested in getting this type of protection from their home can contact the team to find out more.

 

New Year, New Cladding

New Year’s Resolutions are typically forgotten a week after the New Year. Instead of setting hard to attain renovation dreams, set smaller achievable targets that have the end goal in focus. Think long term and small, more manageable projects.

A glance at wall cladding

Homebuyers are unaware of the impact of exterior cladding until it comes time to replace the home exterior. With the harsh weather conditions year round, it’s important to make sure your home exterior has the highest quality cladding possible. For example, vinyl cladding is an inexpensive option sand used to be the go to alternative. Today we have Palliside UPVC weatherboard cladding, a higher quality product where you will never have to pay for warped cladding repair ever again. Not only is Palliside cladding warp resistant, but it features plenty of aesthetic benefits, too. These include:

  • Diversity in colours, allowing one to customise their home exterior or select an option that matches the style of their home
  • Extremely low maintenance and eco-friendly finish
  • Colour retention cladding, which fights against discolouration

Durability and sustainability

There is more to exterior cladding than its visual appear, the true value lies beneath its appearance. Palliside cladding is typically tested to fight against 200 MPH winds before being placed on the shelves for purchasing. Many brands put the Palliside materials through durability testing. This includes long periods of time in high speeds, testing its ability to sustain harsh weather conditions.

Because Palliside cladding is so highly praised, it typically comes with a 25 year warranty. It is energy efficient because it possesses the ability to insulate the home and reduce heat from passing through the thermal barrier.

Extreme heat and cladding

Bushfires are not uncommon in Australia and it’s important to prepare your home for heat this extreme. While one may not come into direct contact with fire, one may become familiar with a warped exterior if you choose not to purchase high quality wall cladding, especially since Palliside comes with a nil fire ignition rate.

 In conclusion

A home maintained home is a home that one can easily build upon. This New Year’s think about restoring & maintaining your home at rate that workable and manageable.  A happy home creates a happy owner.

How Quality Cladding Can Improve Your Home

Every homeowner knows that keeping their house in good condition has multiple benefits. In addition to providing significant curb appeal, houses which are kept in proper condition offer better protection from the elements. Most people think that improving their house requires costly and time-consuming renovations. However, cladding is a speedy and economical way to improve the appearance and stability of your home for years to come.

Quality Cladding Can Create a Fresh New Look

Even a house with impressive architectural design can lose a bit of its sheen due to weather damage over time. By opting for quality cladding, you can ensure that your house will receive a level of polish that no amount of standard cleaning can bring. Quality cladding restores solidarity and helps remove problem areas from the siding of your house.

Better Cladding Means Better Protection From The Elements

Imperfections on the outside of your home can do more than decrease curb appeal; they can lead to leaks and drafts. While some may be content to simply have these issues repaired as they occur, this can be very expensive in the long run. Getting quality wall cladding can help to prevent issues before they occur, saving you money and providing unrivalled protection from weather-related concerns.

Save Time by Reducing The Need For Maintenance

Many people enjoy making renovations and modifications around their home. However, this can sometimes involve repairing existing problems rather than building on and creating new fixtures. With cladding, you’re guaranteed to avoid frequent upkeep tasks like repairing chips, painting over faded areas, and smoothing out warped sections.

An All-In-One Solution For Your Home

Restorations of this type are designed to prove aesthetic appeal and functionality for your home. Every homeowner wants to save money and time when it comes to improving their home and numerous areas can be restored, including roofs, gutters, windows, doors, carports, awnings, and eaves. With a proper job done by trained professionals using the best materials, your entire home can be renewed.

Professional Cladding From an Industry Expert

Peter & Lesley Bracey Home Improvements is a fully-licensed company that has been performing cladding installation and renovation services for over 20 years. Homeowners in Sydney and the surrounding areas have given positive ratings to this company based on their commitment to quality. With a seven year labor guarantee and a twenty-five year material warranty, working with this company is a great choice. Contact us about new cladding for your home today!

Cladding 101

When I was a first time homebuyer, I didn’t know what cladding was and how important it was to my home’s exterior. I’ve put together a quick Cladding: 101 fact sheet for those who wish to learn more.

What is cladding?

In basic terms, exterior cladding is when a material is put over the external walls of a home to help fight against the harsh weather conditions. Sometimes, it is used for aesthetics, but it typically provides a safety shield for walls.

Stucco is a familiar word to most who have done home renovations. This is just one example of aesthetically pleasing cladding. However, Palliside cladding is becoming far more popular, although it’s not the only option. Fibre cement cladding is another form that is composed of cellulose fibers, sand and cement. Typically, this is seen in the form of faux shingles.

Before the Second World War, cladding was quite expensive and high maintenance. After the 1970s, there was a shift in materials used for typical cladding jobs from fibre to vinyl and aluminum. This made it much less expensive to install and maintain.

Benefits of Palliside wall cladding

House cladding isn’t just for looks; it serves an actual purpose in fighting against harsh weather conditions. While it doesn’t make the house completely weatherproof, it does provide a tough shield against these conditions. When I first started renovations years ago, I didn’t realise how many benefits there were to opting for Palliside wall cladding. Some of these benefits include:

  • High heat resistance (will not melt in sun or bush fire)
  • It will not rot or peel
  • It does not weaken easily
  • Unaffected by hail
  • Acts as an insulation for sound, as well as weather

While a basic rundown of cladding will speak of fighting against weather, the purposes above are what truly seal the deal. In terms of aesthetics, cladding and weatherboard have plenty to offer including maintaining its original colour. Since my cladding is of the highest quality, I can guarantee no discolouration and lifelong wear.

 

Bad concrete tile restoration

This is the result of a bad concrete tile roof restoration! Notice the peeling red paint on the tiles,it was probably only coated with paving paint!

The second photo with the black roof was done by Peter Bracey it was cleaned, any broken tiles replaced, a sealer /filler coat was applied and then 2 coats of Nu-tech 2000 roof membrane,and this job was completed 5 years ago and still looks like a new tile roof!

White Isn’t Always White

Colour is one of the most frustrating things people always have to deal with when they’re trying to re-decorate, even when it comes to the shade of the palliside cladding they prefer. After all, there can be anywhere between two to twenty different shades for every colour, and not everyone can tell the difference between any of them.

Shades of the colour white can be the most difficult to tell apart. First, the only experience most people have with the colour is the colour white; they never bothered learning the different shades of it.

Reasons for Shade Blindness

Remember how a box of crayons had brick, mauve, and yellow green in addition to red, brown, and green? White didn’t have anything like that. The closest white had to a different shade of colour was grey, and that doesn’t necessarily count as a shade of white anyway.

Second, the names of the shades are taken from what most people would agree to be examples of white instead of shades of white. This makes trying to classify them a frustrating exercise where no one sees anything different from one shade to another until they squint hard and kind of see it for the first time.

What is Ecru?

Imagine being told to tell the difference between eggshell, ivory, bone, and ecru – without knowing what ecru even is in the first place. The only way to be able to develop a skill in easily identifying shades of colour is to experience those different shades every day. This is so that the eye can pick on the small differences in lightness of the different shades.

Fortunately, our clients will not have any trouble with our Palliside Cladding Colour Chart. For more information on the renovation solutions we offer, contact us today. We promise to take it easy on the whites.

Dress Up Your Home with Exterior Cladding

Everyone wants to protect their home from the harshness of weather and the general wear and tear of external factors. It is for this reason that exterior cladding has long been a practice among homeowners.

Cladding is the outermost layer of buildings and other structures such as houses. It acts as a protective layer by separating a structure from exterior elements, thereby making it last longer and less susceptible to damage.

The Types of Exterior Cladding

The type of material you choose for your home’s exterior can greatly affect how well your cladding can perform its function.

Vinyl Cladding
This type of cladding has been in use since the 1950s. Whilst they have long been the standard exterior wall cladding material, it has proven to be quite vulnerable to a host of environmental factors.

Palliside Cladding
Palliside claddings are most definitely the best choice if you are after aesthetics and low maintenance. It gives homes a natural charm whilst providing a layer of UV protection.

The Benefits of Exterior Cladding

Some may see cladding as an outdated feature of housing that is not appealing, but modern methods of cladding actually has the potential to give your house a great visual transformation.

Appearance
The addition of cladding can greatly alter the overall look of a house. It is a fairly low-cost option for homeowners looking for a quick change of appearance. Alternatively, you can install cladding to your exterior walls.

Waterproofing & Ventilation
Constant exposure to different weather conditions can cause walls to warp and deteriorate in a hurry. Through cladding, walls get an extra layer of protection. Cladding provides added ventilation, as well.

Insulation Covering
In addition, you can use cladding to cover up insulation that may already be in place. This makes for a more pleasing aesthetic while retaining the benefits of any existing insulation. It is often necessary if you are just adding insulation.

Peter and Lesley Bracey Home Improvements is the company that has been giving perfection, nothing less, for over 45 years. Get in touch with us for all your home improvement needs. Clad your home exterior today and enjoy the many benefits that come with it.

Palliside is the ideal material for top floor extensions!

Palliside is the ideal material for top floor extensions!

Hence you only have to pay for the cost of scaffolding once and not every time you have to paint the top floor addition.

Because it is a structural material it can be fitted directly to the frame!

Usually clients elect to instal colorbond gutters, downpipes,facia cover and barges.

Icon eave system can also be installed and now you have eliminated any maintenance save for a hosing down to clean.

Remember Palliside will not fade,powder,dent,rot,warp,suffer hail damaged or burn and is category C cyclone rated.

Below are two photos of jobs that were completed between 10-15 years ago, as you can see they look like they were !just finished

top-floor1 top-floor2

Renovating a 100 years old house

Peter Bracey finds a great majority of his renovation jobs are as a result of recommendations from existing clients,Peter has been renovating houses in the Sydney metropolitan area since 1969, that’s 45 years!

The following two photos are of homes in the same street in Merrylands!

The first home had a complete renovation some 15 years ago. The terracotta roof was restored, next the gutters,facias,downpipes were replaced.

The eaves were renewed with our superseded eave system.

Bracey architectural external architrave windows with grey laminated security/insulating glass were tailor made for the home and finally Palliside UPVC weatherboards were installed!

After 15 years the home still looks as though the renovation was completed yeaterday.

The following home was completed 14 years ago and was a referral form the previous renovation.

This home was about 100 years old when we started the job

The roof and bullnose awning were renewed with colorbond.

The gutters,facia and downpipes were also renewed in colorbond.

The eaves were originally exposed,showing the rafters. the eaves were enclosed to eliminate the fidley painting around the rafters.

Finally,Palliside weatherboard cladding was installed.

The timber windows were not changed, those and the awning support posts need to be painted as you can see from the photo, they have not been attended to since the renovation was completed 15 years ago!

But the work Peter Bracey performed looks the same as the day job was finished! And it will look just as good for another 100 years.

When you employ Peter Bracey, a builder that only instals the best Australian made materials and has the best tradesmen you get “perfection nothing less”.

100years1

100years2

Peter Bracey has other news items that are of interest when you are considering renovating your home- click here to view