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Choosing a solid masonry home over the morestandard timber build is a decision that more of us are making. Increasingly, it's a viable option, now that the costs of constructing a masonry or timber home are comparable.
That's the experience of Jason Frost of Group Masonry, who commissioned this architect-designed home in Auckland as both a show home and, eventually, his family home.
"Masonry homes have a long life span and are durable," says Frost. "They used to be out of reach for many people, but they are simpler to construct than other buildings and these days they cost the same to construct as timber homes."
As a building material for family homes, concrete has many benefits, he says.
"Concrete retains heat from the sun during the day, and radiates it at night. It's also a good soundproofing material. It doesn't rot, and is strong enough to last hundreds of years and cope with natural disasters," he says.
Timber is used for the 4m-high kauri front door, the cedar garage doors and the home's partitions and frames. The concrete walls of the home are covered with a sand-and-cement-based plaster, and finished with a neutral-coloured paint to blend into the Mount Eden environment.
Group Masonry is a specialist builder of masonry homes, in both contemporary and traditional styles, with offices in Auckland and Tauranga.
"Our in-house designers and external architects work on new designs and extensions. The team can also adapt plans for a timber home, converting it to a masonry build," says Frost.
For more information, contact Group Masonry, 6/12 Laidlaw Way, Flatbush, Manukau City, phone (09) 274 1345, fax (09) 274 1346. Email: jason@groupmasonry.co.nz, or visit the website: www.groupmasonry.co.nz.