Watertight investment

With the widespread concern about buildings that leak and rot, new home buyers are understandably nervous about their most important investment. Today the smell of coffee and a nice frontage isn't enough, potential buyers are walking round open homes knocking on walls, looking for a dry, solid home that is built to last.

Eden Homes has a reputation for creating classic European masonry homes, says director Rob Dines.

"Our construction methods alone speak volumes to potential buyers," says Dines. "Nothing makes for a more solid home than the use of concrete block masonry construction and, for buyers, a masonry build means a watertight, rot-proof structure. Our use of advanced technology DryBlock and DryMortar further protects the potential buyer's investment."

The show home on these pages is an example of the workmanship and quality Eden Homes produces.

With its heavy masonry features, DryBlock walls, concrete roof tiles, sandstone paving and cedar detailing, the new showhome has an air of permanence and a distinct Mediterranean feel.

"Our aim was to design a home with standout European appeal something different from what's on today's market," he says.

The design and build company offers a range of European-style designs, including Tuscan villa, Italian rural, and French Provincial homes.

"We can also individualise these plans for clients or design from scratch," says Dines.

In addition to leak and rot prevention, other benefits of a masonry build include excellent acoustic properties, low humidity levels and reduced heating bills.

"Because of the dense thermal mass of the concrete block, the thick walls provide in-built protection from extremes of heat and cold," says Dines. "In winter, walls absorb heat during the day, releasing it at night. Conversely, in summer, the house is insulated from the heat and stays cooler."

The choice of DryBlock as a construction material means the company can combine the traditional advantages of concrete masonry with cutting-edge technology.

"Our latest design has the benefit of being built in Stevenson's DryBlock and DryMortar, which combine to provide fully water-repellant walls," says Dines.

DryBlock offers all the advantages of a standard masonry block, says Stevenson's residential sales manager Wendy Robinson.

"But its imperviousness to water is its standout quality."

Used in conjunction with Stevenson's DryMortar, the DryBlock system significantly improves weathertightness of masonry homes and reinforces the long-term security of your investment.

While repelling water is the most powerful reason for working with DryBlock, there are others, says Robinson.

"For example, DryBlock reduces chalking by up to 95%," she says. "The DryBlock system is also resistant to airborne salts, as water containing salt cannot penetrate it."

"Building inspectors recognise the performance of DryBlock, which is recommended for all single-skin masonry wall applications," she says.

Stevenson also offers DryBlock in a distinctive architectural range, with a variety of textured faces and colours available.

For Eden Homes there have been other advantages to using DryBlock, says Dines.

"We discover new benefits of this product along the way," he says. "For example, even drilling holes in blockwork to attach a gate post can compromise a block's integrity and in the past we have compensated for this with mechanical flashings."

When puncturing a DryBlock, the block remains water-impermeable because its waterproofing is literally built in.

DryBlock's benefits are in keeping with the high standard of materials found throughout the Eden Homes design.

"Solid concrete floors bring additional heat and acoustic insulation," says Dines. "Even the staircase is solid concrete. Noise separation between floors is a prized commodity for families with small children."

From the Cinnamon riverbed pebble driveway also from Stevenson to the traditional European-look roof tiles, every aspect of the home exudes permanence.

"This design includes many of the attributes found in our larger, more opulent homes," he says. "This is apparent even when standing at the front door. Solid cedar frames the substantial entranceway, which measures 2.2m by 1.1.

"A feature fireplace from The Fireplace Ltd is another example of the home's upmarket feel. We have worked with The Fireplace Ltd for many years. The company thinks laterally and are always looking at ways of improving their range. Their fireboxes are both robust and efficient and the overall designs offer total flexibility of design to suit individual needs."

"Masonry's low heat load means the fireplace can fit into a snug, unobtrusive alcove without requiring extra surrounding space for bulky insulation," says Dines.

The fireplace installed in this home is the Jetmaster 700 deluxe, offering the ambience of a traditional open fire but with the convenience and efficiency of gas. The fire offers high radiant and convected heat, heat energy that is again optimised by the masonry construction.

"When this house was nearing completion, we would enter in the morning and find the interiors warm and snug, even without any overnight heating," says Dines. "The solid concrete floors and DryBlock construction play a large part in this."

Masonry homes feature deep window reveals and this sense of solidity is enhanced by the choice of window joinery.

"As with The Fireplace, we have worked with Windows 2000 for many years. It's an innovative joinery company and its latest Nu-look Nutech suite provides added defence against moisture and rain," says Dines.

Nutech offers advanced drainage and jointing technology that ensures a lasting weathertight integrity.

The advanced drainage features of the joinery facilitate safe removal of water and window condensation from window frames. The patented corner-connection system makes the frame stronger, ensuring that the window seal will not break.

Windows 2000's high standard of construction and finish, together with Nutech's design, contributes to future-proofing the home.

All windows and door joinery systems were customised to meet the specific needs of Eden Homes.

"Because indoor-outdoor flow is increasingly sought after, this home is practically built around a central, covered summer room, designed for year-round outdoor living," says Dines.

Eden Homes specified Resene paints for the home, both inside and out.

"All our contacts are tried and true, and Resene is no exception. The company supplied a fibre-reinforced waterproofing membrane, Resene X200, for use on the exterior, designed to go with plaster substrates. The coating offers a strong, durable protection," says Dines. "Inside we used Resene Spanish White, a colour selected from the Resene Whites and Neutrals chart several years ago this tone is still extremely popular with our clients today."

The Resene Whites and Neutrals chart is a Resene colour chart containing 42 of the company's most popular off-whites and neutrals, including four variations of Resene Spanish White, for those wishing to achieve a tone on tone colour scheme with the minimum of fuss.

The chart is commonly used by both homeowners and commercial building companies to select their base colour scheme before adding accents with brighter shades from the Resene The Range fashion fandeck.

For further information on Eden Homes or showroom details, contact Eden Homes directly, phone (09) 274 8890. Website: www.edenhomes.co.nz.

For information on DryBlock, contact Stevenson, freephone 0800 Dryblock. Email: info@stevensons.co.nz.

For details on the joinery, contact Nu-look Windows & Doors, freephone 0508 800 755, fax (09) 262 6236. Email: marketing@nu-look.co.nz. Website: www.nu-look.co.nz.

For details on the Jetmaster 700 Deluxe fire, contact The Fireplace, phone 0800 843 3473. Email: sales@fireplace.co.nz. Website: www.thefireplace.co.nz.

For details on the Resene ColorShop, phone 0800 Resene (737 363). Websites: www.resene.co.nz and www.Trendsideas.com.

For further information on Rose & Heather Furniture, phone (09) 520 4442. Website: www.roseandheather.co.nz.

For information on Ashton Garage Doors, phone (09) 443 3053. Email: admin@ashtondoors.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas