As the building materials market has become more diverse and competitive, manufacturers have jostled to provide the longest warranty terms to entice buyers. Though new technologies and materials are undoubtedly improving product performance in leaps and bounds, warranties should not all be taken at face value and customers should take the time to scrutinise what is really being offered.
The advancement of building materials has transformed not only the look and feel of modern aesthetic designs but the structural capabilities of the materials themselves, opening up new possibilities for homeowners.
There are many definitions of ‘green’ as it pertains to buildings, but the latest sustainable lifestyle trend toward living walls and living roofs has the ultimate credentials in low-impact living. Rather than being quite literally a statement façade, there are sound reasons for bringing plants into our architectural designs.
The International Federation of Environmental Health, the London-based global organisation for environmental health professionals, declared 26 September to be World Environmental Health Day in 2011.
In South Africa, September celebrates a number of significant events including Arbor Week, with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRR) acting as the country’s champion of indigenous forests and trees.
With summer on our doorstep, this is the time of year when your deck will be used the most. South Africans love to enjoy the outdoors and entertain at home, but even with high foot traffic and activity a composite deck can be returned to first-day appearance in just a few quick minutes.
The construction, building materials and engineering fields have for years carried with them the stigma of being male-dominated industries. For three women working at building materials group Eva-Last, however, passion is purpose and outdated perceptions will not stand in their way.
Fire pits come in many traditional designs and materials but they all serve the same purpose – to provide aesthetic viewing pleasure and functional warmth to any outdoor entertainment area. Whether winter or summer, an outdoor fire pit puts everyone in a relaxed and comfortable frame of mind.
Exposed posts, beams and trusses have been used for centuries to provide aesthetically pleasing and functional features to architecture – particularly for vaulted ceilings. Though the traditional materials used for such architectural framing included hardwoods, their weight, susceptibility to decay and environmental impact have encouraged architects to look for sustainable alternatives.
Building materials group Eva-Last® has appointed John Westermeyer as director of sales enablement and programme management, signalling a new era for the South Africa-based group as it scales up its international distribution.
