The quest, among specifiers and homeowners, to create homes that push boundaries in terms of style and liveability extends beyond the confines of the living room and kitchen to exterior spaces.

There are various market forces driving change in the residential construction sector, including the ambitions of homeowners to reap the rewards of a seemingly-forever growing property market, technological advancements and their implications for product development, government-led pushes for urban consolidation, and more. However, amongst all of these, the move towards sustainability is perhaps the strongest.

As Novawood, a manufacturer of products made from thermo-treated wood points out, environmental considerations now have a significant influence on the development all types of construction products.

In recent years, the outdoor and landscaping industry has shifted towards sustainability and eco-friendly solutions, with a notable focus on green timber products in residential applications. Key developments include the use of reclaimed or responsibly sourced wood for decking, cladding, landscaping, and garden furniture, along with innovative treatments reducing the need for chemical preservatives.

Novawood's outdoor and landscaping products, which are responsibly sourced from FSC and PEFC-certified sustainable forests, are also designed to maintain structural integrity through superior dimensional stability, avoiding warping or shrinking, while at the same time, their natural appearance and unique grain patterns add authenticity to outdoor spaces.

Chemical-free and eco-friendly, these products are also designed to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability. With a low carbon footprint and high fire safety standards, they are safe for fire-prone areas.

Timber-look alternatives

Of course, there is another option for those attracted to the natural appearance of timber. Over the past several years, several timber-look alternatives have emerged.

Deco Australia offers a range of such products suitable for exterior residential applications. These include the popular Decobatten (a lightweight, durable aluminium batten system that can be used vertically to create floating fences), and Decodeck (a decking system that combines the appearance and natural beauty of timber with the strength and durability of aluminium).

Image: Barnard House / Deco Australia / Supplied

Low maintenance, non-combustible and easy to install, these products are characterised by qualities like a capacity to resist twisting, warping, rotting, and splintering, as well as resistance to pests such as termites.

These products are designed to address industry challenges related to the frequent maintenance and shorter lifespan of timber. Their ease of installation and extended durability reduce the overall cost and environmental impact associated with outdoor landscaping projects.

Importantly, Deco Australia is not an organisation that is satisfied to rest on its laurels. With a demonstrated commitment to innovation, the company continues to bring new products to market.

Most recently, it has added new profiles and extended its batten and cladding ranges, as well as introducing solutions to assist with easier and quicker installation, such as the Decobatten Spacebase.

Designed with 25mm or 50mm spaced arms to provide perfect spacing between each batten, it eliminates the need for preparing surfaces before installing the battens and provides creative design options with either a matching or contrasting backing colour between each batten.

On top of that, the addition of a Double and Triple SpaceBase (which allows two or three battens to be added to one base) makes installation even quicker.

Composite decking

Along similar lines, Sydney-based Innowood offers a co-extruded wood composite decking product that features two fibreglass layers. Known as Fiba-Dek, it is installed along with the company’s Smart-Clip Fixing System (which utilises hidden connectors slotted into grooves along the sides of the decking board's profile) to deliver a clean decking with no visible screws.

This patented technology enhances the rigidity, durability, and toughness of the decking board by significantly reducing the movement of the board at different temperatures. Durable and low maintenance, Fiba-Dek is also designed to resist thermal expansion, which is a key consideration considering the harsh Australian climate.

According to the company, while Fiba-Dek has become the premium decking material of choice in schools – to create outdoor learning spaces and so forth – it is also suitable for a range of other applications including residential projects.

Available in an embossed wood grain finish and in a choice of six colours (Cedar, Alder, Cinnamon, Charcoal, Spotted Gum and American Oak), it is suitable for a broad range of residential applications.

Pedestal pavers

Elsewhere, we are also seeing changes in the use of pavers and exterior tiles in residential projects.

“Pedestal pavers – which are installed on pedestals as opposed to solid concrete or crushed rock bases – are gaining traction in residential projects,” says Adam Gee, Sales Manager at Anston Architectural Products (a member of the SVC Group).

Image: Fulham Avenue / SVC Products / Supplied

“Anston’s reinforced pedestal pavers were developed in response to the growing use of pedestal systems in the landscape industry, and the company’s desire to produce a safe, purpose-built product for this application.”

While previously they tended to be used more often in commercial work, according to Gee, pedestal pavers deliver a range of benefits when used in residential projects. These include the ability to conceal services underneath the paving, which facilitates easy access.

Also, they make it possible to incorporate a drainage grade in the sub-base, resulting in a perfectly level paved surface; and make it possible to raise the level of the pool flush with the level of the house, which is helpful for properties on sloped sites or where there is a height difference between the floor of the home and the level of the pool.

“Also, the aesthetically pleasing groutless finish of pavers on pedestals allows water to drain between the pavers, reducing the need for unsightly drainage pits or covers around a pool,” says Gee.

Asked about factors behind the trend towards pedestal paving, Gee says industry upskilling has been important. “Builders and contractors have become more aware of pedestal pavers as an installation methodology,” he says.

Anston offers a range of pedestal pavers designed specifically for installation on pedestals. These differ from standard concrete pavers or natural stone pavers as they contain a reinforced steel framework within. This frame provides a safety mechanism to ensure that any cracking or damage to the paver from impact loads is cosmetic only. It will not affect structural integrity or cause the paver to break and fall to the sub-base.

Available in more than 40 sizes and 27 colours, the range offers options to suit varying styles, design ambitions and residential applications.

Tessellated tiles

Tessellated tiles – which are defined as loose tiles of various sizes, colours, and shapes that are composed into geometric patterns, continuously repeated, to form a tessellated floor – are also experiencing a bump in popularity.

Image: Tessellated Tiles, Toorak Gardens, South Australia / Supplied

Already familiar to Australians, particularly in the context of heritage homes, the distinctive tiles are also finding use in various modern residential applications. Architects are specifying them more and more, on verandas, around swimming pools, on walkways, and so forth.

“Tessellated tiles are resourceful outdoor products…made of fully vitrified porcelain, they are highly durable and have a long lifecycle,” says Laura Bagnato, General Manager of Tessellated Tile Factory, a supplier which offers over 50 different types of tessellated patterns.

“They are not only healthy for occupants, but also the environment. Made of naturally occurring materials, these products are plastic free and, as such, do not contribute to plastic pollution.”

As used to great effect at a project completed by the company in Toorak Gardens, South Australia, Tessellated floors involve three separate elements – the tile pattern itself, a border that frames the pattern, and a filler that acts as a buffer between the border and the junction between the wall and floor or edge of the floor.

“The design selected in this particular project was a black and white checkered tessellated pattern to fit with the federation architecture,” says Bagnato.

“The liberty of this product is that they come in an array of colours to suit most design styles. At the front section of the house there is a red tile design with decorative encaustics to bring detail to the pattern design, it’s in this detail that sets this product apart from the rest.”

Not just scratch resistant, but also resistant to heavy impacts, water, and alkali, the newly installed tiles look set for a long and productive service life.

And, like the various other products mentioned above, they are set to help specifiers and homeowners deliver just the right mix of style, liveability, and sustainability to Australia’s front and backyards.

Main image: Tessellated Tile Factory / Supplied

Suppliers

Novawood

Deco Australia

Innowood

SVC Products

Tessellated Tile Factory

Matthew McDonald

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