For its history and reputation as a beautiful, reliable material, the timber chosen for Stage 1 of the Ergo Apartments in Adelaide showed how quickly it could weather and how much maintenance would be required in order to keep it looking good and remain serviceable. So when stage 2 of construction was being finalised, Futurewood EnviroSlat 156mm Weatherproof Cladding was chosen to complete the project.
On-going maintenance, expensive oiling or staining and the practicality of ongoing upkeep are factors often considered too late in the construction process, leaving unsatisfied owners to deal with the burden of maintaining property with high upkeep demands – and costs!
With stage 1 of construction of the Ergo Apartments complete, both the builders, Hindmarsh and the sub-contractor Adams Jones Pty Ltd were planning stage 2 of construction and looking for a cost effective alternative to timber. What was needed was a material as aesthetically pleasing as the timber used in stage 1 of the project but that could also withstand the harsh Adelaide weather requiring less maintenance and be easy to install saving money all around.
Futurewood’s EnviroSlat 156mm weatherproof cladding and 70mm EnviroSlat screening were the materials of choice for stage 2 of the construction process. A low maintenance alternative to Kapur timber, the EnviroSlat weatherproof cladding and screening immediately removed the problem of trying to maintain timber against the harsh effects of the weather over time.
After consultation between Futurewood and the builders a 184mm wide custom made EnviroSlat board was designed and produced in record time to complement the EnviroSlat 156mm weatherproof cladding, providing a stunning finish along balcony edges of the Ergo properties. EnviroSlat 70mm screening was also used extensively around the property in conjunction with half height masonry walls to provide a secure feature fence.
Stage 1 of the Ergo Apartments was completed in October 2013, whilst stage 2, with the EnviroSlat 156mm weatherproof cladding, the 184mm capping boards and the 70mm screening boards all used extensively, was completed in May 2015. Through the use of reliable timber alternatives such as the EnviroSlat products chosen for this project, Futurewood has again shown how wood plastic composite alternatives can save builders and property owners alike thousands of dollars through construction and over the life of their property.
For more information about Futurewood's EnviroSlat cladding, call 1300 484 308 or email us at [email protected].
