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Ferrari Constructions Sydney

Collaroy Home Extension
Ramsay Street, Collaroy

Before Snapshot

This property was an old 60’s build with a concrete block base level and a timber framed, weatherboard clad second level close to Collaroy beach. The client contacted David Ferrari Constructions with plans for a home extension already in place. The site was quite steep and rose to the rear, the house was tucked away into the hill with bush land behind.

Client Brief

The home extension design included a separate wing not attached to the main residence with a living space, bathroom and sauna on the ground floor. the second level was a multi purpose room with fantastic 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean! A deck was required to be built that joined the 2 wings with a walkway deck space that wrapped around the front of both residences with stairway access down to the ground.

Later on the brief was increased to renovate the ceilings of the existing residence. We insulated the roof frame as thermally the existing house performed poorly. We then laid V-joint cladding over the ceiling frame. The residence was classed as being in a fire zone with the highest rating of BAL FZ (Bushfire Attack Level Flame Zone) to the rear.

This meant increased specifications for the build as we had to meet the bushfire building codes construction requirements.

Job Specifications

  • Externally James Hardies Scyon Axon Cladding was used over timber frame. This closely matched the old plywood shadow cladding on the existing residence. To meet BAL FZ requirements we had to also wrap the build in another layer of a fireproof sheet material called Promatect. On the roof colorbond steel cliplock sheeting was used with steel fascias also.
  • Stegbar BAL 40 windows and doors, were used. The the BAL40 rated windows are required to meet bushfire requirements. Additionally fire proof shutters were required to the rear of the residence.
  • Internal Floor boards were 86mm Blackbutt on the first level and tiled on the ground floor. The decking choice was Modwood which is a composite material. No need for painting…ever!! Massive maintenance saver. Additionally all deck constructrion was framed in steel due to bushfire requirements.
  • The Sauna was an absolute pleasure to construct, the carpenters loved constructing our first Sauna, full Western Red Cedar construction was used.
  • The bathroom was tiled to ceiling with timber look tiles, first time we had used them vertically and they looked great! Frameless shower screen and a cool feature of a western red cedar hanging shelf system for towels was a winner.

Project Obstacles

This build ran fairly smoothly and the client and builder relationship was fantastic. We really enjoyed working for the client.

The main obstacles to climb over in this build were the increased compliance details due to the Bushfire rating, which greatly increased our building requirements.

Additionally the slope of the land and position of the site was a challenge, located at the end of a steep driveway and the build itself cut into a hill ensured that a lot of manpower was required simply to get materials to our site at times.

Project Duration

The time taken for this home renovation project in Freshwater, from start to handover was around 5 months

After Snapshot

On completion, this Collaroy home extension was a fantastic building experience for all involved with a brilliant end result.

The wrap around North facing deck was a favourite spot to sit and entertain for the client. The views of the Pacific were great from this spot. Also the overall design of the separate wing, linked by the decking areas is a real winner.

The Sauna is also not only a showpiece but is of great health benefit to the client. We thank the client for allowing us to build their extension for them and also for being kind enough to shoot the video testimonial as below.
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