Jim Pritchard - Building Renewable

A photograph of a man installing an engineered wood floor. He is dressed in a light blue T-shirt and tool belt. The engineered wood planks have been installed over about half the floor in the room and the subfloor is visible across the rest of the image. The subfloor has foil-backed insulation laid across it that has been taped together along the joins. The man is using a hammer against a plastic block held against the latest plank to be laid to ensure a snug fit. Across the top of the image are the words "Installing an Engineered Wood Floor – 10 Steps To Follow" in white letters on a partially transparent brown background. In the bottom left are three steps in a list to signify that the article provides a step-by-step approach.

Installing an Engineered Wood Floor – 10 Steps To Follow

ByJim Pritchard April 8, 2023January 7, 2025

Installing an engineered wood floor is often something that people get professionals to do. But if you follow the 10 steps in this guide, have the right tools, and have some basic DIY skills, you could certainly do this job yourself.

A long-span engineered wood ceiling with long beams running the entire length of the room and cross-members at regular intervals. The ceiling above the engineered wood members is made from a series of wood panels. Gray ceiling fans hang from the cross-members. The wood is a light brown color. Across the top of the image are the words "Engineered Wood - The 10 Most Common Questions Answered" in white letters. There are three white question marks overlain at the bottom of the image.

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Engineered Wood – The 10 Most Common Questions Answered

ByJim Pritchard April 7, 2023January 7, 2025

Engineered wood can be found in all sorts of building products, and for some uses, it is even more popular than natural wood. This article answers the most common questions about this versatile and sustainable material.

Two Photographs side by side showing decking areas made from TimberTech (left) and Trex (right). The left hand deck has dining furniture on it and is light brown. The deck on the right is light gray and has a city skyline in the background. Across the top are the words "Which Is Better, Trex or TimberTech? Composite Decks Compared." The letters "VS" are in the center.

Decking Recycled Plastic Recycled Wood Sustainable Architecture

Which Is Better, Trex or TimberTech? Composite Decks Compared

ByJim Pritchard April 6, 2023May 4, 2024

These two are the heavyweights of the composite decking world, but which is better – Trex or TimberTech? This article compares the two brands across a range of the most common features so you can decide which is better for your next project.

A photograph of a stylish decking area with a balcony that juts out over a green lawn. The deck has a gray glass outdoor dining table and six gray mesh-backed chairs. The decking boards are light brown and have a visible grain. The building the deck abuts has large windows along its length. There is also a large overhang on the building with prominent wooden beams that partially covers the decking area. The railing around the decking has black metal posts, steel wire cross-pieces and wood-effect handrail. In the bottom right hand corner is an icon showing a person reading a book. The words "TimberTech Composite Decking - Everything You Need To Know" appear across the top of the image.

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TimberTech Composite Decking – Everything You Need To Know

ByJim Pritchard April 5, 2023August 27, 2024

TimberTech composite decking is a good choice for a durable and eco-friendly deck for your home. But with all the different options and features available at different price points, choosing the right one for your home can be confusing. This article guides you through the types, price points, and features available to help you decide.

A picture of engineered wood siding on the side of a house. It is light gray in color and oriented horizontally. Across the top of the image are the words, "Engineered Wood Siding - Advantages and Disadvantages." At the bottom of the image is a set of scales with a red cross on the left and a green tick on the right.

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Engineered Wood Siding – Advantages and Disadvantages

ByJim Pritchard April 4, 2023January 7, 2025

Engineered wood siding is available in lots of different finishes. But is it the right choice for your home? We find out in this article, looking at all the pros and cons.

Two photographs of wood flooring products. The photo on the left features engineered hardwood flooring with the different layers of plywood and veneer clearly visible and being pointed out by a person holding a pencil to the side of the wood piece. The photo on the right shows solid hardwood flooring with a single wood grain visible throughout the entire thickness of the product. There are indicator gauges and a yellow question mark in the center of the image to indicate the question of which is better. Along the bottom of the image are the words "Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Better Than Solid Hardwood?"

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Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Better Than Solid Hardwood?

ByJim Pritchard April 3, 2023November 8, 2024

Engineered hardwood flooring is gaining popularity as a cheaper alternative to hardwood flooring. But is it better than solid hardwood? In this article, we find out.

Two photographs side by side. The left hand photo is of a composite deck being built and the one on the right is a wooden deck under construction. In the centre at the bottom is an icon of a small boy holding two green "greater than and less than" symbols in a questioning way. Across the top of the image are the words "Composite Decking-What Is It And Is It Better Than Wood?"

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Composite Decking-What Is It And Is It Better Than Wood?

ByJim Pritchard April 2, 2023October 13, 2024

Composite decking is becoming a popular option for many householders these days. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of composite decking, including whether it’s better than wood for use on a garden deck.

Two photographs side-by-side of Trex Decking installations. The left hand image shows a square elevated decking area with steps leading up to the square seating area that has a dining table and chairs with a parasol above. There are black railings around the decking area and along the stairs. The image on the right shows a decked area that is covered with a wooden roof that has large beams. The deck appears to run along the side of a house and has wicker chairs and a coffee table with a glass top. There are palm trees growing in the garden just beyond the decking. There is an information icon in the center of the image showing an open book with the letter "I" popping out of it. Along the bottom are the words "Trex Decking - Everything You Need to Know (Pros and Cons)."

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Trex Decking – Everything You Need to Know (Pros and Cons)

ByJim Pritchard April 1, 2023May 1, 2024

Trex decking is becoming a popular alternative to standard wood decking, but why is this? This article examines the pros and cons of trex decking to understand why everyone’s talking about this innovative and sustainable building material.

A photograph of shredded plastic bottles ready for recycling with a drawing of a blue roll of recycled plastic insulation and a photo of three plastic bottles overlain. The plastic bottles are arranged in a circular "recycling symbol" shape. Across the top of the image are the words "All About Recycled Plastic Insulation (Should You Use It?)"

Recycled Plastic Insulation Recycled Material Sustainable Architecture

All About Recycled Plastic Insulation (Should You Use It?)

ByJim Pritchard March 31, 2023October 13, 2024

Recycled plastic insulation is becoming more popular by the day, but should you use it in your home? In this article, we tackle all the pros and cons of recycled plastic insulation and answer the most common questions about its use.

A large green house icon with multi-colored plastic pellets in the background. The pellets are arranged in vertical stripes of the same color going from gold on the left, through orange, green, pink, white, and yellow on the right. There are orange bricks along the bottom and the words "The Real Costs of Recycled Plastic Homes (3D and Bricks Too)"written at the bottom of the image in white letters on a semi-transparent orange background.

Recycled Plastic Insulation Recycled Material Sustainable Architecture

The Real Costs of Recycled Plastic Homes (3D and Bricks Too)

ByJim Pritchard March 30, 2023October 13, 2024

Recycled plastic is popping up in more and more building products, making it possible to build a house entirely from recycled plastic. In this article, we look at the costs of recycled plastic homes, including 3D printed homes and homes built using recycled plastic bricks.