On Trend - March 2022

Breath of fresh air

A unique passive ridge ventilation system, VENT-A-ROOF® promotes the circulation of fresh air through roof spaces, ceilings and building spaces in residential homes and most metal sheds. It improves roof ventilation with continuous airflow, which reduces air-conditioning energy consumption. It also mitigates condensation, humidity and unhealthy mould and mildew. 

Since VENT-A-ROOF has no moving parts, it’s silent. It provides an NCC-compliant and BAL-compliant roof ventilation system. Another benefit is that the two-piece system is cost-effective to install and easier to fit than comparable ventilation systems, and needs little to no maintenance. Suitable for CUSTOM ORB®, TRIMDEK® and KLIP-LOK® roofing, VENT-A-ROOF is available in all COLORBOND® steel colours.

For more info, visit Lysaght

Made of innovation

The makers of Earthwool® from Knauf Insulation produce sustainable glasswool insulation solutions for the market that reduce our environmental footprint. With a new state-of-the-art production facility, Knauf Insulation uses the latest technologies to produce insulation that will deliver comfortable living spaces in buildings and reduce carbon emissions for a better world. 

Earthwool is made from up to 80 per cent recycled glass and uses revolutionary technology exclusive to Knauf Insulation products. ECOSE® Technology is a sustainable bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde, along with no added dyes or artificial colours. 

For more info, visit Knauf Insulation

Inner core

Revolutionary safety ducting now comes standard with all Schweigen Silent rangehoods. Schweigen SteelFlex™ is an ultra-strong and flexible high-performance safety ducting made of Shirikon Firemesh®, a tri-layer tear-resistant UV-treated sleeve. Both are developed by Schweigen for quiet and efficient high-volume transfers of temperature-sensitive air. 

Engineered to enhance the health and safety of a user’s home, Schweigen SteelFlex is antimicrobial treated, thermally insulated and acoustically dampened. It’s fireproof, pest- and crush-proof with a treated surface that prevents the build-up of grease and bacteria. It’s also robustly constructed to withstand impact without tear, rip, collapse or separation in excess of industrial tolerances.

For more info, visit Schweigen Silent rangehoods

Mood lighting

Solatube, the pioneer of the energy-efficient tubular skylight, has unveiled its latest innovation. The new Solatube Daylight Control System enables users to control how much light they want in their room. It features a patented butterfly baffle design that provides complete control over daylight levels. 

The solar-powered baffle is remote-controlled, enabling it to be opened and closed at the touch of a button. It allows users to adjust the light from dark to bright – and everything in between. ‘Imagine being able to have a nap or watch a movie in the dark – during the daytime,’ explains Brett Dickson, Solatube’s general manager. 

‘It’s the ideal solution if you don’t want daylight entering your bedroom or living space all day long.’

For more info, visit Solatube

Free installation workshop

Dincel support doesn’t stop with ‘the sale’. As a key component of its Quality Assured commitment to end-users, Dincel Academy’s free Installation Workshop takes you through the fundamentals when building with Dincel walling. 

If you’re involved in the construction industry, this workshop is for you. Suited to both new and more seasoned users, its Installation Workshop takes you through compliance to installation to finishes. For an interactive and hands-on look at how Dincel Structural Walling will benefit your next build, join the team at one of its monthly sessions. 

Workshops are held in Sydney (Kemps Creek), Melbourne (Dandenong South) and Brisbane (Yatala). And it’s easy to self-register by visiting this website.

For more info, visit Dincel Structural Walling

AirHub Touch Zone Controller

Daikin’s new AirHub Touch Zone Controller for ducted systems, available in two versions, provides ultimate comfort. Its on/off zone control allows users to control up to eight individual zones. This features Airside Control – the indoor unit fan speed is automatically reduced when zones are off to meet the airflow requirements of the open zones. 

This results in quieter operation and greater energy savings. Linear Zone Control enables users to switch up to eight zones on and off, as well as setting the zone temperature to within ±2°C. For ultimate control anywhere, AirHub can be accessed remotely with the Daikin Airbase App, which allows users to control zones, change modes and more using their smartphone or tablet.

For more info, visit Daikin’s AirHub Touch Zone Controller

Rethinking ventilation 

As open-plan settings now accommodate cooking, entertaining, family time and homework, quality ventilation is a necessity. Gaggenau’s new Table Ventilation 200 Series, which sits discreetly along the top edge of the cooktop, reduces cooking vapours and odours quietly and efficiently. Utilising Guided Air technology, the additional airflow captures more vapour in front of the screen. 

This innovation increases the air extraction from pans anywhere on the cooktop so vapours and odours are extracted directly from the source – an ideal solution for kitchen islands and open spaces. Available in 90cm width, it’s flush-mounted and complements the Gaggenau 400 series full surface induction cooktops as well as the 200 series framed induction cooktops. 

For more info, visit Gaggenau

Time-saving software solution 

Choosing the right software solution is often a chore when working in the construction industry. Liink recognised this gap in the market and has now released well-thought-out software, aiming directly at those in the building and construction sector. 

The software, accessible through Companion Systems, provides vital safety, production and construction collaboration between builders, subcontractors and suppliers. It also allows you to process safety in accordance with legislation or builders interpretation. To speed up the process, simply select your specific position – whether you’re a principal contractor or a subcontractor. In addition, Liink provides its OnSite Companion with seamless integration, as well as its new mobile app.

For more info, visit Liink

Pump it

As smart home technology continues to boom, devices such as motion sensors, appliances, thermostats and lights are now seamlessly integrated into many new and renovated homes. This includes integrated water booster pumps, such as the newly released Scala1 for Grundfos. 

Homeowners can control and customise their water supply experience with ease right from their smartphone, achieving optimal pressure boosting while conserving energy and water. The Grundfos Go remote app alerts the user via a series of alarms that indicate issues such as leakages, dry-run, or when a pump has exceeded its maximum runtime.
For more info, visit Grundfos 

By the board

A Victorian company delivers end-to-end turnkey service – a first for engineered hardwood timber flooring specialists in Australia. Kustom Timber covers all facets of the supply, installation and preservation of responsibly sourced and FSC-approved European and American oak, plus native Australian timber. 

The five collections, featuring 35 shades and finishes, maintain optimum consistency between colour batches and surface patinas, with the option to create bespoke tones if requested. Kustom Timber’s latest release is Atelier, an Italian timber range available in four pre-finished colours, as well as a natural raw, clean grade timber that can be stained for any custom projects.

For more info, visit Kustom Timber

Bathroom wonder 

Form and function merge seamlessly to produce Gleda’s innovative bathroom products, the Waterstop Streamline shower hob and its matching Doorline range. ‘There are fundamental flaws in most shower construction methods,’ explains Brett Krey, Gleda’s managing director. ‘Waterstop Streamline is a modern, one-piece water barrier that seamlessly connects the shower screen directly to the waterproofing membrane.’ 

Simple to install, the shower hob is easy for building and construction companies to comply with the revised Australian Standard in waterproofing (AS 3740). 

For more info, visit Gleda

Sophisticated software

Tilling’s SmartFrame software is a highly sophisticated and powerful design tool for Australian designers. The QuickDesign version is available to anyone who needs to design for one or several elements without completing a full layout and taking off all or part of the structure. 

It’s an entire engineering analysis routine set out so any user who can competently use span tables can easily get quick, accurate answers from the software. The full version of the software is primarily used by building designers and estimators who wish to complete full layouts and take-offs.

For more software info, visit Tilling.