Hi Liana / Louise The home was a single storey and was done approx 9 years ago. It still looks the same as the day it was installed and there are no cracks. It also meant timing was shorter as we went from slab down to lock up in approx 4 weeks (ie roof on, windows in, cladding etc) RE maintenance, a pressure wash every 18 months or so depending on location is all it needs. If you want to keep it looking new, you could re-coat it every 10 years. I do not paint over texture coat but you certainly can do that. RE thermal performance, the entire system far exceeds brick. A standard double brick cavity wall R value is around R 0.5 from memory. The Hebel allows for an R2.0 batt in the stud work which takes you to a total of around R3.0, or approx 6 times greater than brick without the thermal mass. We also found that unlike brick, the walls didn't radiate heat into the house at night and aircon wasn't often needed ( I like it cool at night) As I said previously, the methodology is important. For example, during the design of the house the stud framing capacity needs to take into account the fact that the Hebel is being used. The panel size (height) needs to be selected and laid out taking into account both the set down in the slab (exterior course is lower than internal) and the height to the eaves + 50mm. I always go a longer panel so that I don't have joins everywhere rather than patching short ends Control joints need to be properly spaced (these are the gaps in the panels at long intervals to allow for movement that are caulked) Positioning items such as window in increments of 300mm from each other eliminates extra joins and pieces. In relation to cracks, the use of a textured acrylic such as Acratex means it is an elastic (movable) finish and if it is properly installed you should have no issues. I have seen people just render and paint the exterior and as this isn't flexible enough it will likely crack. I would not do it this way and do not ever recommend a render. Texture coating is the more expensive finish but is far and away the most durable in this case. As an aside, upmarket homes are almost always texture coated here in WA. I would suggest you simply take your plans to your local CSR Hebel supplier and work with them. They will plan the panel layout for the job with you or the builder can do it with them. The supplier will also point out changes that can be made to your advantage ie panel sizes, joint locations in effect all the things I have mentioned above they will do. There is also a web site available called Hebel Matters that is a blog style and you can get lots of info from that. RE the foam, we had experience with that in Melbourne when we lived there and I am not a fan of it for anything other than a second storey. As I said at the outset, if you set it up properly and finish it in a quality texture, you will not regret doing it for the advantages you gain in thermal performance. Cheers

If this is just a budget improvement then I would try to fix the cracked tiles and missing grout, paint the window frame white and add white shutters on the window, paint the vanity white (although I don't like doing that either) and get new handles and taps, toilet roll holder etc., install a lovely white potted plant, as shown above and white fluffy towels. A new white frame on the mirror or replace it with a slightly smaller white framed one. Then I would save up for a white stone bench top or stone overlay bench top and the cream will go nicely with all of it. Unfortunately your shower seems to be the most dated part. If you try to change the door you may find that you have missing tiles, although new floor tiles in the shower would probably look OK and add a glass hinged door. Good luck.

Under Australian Consumer Law there are regulations for products to be fit for purpose. "Under the Australian Consumer Law, certain consumer guarantees apply automatically, including that a product must be reasonably fit for any purpose specified by the customer and agreed by the seller. If a product is not fit for a specified purpose, the consumer is entitled to a remedy. The type of remedy depends on whether the problem is major or minor." I would check your paperwork to see if there was any explanation that your selection was not fit for purpose, and I would be seeking a refund and going with someone else, who can do a proper mirrored, toughened glass splashback, such as these guys (or somebody similar in your state): https://precisionshowerscreens.com.au/products/austuff-toughened-mirrors/

I would avoid it if possible. Caulking always ends up looking dirty. It will crack with movement in places and floating floors are meant to expand and contract, unlike tiled floors.