Thanks for response, great website I can see myself wanting to spend too much time on there :) I'm thinking of having a crack myself now as brother in law has a drop saw and said he can give me a hand. If it's a total disaster then I might look to a site like that but probably can't afford it. I was thinking a carpenter could knock it up quickly from scraps rather than an artisan but perhaps too specialised.

I had some clients that had this colorbond wrap over their timber fascias, which was a similar style to yours and they were very unhappy with the end result. Judging from the age of your home the existing fascia is probabaly a rough sawn oregon timber which has its own character. As timber can be readily trimmed, filled and sanded, the junctions between pieces, and at corners can be easily disguised to give the impression that they are continuous lengths. The problem with the colorbond material is the lengths are limited, and that the joints cannot be readily disguised. In my clients house the installers overlapped the colorbond wrap, and joined the overlapped part with metal rivets. In their case the joint happened directly over the front door and is really obvious. So before you sign a contract to wrap your existing fascia in colorbond there are a few questions you should ask: 1) Do you repair/replace any rotting timber before wrapping? Or is the rot just concealed? 2) What is the maximim length of colourbond fascia that can be supplied, and how is it jointed? Where will these joints occur? Are the joints weatherproof to windblown rain? 3) How is the colorbond fascia jointed at corners, and finished at the ends of the run? The colorbond finish is flat and smooth, so the existing character of the rough sawn oregon fascias will be lost forever. With the eaves, concealed gutters and timber fascias of your home being such an important element to the style of the home I would be considering spending my money on the maintenance and upkeep to preserve the existing character. At least ask your installer to supply addresses of some previous jobs so that you can see how the joints and corners are treated.

DECO Australia’s newest DecoBatten series may be small, but it is guaranteed to make a big impact. From feature walls and ceilings to a reception showcase, the miniature 25mm aluminium DecoBatten designer series offers flexibility and freedom to create showstopping designs, no matter the project. Super light-weight and with no visible fixings thanks to DECO’s unique ‘Quick Click’ two-piece batten system, the 25mm slimline battens can be positioned vertically, horizontally or at any angle on any flat surface, allowing homeowners to incorporate bold and unique pattens into their home designs. As with all DecoBatten products, the ‘25mm Designer Series’ is made from 100% solid aluminium and finished in DECO’s Super Durable™ powder coating technology, allowing designers to also choose their own personalised look from a selection of over 150 DecoWood® timber grain colours or from a range of plain, concrete, marble or rust finishes for a truly unique design. Available in three batten cover sizes – 25mm, 50mm and 75mm – and a standard 25mm base, the Designer Series boasts DecoBatten’s two-piece ‘Quick Click’ system and 6.5 metre lengths to ensure quick and seamless installation and, most importantly, minimal wastage. DecoBatten has been deemed a non-combustible product by the CSIRO and offers a fire-safe option for internal and external applications including façades, feature walls and ceilings. DecoBatten has also been tested and certified to Australian Standards AS1530.1 and AS1530.3. For more information on DecoBatten products and the new DecoBatten ‘25mm Designer Series’, please visit www.deco.net.au or call 02 9603 1888.

Leading aluminium building products manufacturer DECO Australia has just unveiled its new timber-look aluminium post– DecoPost™. Made from solid aluminium and featuring DECO’s iconic timber-look DecoWood® finish, DecoPost™ is a solution to Australia’s current timber shortage and a long-lasting alternative to timber products. Available in two post sizes – 100 x 100mm and 150 x 150mm with a 3mm wall thickness, DecoPost™ is a flexible and durable post for use in a variety of applications where timber posts are typically used, including pergolas, fencing, porticos, alfrescos and other landscaping options. With a variety of set lengths available, builders, homeowners and carpenters can build their outdoor structures quickly, easily and with minimal hassle. DecoWood®, the marine grade timber-look finish by DECO Australia, creates a realistic timber appearance that is Super Durable and will not, peel or rub off over time. And best of all, it is extremely low maintenance and never needs, sanding, oiling, painting or staining. DecoPost™ is available in four popular DecoWood® colours, which replicate popular native timber species. A primer coat finish is also available for contemporary designs or adding your own wet paint finish, and is stocked and ready for delivery on order. To help choose your finish, colour swatches are available to order from the DECO website. DECO Australia Architectural Business Manager Simon Pearson said DecoPost™ will be a handy addition to a large variety of DIY and building projects. “DecoPost™ has opened up a whole new world of opportunity for home builders, carpenters, installers and DIY-ers,” he said. “Where timber may be difficult to come by, DecoPost™ offers that natural timber appearance with the durability of 3mm thick solid aluminium. Building projects such as fences, gates, porticos and more can be completed quickly and last significantly longer – and the best part is, DecoPost™ is stocked and ready to go now.” DecoPost™ is designed and manufactured in Australia. For more information on DecoPost™, visit www.deco.net.au or call 02 9603 1888.