Researching your build – and your style

Renovating or building a home is a big financial investment, so it’s important to get it right and take the time to do your research.

Renovating an existing property or building a new house is a great way to get the home you want; in a neighbourhood you love. The reasons you may choose to renovate or undertake a new build can vary – sometimes it’s because your family has outgrown the existing spaces, sometimes it’s because you want to update the house’s aesthetic into something more modern, or move to a different style of home. However, no matter the reason, it’s a big decision. This is why it’s important to understand what’s behind your decision and what you need to change in your existing house and floorplan.

If you are renovating, many experts suggest taking the time to live in a house before making any drastic changes, so you understand exactly what is working (and what’s not) in the existing building. Often by living in a home for some time (at least a year, so you experience all seasons), your priorities can change, and you may begin to appreciate some elements of your home and its orientation on your land.

It’s definitely easier (and cheaper) to make changes at the design stage, rather than once building has commenced.

Renovation research

Evidence shows homeowners and renovators start their online renovation research with the look of their new home. Our home’s design and facades are important to us. Functionality tends to come later in the process.

Choosing the right exterior will also set the tone for your interior. The more research you do, the more confident you will be in your style choices and this confidence will ensure your new home feels cohesive and reflects the way your family lives.

CSR has done the work for you with our new CSR Style Guide – the six home designs and nine material colour palettes will inspire you and give you practical solutions for your chosen look.

It’s about creating a home from the roof down and from the outside in. Connect with your personal style, discover the home designs you favour, and choose the right material colour palettes – then partner with CSR to create a home you love.

Nailing your style at the beginning

Not sure of your style? There is something to be said about spending time collating a mood board. Choose images (either in magazines or online) that appeal to you and add them to a Pinterest board, or even just compile in a box.

You can also collect samples of favoured tile shapes and colours, flooring and cladding options, which will help you to see how they will all fit together, both in terms of colours and textures. 

A good policy is to keep some continuity in either colours or textures. A facade of mixed materials often works better with a limited colour palette, while you can add interest and depth to a single material façade by choosing at least three different shades, one of which should be a contrast.

Visit the CSR Selection Centre, where our experienced consultants will guide you in selecting the perfect materials for your exterior. With our tailored tools, creating a facade that reflects your vision has never been easier.

How renovators can use CSR products to get the look

There is a wide variety of CSR products to choose from when looking to renovate or build. We are one of the leaders in building solutions from the roof down. From beautiful Monier Roof Tiles, clever cladding with Cemintel and Hebel, tactile PGH Bricks & Pavers, industry-leading ventilation, insulation and sarking with Bradford and decorative details with Gyprock, CSR brings the best of Australian ingenuity and tradition to residential builds.

At CSR, we don’t see ourselves as a supplier, we are a partner in your build – working with you to create a home that makes you smile every time you enter the front door. Our materials are made to meet Australian conditions and the perfect building blocks for your new home. Our exterior palettes reflect the whole style of your home, from the outside in.

How to ask your builder to include these products

After doing your research and making your choices as to the right building materials, it’s important to communicate your decision to your architect and/or builder and ascertain that they are using CSR products instead of a substitute.

Communication is key when dealing with trades, so enlist their support in your decision and talk to them about why you chose CSR product.

Interested in learning more?

By providing building solutions for a better future, CSR is helping to bring your home to life.

To visualise how our products can transform your home, explore the possibilities using iDesign by CSR. Here you can also discover our products, and tailor the combinations to suit your style

  • CSR Style Guide
  • CSR Styles