Monday 28 March 2016

Treated Pine Decks - The advantages

Decking has the ability to transforms any outdoor space into a wonderful, relaxing retreat where you and your loved ones can share memorable moments. In fact, it's not much of a surprise that a lot of couples have exchanged their vows on beautiful decks. So how do you turn your deck into a place where everyone wants to hang out?

Treated pine timber offers a cost-effective and attractive alternative for decking. If you go for treated pine, you get a deck that is resistant to decay, weather elements and fungus. The pine tree on its own has a lifespan of hundreds of years. Treating it makes it even more durable. The Huon Pine is especially resistant to decay. However, make sure that the pine is pressure treated in addition to chemical treatment for it to be resistant to all nature.

Another advantage of treated pine decks is that they can be stained. Softwood such as pine timber gets blotchy and unattractive over time. Staining involves applying a thin base coat that partially seals the wood flowed by a bit of glazing. This leaves the pine looking fresh and attractive.

However, if you are not too comfortable with wood working, get a professional to help you stain your pine deck. You can have your dream outdoors by using treated pine decks.

Friday 25 March 2016

Press Release: Branson's Helps you Finish your Decking Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Branson’s Building Materials Helps you Finish your Decking Project

Sydney-Australia March 18, 2016

Bransons Building Material has been servicing decking enthusiasts and the do-it-yourselfer with prime timber. The family owned business supplies all materials you might need for completing your outdoor decking project. They have a large variety of products you can choose from; making sure you get everything you need to start and finish any project.

Their treated pine Lattice Sutherland timber is ideal for any outdoors project. The timber is treated with chemicals and pressure that makes it resistant not only to the weather elements, but also to insects such as ants. If anyone told you pine timber is not durable, clearly they are yet to try Branson’s Building Material’s pine. For the last two decades, the company has provided homeowners with the pine as well as a guide on how to care for it. None of the homeowners has experienced problems with the timber since installation.

The decking timber supplied by the company is similar to the one used on the meandering bridge across Perth’s Swan river that was recently completed. Named the Elizabeth Quay Bridge, the deck’s 110 meters is a testament of what treated wood can endure. It is a testament that treated pine can handle even the toughest of environment and still look gorgeous.

At Branson, you can view their work, housed in their gallery in Sydney where they showcase their expertise in wood related outdoors project. They offer customers unique and custom made screens for their outdoor pergolas. The company’s website is a rich source of wood working tips for the DIY community as well as the professional community.

Videos walk you through the entire construction of a deck-from power sanding the wood to oiling the deck. Additionally, the company offers free measurement and estimate quotes on their website so you can quickly gauge how much you material your project requires at no cost at all.

Bransons Building Materials prides itself for staffing some of the most qualified tradesman in the country. They have worked with some of them for more than 20 years, a pointer to the enormous experience and knowledge behind the company. Furthermore, unlike local handymen, Bransons’s staff are fully insured and licensed which is why the company guarantees absolute customer satisfaction.

If you are looking to make a deck for your home, consult Bransons Building Material today and enjoy fast, reliable and professional help. They provide you with all the materials, expertise and knowledge you require to finish your decking project.

Branson Building Materials is a family owned company based in Sydney and Sutherland, Australia. The company has helped homeowners get sparkling new decks for more than 20 years.
Contact

Sydney: 02 9525 32 99

Wednesday 13 January 2016

Summer In Sydney

It's a bit of a hot one today, but by no means something we Sydney-siders haven't endured before.

38 degrees C in the city and a scorching 42 degrees C out west (for those who don't use Celsius, that's 107.6 degrees F).


Tuesday 1 December 2015

Keep Mozzies Away - The Natural Way!

We're sure every single one of our customers has experienced the red, itchy bumps that comes with a mozzie bite. 
Here at Branson's, we want our customers to be able to make the most of their renovations - inside & outside!

9/10, people will turn to store bought insect repellents to keep mozzies away, but these insect repellents often contain a toxic pesticide that is dangerous to human and even pet health. 

So we've done some research, and here's the most popular NATURAL ways to keep the mozzies at bay!

Citronella essential oil  is one of the best natural mosquito repellents in the world.  Place a few candles around your patio or garden and create a mosquito proof barrier!

Lavender is loved by humans all over the world, but mozzies hate it! To keep mosquitoes out of your home, add a drop of lavender to ribbon and place around open windows. The mosquitoes will be thinking twice about entering your home!
You can also add approx 30 drops of 
lavender essential oil to two tablespoons of vegetable oil – such as olive oil – and rub onto exposed skin. Not only will you smell beautiful, but it will stop mosquitoes from landing on you!

“Bug Off” spray recipe that includes mosquito repelling essential oils such as citronella, lemongrass and eucalyptus. Spray this on your skin before heading outside.

Rosemary on the Barbie is another trick. Mozzies often like to crash a BBQ, but this simple trick will turn your barbecue into a natural mosquito repellent, while also adding delicious flavour to your food!
Throw a few stalks of rosemary on the hot coals to give off a mosquito repelling aroma.
Mozzie repelling plants – for example feverfew, citronella, catnip and lavender are some of the most effective. Plant these in flower beds or containers placed around your garden and help keep mozzies away with Mother Nature on side.
Eating lots of garlic will gently released from your pores. This garlic oil acts almost like a barrier between your skin and the mosquitoes. NOTE: May also repel humans. 

We hope this has helped a few of our customers make the most of enjoying their homes & outdoors!

Talk to Bransons Building Materials today: http://bransonsbuildingmaterial.com.au/

Tuesday 30 June 2015

EOFY Renovations, Alterations & Extension to Investment Properties



Here are some tips from the Branson’s team about what tax time means for investment property repairs, extensions, renovations and more.

Claiming tax deductions on renovations to your investments can save you a lot of dollars, but there are many tips, tricks & traps you should be made aware of before you meet with your tax agent.

For first-time property investors, knowing the difference between deductions for capital works and depreciating assets is a good starting point.

The ATO will allow you to claim ‘capital works deductions’ for the construction costs of buildings, alterations, extensions (this includes bathroom and kitchen renos) or structural improvements such as a gazebo, deck, carport or retaining walls etc. These type of deductions are claimed at the rate of 2.5 per cent (usually) in the 40 years following construction, as materials such as bricks, concrete and windows are deemed to retain their worth longer.

However, deductions can only be claimed if the property was built after 17 July 1985.

Depreciating assets, also known as plant and equipment, are the parts of your investment property that the ATO deem to deteriorate quickly – such as dishwashers, ovens, dryers, air-conditioning units, carpets and blinds.
You will be able to claim a deduction based upon the effective life of each item, regardless of the date the property was built. Each item will have its own effective life span.

We separate the fact from fiction when it comes to tax time building deductions:

Timing is crucial– Fact

You are only able to claim deductions for the period that the property is rented, or is actually available for rent.
For example, if you purchased an investment property and had a tenant for a six month period – at the end of this time, you renovated the property and then moved in afterwards yourself. You would not be able to claim the removal of those items. It has to be an investment property again once you have completed the renovations.

You have to rent out a property for a six-month period to claim deductions – Fiction!

There’s no minimum time frame. If a tenant was in place for one month after settlement and there’s a current lease, you can still renovate and deductions would apply, as long as it is income producing or available to be rented out.

You can claim depreciation even before you start a renovation – Fact!

This is very much true, assuming the property was built after 1985 and it has been leased out. 

Get in touch with a quantity surveyor prior to the renovation who will assess the value of what is about to be removed and write this amount off. The amount can be surprisingly substantial in most cases.

You can’t claim depreciation on renovations carried out by a previous owner – Fiction!

You are able to claim the depreciation as if you have done the renovations yourself, including properties built before 1985.

If I was to buy a property that had a 100-year-old structure but internally a new kitchen and bathroom were put in two years ago, the 40-year life expectancy starts from the completion of those renovations. If you don’t know the timing of the renovations, a quantity surveyor will be able to help you out.

There is a big difference between renovations and repairs and maintenance – BIG Fact!

You can claim a deduction for the costs you pay to repair and maintain your rental property, in the year you pay them. Some people find it difficult to work out the difference between repairs and capital works.

To help clarify, here are some examples:

Timber Fencing:

A REPAIR means: You fix five missing or broken palings on a timber fence.
CAPITAL WORKS means: You replace the whole fence.

Hot Water Systems:

A REPAIR means: A plumber fixes a valve on a hot water system.
CAPITAL WORKS means: The plumber replaces the whole hot water system.

For all your investment property renovation supplies, contact our friendly team at Bransons.

Saturday 20 June 2015

Treated Pine Decking - We have you covered!


When it comes to Sydney's best in Treated Pine Decking, Branson's has you covered.
This particular type of decking gives you the perfect outdoor entertaining area, a deck is the perfect place to relax and entertain your friends and family. 
There are many good reasons for using Treated Pine Decking, it's easy to nail and will last a long, long time. It is also very cost effective - which is always good news!
For the best in treated pine decks Sydney has to offer - contact our friendly team today!

Thursday 28 May 2015

Decorative & Privacy Screens from Bransons



All the benefits, minus the hassle.

Using Modwood Composite products will give long life & good looks to your Decking and Screening projects - without the costs & hassle of repainting or staining that traditional timber requires. 

Modwood Plastic Composite is a bushfire resistant Polymer & will withstand the test of time.

Modwood is made from recycled wood and plastic, looks, smells and handles like wood with the durability of plastic.

Modwood looks and feels like natural timber but requires none of the maintenance of traditional woods. You won’t need to paint or stain it, just enjoy its beauty for years & years to come.
Modwood is available in a variety of colours and sizes to suit your specific project's needs.

Here at Bransons, we are able to make to measure your privacy screen in Modwood, all we need is your measurements.
Contact Bransons today to find out more: