Sustainable & Durable: Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding

The demand for more environmentally efficient products has significantly increased in recent times. Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding is engineered to meet these challenges and become a more sustainable material than its competitors. As vinyl cladding contributes significantly less to global warming than other exterior claddings, it also has the potential to earn more points in leading green building certification programs. Austech External Buildings are the nationwide suppliers of Duratuff Select and are committed to supplying eco-friendly products in order to preserve the environment. Recent studies have shown that vinyl cladding outperforms most other exterior claddings in regards to life cycle.

The ability to immediately return scrap and regrind it directly into the manufacturing process results in virtually no manufacturing waste. Compared to the installation of other exterior claddings, vinyl generates very little waste. Duratuff Select installers around Australia implement source reduction techniques to ensure minimal scrap is produced during installation.

Sustainability is not possible without durability, and Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding is constantly improving through research and development. Expected service life of the product continues to increase, as Austech are able to offer a 50 year warranty. Advancements are also being made in other key areas such as colour retention and impact resistance.

For a durable building to be sustainable, it must be energy efficient. Duratuff Select can contribute to the overall energy efficiency by increasing the R-value by 10-15%. This leads to a decrease in the need for energy consumption, cutting costs and minimising carbon footprint. Economic Performance and long service life are key areas in measuring sustainability. Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding requires no painting, staining or sealing at installation or ongoing maintenance.

Austech External Building Products are the national distributors of Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding. With a supply and install service near you, you can contact the team at Austech for further information. You can also learn more about the quality products on offer by Austech on their website.

Foamular Used In Stunning New Brisbane Supreme & District Court

Foamular Extruded Polystyrene has been used in what has been described as a 'work-of-art' by the local Brisbane press. The new Brisbane Supreme and District Court building is in the final stages of its construction with the official opening date set for early August. Austech External Building Products supplied Foamular XPS to its customer Chemind to be used for insulation in conjunction with their water-proofing system, demonstrating the products ability to be utilised in large, commercial projects. Architectus and Guymer Bailey Architects combined to create a 'comfortable and healthy' building as the stunning design is complemented with the use of natural, green materials.



With an estimated cost of $570m the building includes:

· Capacity for 45 courtrooms
· Accommodation for 68 judges
· Mediation rooms
· A secure public garden
· An entire floor for the Supreme Court Library
· A basement cell block for people in custody
· Closed-circuit television facilities
· A jurors assembly area and lounge
· Registry and administrative accommodation
· One plant level
· Four levels of chambers

PRMA (Protected Roof Membrane Assembly) is a simple and effective method of insulating flat concrete roofs while also protecting the waterproof membrane. Foamular Extruded Polystyrene is placed directly over the waterproof membrane, providing protection for the membrane, but also creating a continuous thermal barrier on the roof. Foamular is held in place with a specified ballast, usually gravel or concrete pavers.Foamular's high compressive strength means it can easily be walked on once the specified ballast has been installed.


To learn more about Foamular XPS and its other possible applications please visit the website. You can also contact the team at Austech for pricing and other enquiries.

Austech Screen in a Box for commercial use

The application of Austech External Building Products’ Screen In A Box has been regularly used residentially around the home but is becoming increasingly widespread in commercial applications such as shopping centres, pubs, clubs and industrial sites. The growth of this product is largely due to the clean, modern appearance and protection the Screen In A Box provides, along with its superior strength, thus creating a more visually pleasing look and adding value to your business.  Aluminium screening is a more durable and reliable alternative, making it ideal for commercial development where little maintenance is important.

Screen In A Box has almost limitless applications. Anywhere where you need fencing, screening or added privacy you can use Screen in a Box, including:

·         Fencing Between Columns

·         Area Dividers

·         Screen Off Unsightly Areas\Sunscreens

·         Privacy Screens

·         Pool Fencing & Screening

·         Gates

·         Rubbish Bin Screens

There are countless characteristics to the Screen In A Box which make this product ideal for many DIY enthusiasts and handy man alike. Most importantly  there is no welding required, it will not break , warp or fade and can be  put together  easily on site.  The Screens can also be cut down and altered to fit easily into most spaces.

This is a very cost effective and unique ways to cover up those disorderly  areas we don’t want people to see or even just add life to a dull area. Austech provides 4 standard sizes, but also provides a cut to size service to cater for all needs, with three standard powder coated colours and a Western Red Cedar finish available. All of our panels come with a 7 year guarantee.

Visit Screen In A Box to learn more about the product or make an enquiry to the Austech Staff. Screen In A Box is also available on the Austech Online Store  for a discounted price.

Foamular Extruded Polystyrene Contains 20% Recycled Content

Foamular Extruded Polystyrene from Austech External Building Products is now guaranteed to contain a minimum of 20% recycled content in addition to its other green qualities.
The recycled content comes from post production waste. When making the board perfectly flat and trimming of excess product there can be large amounts of wasted produced which normally go straight to landfill.

Foamular now recycles that waste directly back into the product, limiting the waste sent to landfill, but also reducing the raw materials required to produce the product.
Recycled post production waste is better than general waste because it is guaranteed to be clean and free of contaminants. This helps guarantee Foamular's high R-values and overall product quality, so projects can be green without sacrificing on quality.

Austech External Building Products also offer a range of Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) Extruded Polystyrene for highly eco conscious projects. Polyboard Enviro 300 offers the high R-values and strength of traditional extruded polystyrene, but is made with a patented blowing agent that does not release any chemicals with Ozone Depletion Potential. Polyboard Enviro 300 can also be used towards Green Star accreditation and a range of other environmental credentials.



Foamular's Manufacturer, Owens Corning, have put into place a variety of measures to reduce their environmental impact, including; GHG emissions, water use, power use, waste to landfill, particle matter and volatile organic compounds. So far they have already met and exceeded most of their goals and are well on their way to achieving their ambitious 2013 targets.


Old Extruded polystyrene can also be easily recycled again and again with little effort. DWF airport reused 88% of the Extruded polystyrene on its 28,000+ square meter roof after 17 years of exposure to extreme conditions. Foamulars high R-values were maintained and its high compressive strength meant the boards had not disfigured at all. This was estimated to save the builder over $15,000 in landfill costs and $100,000 in labour costs.

Extruded polystyrene has an exceptionally long lifetime of 50+ years, so it doesn't need to be replaced often, reducing the need for landfill space or recycling of old material. Expanded polystyrene on the other hand only lasts around 7-12 years before it starts to degrade under regular conditions. Once expanded polystyrene degrades it lets in moisture, which causes a dramatic reduction in R-value and loss of physical form. This can cause severe problems to structures and reduces thermal efficiency.

Find out more about extruded polystyrene insulation or contact your local austech office for more information.

Rendering your existing brick or block facade will instantly improve the look of your home and add significant value to your property for a reasonably small investment. Foamular Extruded Polystyrene is an energy efficient substrate, especially suited for new generation PM Render Finishes. Foamular is often used in the walling, is CFC free and offers excellent thermal insulation properties. The durable and energy efficient material is usually fixed to the studs of timber or steel wall framing, but can also be installed over reinforced concrete and masonry.

The clean, modern look of a rendered home provides a uniform appearance with an attractive texture which can be enhanced with your choice of colour. Not only can renders and textures be applied over brick, block and fibre cement sheeting. These days they can also be successfully applied over Foamular Extruded Polystyrene; a lightweight, cost effective and energy efficient building material.




Features and Benefits of rendering over Foamular

· Modern, Stylish and Energy Efficient
· Quickly turn Old into New
· Three-in-One Product - external cladding, superior insulation, texture coat ready
· Major cost saving advantage:
. Eliminate the need to remove existing cladding and re-clad
. Eliminate additional costs to straighten existing frame or substrate
. Fast installation reduces labour and scaffolding/equipment hire costs
. Save on waste collection/skip bin costs through installer scrap removal service
· Fire retardant
· Energy and thermal efficient - reducing energy costs
· Continual return on investment
· Cooler in Summer, warmer in Winter
· Energy efficient and Environmentally responsible
· Lightweight yet rigid and strong
· Safe and installer friendly


Foamular Metric XPS is an energy efficient substrate, especially suited for new generation PM Render Finishes. Foamular is a truly green product. It is created using an environmentally friendly HCFC Blowing Agent and its high insulation levels means it reduces household heating bills. With over 90% of Australians electricity coming from burning coal, Foamular has the potential to reduce Australia's carbon footprint.



Extruded Polystyrene with render is ideal for renovations and first floor extensions because it is extremely lightweight, reducing the need for structural support. Foamular is also much quicker to install and requires no drying time, so you can install the Foamular and render it in the same day.
To learn more about Foamular Extruded Polystyrene and how it can be used to add value to your home, contact Austech's technical team. Foamular can also be used in many other applications, from residential to commercial projects; visit the Foamular website for more information. Austech are the national distributors of Foamular with offices across Australia.

Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding Complemented by CraftStone

A two storey residence on the mid north coast of NSW has combined Austech’s Duratuff Select VinylCladding with CraftStone to completely rejuvenate the exterior finish of the home. K & N Spicer Constructions based in Nambucca Heads, completed the install and fit out of the vinyl cladding and stone products. Around 200m² of Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding in the colour Linen was fitted as the external cladding while Quarry Stone Matador (CSI-086) was used as a feature for the columns with the two products complementing one another.

The superior finish and appealing appearance of the home demonstrates the quality of the Austech product range. The attention to detail in the assembly process is highlighted by K & N Spicer Constructions who service the mid north coast of NSW and are recommended by Austech.You can contact K & N Spicer Constructions on 0408 654 915.

Duratuff Select and CraftStone will add value to your home and are both built to last, that is why we can offer 50 and 25 year warranties respectively. CraftStone can be used both internally and externally. The CraftStone range has many different profiles and colours to suit any. You can learn more about the product and how you can apply it to your next project at craftstoneoz.com.au.

With offices in every state, Austech supply Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding and CraftStone throughout Australia. To speak to an experienced member of the Austech team in your area, send us an email or see our office locations and details. Austech – Supporting you with Smart Solutions.

All You Need To Know About Vinyl Cladding

Duratuff Select's new generation of vinyl cladding weatherboards offers rich, vibrant colours with authentic wood grain textures for a more beautiful home. Cladding, put simply is the process of covering and protecting the outside of your home for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.


Vinyl Cladding is designed to add comfort, safety and protection from all types of weather conditions. .Vinyl Cladding is fully protective, CFC Free Solid foam Insulation, this is built into the cladding to ensure you:

· Maintain a comfortable temperature in summer

· Retain heat in the winter months

· Block out surrounding noises

Vinyl Cladding is becoming increasingly popular in the DIY Industry for several reasons. The most obvious is that it's virtually maintenance free. All of our Austech wall cladding is significantly tested against all weather conditions so we know it won't rot, peel, dent, split or crack.


No cleaning of the product is required, and more importantly no touch up with paint or repairs every few years. The colour is integrated all the way through the material, so you can rest easy knowing the appearance of your house will be looking fresh for many years to come.


Austech External Building Products offers the Duratuff Select Vinyl Cladding range product in 8 standard colours and 5 vibrant options from the Colour scapes collection. Because the Colour in the cladding is solid throughout the product, this removes the need for painting. Paint and Vinyl expand at different rates and a combination of the two could lead to cracking and peeling of the painted surface.

Vinyl Cladding is also astonishingly environmentally friendly. Fewer resources are used to manufacture this product and maintain than other cladding options. Along with the insulation which it provides, saving money on power bills is another benefit from having Austech's Vinyl Cladding used in your next project.





Austech's range of Duratuff Selects Vinyl Cladding makes an appealing, economical, attractive choice to home owners and business owners alike. The durable, maintenance free and 50 year Warranty makes our Vinyl Cladding the perfect choice. Visit Austech today to find out more or view this product or simply make an enquiry .