There is a host of products that help turn the small home into The Smarter Small Home™. Here are the key products that make this home a success.

The roof

Bondor's SolarSpan® Roof Panel is an insulated panel with a ribbed upper skin, insulation and a smooth underside ceiling finish all in one panel. Its pre-painted steel underside has a tongue and groove roll-formed edge and is bonded to an insulating polystyrene core with a profiled roof sheet on the top side. It can be used for house roofs, patios, pergolas and carports, as well as portable and industrial buildings.

It was chosen primarily because it not only created a finished building component immediately after it was installed, but also because the polystyrene core provides efficient insulation and helps reduce noise from rain and hail, and the pre-painted Colorbond gives a durable finish. SolarSpan is available from Bondor, founded in the 1950s and now a leader in complete thermal building solutions and lightweight architectural panels.

For more information: http://www.solarspan.com.au

The sub-floor

The screw pile products used in The Smarter Small Home were developed by SFL Foundations Technology, a subsidiary of the Australian unlisted public company Steel Foundations. The company provides geotechnical services, engineering design, piling, bored piers and top-of-slab foundation solutions, for all building sectors.

SFL's design-protected and patented screw pile founding systems are based on the well-known screw pile technology used for 150 years throughout the world including the UK and US. They can be used for portal frame buildings, mezzanine floors, domestic housing and commercial structures.

For more information: http://www.steelfoundations.com.au/ScrewPilingResidential

The floor frame

The Hyne I Beam was used in the floor frame of The Smarter Small Home. It combines timber components with advanced technology to form a structurally efficient I section that is particularly suitable for use as floor joists, but can also be used for rafters, lintels, purlins and girts.

They are lightweight yet strong, making them easy to install and saving on construction time while simultaneously producing floors that are uniform, rigid and don't bounce. All Hyne I Beams are fully termite protected, with a termite protection that carries a 25-year guarantee.

The Hyne T3 Green was used for veranda framing. It's structural softwood framing for use in outdoor weather, above-ground applications like pergolas, carports, decks and verandas.

Unlike visually graded alternatives, every piece of Hyne T3 Green is mechanically stress graded to comply with the structural requirements of MGP10 as specified in AS1720 Appendix H. The MGP10 selected for Hyne T3 Green comes from Australian plantations and does not contain the heavy metals chrome and arsenic. The active ingredients are organic, known to degrade in soil and are not bioaccumulative.

For more information: http://www.hyne.com.au

The wall frame

Hyne T2 Blue

Protected. Stable. Reliable.

Specifically designed to protect Hyne Frame from termite attack in areas south of the Tropic of Capricorn, Hyne T2 Blue continues to gain momentum as a preferred structural softwood building material. Providing consumers with confidence and security for their new home or renovation, Hyne T2 Blue has a 25 year guaranteed protection against structural damage by termites.

These days, builders understand their clients concern about the security and structural integrity of their home, with more and more builders choosing Hyne T2 Blue to provide that additional level of protection against termites. Being non toxic to all mammals, Hyne T2 Blue is totally safe to handle and off-cuts are easily disposed of to landfill.

For architects, designers and specifiers, the knowledge that Hyne T2 Blue is extremely low cost means that specifying it makes great sense for their clients. Hyne T2 Blue is a H2F level treatment which complies with AS 1604, the Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act in Queensland and the Timber Marketing Act in NSW and meets the requirements (south of the Tropic of Capricorn) as a termite resistant timber as specified in the Building Code of Australia.

Timber merchants and truss and frame manufacturers can simply nominate Hyne T2 Blue as part of the allocation of Hyne Frame available from Hyne Wholesale.

Hyne T2 Blue is produced from renewable resources protecting our environment for future generations.

For more information: http://www.hyne.com.au/our_business/hyne_t2blue.html

The walls

Scyon™ Stria™ cladding

This wide cladding board has a 15mm horizontal joint that has the classic appeal of decorative render. It's pre-primed and easy to install, which was one of the reasons this product was chosen to line the laundry of The Smarter Small Home. Instead of installing another lining, which may have needed to be set by a plasterer and then painted, the Stria cladding was easily installed then painted. The laundry lining was complete — and durable for the moist environment.

For more information: http://www.scyon.com.au/stria.html

Scyon™ Axon™ cladding

This vertically grooved cladding panel continues to look sharp and smooth. The stepped shiplap on the long edges of Axon cladding means sheets are easily installed. Paint application is fast because the pre-primed sheets mean less paint and time are needed to achieve a high-quality finish. Finally, sheets are sized to fit common wall frame sizes, which means less waste and cutting.

For more information: http://www.scyon.com.au/axon.html

Scyon™ Linea™ weatherboard

This 16mm thick horizontal weatherboard has the deep shadow lines of traditional weatherboard — it just doesn't weather like it! Linea weatherboards are back bevelled to sit flush with the stud so they're easy to install. Paint application is fast because the pre-primed sheets mean less paint and time are needed to achieve a high-quality finish.

In addition, Linea weatherboard will maintain its integrity and general appearance significantly longer than timber. Some timber is susceptible to cracking in exterior applications, which in turn can lead to shrinking or warping. Linea weatherboard will resist shrinking, swelling and cracking (when installed and maintained correctly) to hold paint longer than wood, and can also be painted dark as well as light colours.

For more information: http://www.scyon.com.au/linea.html

Scyon™ Axent™ trim

A thick and versatile trim. Axent trim is the easy way to add finishing touches that keep their finish. The range of thicknesses and sizes means Axent trim can be used with any James Hardie cladding and any domestic window, which removes the need for special window orders to match different cladding.

It's also pre-primed for fast paint application and, like Linea weatherboard, Axent trim will maintain its integrity and general appearance significantly longer than timber.

For more information: http://www.scyon.com.au/axent.html

HardiFlex® sheets

These tough, hard-wearing, low maintenance flat sheets make it easy to achieve a smooth, painted finish. They can be used as an eaves lining, external wall cladding and veranda and carport soffit lining.

For more information: http://www.jameshardie.com.au

PineRidge® lining

This is an impact-resistant internal wall lining that has a timber panelled finish. It's typically used in garages, workshops and rumpus rooms. It can also be used to create an elegant practical dado in traditional hallways. In The Smarter Small Home it was used inside walk-in robes, as a robust lining that could take the knocks and scrapes of suitcases and shoes!

For more information: http://www.jameshardie.com.au

Makrolon® Multiwall sheets

This polycarbonate glazing system provides outstanding flexibility in design and advanced heat reflecting and light transmitting performance. An advanced construction of internal walls and chambers gives excellent insulation properties and impact strength 250 times that of glass. Both sides of the sheet have a co-extruded UV barrier which provides protection from 99.9% of harmful UV radiation, giving superior resistance to outdoor weathering. Made from Makrolon® polycarbonate resin, Makrolon® Multiwall ensures high-impact strength, clarity and excellent weather resistance. The colour used on The Smarter Small Home was Opal.

For more information: http://www.laserlite.com.au/residential/laserlite_multiwall.asp

The paint

Wattyl Solargard® was used outside The Smarter Small Home. When used on Stria cladding, and Linea or PrimeLine weatherboard, Wattyl provides an extended 15-year warranty. Externally, the colours used were: Builder's White, Wattyl Colorbond Dune, Wattyl Chino and Wattyl Colorbond Woodland Grey. The interior was painted in Interior Design® i.d Low Sheen and the woodwork in Aqua Trim Gloss. The colours were again Builder's White and Colorbond Dune low sheen.

More information: http://www.wattyl.com.au/DIY/Pages/lowodoureco.aspx

The windows

Trend aluminium windows, in Anodic Natural Matt, were used on the Smarter Small Home. While most of the windows were standard products, the company was able to work with Blacklow's design team to turn a standard glass slider with a 1500mm opening into one with a 3600mm opening. The solution was developed after Blacklow's team took the standard frame and re-built it in their office! All the glass panels in the slider now stack on the outside of the building. The new window also cost about half the price of the standard slider.

For more information: http://www.trendwindows.com.au

The lights

Fanaway® Retractable Blade Ceiling Fan lights were used in The Smarter Small Home. Conventional fan blades can be intrusive, but in this fan they automatically retract so that the unit transforms into a slim, modern light pendant. Turning the fan means blades swing out of the unit horizontally to full fan sweep, creating a centrifugal force which circulates air within a room. Using a low energy fluorescent 40 watt T5 light source with electronic ballast, the Fanaway creates open space in the room environment, accumulates less dust, and is unobtrusive and versatile enough to visually integrate into most building interiors.

Installation is easy and quick as blades are already installed and balanced in the factory.

For more information: http://www.beaconlighting.com.au/fanaway.php

The decking

The Smarter Small Home uses ModWood Decking. ModWood is a wood composite, made from recycled wood and plastic. It looks and feels like natural timber, but requires none of the maintenance of traditional wood. Paints and stains aren't needed. In addition, it has a high degree of UV stability, and is highly resistant to extreme weather, moisture and termites. ModWood will outperform conventional timbers in many areas as the products won't rot, crack, warp or splinter.

ModWood Technologies is an Australian owned company that was Australia's first manufacturer of wood/plastic composite products.

For more information: http://www.modwood.com.au

The information provided above was obtained from the relevant websites in February 2009. Readers should conduct their own independent inquiries as to the suitability of these products for their projects. These inclusions should not be taken, of themselves, as a product endorsement by or for James Hardie.

Other products

Compact clothesline

Hills, the Australian name in clotheslines, picked from their huge range a folding frame model to suit the smarter small home project. Completely natural drying makes Hills the choice for the modern household.

For more information: http://www.clotheslines.com.au

Flooring

MG Floors supplies and installs the innovative range of vinyl planking manufactured by LG Chem. The installation featured in the Smarter Small Home highlights a sample in the range of high-performance, PU coated vinyl that resists stains and soiling, while providing exceptional wear characteristics that provide a "new floor look" that lasts over time with a minimum of maintenance.

LG Chem's use of technologically advanced production processes replicate high resolution colours and hues, producing realistic wood, stone and organic tones only found in nature.

Vinyl planking is available in a vast range of patterns with hundreds of colourways. It delivers contemporary visuals with flexible design options for almost any interior design concept for residential and commercial flooring applications.

MG Floors utilises the resources of LG Chem's factory-trained technicians, with a minimum of 15 years experience, in the installation of its vinyl flooring products.

Australian-made carpets featured in the home have been chosen not only for their contemporary looks but also because they provide cost-effective comfort and durability.

Vinyl flooring in the wet areas were chosen not only for functionality, but to also meet the demands of modern design concepts. They can also be used in commercial applications where required.

For more information: http://www.mgfloors.com.au

Landscaping

Jimboomba Turf Group is a family owned company established in 1973 specialising in growing and supplying turf, erosion control products, and soft landscaping.

They provide innovative solutions for residential, commercial, school and sporting customers. They offer a full landscaping solution - from soil to turf to edging to plant outs. They also have both shade tolerant and full sun grasses, to provide the best green solution for any project.

JImboomba's premier turf product, Sir Walter, is the turf recommended for The Smarter Small Home. Sir Walter turf is feasibly the best new breed of shade grass available in the Australian market. In addition to its outstanding record of growing in the shade, Sir Walter has been proven to perform well in full sun conditions as well. It has a lush, mild green colour and a soft, broad leaf. Sir Walter requires as little as 2 to 3 hours of sunlight per day and combined with its renowned hardiness can grow in some areas where, in the past, only hard landscaping could be utilized.

For more information: http://www.jimboombaturf.com.au