Changing appearance

Weathertightness problems are more common with certain house styles - particularly multi-storey houses with complex designs and direct-fixed monolithic claddings. As a consequence, there is a market perception attached to these houses that may reflect in lower resale prices.

Options for changing building appearance

Options to change the cladding type and/or elements of the building design should be considered, for example, using weatherboard instead of a plaster-type finish.

Some other improvement options for reducing weathertightness risk will also affect building appearance, for example, removing parapets and repitching low-slope roofs. See reducing weathertightness risk for more detail.

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What to consider

Design changes to alter the building’s appearance require confirmation that:

  • the structure of the building can accommodate the proposed changes 
  • the owner understands the changes and the visual impact they will have 
  • the owner is prepared to pay any additional costs, although costs may reduce in some instances. 

Changing the appearance may also impact on resource management issues. These are not covered by this website, and the owner and designer should seek advice from the relevant territorial authority.

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Updated: 9 September 2014