A Real Steel Showcase

With such a large amount of steel on show, it was important the right profile and variety of cladding was chosen for this substantial home. As a friend of the homeowners, this decision making was ultimately led by Courtney McDowell of Attention To Detail Roofing, who carried out the installation of the cladding and roofing.

While the design by Hunter & Craig Architectural Design & Build originally proposed a tray profile, Courtney proposed shifting to Dridex in a corrugated profile to better reflect the sensibilities of the homeowners and the orchard environment, as well as to complement the old agricultural buildings nearby. As the home is based in an alpine environment that experiences high winds, COLORSTEEL Dridex® also helped to save on time and fuss during the build process.

“I also wanted to use COLORSTEEL Dridex® to showcase how good it is, how easy it is to handle. It’s perfect when you’re working in adverse weather,” he says. “The guys get to site and they’re not spending two hours prepping the roof with the underlays and paper supports while the wind gathers up. We’re on site and we’re putting sheets on within 15-20 minutes instead of 2.5 hours.”

Aside from its ease of use, Dridex has the added benefit of increasing roof space ventilation, thereby reducing mould and other pollutants associated with asthma, allergies and respiratory tract inflammations. It is CodeMark approved for use in residential buildings and has been rated ‘Impervious to Mould Growth’ by TNO Bouw, as well as being approved by Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of NZ’s Sensitive Choice programme. Available in all COLORSTEEL® colours and backed by warranties of up to 50 years – COLORSTEEL Dridex® can also be used for commercial builds.

“We use it on reroofs all the time as well as new roofs,” says Courtney. “I explain to all my customers that we are ventilating the roofspaces and helping everything breathe by using Dridex by itself.”

For the clients, Hunter & Craig, and Courtney and his team, the result is a real steel showcase, highlighting how COLORSTEEL Dridex® can be used to create a true architectural centrepiece. The project also helped Courtney McDowell land the COLORSTEEL® Roofer of the Year - Corrugate Category Award for 2023.

“Rosie and Lindsay always brought the fun, and their home was destined to be just as lively and unique as they were,” says Shaun Hunter, Director Hunter & Craig Architectural Design & Build. “Tragically, Rosie left us during the build, but Lindsay and the crew made sure her spark lived on in every nook and cranny. From the charmingly rustic entry to the sleek kitchen, down to the graffiti tiles in the laundry and loo, their place is a true reflection of Rosie’s spirit.”