By powder coating the MDF the board is fully sealed, waterproofing the board and ensuring that no formaldehyde emissions can escape into the atmosphere. Powder coating allows for any shape, size or design to be finished with professional, even coverage.

Opalz leaves 2 pack, laminates, polyurethane and paint finishes behind, resolving issues of edge band lifting, chipping and high maintenance. Opalz is durable, easy to clean and never needs re-coating.

Popular applications for Opalz include kitchen cabinetry, office workstations and retail displays. Opalz is a sustainable choice, hence why it was the preferred product for all workstations in the CH2 building in Melbourne due to the zero formaldehyde emissions.

Visit the Decorative Imaging website for more information about Opalz, including photos and the colour range.

While the life cycle of most building products is referred to as “cradle to grave”, the recyclability of aluminium has largely closed the loop to ensure aluminium building products head back to the cradle once it reaches the end of its long useful life.

Approximately 75 per cent of all the aluminium ever produced is still being used in some form, having been through countless loops of its life cycle. Aluminium can be recycled an unlimited number of times with negligible losses of properties so that recycled aluminium can be as strong and durable as virgin metal.

The high value of aluminium scrap is giving demolishers an added incentive to recycle the material. It is estimated that there is about 400 million tonnes of aluminium worldwide currently in use which can be recycled for use by future generations.

While aluminium has a high embedded energy, the recycling process only requires 5 per cent of the energy used for primary production. Furthermore, the industry is sourcing more of its electrical energy from renewable sources such as hydropower than ever before. The increased use of hydropower has resulted in a 17 per cent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions since 2000.

Significant reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions have been recorded in the last two decades despite an increase in the production of aluminium. For example, Perfluorocarbon emissions shrunk by 86 per cent between 1990 and 2006, and the industry is aiming to reduce emissions by a further 50 per cent by 2020.

Recent information is showing that bauxite mining is considered land area footprint neutral, as the annual rehabilitation area of existing bauxite mining areas is equal to the average annual area being opened up. Rehabilitation involves restoring land to its pre-mining state using native flora and fauna, or alternatively any other use that benefits the local community.

Aluminium is a versatile material that can be decorated in a number of finishes, including the DecoWood timber look finish, which prevents the need to use timber in building applications. Not only does the use of timber threaten biodiversities through logging, the painting and staining processes required for building products releases harmful greenhouse gases. Timber is also not able to be recycled without losses of properties as aluminium is.

For more information about DecoWood visit www.deco.net.au. For more information on the sustainability of aluminium in building applications visit the Green Building website www.greenbuilding.world-aluminium.org.

DecoWood combines the stunning natural timber look with the strength and durability of steel. DecoWood never needs painting or staining, looks as new for years beyond timber, and importantly provides greater security in garage door applications.

Steel-line has branches across seven states and territories in Australia. With Steel-line Garage Doors, home owners can match garage doors to their DecoWood windows, doors, shutters, privacy screens, fences, gates and decking.

Steel-line are offering nine beautiful wood grain finishes: Western Red Cedar, Bush Cherry, Chestnut, Casuarina, Ironbark, Jarrah, Rose Mahogany, Snow Gum and Kwila (DecoWood Jarrah shown in picture). The range of DecoWood finishes can be viewed online at www.deco.net.au. You can also request colour samples by phoning or emailing us on the contact details provided, or drop in to your local Steel-line fabricator: www.steel-line.com.au.

DecoWood customers can find a range of products in all states and territories across the country including windows, doors, louvres, shutters, fences, gates, decking, privacy screens, security screens and more.

Distributors can be searched for by product type and location on the “Where to Buy” section of the website.

DecoWood is a powder coated wood grain finish on aluminium. It is an ideal alternative to timber as it is stronger and more durable, and never needs painting or staining. It is also a sustainable alternative to timber, as it reduces logging, minimises greenhouse gas emissions and is fully recyclable.

Visit the DecoWood website to find a DecoWood distributor near you.

Already Decorative Imaging has worked hard to bring new, more sustainable finishes to the industry as alternatives to current products on the market. For example, DecoWood timber look aluminium reduces logging and greenhouse gas emissions, while Opalz MDF powder coating has zero formaldehyde emissions.

Now that Decorative Imaging is a member of the GBCA and employs Greensmart Professionals, we are connected to the core of sustainability information in the building and construction industry.

So far, the DecoTeam has taken to using natural gas for our clean-burning ovens, driving hybrid and low emission cars and recycling materials used in the manufacturing process such as films and packaging.

Visit the Decorative Imaging website for more information about the Decorative Imaging product range.

Unlike other aluminium decking systems, DecoDeck is an aluminium decking profile that replicates the form of a timber deck. The plank is coated in the DecoWood wood grain powder coating, which is a marine grade finish and more durable than standard powder coating.

The DecoWood finish has undergone extreme exposure testing in some of the world’s harshest locations to ensure its durability. DecoWood samples are constantly exposed to high levels of solar radiation, salt spray and industrial pollution – the three highest corrosion-inducing elements – in Miami, USA and Venice, Italy.

DecoWood complies with all relevant Australian and international standards for durability and comes with a 10 year warranty. Visit the website at www.decodeck.com.au to find out more technical and general information about DecoDeck.

Quotations and purchases of the WoodE range can now be made online in your own time. Architects, builders and astute home owners alike will enjoy the convenience of this service, and also appreciate the competitive prices offered.

Only the highest quality Australian products have been used to create WoodE, from AWS window and doors frames, to Viridian glass, to Centor hardware and of course, the DecoWood wood grain finish.

DecoWood is a durable marine grade powder coating, offering the classic timber look with the strength and durability of aluminium. DecoWood boasts minimal maintenance requirements, unlike timber which corrodes, cracks and turns grey quickly if not painted or stained regularly. DecoWood never needs painting or staining, and looks just like solid timber when combined with the chunky AWS window and door sections.

Due to the high demand of WoodE products, sliding doors as well as double hung and awning windows will be added to the range at a later stage. Visit www.woode.com.au for more information about WoodE.

With the completion of thirteen home shows in 2010, DecoWood is hoping to increase its home show presence to stretch all the way from Adelaide to Cairns via Australia’s east coast.

Already confirmed is the HIA Sydney Home Show, HIA Melbourne Home Ideas Show, DesignEX, Adelaide Master Builders Association Building and Home Improvement Show, Canberra Home, Leisure, Caravan, 4WD and Camping Show and The Gold Coast Home Show & Caravan and Camping Expo at Parklands.

DecoWood will also be displayed at major regional centres across the country, and at many Master Builders Association Trade Nights in New South Wales.

DecoDeck timber look aluminium decking will also be on show, as well as DecoSplash decorative aluminium splashbacks and a number of other innovative products from Decorative Imaging. Contestants from Channel 10’s reality TV program From the Ground Up will also be making an appearance at some of the major shows to talk to home owners about anything related to building a home.

To find dates, locations and stand numbers, visit the “Trade Shows” page of the Decorative Imaging website.

Hanlon Windows is a leading Australian manufacturer of residential and commercial windows and doors. DecoWood offers Hanlon Windows customers the classic timber look combined with the strength and durability of aluminium.

DecoWood is ideal for the Hanlon Windows service areas of Sydney and the South Coast as it is a marine grade powder coating. Unlike standard powder coating, DecoWood can withstand the harsh UV radiation and salt spray of coastal areas while maintaining its stunning timber appearance. Best of all, DecoWood never needs painting or staining.

Hanlon Windows have five locations across New South Wales and the ACT at Bomaderry, Oak Flats, Drummoyne, Miranda and Fyshwick. Check out their website at www.hanlonwindows.com.au.

If you would like a brochure and colour samples sent to you, give us a call on 02 4871 2277.

‘Nesters’ Cameron and Shanina (pictured) were the winning couple, building the house with the highest market value of the four competing couples.

 The couple used DecoWood ‘Kwila’ aluminium slats to conceal unsightly water tanks and hot water heaters around the house in accordance with council regulations.

 A matching ‘Kwila’ DecoDeck was installed on the front landing for the natural timber look with the strength and durability of aluminium.

 DecoWood wood grain finish on aluminium was a suitable choice for the building location at Murrays Beach in New South Wales as it is a bushfire prone area where many species of timber are not permitted. It is also nestled between a lake and a beach where salt spray would have a corrosive effect on timber or even plain colour powder coating, while DecoWood is a marine grade finish, perfect for such applications. Plus, DecoWood never needs painting or staining!

Click here to access the photo gallery on the Decorative Imaging website. For more information about the show and to watch episodes visit the From the Ground Up website here.