Aurae Blog

Sliding shutters are a common fixture on the exterior of many New Zealand homes and are a popular choice for many new builds due to their aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. While sliding shutters were traditionally only manually operable, advances in technology have resulted in sliding shutters that can be moved along the side of the home with the touch of a button.

If you’re considering sliding shutters for your next home or project then it’s important to know what your options are when it comes to sliding shutters so that you can choose the system that’s just right. To give you some guidance, we’ve outlined some basic information around sliding shutter systems including how they operate and the different shutter infill options available.

If you’re looking for a stylish feature to add to the front of a new build or future housing development, then you can’t go past an awning or an entrance canopy. Both awnings and entrance canopies have the ability to enhance the look and feel of a property, all while adding valuable protection from the elements like the harsh sun, wind and rain.

While similar in nature there are some small differences between awnings and entrance canopies and just how these would be used on the outside of a property to provide protection from the elements.

No matter the time of year (or the type of weather), a louvre opening roof system can be a great addition to the outdoor area of any property. Designed to be used all-year-round to make the most of a deck, outdoor room or patio, there are now a range of different options available when it comes to choosing an opening louvre roof that’s right for your property or project. And as technology has advanced, so too have the options you have to control an opening louvre roof.

On the 24th of May 2020 the New Zealand government announced changes to the Building Act which means that a number of smaller home improvements and renovations would be exempt from costly consents. Low-risk building projects like sleep-outs, sheds, carports and verandas can now be undertaken without the need to go through the process of obtaining a consent – these projects must still comply with the Building Code, however.

These recent changes have made it a lot easier for Kiwis to complete smaller building and renovation projects like adding sun shading systems to their properties. So, you may be wondering where does a pergola fit in with the Building Act, and do I need building consent for a pergola?

As a company that specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of architectural louvres and facade products, there are some common questions that are directed our way when it comes to louvre products, and more specifically, how these are installed.

To make things easier, we’ve put together a handy blog that covers off some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our customers. Take a look below.

With a new year underway, now’s the time when many of us are planning our next outdoor project. Or perhaps you’re picking up where you left off at the end of 2019 and continuing work on new builds and housing developments for clients? Whatever the reason, it’s always handy to have a bit of design guidance for your outdoor area!

We’ve put together a list of five outdoor design trends we expect to see during 2020 – many of which we’re already seeing! Make your outdoor living space the best it can be with these top tips and ideas.

As louvre specialists we design, engineer, manufacture and install a range of different louvre and façade products to make houses look good. We often get asked about our range of operable louvres, and particularly motorised louvres.

From ‘are motorised louvres weatherproof?’ to, ‘can a rain sensor be added to my motorised louvres?’, there are a number of common questions we get asked, as well as dozens more which surprise even us! Read on to find out more about motorised louvres as well as answers to commonly asked questions.

While some design trends come and go, there are those that stand the test of time. Shutters are an example of a design element that is here to stay. Traditionally found on older properties like villas and historic buildings, exterior shutters have been used for decades to provide protection from the elements or as a window treatment to provide extra security. While shutters can still be used for these purposes we are now seeing more and more that these are added to the exterior of many contemporary homes as a unique design element, or as a heating and cooling solution.

Exterior shutters can have a multitude of uses and benefits, depending on what is required of them. Find out about the different types of exterior shutters, and what shutters will work best for your property or next project.

Keeping yourself and your home cool over summer can be challenging. At the peak of summer, temperatures can reach over 30°C in some parts of New Zealand and with particularly strong UV rays, having a shaded area at home where you can get out of the sun is very important for a lot of Kiwis.

There are also many other benefits to adding a bit of shade to the outside of your home which include ventilation for added cooling as well as saving on power bills. In this blog we’ll cover the benefits of adding sun shade to your home and the Aurae products that can help you achieve this.

Many of us can agree that nothing beats enjoying the outdoors on a hot summer’s night. If you regularly have friends and family over for meals and get-togethers then you’ll know the importance of having a suitable outdoor entertaining space.

An outdoor patio is a great way to extend your living area outside and depending on how extravagant you want your set up to be, there are many things that you can even do yourself to create a memorable space.

In this blog we look at what makes a patio, and a few ideas as to what a basic patio should include.