A Super Renovation Journey: One Step at a Time
Transforming a 1970s Bach into a Warm, Dry, and Comfortable Home
When it comes to creating a warm, dry, and healthy home, you don’t need to do it all at once. In fact, spreading the work over time can make home upgrades more affordable, manageable, and better suited to your lifestyle. This was the case for us when we purchased a modest 1970s two-storey bach in 2013 that would later become our full-time home.
Back then, the property was a simple, rectangular building: a block basement with a single garage and an unlined rumpus room below, and upstairs, two bedrooms and an open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area with a combined bathroom/laundry and single toilet. The house had no insulation at all and featured original single-glazed timber joinery—cold, damp, and far from energy-efficient.
Instead of tackling everything at once, we decided to renovate progressively. Over seven years, we turned this outdated bach into a warm, dry, and super-comfortable home—one upgrade at a time. Here’s how we did it.
STAGE-BY-STAGE IMPROVEMENTS
EARLY ADDITIONS (2014–2015)
Shortly after purchasing the home, we added two new bedrooms upstairs to code and converted the lower floor into a fully self-contained two-bedroom apartment with its own bathroom and kitchenette. In 2015, we made the move to live in the home full-time.
GRADUAL UPGRADES THAT MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Over the next several years, we continued to upgrade in stages, balancing affordability with comfort and performance:
• Wall Insulation & Cladding: We removed the old cladding and retrofitted R2.8 fibreglass insulation to all existing external walls. This alone significantly improved the thermal performance of the home.
• Ceiling Insulation: We added insulation to all flat ceiling areas and upgraded the skillion ceiling in the living room by insulating between the rafters and adding a new sloping ceiling underneath.
• Midfloor Acoustic Insulation: To improve noise control between floors, we installed new sound batts, silencer clips, and new ceilings on Rondo battens with fresh gib.
• Joinery & Glazing: All original timber joinery was replaced with new aluminium windows and doors featuring Low-E double glazing. The windows were rebated to sit flush with the framing line, aligning the glazing with the thermal envelope for better efficiency.
• Air Barrier & Cavity System: We installed a rigid air barrier on the upper floor and reclad the house with a 20mm cavity system, giving the home a more modern aesthetic and improving weathertightness.
• Heating & Ventilation:
- Installed heat pumps on each floor
- Fitted a new compact wood burner with a smart flue that allows two-way combustion airflow
- Added a heat transfer system with a summer bypass
- Planning to install a full Moisture Master heat recovery system next OUTDOOR
ENHANCEMENTS
• Built a new timber deck over the existing concrete slab with a glass balustrade and a partially enclosed roof area for use in wet or cold conditions
• Created a new covered pergola for the lower-level outdoor space
INTERIOR UPGRADES
• Installed a modern kitchen (which made my better half very happy!)
• Extended the upstairs bedroom and bathroom slightly to the soffit line for more space
• Renovated the bathroom with wall-hung cabinetry, a tiled shower, and a skylight overhead for natural light
A WARM, DRY HOME – ALL YEAR ROUND
Thanks to these incremental improvements, we now enjoy a home that consistently sits between 20–23°C year-round, often with little to no heating required.
Each step was taken when time, budget, and resources allowed—and every upgrade added measurable comfort and performance benefits.
WHAT’S NEXT?
This year, we’re planning to install solar panels on our north-facing roof to further reduce our energy costs.
We’re also looking to upgrade to a full heat recovery ventilation system to ensure optimal air quality and moisture control.
KEEP IT SIMPLE, DO IT WELL
Our renovation journey proves that you don’t need to tackle everything at once—or break the bank—to create a super home. By focusing on doing the basics right and making thoughtful upgrades over time, we’ve transformed a cold, inefficient bach into a warm, healthy, and beautiful home.
For anyone considering a renovation, our advice is simple: prioritise what matters most, do it well, and take your time. The results will speak for themselves.
DAVE GUNTER | COASTAL DESIGNS LTD
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