Mcdowell Building & Construction

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Mcdowell Building & Construction Melbourne based building company Specializing in,
Sustainable living solutions, green building
Restoration work
Exposed timber construction
Extensions

26/09/2026

The roof you see is only part of the system. 👊

A look back at a project before the finished roof went on.

First up — OSB substrate installed to create a continuous roof deck, ready for the Pro Clima ADHERO membrane over the top.

It gives us a continuous weather-resistant layer beneath the finished roofing — another line of defence in the building envelope.

Because some of the most important details on a build are the ones you’ll never see once it’s finished.

Would you have known this was underneath the roof?




BuildingEnvelope BehindTheBuild RenovationMelbourne McDowellBuilding

25/09/2026

Good building isn’t just about what you can see when the job is finished.

On this renovation, the clients wanted to retain the character of their existing exposed rafters and ceiling lining boards — but the existing roof above needed to be upgraded.

That meant developing the solution from above.

We stripped the roof back to the existing lining boards, introduced graded battens to achieve the required fall, added insulation to significantly improve the thermal performance, then installed OSB sheeting to form the new roof substrate.

From there, the roof was detailed with the Pro Clima ADHERO roof WRB system, carefully sealed around penetrations and junctions, followed by cavity battens and the new roofing system.

Once finished, almost none of this work will ever be seen.

But it means the clients can retain the architectural character they love internally, while having a completely considered, higher-performing roof system above.

That’s the part of renovation work we love — finding the right solution rather than compromising the design.

McDowell Building & Construction
Built with the details in mind.

25/09/2026

It’s the little details that make the difference. 👌

Rather than simply cutting the decking around the post, we’ve rebated the post so the decking slips neatly into it — giving us a much cleaner, more seamless finish.

Simple detail, but it’s these little things that bring the whole job together.

Renovation AttentionToDetail

24/09/2026

Project Ross — roof upgrade with Boyds Plumbing & Roofing 👊

A quick look back at Harrison from Boyds Plumbing & Roofing running through the roofing works on this project.

The existing roof was removed and replaced in Surfmist, with a new skylight added as part of the upgrade.

We also used a Pro Clima weatherproofing system beneath the roof to give the home another layer of protection against water and weather.

A lot of the best work on a renovation is the stuff you don’t see once it’s finished.









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behindthebuild
mcdowellbuilding

31/08/2026

Out on site this morning with Danny showing how quick and easy it is to sign into HazardCo — our site safety system 👷

Download the app, scan the QR code at the site office, and you’re in. Confirms you’re fit for work, shows your induction status, pulls up the right SWMS for the day — done in about six clicks.

This is what keeps a site on top of its documentation without anyone having to think twice about it. Simple enough that there’s no excuse not to be doing it properly.


safetymadesimple constructionsafety buildingsafety tradiesofinstagram aussietradies buildersofaustralia resibuilding constructiontech sitemanagement healthandsafety buildingindustryaustralia

29/07/2026

Project Ross — a look back at the final stages 👷‍♂️

A quick site walkthrough from earlier in the build as we moved into fit-off and the finishing stages.

BPR Roofing & Plumbing and Petrelli Electrical were both on site, with the team working through the final details and getting everything ready for completion.

The project is now finished, but it’s always good to look back at the work, coordination and detail that went into bringing it all together.








29/07/2026

Out on site talking about something that’s actually made our lives easier — HazardCo 👷

For any other builders or trades out there — we’ve managed site safety in every way possible over the years. Folders, spreadsheets, bits of paper stuck to the office desk, you name it. This is by far the simplest way we’ve found to do it.

All your SWMS, inductions and H&S docs in one place. Subs scan a QR code on arrival, select the right SWMS for the day, confirm they’re fit for work — done. No more chasing paperwork.

Safety’s the thing that gets missed in resi building when it’s not this simple. If you’re not using something like this, worth checking out.


28/05/2026

Another look at this ventilated cavity system now that the cladding is going on.

Upper corrugated cladding running down over the perforated cavity closer, with the WRB and cavity system behind it allowing the wall to drain and dry properly.

Good design is one thing — making it work properly on site is another.

Simple details that make a big difference long-term.

behindthebuild siteprogress onsite tradielife builderlife australianhomes architecturalhomes proclima weathertex wrb weathertightness buildingperformance passivehouse highperformancehomes moisturemanagement buildingenvelope cladding wallassembly corrugatedcladding drainage buildbetter qualitybuild craftsmanship melbourneconstruction

30/04/2026

Design doesn’t always play out the way you expect on site.

This is how we’ve resolved this detail — balancing aesthetics with how the wall actually performs.

Ventilated flashing, WRB lapped in, and a clear path for moisture to drain and dry.

That’s the difference between a detail that looks good… and one that actually works.

⸻

behindthebuild siteprogress onsite tradielife builderlife australianhomes architecturalhomes proclima wrb weathertightness buildingperformance passivehouse highperformancehomes moisturemanagement buildingenvelope cladding wallassembly drainage buildbetter qualitybuild craftsmanship melbourneconstruction

29/04/2026

What you don’t see is what protects the house.

Ventilated cavity ✔
WRB installed ✔
Drip edge directing moisture out ✔

Any water that gets behind the cladding has a clear path out — not trapped inside your walls.

Simple detail. Big difference.

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buildingdetails behindthebuild siteprogress onsite tradielife carpentry builderlife australianhomes architecturalhomes proclima wrb weathertightness buildingperformance passivehouse highperformancehomes moisturemanagement buildingenvelope cladding wallassembly drainageplane constructionaustralia melbourneconstruction buildbetter qualitybuild craftsmanship

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 4pm - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61431526833

Website

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