Some projects are more than a single trade job — they are a complete transformation of how a home looks, feels, and functions. This renovation is one of those projects. The starting point was a wall with small windows looking out over a plain backyard — a closed-off space with no connection between the inside of the home and the garden. The homeowner's vision was to change all of that.
Some projects are more than a single trade job — they are a complete transformation of how a home looks, feels, and functions. This renovation is one of those projects. The starting point was a wall with small windows looking out over a plain backyard — a closed-off space with no connection between the inside of the home and the garden. The homeowner's vision was to change all of that.
Working with a Wellington homeowner, the Reno Fresh team coordinated and delivered a multi-stage renovation that took a dated, asbestos-clad exterior and transformed it into a modern, open home with genuine indoor-outdoor flow — complete with new double glazed doors, a brand-new deck, pyramid stairs, and a pergola that turns the backyard into a true outdoor living space.
This is the kind of project that showcases what a truly capable team of builders in Wellington can achieve when every stage is planned and executed in the right order.
The Scope of Work
This was a comprehensive renovation involving multiple trades and disciplines, all managed and delivered by Reno Fresh:
- Asbestos cladding removal via licensed asbestos specialists
- Full reframing of the affected wall
- New double glazed door installation
- Insulation installation
- Re-cladding with new fibre cement sheet
- Exterior paint
- Construction of a new timber deck with pyramid stairs
- Pergola installation over the deck
- Full stain finish on the deck
Each stage had to be sequenced carefully and completed in the correct order, with each phase of the building work dependent on the one before it being finished to standard before proceeding.
Stage One: Asbestos Removal
Many homes built in New Zealand before the mid-1980s contain asbestos-based building materials, most commonly in the form of flat sheet cladding. This property was no exception. Before any renovation work could begin, the existing asbestos cladding had to be removed safely and in full compliance with New Zealand health and safety regulations.
Reno Fresh coordinated this stage with licensed asbestos removal specialists, ensuring the work was carried out correctly, the site was properly contained, and all materials were disposed of to the required standard. This is not a stage to cut corners on — asbestos fibres pose a serious health risk if disturbed incorrectly, and the removal must be documented and certified before any subsequent building work can proceed.
Stage Two: Reframing
With the asbestos cladding stripped back and the wall exposed, the framing was inspected and reframed where required to bring it up to current standard and to accommodate the new door openings. Getting the framing right at this stage is critical — it is the structural backbone that everything else is built on, and any issues here will affect the quality of every subsequent stage.
Stage Three: Double Glazed Door Installation
With the framing complete and the new openings formed, the new double glazed doors were installed. This was the pivotal moment in the renovation — replacing the small, closed-off windows with full-height double glazed doors fundamentally changed the relationship between the inside of the home and the backyard. Where there was once a wall that blocked the view and closed off the garden, there is now a wide, light-filled opening that connects the living space directly to the new deck and outdoor area.
Double glazing makes a meaningful difference in Wellington's climate. It dramatically reduces heat loss through the glass, cuts down on condensation, and reduces outside noise — all important improvements for a family home. Installing the doors at this stage, before insulation and cladding, ensures a clean, properly flashed, and weathertight installation.
Stage Four: Insulation
With the wall open and the framing and doors in place, this was the ideal moment to install insulation before the wall was closed up. Insulation was fitted into the wall cavity, ensuring the renovated section of the home meets current thermal performance standards. Doing this at the right point in the sequence — before re-cladding — means the insulation is properly installed and the wall is fully performing once the project is complete.
Stage Five: Re-cladding and Paint
New fibre cement sheet cladding was then installed over the insulated wall, providing a durable, weatherproof exterior that is completely safe and fully compliant. The cladding was carefully detailed and finished to ensure a weathertight result, with all joints, flashings, and penetrations properly sealed.
Once the re-cladding was complete, the exterior was painted, tying the renovated section seamlessly into the rest of the home's exterior and delivering a clean, fresh finish that immediately lifts the appearance of the whole property.
Stage Six: Deck Construction with Pyramid Stairs
With the building envelope complete, attention turned to the outdoor living space. Reno Fresh constructed a full-width timber deck directly off the new doors, creating a generous outdoor living platform that connects the interior of the home to the garden.
The deck features pyramid stairs — a wide, stepped stair design that fans out as it descends, creating an inviting, open transition from the deck level down to the garden. Pyramid stairs are both practical and visually impressive, giving the deck a considered, architectural quality that a standard single-run stair cannot match.
Stage Seven: Pergola Installation
A pergola was installed over the deck to provide shade, shelter, and structure to the outdoor living area. The pergola frames the space, giving it a sense of enclosure and purpose without closing it off from the sky and the garden. It also provides a framework for climbing plants, outdoor lighting, or shade cloth in the future — adding long-term versatility to the space.
Stage Eight: Deck Staining
The final stage was the stain finish on the deck. A quality penetrating timber stain was applied across the full deck surface and stairs, bringing out the warmth of the timber and providing essential protection against UV, moisture, and foot traffic. The rich, warm tone of the stained deck ties the whole outdoor space together and complements the dark exterior paint of the home beautifully.
The Result
The transformation is remarkable. What was once a closed-off wall with small windows looking out over an unused backyard is now a modern, open home with genuine indoor-outdoor flow. The full-height double glazed doors draw the eye straight through to the deck and garden, making the living space feel significantly larger and brighter. The new cladding, insulation, and exterior paint give the home a fresh, contemporary look that ties the whole exterior together.
Outside, the deck, pergola, and pyramid stairs have turned a plain backyard into a proper outdoor living space — somewhere the family can eat, relax, and spend time together, with easy access directly from the main living area.
This project is a strong example of what Reno Fresh delivers when a homeowner needs a trusted team to manage a complex, multi-stage renovation from start to finish — and when the goal is to genuinely change the way a home lives.
Planning a Home Renovation in Wellington?
Whether you need a single trade or a full multi-stage renovation, Reno Fresh has the experience and the team to deliver. We manage the whole project — from coordinating specialist subcontractors through to the final finishing touches — so you have one point of contact and one team accountable for the result.
We work across the Wellington region, including the Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti Coast, and surrounding areas.
