How one outdoor solutions supplier is disrupting the construction industry

You’ve probably heard the term ‘disruption economy’ at one point or another. Usually, the phrase is tossed around in reference to a modern offering like Uber or Airbnb that changes our traditional way of doing things. Ride sharing, for example, has disrupted taxi services, while hotels and resorts are fighting to compete with peer-to-peer rentals.

But disruption isn’t always limited to the digital world and there’s actually nothing new about the concept. Disruption merely occurs when a new, compelling way of thinking or behaving gives rise to an offering that didn’t previously exist. And despite the name, disruption isn’t a bad thing - it’s how we improve our operations and create new opportunities.

And that’s where Outdure fits in perfectly. A sustainably-focused business with an eye for innovation, Outdure is disrupting the construction industry in terms of creating ideal exterior spaces. We spoke with Outdure’s Craig Fountain to find out more.

The Outdure story

Outdure has never been a stranger to modern innovation, explains Craig.

“About 12 years ago, we recognised the demand for alternatives to hardwood decking. Customers were looking for more sustainable options that required less maintenance. Our first product was Ecodecking, a high-grade composite decking made of recycled plastic and reclaimed wood fibres. We’ve had a really strong sustainable focus from the start, which is something that’s imperative in business today. But while this was our initial product offering, we’ve always had a strong focus on offering the best solution possible to the specifier community."

It wasn’t long into the Outdure journey, however, when Craig, and the team realised there was significant room for improvement in the way outdoor spaces were being designed and built.

“We quickly recognised that traditional timber deck framing structures in low height installation scenarios, especially over a waterproof membrane, were incredibly problematic. They are cumbersome, time-consuming to build and don’t offer any benefits to the installer or end client. This, coupled with the leaky building crisis in NZ, decks built over waterproof membrane areas were creating big issues in terms of durability and maintenance. Craig, whose background is in product and system design, developed a solution to the problem with QwickBuild, a modular structural framing system that is strong, stable, impervious to moisture and fast to install. ”

From outdoor decking to exterior solutions

QwickBuild brought about significant change not only for Outdure as a business but for the entire outdoor flooring industry.

As Craig puts it, “We’ve gone from being recognised as a small outdoor decking company to a global provider of outdoor exterior solutions. Our aim is not only to build better decks but to really change the way people build outdoor spaces by offering solution-designed products.”

And QwickBuild does just that. At its core, QwickBuild is a modular framing system for supporting hardwood and composite decking, structural tiles and turf or a combination of them. A completely unique specialist solution, that is particularly effective for rooftop spaces. The QwickBuild system comprises of structural aluminium frames and stainless steel patented components. QwickBuild can be installed over natural ground, concrete or waterproof membranes.

“QwickBuild is particularly effective for rooftops and balconies where people need a low-height solution or deck where the exterior decking is on the same level as the interior floor. It’s also supplied in two time saving scenarios, kitset materials, or pre-fabricated frames, both delivered with loads of technical support from their team.

But what makes QwickBuild disruptive to the construction industry is not merely that it’s a superior product or system, but how they provide an effective way of approaching expert design, advice and solution based product offerings.

QwickBuild is designed with the designer, installer and consumer in mind and can be used with a variety of mix and match surface options and not just those sold by Outdure.

So what’s next for Outdure? They currently have four offices globally and distribution partners around the world, they are working with their specifier network on some great projects here locally and overseas and are excited to be releasing more great solutions to market shortly. To learn more, check out Outdure on ArchiPro.