Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 27, 2011 9:20 am Hoping for some opinions/advice. We're about to start the design process on our new home, and currently trying to decide on materials for the external walls. Our block is 12m wide with single storey houses either side. Their roof's are quite high for single storey and close to the fence line, probably 1m. As our block is narrow we'll be 1m away as well, so I'd imagine there wouldn't be a lot of sun hiting the side walls. The block runs about 10-15 degress of north-south, with the rear facing north. I want to build something that is as comfortable as possible. Materials I'm considering are: 1. 100mm Masterwall (R3), foil wrap (is this still needed), 50mm air gap (?) R2.5 batts - Would imagine this to be easy to design and build, but would the total lack of thermal mass be an issue? 2. ICF - Sounds OK, but don't know that having the thermal mass insulated on the inside is the best idea. And also concerned I will be limited in builder choice. 3. Reverse brick veneer, R2.5, foil, air gap, not sure about cladding, maybe Masterwall - Sounds better than first option, but would end up with walls thicker than 30cm 4. Standard brick veneer with foil wrap, standard 50mm air gap and R2.5 batts - By far the easist to find designers/architects and builders, but my understanding is the brick on the outside is wasted. Planning on a concrete slab, double or triple glazing, R6 batts in the ceiling. The house will be single storey and about 25-28 squares. The block is small, so thinner walls are preferred, but not over performance. Some questions I hope someone can answer: - All the talk about it being hard to find builder who will work with ICF that I have read is a couple of years old. Is it still the case? - With ICF is anything else required for the wall (other than render and plaster panels). Meaning is it waterproof enough? And does it need foil wrap? - How would the standard brick veneer setup I describe perform? - With the Masterwall setup is there sufficient thermal mass in the concrete slab? - Which option is better for acoustic insulation? - Which wall is likely to be thinner? - Any ideas as to costs per m2? - Are there other better options available? - Are any of these options better for the environment, in terms of the manufacturing of the materials? Apologies for the long post. Hopefully someone is still awake after reading it .... Re: Advice on external building materials please 2May 27, 2011 10:04 am It sounds like you are after energy efficiency. Non std products like an ICF wall (like ZEGO for instance) can be expensive as non-standard products attract a price premium with builders and trades. Masterwall with additonal batts in the studwork is a good option and fairly 'standard'. Reverse brick veneer is great but again can be expensive. BTW I'm not sure where you are building. Ie if you are building in WA where double brick is the norm then reverse brick veneer will be more acceptable to builders. Yes brick veneer is not an ideal construction method. Don't stress too much about internal thermal mass. The concrete slab will provide a good amount of this. You are obviously on the right track with your thoughts as you have said you will be double glazing which is imperative. In terms of designers: I wouldn't touch a designer who is not flexible or knowledgeable enough or reluctant to design something a little 'different' or with different products. Re: Advice on external building materials please 3May 27, 2011 3:24 pm Thanks Arcadia. You're right - I am after energy efficiency. I'm building in Melbourne where I don't think double brick houses have been built since the 40's or 50's. I live in an old one now, and not sure I want to live in one again. That's a fantastic result! Happy you got it sorted out. cheers Simeon 6 8640 in the stormwater pit or the drain? Those dont look like theyd fit in the drain. Separately, the pits do get stuff in them during the course of the build. For the most… 1 7932 Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 17736 |