Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 17, 2012 3:36 pm I've designed a house and my builder is almost ready to start building, North Coast NSW. The design is to use concrete block external walls, to keep the cost down and for good fire-proofing and thermal properties. However, the BASIX certificate required for the DA specifies that additional insulation of R-Value 1.38 is required on the external walls, or 1.9 including construction. The problem is this adds a lot of cost to my design, and adds to the footprint of the walls (reduces internal floorspace). Other design features should keep the house relatively cool in summer, including raked ceiling & skillion roof with louvre windows to release rising hot air; and shading from full-length verandah on north side, partial verandah on east side and fixed awning over small windows on west side. Has anyone come across this wall insulation requirement before? Would it be worth employing a NatHERS assessor to model the actual thermal properties of the design to override the simple BASIX assessment? Any advice would be appreciated. Re: BASIX requires R-Value 1.9 for walls 2Aug 17, 2012 7:01 pm I suggest you get a Accurate assessment done, but I think you will need insulation or reflective foil. In your climate, reflective foil and an airgap may be enough, as it is heat gain that is the problem for you. Get a local Accurate accredited assessor to look at it for you.......... As a tradesmen get a private inspector although I don't think there worth it in their profession themselves the reminder they serve to the tradesmen doing the work is… 3 27376 They make the room much easier to clean for one, reflect more light (if light colour tiles are used), and you dont end up with dust on the top edge of tiles (cause most… 3 9618 The last home I lived in didn't have a pool and when i went to sell it the agents were not happy, even telling me to put one in to sell the place. The agents weren't happy… 2 4257 |