We are about to commence building a 2 storey home in Sydney not far from the coast, and need to decide on building materials. We are on a very sloped block with the access being a 4 metre rock face to the road at the bottom of the slope. So we are expecting high labour costs due to the fact that it is going to be difficult to get the materials up the rock face and then up the slope.
We are going to put a concrete slab down for the lower level, and a timber floor for the 2nd level just due to trying to keep building costs down.
The block faces west and the neighbours always complain about the front rooms of their brick houses heating up in summer when the sun goes down.
So what we would like is very good heat/cool insulation and good sound insulation.
From my brief research it looks like the options are
- *brick (high labour costs and cranes to get the bricks etc onto the site)
- *hebel type product (lighter material)
- *ICF or some form of polystyrene (very light material)
Anyone have any feedback on the material they used or idea's on something other then what I have suggested? We are at the point where we need to decide so the builder can quote on the job.
Greatly appreciate any feedback
Jon