High performance housing exceeds regulations and standards across a range of performance parameters.
This housing can be built using locally available masonry.
The inherent properties of masonry make it easy for designers to achieve required outcomes for their housing projects. Masonry products are local, low carbon and long lasting.
The inherent properties of the product give whole life performance. These include:
- Non combustible
- Good thermal properties
- Durable
- Robust
- Inert
- Rot resistant
- Good acoustic properties
- Moisture resistant
Masonry homes also provide numerous benefits to occupants and home owners:
- Low fire risk – Masonry materials are non-combustible and do not allow the spread of fire, unlike some other forms of construction.
- Energy saving – The insulation, air tightness and thermal mass of masonry homes, particularly when combined with concrete floors, can result in low energy bills.
- Long life – Meaning homes retain their value for future generations. A valuable investment.
- Quiet – Aircrete and aggregate concrete blocks are included in 34 registered Robust Details for separating walls, which exceed minimum noise performance requirements. Upper floors of concrete provide exceptional internal sound insulation.
- Secure – In high risk areas and for attached housing, solidity of masonry provides increased security.
- Comfortable – A home needs to be solidly built with no vibration issues, good with noise separation from family, housemates and neighbours; as well as being warm in winter and cool in summer. Masonry homes deliver this comfort.
- Flood resilience – Homes built from aircrete and concrete blocks suffer less damage because they are robust, dimensionally stable and do not rot in the event of flooding.