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Materials, Finishes & Fittings

(Image : Flickr, User:Augapfel)

The choice of materials in our home will have a significant impact on reaching our project goals of low embodied energy, health and comfort in the house and reduced pollutant emissions within the home and the environment. Often materials that are the highest performers in these criteria have poorer performance structurally or thermally and can be less durable, therefore it is important to choose a material based on a life-cycle analysis. For example if a product needs to be replaced every 10 years, this may be more energy intensive than using a product with a higher embodied energy that will last 100+ years.

Other considerations that we believe are important are:

  • the health of people working with the building products
  • ability for the product to be recycled at end of life

Design Opportunities Matrix

The matrix below shows the key design considerations related to the materials, finishes and fittings in the left column and the project goals listed along the top. The coloured boxes indicate the goals that the design considerations contribute towards. The matrix is colour coded as follows:

  •  Indicates that the design feature has a positive effect on the goal
  •  Indicates that the design feature has a negative effect on the goal
  •  Indicates that the design feature can have a negative or positive effect on the goal

The sections of the website listed in the top menu bar are evolving and details on the design initiatives will be added to these sections as we develop the design and build the house. 

 
  Project Goals
Design Feature Energy Efficiency & GHG Low Embodied Energy Water Conservation Health & Comfort Waste Minimisation Low Pollutant Emissions Durability

Timber construction - sustainablysourced[more]

  • Timber from local sustainably managed forest or reclamation yard.
              

Minimise timber treatment [more]

  • Timber treatment to no more than code minimum. Timber treatments are often toxic and harmful to the environment.
  • The treatment requirements for longevity should be balanced against the harmful effects of timber treatments.
              

Low formaldehyde composite wood products [more]

  • Some composite wood products contain high levels of formaldehyde which is released throughout the life of the product. Formaldehyde is harmful to human health.
              

Low impact thermal insulation [more]

  • Sustainably sourced and low environmental impact thermal insulation
  • Insulation that contains recycled material, is safe to handle, and can easily be recycled at end of life
  • It is important that the insulation maintains its thermal properties throughout it's life
              

Minimal finishes [more]

  • Reduces total embodied energy of the building, reduces the introduction of potentially harmful chemicals on to site, increases recyclability of the construction.
              

Low VOC products [more]

  • Low VOC paints, adhesives and sealants and other building products and furnishings.
        
   

Locally sourced products [more]

  • Locally sourced to minimise transportation emissions and embodied energy.
              

Low flow sanitary fittings [more]

  • Reduce water flow