At NSL Builders, we pride ourselves on being Custom Home Building Specialists serving the Surf Coast, Geelong, and surrounding areas. Our mission is to create homes that not only meet your unique design and functional needs but also enhance you and your families overall health & well-being. Our entire team recently completed The Healthy Home – Healthy Building Materials Mastermind by Zara D’Cotta; a comprehensive 10 week program dedicated to revolutionising the standards of home construction in Australia. This article aims to guide you through the essentials of building a healthy home, focusing on the latest trends in construction standards, mould & moisture management and building biology.
Understanding The Changing Standards In Australian Home Construction
The construction industry in Australia has seen significant advancements in recent years, particularly in the realm of healthy home building. These changes are driven by a growing awareness of the impact that building materials and construction practices have on our health and environment. According to a report cpnducted by Asthma Australia, as many as 50% of Australians have had mould or dampness in their home in the last 12 months, with 34% specifically reporting the mould in their home.
At NSL Builders, we are integrating the latest research and technology into our projects. Our approach ensures that every home we build not only complies with but exceeds current Australian standards for client’s health, longevity of the home while using sustainable building materials & practices.
The Importance of Healthy Building Materials
One of the key takeaways we’ve taken from completing from The Healthy Home – Healthy Building Materials Mastermind is the critical role that building materials play in creating a healthy living environment. Traditional building materials often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals that can off-gas into your home, affecting indoor air quality and health. For example the use of oil based or solvent based paints/lacquers inside a confined indoor space can take longer than 6 months to off-gas after application. According to a study published by the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living, homes built with eco-friendly materials have 40% better indoor air quality compared to those constructed with conventional materials.
At NSL Builders, where possible, we prioritize the use of non-toxic, sustainable materials such as low-VOC paints and local, sustainably sourced timber. By doing so, we help to minimise exposure to harmful substances and create a healthier living space for you and your family.
Mould Management: A Critical Component of a Healthy Home
Mould is a common issue in Australian homes, particularly in colder climate zones, such as Zone 6 in southern coastal areas like the Surf Coast and Geelong, there can be a wide range between hot & cold periods throughout the year. Exposure to mould can cause a range of health problems, from respiratory issues to allergic reactions. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, approximately 1 in 4 Australian homes suffer from significant mould issues.
Effective mould management begins with proper building design and construction practices. At NSL Builders, we implement a variety of strategies to prevent mould growth, including:
- Storage of materials: We store materials raised & covered away from weather elements prior to use.
- Moisture testing: We use a device to test moisture levels of our projects framework before WRB and internal/external cladding is installed.
- WRB: Installation of a vapor permeable water-resistive barrier to the building envelope.
- Proper Ventilation: Ensuring adequate ventilation in all areas of the home, particularly in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens. We also install a 20mm cavity batten system behind all external cladding to promote airflow and allow the building to breathe.
- Thermal Insulation : Having a well installed continuous insulation layer around your home helps keep your home at a regulated temperature, reducing the risk of mould as well as helping to improve the performance of your home.
- Thermal Bridges: A well design & constructed home can prevent and limit thermal bridges which cause condensation & mould. Quality windows & doors with well thought out construction details around possible thermal bridges, most communally steel and concrete penetration into the building envelope.
- Waterproofing: Using high-quality waterproofing materials and construction methods will prevent water ingress that leads to damage to the building structure and mould.
- Humidity Control: Installing systems to control indoor humidity levels, such as dehumidifiers and proper HRV
By addressing these factors, we help to create a healthier indoor environment and reduce the risk of mould-related health issues.
Building Biology: The Science of Healthy Living Spaces
Building biology is an emerging field that examines the relationship between the built environment and human health. It encompasses a wide range of factors, including indoor air quality, electromagnetic radiation, and the use of natural materials. A famous quote by architect Frank Lloyd Wright encapsulates this philosophy: “A building should appear to grow easily from its site and be shaped to harmonize with its surroundings if nature is manifest there, and a home should be an organic part of the environment.”
At NSL Builders, we incorporate building biology principles into every project. This means designing homes that not only meet your aesthetic and functional needs but also promote your health and well-being. Some of the building biology practices we follow include:
- Natural Lighting & Passive Solar Design: Maximizing natural light to improve mood and reduce energy consumption.
- Non-Toxic Materials: Where possible we choose non traditional, sustainable building materials with lower embodied carbon and don’t release VOC’s into your home.
- Hygiene: Minimising exposure to electromagnetic fields by careful placement of wiring and the use of shielding materials where necessary.
Conclusion
Building a healthy home is about more than just meeting building codes and standards; it’s about creating a space that supports and enhances your health and well-being. At NSL Builders, we are committed to this philosophy, integrating the latest research and best practices from the fields of healthy building materials, mould & moisture management, and building biology into every home we construct.
Whether you are planning to build a new custom home or renovate an existing one, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Together, we can create a home that not only meets your unique needs but also promotes a healthier, more sustainable way of living. Visit our website at www.nslbuilders.com.au to learn more about our services and how we can help you build the healthy home of your dreams.