Beyond Section J – building and insulating for long-term value

Building is not a cheap exercise for owners, building contractors or anyone involved in the design and erection process. Labour costs and delays, two “necessary evils,” tend to be some of the biggest costs, and this can unfortunately take the focus on the use of quality materials and scientifically sound building methods.

In this high-cost, low-margin environment, merely satisfying various parts of the BCA, especially Section J, takes priority over what may be the best solution for the job. In the time since Section J was added to the BCA, significant pressure has been placed on industry to insulate buildings to stricter levels. Even so, these levels in Australian buildings are much lower than those in Europe, North America and even China, where thermal insulation elements such as triple-glazed windows are standard, and double-double glazing is common.

If you look at the physics of what is happening, thermally speaking, in a building, and consider this in relation to the density of the materials used, insulated concrete sandwich panels become a clearer and clearer choice for the best practice in building. Thermomass insulated concrete sandwich panels go beyond Section J. The placement of thermal mass on the inside of the insulation envelope passively regulates temperature, vastly reducing the need for heating and cooling. Building with Thermomass insulated concrete sandwich panels is a long-term investment in the comfort and energy efficiency of the building, returning the value for owners and occupants many times over the life of the building.

More than one financial expert has said that the most important time to invest is when times are tough. As the property market and economy looks shakier, the best thing is to go beyond minimums of section J and build something that will generate value when things start looking up again. Thermomass insulated concrete is attractive, thermally intelligent and great value. Thermomass makes concrete make sense.