THERMOMASS makes more sense to more people

Recently, some of Australia's top developers have been telling us how the THERMOMASS insulation system for concrete sandwich panels really is the easiest way to add value to their new buildings.

The first question asked by more and more real estate buyers is "How is it insulated?" So pervasive is this question is that older homes are much harder to sell than their more modern insulated counterparts.

This increased market awareness cannot be ignored when planning a project of any scale. Aside from ever-rising energy bills, occupiers of buildings want to be free of the artificial heating and cooling which add other discomforts like dry skin, respiratory problems, noise and "too hot or cold syndrome". Most of all, building owners know that poor insulation is a permanent shackle to high energy costs, and is a hallmark of overall poor thermal design.

Seemingly minor at this stage, in 5-10 years insulation will be a major "tick-box" item for buyers. The real estate game is a long-term one, and if the building is not worth more in 10 years, it's not worth buying now. Resale value is of primary concern to buyers who know their family or business's home will not be a permanent one.

All these factors point to the obvious answer. A properly thermally designed building, with THERMOMASS concrete sandwich panels as the cornerstone of great passive design, will be the one that generates most value for all parties concerned.

If Australia's biggest developers are using concrete sandwich panels, the numbers must add up. Those left behind using conventional plasterboard methods will forgo return on investment for a system that is no cheaper than a concrete sandwich panel.