Building a home? Are you wanting to know more about how to build a high performance home that is sustainable, energy efficient but also comfortable while meeting all of your design preferences?
Ticking the boxes on all of the above can be difficult. That is until you learn about Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and how they outperform other framing and insulation methods while also creating a strong and resilient home. Building with SIPs also allows you to create the home you want, no matter the size or complexity of your block, without compromising on your design and functionality. Say goodbye to ugly support beams!
As high performance home builders, we have years of experience in building sustainable and cutting edge design homes Australia wide. In this article, we’ve gathered some of our inside knowledge to help you on your high performance build journey.
We explore what high performance homes are, why they matter, and how SIPs enable builders to achieve outstanding results across Australia’s diverse climates through the following topics:
Read this article as a whole or click on a topic above to skip straight ahead to an area of interest.
What is a High Performance Home?
High performance homes are gaining traction and for good reason, but what are they?
A high performance home is designed and built to provide superior:
Energy efficiency
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability and reduction in environmental impact
These homes, especially when built with SIPs, maintain consistent indoor temperatures, improve air quality, and lower energy consumption, all while prioritising sustainable building practices.
Features of high performance homes:
Energy efficiency: Less reliance on heating and cooling reduces a home’s energy consumption.
Thermal comfort: Maintaining consistent indoor temperatures year-round, creating a home that is comfortable and less reliant on costly heating and cooling.
Healthy living environment: Improving indoor air quality and reducing pollutants and allergens.
Sustainability: Using eco-friendly materials and reducing carbon footprints throughout the construction process and the lifespan of the home
Why Choose to Build a High Performance Home in Australia?
Australia is a large country with differing climates from one city to another. Compare Tasmania’s weather to Perth's, for example. Then you also have areas like Melbourne that are known for experiencing 4 seasons in one day.
Building a home that is equipped to deal with all climates, from tropical heat to cool winters (and even snow in some regions), can be challenging. High performance homes built with SIPs excel in adapting to these conditions and offer significant benefits.
These benefits include:
Lower energy costs: Exceptional insulation and airtight construction reduce heating and cooling demands.
Increased comfort: Maintain a stable and comfortable indoor environment, regardless of outdoor weather.
Environmental impact: Contribute to a sustainable future by reducing your home’s carbon footprint.
In a nutshell, SIPs adapt to Australian Climates, providing year-round benefits, e.g.:
Cool Summers: Reduce heat gain in Queensland’s tropical regions.
Warm Winters: Retain heat during Melbourne’s cooler months.
Why High Performance Homes Are the Future of Australian Construction
As energy costs rise and environmental awareness grows, high performance homes are becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. Government initiatives and incentives further support the shift towards sustainable building, making now the perfect time to invest in a high performance home.
The long-term benefits:
Save money on energy bills.
Enjoy a more comfortable and healthier living space.
Increase your property’s value with a future-proof design.
Why SIPs are the best option for a high performance home
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are revolutionising the construction industry. Made from a rigid insulation core sandwiched between two structural boards, SIPs combine framing, insulation, and cladding into one efficient building system.
Our Smart SIPs panels are professionally crafted under regulated factory conditions by sandwiching a durable Neopor core insulation between two robust structural facings. The material of the structural facings varies as we offer a range of skin materials that can be chosen to suit your build’s specific needs. You can learn more about our SIPs panel details here.
A Smart SIPs building uses less energy to heat and cool, allowing for better control over the indoor environmental conditions for the life of your home. You’ll also see a 75-85% reduction in energy use when compared to a similar sized home built with conventional timber frame designs.
Why are SIPs ideal for high performance homes?
Exceptional Thermal Performance: SIPs provide continuous insulation, highly reducing thermal bridging and ensuring optimal energy efficiency. Homes built with SIPs require less energy for heating and cooling, making them perfect for Australia’s climate. You can learn more about thermal bridging and a SIPs vs timber side by side study here.
Airtight Construction: SIPs are created to minimise air leakage, which is a common source of energy loss in traditional homes. This airtightness enhances thermal comfort and reduces energy bills.
Strength and Durability: SIPs are structurally superior to traditional timber frames, offering excellent resistance to wind, weather conditions and even natural disasters. They’re built to last, ensuring long-term value and reliability. If you’re in a bushfire risk zone, then speak to us on how to make your home as fire resistant as possible.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: SIPs have a lower carbon footprint when compared to conventional building materials, plus their prefabricated nature reduces on-site waste, supporting sustainable construction practices.
Why High Performance Home Builders Use SIPs
Building with SIPs is a streamlined and efficient process, offering significant advantages over traditional methods:
Prefabrication for precision: SIPs are manufactured off-site to exact specifications, ensuring quality and on-site errors. This also significantly reduces the amount of construction waste.
Rapid on-site assembly: As they arrive pre-cut and ready to assemble, SIPs are easy to install, significantly cutting down on build times and labour costs. This efficiency makes them ideal for homeowners seeking a quicker move-in timeline.
Design flexibility: Whether you envision an open-plan living space or a custom design, SIPs can adapt to various architectural styles and layouts without the need for ugly support structures. SIPs can be used on difficult and sloping blocks too.
Advantages of Working with High Performance Home Builders
When you choose a builder specialising in high performance homes, you gain access to expertise that ensures your home meets the highest standards of efficiency and comfort.
Why Partner with SIP Experts?
Nationwide service: Builders with SIP expertise can deliver high performance homes across Australia, adapting designs to local climates and conditions.
Customised solutions: Tailored designs that maximise the benefits of SIPs for your lifestyle and location.
Commitment to sustainability: Aligning your home with eco-friendly practices and future-ready designs.
Build a high performance home with Smart SIPs
High performance homes represent the pinnacle of modern construction, offering unparalleled energy efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are at the heart of this innovation, providing a superior building material that meets the demands of Australia’s differing climates.
Ready to build your high performance home? Contact our expert team today to learn how SIPs can transform your vision into reality. Let’s build a home that’s better for you and the environment.