Foam walls and roof

Lot 861 Eastlake Avenue, Fairfield Waters This home is a rare find in the neighbourhood. It costs the same as other homes in its street but is designed to have lower power bills and will capture breezes to add to its comfort. This is one of six homes NQ Dry Tropics will open to the public on Sustainable House Day Sunday September 11.
It was built by a firm based in Townsville and designed by an architect on the Sunshine Coast. It’s promoted as a ‘liveable’ house.
What makes this house unusual is its insulation - foam walls and roof, otherwise known as Structural Insulated Panels. It has 90 mm of foam sandwiched between sheets of chipboard for walls (insulation value R2.84) and up to 200 mm between corrugated iron for the top roof (R5.3). The foam was prefabricated to accommodate wiring, which meant builders had to follow measurements to a t. The post and beam frame is steel and timber. Bamboo has been chosen for the floor coverings.
It’s designed to capture and circulate breezes. It achieves this through high, vaulted ceilings and large openings at the front and back and louvred upper windows. There are 900 mm eve overhangs to increase the home’s shade.

The house is fitted with energy saving lights and water saving appliances and solar hot water. And if you’ve forgotten to turn fans and lights off when you leave, there is a kill switch as you exit the front door.
A 5,000 litre water tank will be plumbed into the house for use in grey water areas including the toilet.
It will be close to completion on the weekend of Sustainable House Day.