Mako

thanks john, am i right thinking that more concrete you have in the building the better? if the concrete is accessible as a thermal mass?

The question is, why warm cell blown? What are the benefits? durisol I have not heard good things either, but the concrete is still interesting me. just read about the Thermal mass benefits. Based on my read many members are underestimating the benefits. solar gains, storage, and heat release when required without any input. Why is that not a benefit? Surely it saves energy for heating/cooling. More I’m reading more I’m gravitating towards concrete structures. Isotex is one of the options, it seem a better product compared to Durisol.

Hi Zac, I had a read, thank you. I don’t agree with Jeremy’s calculation based on Kg, surely you must base your calculation on Volume. top chart is Jeremy second chart is justified correctly. Denser the material the better the conductivity and heat retention. just my thoughts, common sense dictates that wood will store less energy compared to concrete/brick or steel.

I was doing some research and been advised that in order to use the thermal mass properties of concrete you can’t really have any insulation material internally, ideally you need solid concrete face to get the best performance. If this was correct insulation applied internally would not help. would be interested to learn more, if there are other opinions out there.

Hi we are consIdering using ICF, how did you find the Nudura system? I have been told to stay away from poly systems? Do they overheat?

Guys, sorry been quiet for a while, been researching, came across interesting systems like Durisol, Isotex and Velox. have you got any experience with those? Based on my research it has been suggested to follow a concrete structure, rather than Timberframe or traditional build. Any suggestions?

I have done some I think, I believe you need to deliver two lines of defence, solid concrete is Considered as one, land the tanking as the other. if you were to use woodcrete how would you provide the second line of defence?

At the moment I’m thinking of contracting the superstructure, and finishing the build by local trade

Thank you, I have had a look at both systems, compare to Poly block system, there is no solid concrete layer, would that be a weakness? What stops water getting in? The poly block system has got the solid concrete, but it’s hard to fix anything into it. How do you waterproof below ground? would you recommend concrete shuttering for basement, and insulate from inside?

Thank you for all the info, basement it is a small plot on a fairly sandy soils, hence there is that potential. what system would you recommend for basement construction? im afraid we are the townies moving out ? would like to build and stay for at least 10years. trying to build something that has low running costs, does not over heat, sound proofing is important due to road traffic noise. and can be rendered and cladded. thank you

How does the warmcell work? Is it a Timberframe structure with OSB or similar holding it in place? i have been in few timberframe houses and you could hear cars driving outside. I have asked below, how do you deal With overheating in well insulated TF properties?

Thank you for the details, so far I’m getting that the importance lies with insulation level, airtightness and you can achieve the PH levels. how do you deal with the overheating? PH recommends smaller window size, I guess orientation is important, what other elements can help? Some mentioned Thermal mass how does that work? thank you

Thank you, I think I will need to do more reading as well

Thank you for your input, sounds like you are enjoying the building process. having build the traditional, do you believe the Timberframe is the better way? have you ever done a basement? what type of timberframe are you thinking? I heard they are not as soundproof as the traditional brick and block, is that right? I see your point in the sliding doors. Thank you

Thank you, what fabric did you consider to be the best addressing all the insulation, airtightness, soundproofing etc? at the moment thinking if we should do basement as well or avoid. would we use the same or different?

Hi, how did you manage to get the air tightness with brick and block? Thank you for your input

Thank you for your input, what did you use for building your home to deliver the results we are after?

Thank you Declan

Thank you for accepting us into your community, we are in a process of planning a passive house home, I’m looking to find some direction here. Many things on the web, but I like to understand, what is important in designing such a build and what are members experiences following a completion. What would they do differently next time. Help required... not sure how to work this forum, so please navigate me if I need to post my questions in another section. Thank you M

Thank you for accepting us into your community, we are in a process of planning a passive house home, I’m looking to find some direction here. Many things on the web, but I like to understand, what is important in designing such a build and what are members experiences following a completion. What would they do differently next time. Help required... not sure how to work this forum, so please navigate me if I need to post my questions in another section. Thank you M