Concrete: The Future of Building in Australia
Concrete: The Future of Building in Australia
There is more and more talk in the building industry regarding the use of concrete in the construction of homes and other structures. There seems to be a real shift occurring in the building, construction and property development community recently, with more and more industry leaders converting to team concrete and singing the benefits of using the material to the masses.
So, what has inspired this recent interest in concrete? There’s been a few factors at play which have positioned concrete as the future of building in Australia. Read on to explore these external considerations which are impacting the way we build residential homes in Australia.
Energy Efficient
Concrete allows for an uninterrupted and airtight structure to be built, significantly reducing the ability for air to move through its walls. This reduces the need for traditional insulation used in timber houses which can become damaged and faulty with no warning. Most importantly, it can significantly reduce the cost incurred to heat and cool your home - saving you money on your next power bill.
With energy bills rising substantially over the last twelve months, there’s never been a better time to reduce your carbon footprint and power consumption. Climate Council research conducted in August 2022 suggests that upgrading a house with a 6 Star NathERS rating to 7 Stars could result in a saving of $450 per year on heating and cooling costs for a household. When you consider the fact that energy prices have risen another 50% since that research was published with significant increases yet to come, in addition to the fact that the average energy rating of a house in Victoria is 1.8 stars, there is a high chance that upgrading the energy efficiency of your home will lead to notable savings overtime.
Sustainable
From its creation to the way in which it can be reused and recycled, concrete remains sustainable through its entire life cycle. Not only that, building with concrete lends to a structure standing the test of time and lasting significantly longer compared to if it had been built with timber. This results in a reduction of need for new builds over time and increased durability for your new home. Keep reading for more information regarding how building with concrete will mean your home is durable for years to come!
Durability
Did you know concrete actually becomes stronger as it continues to age? No matter how hot or cold, wet or dry the climate is, the concrete used to build your home will retain its strength and consequently, will keep you and your family safe for generations to come. This is obviously an important characteristic to consider in a country such as Australia, which regularly endures severe and extreme weather. Using concrete to build your home protects your greatest assets from being compromised by even the worst of mother nature's wrath including extreme storms, flooding and the mould that often follows in hot and humid environments.
Supporting Australian Industry and Jobs
As demand for building supplies and labourers grows around the country, there’s never been a better time to support locally made materials. In 2021, Australia imported $80 million worth of wood products from Russia and $2.6 million from Ukraine. As you can imagine, the current war in Ukraine has put significant pressure on the already strained construction sector. Luckily, concrete used to produce Oxford Green Homes is locally produced here in Queensland and South Australia, removing the need to rely on buckling global supply chains which are already vulnerable.
As outlined above, there has never been a better time to build your home with concrete.
As the world continues to shift and change, it’s important to ensure you are building with the future in mind, especially in a country like Australia.
Building your next home with Oxford Green ensures safety in your investment for years to come, while securing the comfort of the tenants. Furthermore, you can rest assured that you’re contributing to a brighter future for Australia through your use of concrete.