High-performance homes

SOLID TIMBER IS THE MOST ENDURING OF ALL BUILDING MATERIALS. LOCKWOOD TELLS US HOW THIS NATURALLY ENERGYEFFICIENT, SUSTAINABLY GROWN LOCAL RESOURCE HAS INSPIRED ITS HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING SYSTEM.

According to a recent Planet Ark study, the warm glow of finished timber goes beyond aesthetic appeal. It’s been credited with physiological and psychological benefits that mimic the effects of spending time in nature, such as lowered blood pressure and heart rate, reducing stress and anxiety, and increasing positive social interactions.

Besides the emotional benefits of timber homes, Lockwood’s solid timber building system offers advantages in thermal comfort and control, indoor air quality, heating and cooling efficiency. Solid wood has high insulation and thermal mass, meaning less energy is needed to heat, cool and ventilate a solid wood building.

Lincoln University conducted studies in 2007 that showed solid wood provides up to 2.5 times the thermal mass of concrete. The greater thermal mass of a solid wood home makes it energy efficient – making it better for the environment with the added advantage of lower power bills.

According to the same Lincoln University study, a solid wood home acts as a dehumidifier in bedrooms at night and as a humidifier in living areas during the daytime. Solid timber regulates humidity, avoiding the build-up of bacteria, viruses, fungi and mites, minimising respiratory infections and asthma.

The production and processing of wood uses much less energy than most other building materials, giving homes built from solid wood a significantly lower carbon footprint. Construction of a Lockwood home, rather than a conventionally built home, can save four tonnes of carbon dioxide, equal to the emissions of driving 22,000 kilometres.

Transport emissions are minimised by the proximity to the forestry industry in the Rotorua region, further reducing the impact on our environment. Homes built using local materials are good for us individually and for our economy.

In response to the H1 Building Code update, Sarah Smith from Lockwood says, “Lockwood will continue our tradition of being a leader in high-performance building. We are embracing these changes using building science and innovation as a basis for good solutions for warm, healthy homes. Lockwood has always delivered high-performance homes that meet and often exceed minimum building code requirements; these new changes are no exception.”

Sarah adds that the Lockwood team are flexible and will work closely with clients through their insulation, joinery and window options that best meet the requirements for their zone and design, right down to their specific site conditions.