Esky Inspires Energy Efficient Housing
21 May 2002
The principles that made the "Esky' an icon of the Australian outdoors are now being applied to housing via a thermally efficient new walling system that offers dramatic reductions in heating and cooling costs.
The MONO-WALL walling system features a polystyrene core for optimum thermal efficiency and the structural strength of high tensile steel framing components and roof trusses. Finished homes built using the MONO-WALL system are indistinguishable from a conventionally rendered home.
The system is also fire and termite resistant, with structural steel posts and roof trusses manufactured from ZINCALUME® steel.
Builder Robert Burness, developer of the MONO-WALL walling system, said it provides six to 10% more internal space because the walls are only 75mm thick, rather than the 230mm thickness of rendered brick veneer walls.
"The system's benefits to the builder and new home buyer include acoustic and thermal efficiency for lower energy bills, extreme strength that can earn a W61 cyclone rating, and some interesting design features," Mr Burness said.
"Interesting curved effects such as circular wall openings and curved doorways are possible because all of the internal walls are manufactured from polystyrene and are non-load-bearing."
MONO-WALL suits sloping sites, making construction easier and reducing site costs when a steel flooring system is used.
Unlike conventional construction methods using wall frames or bricks, the builder first erects steel posts at the end of each wall and connects them to a ring beam which carries the roof load.
The steel roof trusses can therefore be installed before the slab foundation is laid. The walls can then be erected and renderers move in to complete the internal and external finishes.
"A great advantage of the system is that there are a myriad of internal and external finishes that a home buyer can select," said Mr Burness.
"The finished structure is extremely strong because of the steel components in the walls and the use of ZINCALUME® steel roof trusses.
"It is one of the most economical building systems that you could find."
The MONO-WALL construction system is a patented system and can only be used by builders first obtaining a licence and then receiving training in the use of the system.
For further information contact:
Robert Burness
MONO-WALL Pty Ltd
Ph: 0404 239 923
