Knee Walls: When Better Language Leads to Better Buildings
Better terminology, such as “knee wall” and “attic” leads to better decisions. Better decisions lead to better buildings.
Better terminology, such as “knee wall” and “attic” leads to better decisions. Better decisions lead to better buildings.
One of the most common misconceptions I come across is the idea that all windows in energy compliance must fall within 5% of the SHGC and U-values listed in the energy report. This simply isn’t true.
We’re excited to share that Gold Star Building Performance is now officially a registered trademark in Australia.
Many building energy models rely on climate averages, which smooth out extremes. That’s fine for annual energy estimates, but it can lead to undersized or underperforming heating systems.
Don’t use the ‘Dry’ setting on your air conditioner in winter.
It’s designed for warm weather, and using it in cold conditions will likely make condensation worse, not better.
Gold Star outperforms NatHERS Star Ratings by addressing critical real-world performance issues that NatHERS either ignores or oversimplifies.
I often get asked about how to deal with a concrete roof—or a green roof for that matter. I often get asked about how to deal with a concrete roof—or a green roof for that matter. Whether it’s over a flat-roofed extension, a commercial tenancy, or someone dreaming of a rooftop veggie patch, the same question comes up:
How do I insulate this properly without causing long-term issues?
I’ve just added a new feature to my website that I’m pretty satisfied with: It’s an AI-powered assistant that lets you ask me questions directly—and get clear, useful answers on the spot.