InsulWalls are a new and innovative wall system comprised of a lightweight insulated core with a skin of Blue Scope steel that forms a structural panel. When combined with their companion roofing product SolarSpan, they form a complete thermal shell around the building with the potential to improve the energy efficiency of the home and realise construction cost savings through reduced complexity in engineering, materials, and construction.
Our experience with the InsulLiving system suggests that dwellings with standard window sizes can be designed with little to no additional steel lintels and columns. This makes the system most cost-effective on standard single storey houses with standard window and door opening sizes – catering for the majority of the Volume Housing designs. The system works extremely well with concrete slabs, as it eliminates issues of referring column point loads
down through sub-floor systems. Furthermore, apart from additional bolts and screws required for bracing panels, the InsulLiving system requires no additional bracings components saving time and costs to the user.
Finally, with the majority of housing having a Bushfire rating below BAL 19, no additional framing is required allowing builders to realize the full potential of the InsulLiving system. Whilst there are limitations, particularly with regards to the need for accurate pre-planning of services, users who plan wisely and gain experience with the system will see the greatest energy rating and construction efficiencies delivered by its employment.
