Staying warm in winter, how do you make your house do the work? One of the main advantages and benefits of draught proofing a home is climate control, the ability to maintain a more constant temperature and therefore reducing the need for extensive heating/cooling, which then in turn reduces the associated costs of this.
It is essential to eliminate unwanted draughts to be able to capture intentional breezes. Our homes incorporate passive design principles, there is a core design principle of a recent collaborative project of ours that works to draw cooling breezes through the home to passively moderate the internal climate.
The main way unwanted draughts will come into a home is by poorly sealed gaps, these can be very small and found around external windows and doors that aren’t sealed correctly. They can also find their way in through poor quality fittings such as cheaper/low quality exhaust fans. Better quality fittings have a self-closing option, which is essential for keeping out draughts.
An important way to reduce unwanted draughts is to start at the design process to ensure practical and clever design and location of windows and any external openings. Incorporated within the Weststyle design process are passive design principles, executed correctly this design strategy will help your home respond to the local climate and site conditions to maintain a comfortable temperature. This focuses on renewable sources of energy such as the sun, wind, ventilation and harnessing natural light. In regards to building techniques, the most effective thing you can do is to ensure top quality products and trades, this will help to avoid gaps around windows and doors and in other areas of the build so that draughts can’t sneak through.
All of our homes are designed with passive design principles in mind and are built to a very high quality. Weststyle have worked with the same trades for years and their homes are always executed to a high standard. There are some homes lately that have embraced sustainable design further and a good example of this is our latest collaboration with CAPA Studio in the build of RZB House in Shenton Park. This home is highly detailed and cleverly crafted, embracing sustainable elements. The home has no air conditioning so relies solely on passive design to heat and cool the spaces.
Another recently completed home that Weststyle designed and built is a family home in Bicton. This home uses intentional elements such as orientation of the home and in particular windows and louvres to direct breezes. Large-scale windows are expertly sealed and orientated to take advantage of natural light.
Schedule an appointment with our award winning team today.
Matthew is a Site Supervisor with over 10 years’ experience in luxury, bespoke residential construction. His career has seen him manage a wide range of high-end residential and commercial projects, while also sharing his expertise as a Building Studies lecturer at North Metro TAFE.
A Registered Building Practitioner with a Diploma of Building and Construction, Matthew is recognised for his strong communication, collaborative approach, and commitment to quality outcomes. In 2017, he was a finalist in the Ric New Rising Star Awards, a reflection of his drive and dedication to the industry.
Matthew thrives on problem-solving and enjoys working closely with architects, engineers, and trades to deliver projects that are both unique and of the highest standard. For him, the greatest reward is seeing happy clients at the end of the build, achieved through his “one team, one dream” style of collaboration.
With over 25 years of experience across the building industry, Simon brings a wealth of practical knowledge and a calm, solutions-focused approach to his role as Maintenance Supervisor at Weststyle. Holding a Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery, his career has spanned a wide range of trades.
For the past decade, Simon has worked as a full-time maintenance contractor and supervisor, honing his skills in problem-solving and attention to detail. His relaxed yet professional nature allows him to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
Simon enjoys the variety that comes with maintenance work, no two days are ever the same, and takes pride in working on Weststyle’s beautiful homes and meeting the wonderful clients behind them. Always prepared and ready for any situation, Simon approaches each job with care, precision, and a genuine dedication to quality.