ith rising energy costs, extreme weather, and growing awareness about climate change, homeowners in Australia are looking for ways to build sustainable homes. And building such eco-friendly houses requires the right construction materials. The material you choose influences everything from the energy efficiency and indoor comfort to the durability, and maintenance of your home. In this guide by The Rubix, we’ll discuss some important factors that you should consider before choosing your building materials and the best options for different parts of a sustainable home.
Custom CLT Homes Designed & Built in Newcastle, NSW
Innovative.
INNOVATION seeks to redefine POSSIBILITIES & shape the FUTURE.
- We explore new ideas & technologies to create smarter, more adaptable designs.
- We solve problems creatively, turning challenges into opportunities.
- We adapt to the changing needs of society, ensuring our designs remain relevant in a dynamic world.
- We explore bold, forward-thinking solutions that challenge the status quo.
- We inspire progress, creating spaces that are not only functional but visionary.
- Explore how building with CLT creates smarter, more sustainable homes in Australia, a modern solution shaping the future of construction.
Sustainable.
SUSTAINABILITY seeks good outcomes for PEOPLE, PURPOSE, and PLANET.
- We work and produce in ways that contribute to addressing the climate crisis.
- We acknowledge the need for design to be achievable and affordable, avoiding undue pressure.
- We produce work that aims to teach and realise the human condition.
- We foster shared experiences and celebrate culture through thoughtful design.
- We want to support the well-being of everyone our work touches, from those who build it to those it shelters.
- Discover if Cross Laminated Timber is a sustainable choice for modern homes.
- We recognise that we are an incremental part of a progressive and positive future.
- Read our complete guide to building a sustainable home in Australia and discover practical ways to reduce your environmental impact.
Distinctive.
DISTINCTIVE design seeks to uniquely allow an easier, simpler life whist still INSPIRING and challenging occupants to GROW, dream and contribute to the world.
- We create designs that stand apart, challenging conventions and pushing boundaries.
- We ensure every project has a clear purpose, blending creativity with functionality.
- We inspire growth and evolution, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
- We craft spaces that reflect individuality while staying rooted in thoughtful design.
- We create spaces that resonate deeply, enduring in both form and meaning.
- Explore 7 CLT construction details that create stronger, more distinctive builds.
Custom CLT Homes Designed for Modern Living
What is CLT?
Cross-laminated timber (CLT for short) is perhaps better understood by its colloquial term - super plywood. It consists of perpendicular layers of timber called lamellas adhered together using glue and a hydraulic press.
CLT is an innovative construction material that can be used for floors, walls and roofs. Large panels are cut to size using accurate computer control machining and openings for windows, doors and skylights cut out in the same way. CLT is assembled in position using a crane and attached together with brackets and specialized screws according to the engineer’s and manufacturers specification.
Using CLT for house construction has been common practice in Europe for 30 years, but in the last decade it has soared in popularity around the world. It is likely to continue to rise and could very well become a dominant residential construction method in Australia.
Many people that opt for a CLT home choose to leave the CLT exposed to the interior as a feature unique to the construction style. However, CLT can also be covered with plasterboard or other lining for a more traditional style.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CLT is a great environmental choice for construction. The timber used in the CLT panels is sourced from sustainable forests. The trees have absorbed carbon out of the atmosphere which remains locked away in the CLT panel.
The CLT can be referred to as a “carbon sink” because it takes carbon out of the atmosphere, rather than putting carbon into it, such is the case with the manufacture of concrete or steel.
CLT is carbon negative, taking out more carbon from the atmosphere than adding to it even when factoring in transport, something that cannot be said about traditional construction materials.
COST
In Australia, CLT is roughly 20% cheaper than lightweight construction. This is even considering European manufacture with international shipping, though there are domestic options too. This is because the cost of the product and operation of the crane is offset by the reduced labour costs of a traditional build.
The standard construction process of a CLT dwelling is to have the foundations prepared and ready by the time the CLT and windows are delivered. Typical assembly of the structure for a single dwelling takes 4-10 days including taping and fitting of windows and doors, by which time the building is airtight and watertight. After this, trades will conduct the internal fit out, services, insulation, cladding and roofing. This method reduces a lot of labour which is a significant proportion of Australian building cost.
COMFORT
CLT is very easy to make airtight which goes a long way to preventing heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. If you're considering replacing an older home, our Complete Knockdown Rebuild Guide Australia provides everything you need to plan a more energy-efficient, comfortable, and future-ready home.
Passive houses, which many consider to be the most efficient and comfortable way to build, use airtightness as one of their tenets to achieve such high performance. Since CLT homes use such large panels, there are very few joins in the building fabric, and these are easily sealed with airproof tape. Unsurprising then, that CLT should feature in many examples of certified passive houses.
HEALTH
Because CLT construction has an air-proof barrier and breathable insulation and cladding, there is no chance of mould growth in the building fabric if constructed correctly. Also, because nearly all the cutting is done offsite there is very little dust created during construction.
Reputable CLT manufacturers will use non-toxic glues. But it is important confirm the technical specifications with your CLT manufacturer.
PEST
Termites, if given the chance, will attack CLT. However CLT does still have an advantage in that it can maintain structural integrity much longer than the studs in lightweight or brick veneer construction ever could.
The same termite protection measures that are mandatory for lightweight and brick veneer construction under the National Construction Code and the Australian Standards are also applicable to CLT homes including ant caps and visual barriers.
FIRE SAFETY
CLT performs very well against fire attack. Because CLT is often constructed to an airtight standard, and the product is solid without any cavity, ember and flame penetration are lower than lightweight stud construction.
When subjected to flames the outer layer of the CLT will char and protect the core, drastically slowing down the rate of incineration and maintaining structural integrity for longer. This is one of the reasons why CLT has better fire performance than steel, as it can maintain it’s structural integrity under intense heat.
More information
Please check out some of our CLT projects by clicking the links below.
Alternatively find some more information and videos on CLT and the process here.
- Bar N None Project -Sustainable CLT Build by The Rubix
- Birabaan Nest - Eco-Friendly CLT Home Design Australia
- Lofty Beacon Project-Modern CLT Home by The Rubix
- Throughhouse CLT Project -Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Timber Design
- The Long Lap Project –Innovative CLT Construction
Featured Project
Birabaan Nest
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ENVIRONMENTAL CLT is a great environmental choice for construction. The timber used in the CLT panels is sourced from sustainable forests. The trees have absorbed carbon out of the atmosphere which remains locked away in the CLT panel. The CLT can be referred to as a “carbon sink” because it takes carbon out of the atmosphere rather than putting carbon into it, such is the case with the manufacture of concrete or steel. COST In Australia, CLT is roughly 20% cheaper than lightweight construction. This is even considering European manufacture with international shipping, though there are domestic options too. This is because the cost of the product and operation of the crane is offset by the reduced labour costs of a traditional build.