Thermal mass

The brick walls in the extension are done, we can see all the thermal mass those rooms will have, and how they'll capture the sun.



You can also see the window gaps and doorway to the garden out the back of the house.



Ric (the architect) has done the sums on the energy rating, and calculated that the finished house will be at least a 7-star rating! That's an amazing result, since we're adding a lot of space and extending an ordinary brick veneer house, but even with good insulation the old house was probably only 1-star or so. The additional thermal mass, insulation including double glazed windows, and the better solar aspect have a massive impact.

Inside most of the work has been on laying out the new floor plan, so the grand boulevarde is becoming obvious. Some plaster walls, some brick walls, doors and windows, and a lick of paint on it all and we're basically done!! (we wish...)