Energy-efficient stained glass

Vicky Grosser shows how it is possible to reuse old materials like stained glass in a new energy-efficient build.

Desert Rose

An Aussie net-zero energy house takes on the competition in Dubai, bringing home an impressive second place overall in the 2018 Solar Decathlon.

Windows that perform: A window and film buyers guide

Poorly performing windows can drag down the thermal performance of your home. Lance Turner looks at some solutions.

Strength, stability and performance: The right floor for your build

When building, you may put a lot of thought into the floor coverings, but what about the sub-floor structure? Both are important to ensure a sustainable result. Lance Turner surveys the options.

Sealed with a SIP

The energy costs for this four-person household were $560 for the year (basically just the daily charge), due to an airtight house design, a PV system well-matched to usage and a switch to all-electric. Kyle O'Farrell describes how they got there.

A roof over your head: Choosing the right roofing materials

There are many different roofing materials to choose from, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how sustainable are they?

A house built of straw: Learn how with a strawbale workshop

You’re unlikely to go from building newbie to strawbale expert after a four-day workshop, but you should come out with basic skills, a better understanding of the process and the ‘right’ questions to ask.

Bricks, blocks and panels: What’s in a wall?

There are many different approaches used for building the walls of a home, but which one is ideal for your build? Lance Turner takes us on a quick tour of the different systems, materials and their sustainability credentials.

The Greeny Flat experiment – Small-scale, sustainable, affordable

Andy Lemann shares the principles, materials, results and lessons learnt in building a low-cost, high-efficiency home. Seven months into a one-year trial, the outcomes are promising.

It’s not all black and white: why roof colour matters