SA Affordable Housing September / October 2018 // Issue: 72 | Page 11

NEWS
Traditional heating methods such as underfloor heating, gas and
wood fireplaces or gas heaters will always be popular, but
Winroth suggests it’s worth making improvements to your
ceiling, which will not only enhance interior comfort but also add
value to your home. Your decisions should be driven by three
main considerations: thermal, acoustic and aesthetic comfort.
THERMAL COMFORT
Plasterboard together with non-combustible insulation
installed in your ceiling will maintain a comfortable
temperature inside your home by creating a heat flow barrier
between the roof tiles and the ceiling. Enhancing thermal
properties means that your house will be warm in winter and
cool in summer, which is not only important for health, well-
being and productivity at home, but it’s environmentally
friendly as well. As temperature differences are reduced, less
energy is required and your home will become more energy
efficient, which will lead to reduced electricity costs over the
long run.
 ACOUSTICS
Peace and quiet is essential to relaxation, healing and
concentration and for those seeking acoustic comfort, effective
sound insulation is a necessity. Protection from external noise
adds to the sense of security and privacy in your home,
enhancing overall comfort. Sound can also affect your mood
and wellbeing, and if your household is busy with multi-
functional spaces and several activities co-existing, it’s
beneficial to manage acoustics, especially if you have an open
plan design.
AESTHETIC COMFORT
Homes that look and feel better can add to the overall sense of
comfort. Therefore, it’s wise to use components that are
designed to work together as a system for a seamless finish.
The concealment of joints and boards is important for aesthetic
comfort and can be achieved by using the right combination of
drywall screws, tape and plaster. A flush plaster finish will give
you a luxurious, complete look that’s visually appealing and by
adding a cornice profile to the perimeter of the room using
adhesive, you’ll get a unified look between the wall and ceiling.
W
inroth believes in building and renovating homes in a way
that results in greater levels of comfort, health and wellbeing.
And he emphasises that environmental concerns should be top
of mind too when enhancing your own urban habitat.
“   Ever since urbanisation began, human activities have
increasingly impacted our environment,” says Winroth. “We
should all do what we can to support sustainability – and where
better to begin than in our homes?” he suggests.
H
ouseholds account for a significant portion of energy
consumption – mostly to provide thermal comfort. But much of
this energy is wasted due to inefficient systems and designs.
“Consumers should embrace green building habits in a move
to increase energy efficiency. Growing energy consumption and
associated climate change will continue to rise and that’s
certainly not sustainable, so all efforts even at individual level
add up,” says Winroth.
“Because most of us undertake new building or renovation
projects infrequently, it's practical to design for built-in
comfort right from the start. Embrace the mobility and
flexibility of an open plan space as you make improvements
for comfort, and consider the environment in the process,”
Winroth concludes.
We should all do what we can
to support sustainability – and
where better to begin than in
our homes?”
EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR EVERYDAY
COMFORT
Over and above improving your ceiling, there are many
small steps you can take every day to improve your
health, overall sense of wellbeing – and the
environment.
WINROTH’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR COMFORT
IN WINTER
1. ‘Green’ your living space
Plant life has a huge positive effect on focus,
wellbeing and energy levels. Peppermint is easy to
grow, reduces stress and is linked with improved
mental performance and alertness.
2. Soundproof your space
If you have noisy neighbors on one side of your
home, place furniture or a large bookshelf
(preferably full of books) against that wall.
3. Sleep better with more daytime light exposure
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone,
controlled by exposure to daylight, that helps to
regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Get more light
during the day to sleep better at night.
4. Keep your home dry
Control relative humidity levels at under 60%,
using dehumidifiers if necessary. Open a window
when you take a shower or bath or while you have
clothes on a drying rack.
5. Stop draughts at the source
Draughts can often be found around windows or
under external doors. Simple draught-proofing
measures can really help. But don’t block your
ventilation.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018
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