Couple hope to put house to the winter 'slipper test'

KEEPING WARM: Graeme Calman shows the revolutionary MAXRaft under-floor insulation in the house he's having built at Putiki.PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY 240815WCBRCUND01

Graeme and Cathie Calman are hoping to be able to throw away their slippers next winter.

The couple are building their dream home on the hills above Putiki and, along with spectacular views of the Tasman Sea and a no-steps "zimmerframe friendly" design, the house includes a revolutionary form of insulation in its foundations.

The MAXRaft insulation is believed to be the first of its kind in the Manawatu-Whanganui region.

Mr Calman said rather than being made of blocks of polystyrene, MAXRaft is a solid, 200mm-thick pad of polystyrene which creates a thermal break and bears the weight of the house's perimeter walls.

Because the insulation seals the entire floor, it retains up to 80 per cent of the heat that is lost through a conventional floor.

"The test of this insulation will be no slippers next winter," Mr Calman said.

While the Calmans did not intend to build an eco-house, they could see the benefit of using this type of underfloor insulation, which was suggested to them by their architect, Duncan Sinclair of Black Pine Architects.

The other benefit from this type of flooring is its ability to withstand earthquakes.

"I've seen many Christchurch earthquake photos which show houses with floors split apart, tearing the house down the middle. I believe our house will be able to move on this floor system in a big quake, reducing damage," Mr Calman said.

The work is being done by Dan Gilmore Builders. The revolutionary flooring has cost the Calmans around $12,000 in total.