Article

Designing Modular Homes for Extreme Climates

Modular designs

October 25, 2024

Written by

Alana McNab

Building a home in Australia’s diverse and challenging climate requires careful planning and smart material choices. From bushfires to coastal erosion and floods, homes must be designed to withstand extreme conditions while ensuring comfort and longevity.

Modular homes offer an excellent solution, especially when tailored to meet specific environmental challenges. This article will focus on the most pressing concern for many Australians:

🔥 Bushfire Protection
🌊 Coastal Erosion
💧 Flood-Prone Areas
☀️ Climate conditions

Why Modular Homes Are Ideal for Extreme Climates

Modular homes offer several advantages when building in extreme climates. Constructed off-site and delivered in modules, they can be assembled quickly and efficiently, making them an excellent choice for those rebuilding after a natural disaster like a bushfire or flood. Their flexibility allows for customisation to address specific climate challenges, whether it’s the use of fire-resistant materials, flood-resilient designs, or insulation suited for varying temperatures.

As a 100% Australian-owned company, Anchor Homes understands the unique challenges of the Australian climate. Our team knows the landscape, the risks, and how to build a home that offers both protection and style in these environments.

Bushfire Protection: A Critical Design Consideration

Modular Home Project - The Olinda Project The Olinda Project - Built to BAL-40

Bushfires are one of the most severe risks in many parts of Australia, and designing a home to withstand fire exposure is essential. For anyone building in a bushfire-prone area, an assessment of the property’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) is mandatory. This rating determines the level of fire risk and informs the materials and design features necessary for compliance and safety.

The Australian BAL ratings are as follows:

At Anchor Homes, we build to BAL-12.5 as standard, but we've also designed and built many homes to meet higher BAL ratings. Here are a few examples:

The Olinda Project - built to BAL-40
The Berridale Project - built to BAL-40
The Sawmill Settlement Project - built to BAL-29

Note: We do not build modular homes for BAL-FZ areas due to the extensive material upgrades they require.

Key Design Features for Bushfire Protection

Fire-Resistant Materials: Using fire-retardant materials is essential for homes in bushfire-prone areas. At Anchor Homes, we provide a wide selection of exterior cladding options suitable for different BAL ratings. Also, for decking areas we recommend Modwood Flame Shield® to enhance outdoor spaces. This decking option is specially formulated wood composite decking that complies with a BAL-40 rating.
Bushfire-Resistant Windows and Doors: Toughened glass and non-combustible window frames help prevent embers from entering the home. This feature becomes particularly important in higher BAL-rated homes where radiant heat can cause significant damage to less durable materials.
Roofing Solutions: At Anchor Homes, we offer roofing material options such as Colorbond steel, which provides excellent fire resistance and durability. Installing ember guards can also significantly reduce the risk of fire damage.

Adapting Modular Homes for Coastal and Flood-Prone Areas

In addition to bushfire risks, homes in Australia must often contend with other climate challenges such as coastal erosion and flooding. Modular homes can be designed to suit these conditions, ensuring longevity and ease of maintenance.

Coastal Erosion: Material Choices Matter

Coastal areas can experience significant wear and tear on homes due to salt exposure, high winds, and moisture. Selecting the right materials can help mitigate these effects:

Cladding: Natural timber is a popular choice for its aesthetic appeal, but it requires regular oiling to maintain its appearance. Without maintenance, the timber will grey over time, which can be a more practical, low-maintenance option for coastal areas.
Corrosion-Resistant Fixtures: For homes in areas exposed to salt and moisture, selecting corrosion-resistant fixtures like Colorbond steel for roofs and other metal elements can significantly extend the life of the home.
Weatherproofing: Sealing the home against moisture and high winds is critical in coastal regions. Modular homes can be constructed with extra attention to these details, ensuring the home remains secure and durable in harsh environments.

Flood-Prone Areas: Elevated Designs for Safety

In areas prone to flooding, the design of the home plays a crucial role in mitigating risk. Modular homes can be built on stumps or stilts, elevating the structure above potential flood levels. This not only helps protect the home’s foundation from water damage but also improves airflow beneath the structure, which can help prevent moisture build-up.

We recommend contacting your local council to check the flood overlay on the block you're planning to build on. A flood overlay is a zoning tool used by local councils to identify areas at risk of flooding. It provides guidelines on the type of construction required to minimise flood damage and ensure safety. This information is crucial as it can affect the home’s design and means your project may require specific upgrades to meet compliance.

Insulation for Extreme Temperature Variations

Climate resilience isn’t just about protecting against bushfires and floods. Temperature regulation is another essential consideration, especially in Australia’s extreme summer heat and cooler winter months. Modular homes can be equipped with high-quality insulation to ensure comfort and energy efficiency year-round.

Roof and Wall Insulation: Choosing the right insulation for your roof and walls can make a significant difference in how well your home retains heat in winter and stays cool in summer. Consideration should also be given to window placement and shading options to reduce solar heat gain during the hottest months.
Sustainable Options: Modular homes offer the opportunity to integrate energy-efficient solutions such as solar panels and rainwater tanks, which not only help with climate resilience but also lower the home’s environmental impact.

We Know Australia - Choose Us for Your Climate-Ready Home

At Anchor Homes we’re a 100% Australian-owned company, so we know the challenges our country’s diverse climates present. From bushfire-prone areas to coastal and flood zones, we understand the landscape and design homes that are specifically tailored to withstand it. When you choose Anchor Homes, you’re choosing a team that understands Australia's environmental impacts and also has the expertise in in building homes that last in extreme conditions.

Our modular homes not only offer exceptional climate resilience, but they also provide a faster, more efficient building process, perfect for those looking to rebuild quickly after natural disasters. With our expertise, you can be confident that your home is designed for Australia, by Australians.