When building your new home, you’ve probably heard a lot about insulation, orientation, or glazing.
But there’s another powerful tool that works silently in the background to keep your home comfortable year-round: thermal mass.
At Zircon Living, we design homes that work with Perth’s climate — not against it. By integrating passive design principles like thermal mass into our floor plans and construction methods, we help families enjoy homes that feel better to live in and cost less to run.
What Is Thermal Mass?
Thermal mass refers to the ability of a material to absorb, store and release heat. In home construction, it’s usually found in solid, dense materials like:
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Concrete slabs
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Brick or block internal walls
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Stone or tiled floors
These materials absorb warmth during the day (especially from sunlight entering through north-facing windows) and release it slowly as the temperature drops — helping to regulate indoor temperatures naturally.
How Thermal Mass Works in Perth’s Climate
In Perth, we have hot summer days and cooler nights, which makes thermal mass a valuable feature in well-designed homes.
Here’s how it helps:
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In summer: Thermal mass absorbs heat during the day and prevents it from immediately warming the air inside your home. With good ventilation, the stored heat can be released outdoors overnight.
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In winter: Sunlight entering through northern windows warms internal thermal mass, which then slowly releases that warmth into your living areas after the sun goes down.
The result? A more stable, comfortable indoor temperature — with less need for artificial heating and cooling.
Key Benefits of Thermal Mass in Your Home
✅ Lower energy bills – Less reliance on air conditioning and heating
✅ Year-round comfort – More consistent internal temperatures
✅ Environmentally friendly – Reduces your home’s energy footprint
✅ Low-maintenance – Built into the materials themselves, no upkeep required
✅ Works beautifully with passive solar design – Enhances performance of orientation, shading, and insulation
How Zircon Living Homes Use Thermal Mass
At Zircon Living, many of our homes are designed with thermal mass in mind — especially those with concrete slabs, tiled flooring, and north-facing living areas.
We work closely with you to choose layouts and materials that make the most of your block’s orientation, ensuring features like:
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Polished concrete or tiled floors in main living areas
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Window placement that brings in controlled winter sunlight
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Insulation and glazing that complement thermal mass for best performance
Contact Zircon Living Today
Thermal mass doesn’t need to be expensive, high-tech, or complicated. It’s about using the right materials in the right place — which is something we plan for from the very beginning.
Whether you’re building your first home or your forever home, our team helps you understand how small decisions can lead to big savings and a more comfortable life.
Our experienced team at Zircon Living can guide you through every element of your new home — including how passive design features like thermal mass can help you get more from your build. Visit our Construction Process page to learn more.