Hygrothermal modelling identifies condensation risk, moisture accumulation, and mould growth potential in your wall assemblies — before the building is built, not after the callbacks start.
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Most condensation failures aren’t caused by missing insulation. They’re caused by insulation in the right quantity but the wrong position — or a vapour control layer on the wrong side of the assembly. The moisture doesn’t show up immediately. It accumulates season by season until the wall can’t dry out fast enough to prevent mould establishing itself. By that point, you’re past the design stage.
An assembly that performs reliably in Brisbane can fail in Melbourne. WUFI modelling uses Bureau of Meteorology hourly climate data calibrated to your specific project location — not a generic Australian climate zone.
NCC prescriptive compliance doesn’t assess interstitial condensation risk. A wall can meet every prescriptive requirement and still accumulate moisture at the insulation–vapour barrier interface until mould establishes within two years of occupation.
Moving a vapour control layer, switching insulation type, or adding a ventilated cavity gap. These are specification-stage decisions. Hygrothermal modelling identifies which one is needed — and confirms it works — before the building is built.
Hygrothermal modelling simulates how heat and moisture move through a building envelope assembly — a wall, roof, or floor — under real climate conditions over time. Using WUFI software and Bureau of Meteorology climate data calibrated to your project location, we show where moisture accumulates within the assembly, whether condensation will form at critical interfaces, and whether the assembly can dry out between seasons.
Most building assemblies that fail hygrothermal analysis comply with the NCC. Compliance doesn’t mean performance — it means the prescriptive requirements were met. What compliance doesn’t tell you is whether your vapour control layer is on the right side of the insulation, whether your wall can dry out in winter, or whether mould will establish itself within two years of occupation.
The right time to engage is early — during design development, when assembly decisions are still being made. Modelling at this stage redirects a specification. Modelling after construction confirms a problem you can no longer fix cheaply.
Interstitial condensation assessment showing whether moisture will form within the assembly and at what time of year. Identifies the specific interface where condensation risk is highest and quantifies severity under your local climate conditions.
Fraunhofer IBP mould growth index at critical material interfaces. Where mould growth potential exceeds the accepted threshold, we identify the specific modification — vapour control layer position, insulation type, or cavity ventilation — that resolves it.
A hygrothermal report from Makao goes beyond confirming whether an assembly is acceptable. It tells you exactly where moisture risk is highest, at what time of year, and what modification resolves it. Where an assembly fails, we model the revised version and include confirmation outputs in the same report.
Temperature and relative humidity plots at each material layer across a full year of climate data. Shows exactly where in the assembly moisture is accumulating and at what time of year.
Identification of the critical interface where interstitial condensation risk is highest, with quantification of severity under your local climate. Includes drying potential assessment across seasons.
Fraunhofer IBP mould growth index at critical material interfaces. Where the index exceeds the accepted threshold, the specific modification is identified and the revised assembly is modelled to confirm resolution.
Where an assembly fails, we specify the modification — vapour control layer repositioning, insulation type change, or cavity addition — model the revised assembly, and include confirmation outputs in the same report.
Hygrothermal risk doesn’t announce itself during design. These are the situations where it’s hiding.
Climate-zone mismatch — assemblies that perform reliably in warm, dry climates can fail in cool, humid ones. Melbourne’s cool winters and high indoor humidity loads create vapour pressure conditions that drive moisture into wall assemblies. We model the specific assembly in your specific climate before it’s built.
Passive House certification — PHI and PHIUS pathways both require WUFI-based hygrothermal verification of envelope assemblies. We provide the simulation outputs, material references, and climate data documentation that certifiers expect, structured for direct submission.
Condensation investigation — mould without visible water ingress is almost always interstitial condensation forming inside the wall assembly. We simulate the existing construction under actual conditions to identify where moisture is forming and what remediation will resolve it.
High-humidity occupancies — pools, gyms, commercial kitchens, aged care, schools. Internal moisture loads in these building types are significantly higher than standard residential or commercial assumptions. The vapour pressure difference drives moisture into the envelope in ways that standard details don’t account for.
Unconventional or hygroscopic materials — CLT, mass timber, ICF, EIFS and external cladding systems all require careful hygrothermal assessment. Manufacturer performance data is often derived from different climate conditions. We model the actual assembly in your project’s climate using validated material properties.
Vapour control layer disputes — the position of the vapour control layer is one of the most consequential decisions in envelope design, and also one of the most contested. We model both configurations under your project’s climate and occupancy conditions and give you a clear, defensible answer.
Late-stage assembly changes — orientation affects driving rain exposure, solar radiation, and drying potential. An assembly that performs adequately on one face may fail on another. We can fast-track modelling for changed assemblies and confirm whether the modified specification is still sound.
“The insurer is asking for hygrothermal verification before they’ll provide cover for the prefab timber system. We’ve never done this before.”
Insurer-required verification — increasingly common for prefabricated and off-site construction systems. We provide a structured WUFI report with material references, climate data documentation, and clear findings that insurers and building surveyors can assess directly.
Wall assembly specification, project location, occupancy type, and any certifier or insurer correspondence. We’ll confirm scope, turnaround, and whether modelling is warranted within one business day.
Assembly layers, material properties, and vapour control layer positions reviewed. Bureau of Meteorology climate data calibrated to your site. Risk assemblies flagged before modelling begins.
Transient coupled heat and moisture transfer simulations across multiple years of climate data. Outputs include temperature and RH profiles at each layer, condensation events, and mould growth index at critical interfaces.
Clear report translating simulation outputs into design decisions. Where an assembly fails, we model the modified version and include confirmation outputs. Formatted for Passive House, Green Star, or NCC submissions as required.
Hygrothermal modelling simulates how heat and moisture move through a building envelope assembly under real climate conditions over time. Using WUFI software, we show where moisture accumulates within the assembly, whether condensation will form at critical interfaces, and whether the assembly can dry out between seasons. It tells you what’s happening inside the wall — not just on its surface.
The main triggers: highly insulated or airtight assemblies (Passive House and near-equivalent); cool, humid, or mixed climates including Melbourne, Canberra, and alpine sites; high-humidity occupancies such as pools, aged care, or commercial kitchens; unconventional materials including mass timber or insulated concrete forms; and where certification requires moisture verification. Also used to investigate existing buildings with condensation-related defects.
We use WUFI (Wärme und Feuchte Instationär), developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics and the internationally recognised standard for transient hygrothermal analysis. Climate data is sourced from Bureau of Meteorology hourly records calibrated to the project location. Material properties are drawn from WUFI’s IBP-validated library or derived from manufacturer data where validated data is unavailable.
As early as design development — when wall assembly types and insulation strategies are still being determined. Modelling at this stage turns a failing assembly into a revised specification. Modelling after documentation is complete confirms a risk you may no longer be able to address without abortive cost.
Yes. Passive House certification (PHI and PHIUS pathways) requires hygrothermal verification of opaque envelope assemblies using WUFI or equivalent transient simulation. Our reports are structured to satisfy these requirements and include simulation files, material references, and climate data documentation that certifiers expect.
Simulated temperature and relative humidity profiles at each material layer; interstitial condensation risk assessment; Fraunhofer IBP mould growth index at critical interfaces; annual moisture accumulation and drying balance; and specific design recommendations where risk is identified. Where an assembly fails, we model the modified version and include confirmation outputs in the same report.
Your proposed wall assembly specification (layer by layer), project location, occupancy type, and any certifier, insurer, or council correspondence. PDF drawings are fine. We’ll advise on scope and confirm whether modelling is warranted within one business day.
We use WUFI Pro — the internationally recognised standard for transient hygrothermal analysis — not simplified steady-state methods that miss seasonal moisture cycling.
Simulations are calibrated with Bureau of Meteorology hourly data for your specific project location. Not generic TMY data or overseas climate assumptions.
Reports are structured to satisfy PHI and PHIUS certification requirements. We include simulation files, material references, and climate data documentation that certifiers need.
We engage at design development — when assembly decisions are still open. If an assembly fails, we tell you what changes and model the fix in the same scope.
Reports are structured for direct use by building surveyors, Passive House certifiers, Green Star assessors, and insurers. No translation required.
Local knowledge of the regulatory context in Australia. We know the certifiers, the common assembly systems, and the climate-specific failure modes.
