Search results for 'roofs'

Cold roofs? Warm roofs?

By Stephan Rupp – 1 February 2018, Build 164

What’s the main difference between roof construction options? BRANZ explains the science to help you design better roofs.

Solar potential of schools

By Zhi Jian (David) Wong and Hugh Byrd – 1 October 2011, Build 126

An energy audit at Remuera Intermediate School also investigated the potential of photovoltaics to give the school an independent energy supply and income from feeding surplus electricity into the grid.

Retrofitting to resist extreme wind

By Graeme Beattie – 1 August 2008, Build 107

Strong wind causes damage to houses, particularly their roofs. A recent BRANZ study started by defining ‘extreme winds’ before developing retrofit solutions to ensure roofs on older houses are adequately secured.

The power of suburbia

By Anna Ho and Hugh Byrd – 1 April 2013, Build 135

New research suggests installing photovoltaics on roofs and driving electric cars could transform low-density suburbia from a high-energy consumer to an energy provider for the city.

Roofing underlay and moisture

By Malcolm Cunningham, Luca Quaglia – 1 October 2010, Build 120

A recently completed major BRANZ research project has improved understanding of how roofing underlays handle moisture in roofs and led to the development of a new test suitable for a wider range of roofing underlays.

Limiting fire spread in buildings

By Dr Colleen Wade – 1 February 2014, Build 140

A new BRANZ research project is looking to improve the methods of determining the level of fire resistance necessary in parts of buildings to limit fire spread.

Corrosion rates in vented roof cavities

By Stephan Rupp – 1 December 2021, Build 187

BRANZ research has provided reassuring results for those wanting to add passive ventilation in roof cavities to counter condensation. Corrosion of metal fixings inside the roof space remains low, even in extreme marine environments.

Vents in skillion roofs

By Dr Manfred Plagmann – 1 August 2016, Build 155

Some roof designs, such as skillion roofs, must include ventilation to manage roof moisture. Recent BRANZ research provides advice on the best place for effective vent openings in low wind zones.

Low-down on earthquake performance

By Graeme Beattie – 1 August 2013, Build 137

House location on a hill or the flat, materials used and when it was built have proven to be among the factors that determined how properties stood up to the Canterbury earthquakes.

Assessing SIPs in New Zealand

By Catherine Nicholson, Anna Walsh, David Carradine – 1 October 2020, Build 180

To simplify the consenting process for structural insulated panels (SIPs), we need to know how they perform locally. A BRANZ research project is helping by examining SIP durability, earthquake and fire performance.

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