Fixing common renovation problems
Mixing old and new materials when renovating brings challenges, but there are ways to work with these so the differences are not obvious.
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At the junction
Renovations or extensions can often mean a new slab is laid abutting an old one. There’s plenty to consider before starting work to ensure the junction is weathertight, strong and Building Code compliant.
Restoring heritage windows
Double-hung windows are common in houses built before the 1920s. The steps in the restoration and reconstruction of those in Government House in Wellington provide lessons for renovation of these windows elsewhere.
Wet area failures
The recently completed BRANZ seminar on wet areas highlighted two particular areas of concern – the number of wet area failures and builders not taking mould found during renovation work seriously.
Retrofitting insulation
Tricky access can be a problem when retrofitting insulation into an older home. However, as the push continues to insulate homes, we look at some of the options and things to consider.
Caring for timber weatherboards
Timber weatherboards have an excellent performance history, and almost one in four new houses is clad with them. Using a good product with the right handling, installation and finishing procedures will ensure a quality job.
Retrofitting timber house foundations on sloping sites
Houses built on sloping sites have performed poorly in recent earthquakes. BRANZ experiments have shown how to retrofit pre-1960s timber house foundations to significantly improve seismic performance.
Wall insulation retrofit update
Details for retrofitting wall insulation have been revised following increased understanding of drying in walls.
Strengthening brick gable-ended roofs
Brick gable-ended roofs should be diagonally braced to prevent out-of-plane movement in an earthquake. It could make the difference between a home that remains liveable and one that does not.
Retrofitting blown-in wall insulation
When older New Zealand houses are retrofitted with insulation, it tends to be installed into roof and underfloor spaces. However, don’t forget the walls. Options to inject or blow in insulation are available, but they do have risks.
