By Bruce Sedcole
–
1 June 2021, Build 184
In Build 156 Tolerances tables, we outlined some of the allowable construction tolerances for a quality result. We have now revisited this information and added some more for plasterboard and fibrous plaster, an area that can cause disagreements between contractors and clients.
Read more
By Trevor Pringle
–
1 December 2016, Build 157, Feature article
Draughty, cold homes have been a perennial problem in New Zealand. Now, thanks to science, air barriers are a key component of the cladding systems in modern homes. Their careful design will keep air in and water out.
Read more
By Trevor Pringle
–
1 August 2016, Build 155, Feature article
Is it a quality defect or not? It can be hard to decide, but using these established guidelines and standards will help everyone to view work from the same starting point when checking for defects.
Read more
By Ron Green
–
1 June 2013, Build 136, Feature article
It’s a topic bound to raise some heat, but a fire industry practitioner bemoans the current situation in which fire stopping around service penetrations is frequently inadequate. Why? And what should be done?
Read more
By Peter Whiting
–
1 October 2012, Build 132, Feature article
Changes to Building Code clauses C1–C6 Protection from fire have meant significant changes to the fire safety specifications for interior surface linings.
Read more
By Colin Hill
–
1 August 2012, Build 131, Feature article
With repair work to minor damage on Canterbury houses well under way, some are asking if the repairs are adequate. Sometimes, only cosmetic makeovers have been done when screw fixing of wallboard bracing is needed, writes a Christchurch architect.
Read more
By Richard Hunt, Hans Gerlich
–
1 October 2011, Build 126
Many Canterbury houses have lost stiffness and strength following the earthquakes. Repairs to gypsum plasterboard linings need to restore this to prevent future small events repeating the cracking and damage.
Read more
By Alide Elkink
–
1 June 2010, Build 118
A waterproof coating is essential to maintain the weathertightness of single skin concrete block walls since concrete masonry, and particularly the mortar joints, have little resistance to water penetration.
Read more
By Greg Burn
–
1 August 2009, Build 113
Wall underlay plays an important role in the weathertightness of exterior wall assemblies in light timber-framed residential buildings, yet often it is poorly installed. Getting it right can be as simple as 1, 2, 3.
Read more
By Mark Bassett
–
1 December 2008, Build 109, Feature article
A detailed study of water leakage through 14 walls clad with weatherboards sheds some light on the origin of leaks.
Read more