Ian Cox-Smith

Celebrating success
By
Ian Cox-Smith
A BRANZ success story and one that has moved with the times since its first publication in 1995, the BRANZ House insulation guide was most recently updated in 2023 to provide an interactive digital solution that meets the new higher thermal performance requirements under the h1 Energy efficiency requirements.
Celebrating success

Insulating external timber-framed walls
By
Ian Cox-Smith
A BRANZ project has been investigating alternative options to retrofitting insulation to timber-framed walls with direct-fixed cladding and without underlay.
Insulating external timber-framed walls

Thermal breaks and bridges
By
Ian Cox-Smith
Thermal bridges in buildings reduce the benefits of insulation, so we need to add thermal breaks. What does this all mean?
Thermal breaks and bridges
image of the front page of Linings-on retrofit insulation in weatherboard walls: Ensuring effective water management, contains image of two pairs of feet with socks on
Research Report

SR436 Linings-on retrofit insulation in weatherboard walls: Ensuring effective water management

There is a clear need to provide easier means to insulate walls in New Zealand, given the number of houses in the stock that remain uninsulated. Loose-fill insulation is one...
  • Medium density housing
Free
image of the front page of Assessing retrofitted external wall insulation techniques, contains image of two pairs of feet with socks on
Research Report

SR484 Assessing retrofitted external wall insulation techniques

Results of this study apply to the retrofitting of external walls with direct-fixed claddings without wall underlay. Highlights The pan method (paper or synthetic) resulted in water getting onto the...
  • Preventative maintenance
Free
image of the front page of Airtightness of roof cavities, contains image of two pairs of feet with socks on
Research Report

SR401 Airtightness of roof cavities

This report looks at a measurement procedure to estimate the airtightness of residential roof spaces. By using a dual fan approach, it is possible to distinguish between the leakage through...
  • Cavities
Free
Cover page of a BRANZ study report titled ‘Managing subfloor moisture, corrosion and insulation performance’
Research Report

SR354 Managing subfloor moisture, corrosion and insulation performance

Many New Zealand buildings are standing on a suspended timber floor, and consequently, there are concerns when it comes to dealing with moisture in this space and the effect on...
  • Subfloor ventilation
Free
Cover page of a BRANZ study report titled ‘Perimeter insulation of concrete slab foundations’
Research Report

SR352 Perimeter insulation of concrete slab foundations

This research investigates the practicalities and effectiveness of adding exterior perimeter edge insulation to concrete floor slabs in residential construction in New Zealand. In particular, it attempts to demonstrate the...
  • Thermal performance
Free
image of the front page of a BRANZ research report, contains timber building frame imagery
Research Report

SR232 Using infrared thermal imaging to audit retrofitted wall insulation in houses

This is the first of two reports prepared during research into the potential use of infrared thermal imaging for evaluating the retrofitting of wall insulation in houses.Thermal imaging may be...
  • Thermal design
Free
image of the front page of a BRANZ research report, contains timber building frame imagery
Research Report

SR211 Installed performance of ceiling insulation

This report presents a summary of a research project that compared the performance of ceiling insulation installed in the more traditional layout of friction fitting between ceiling framing with the...
  • Thermal performance
Free