Why test building materials?
BRANZ materials testing helps you demonstrate performance and durability and reduce risk and provides trusted independent evidence for regulators, specifiers and clients.
Bring products to market with confidence
Test early, refine faster and understand performance trade-offs before you commit.
Make compliance simpler
Get clear, independent results you can use in project documentation and decision making.
Demonstrate properties with data
Check consistency between batches, investigate a defect or complaint or support acceptance for a specific project.
Win trust with robust evidence
Enhance datasheets, bids and specifications with results people trust.
Build robust evidence to support certifications
Strengthen applications for a BRANZ Appraisal or CodeMark.
Testing your products and systems
We can test a variety of products and materials and answer performance questions:
- Construction materials and components, including timber-based products, metals, nails, fasteners, coatings, sealants, plastics and composites.
- Material properties linked to performance such as strength, flexibility, impact resistance, moisture behaviour and durability indicators.
- Investigations and quality checks – batch comparisons, troubleshooting and defect investigations.
Where appropriate, we can also provide site-based inspections and analysis to support defect or failure investigations.
Standards we meet for assurance and trust
Testing pathways depend on the product, market and decision being supported. Where appropriate, we can test to recognised methods and standards:
- Windows and insulated glazing units: NZS 4211, EN 1279.
- Wet area and roofing membranes: AS 4654.1, AS/NZS 4858.
- Building underlays: AS/NZS 4200.1, NZS 2295.
- Insulation: AS/NZS 4859.1, ASTM C518.
- Weathertightness (where relevant): AS/NZS 4284, NZBC E2/VM1, NCC FV1 and V2.2.1.
- Water vapour resistance of materials: ASTM E96.
- Pipe cement: AS/NZS 3879.
- Accelerated UV weathering: ASTM G154, ASTM G155.
- Material property testing with simulation software, e.g. WUFI for heat and moisture transiency.
We can test to a wider range of standards, including AS, NZS, ASTM, BS, EN and ISO.
We can also develop bespoke methods to inform your decisions. If you’re unsure what you need, we’ll guide you on the most appropriate pathway.
Why trust BRANZ?
Our materials testing is delivered by specialist scientists and engineers with extensive expertise in building materials, durability and performance assessment, supported by specialised laboratory facilities. This reporting supports product development, specification and building consent pathways.
We are experts in accelerated ageing of materials and products. Our UV ageing and climate ageing chambers allow us to complete accelerated ageing, predicting how materials will perform under real-world conditions. This approach significantly speeds up product development and qualification while providing reliable evidence to support compliance with relevant building standards and codes.
BRANZ has a strong track record of materials testing support by materials research. Learning from the research is routinely applied to benefit our customers.
Our accreditations
BRANZ holds accreditations covering the products and systems we test.
Through the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) mutual recognition agreement, BRANZ-accredited test reports are recognised as the equivalent of those issued by laboratories accredited by 68 bodies around the world.
BRANZ has achieved and operates a management system conforming to AS/NZS ISO 9001.
Unsure what to test to?
Additional methods are available on request. If you’re unsure what you need to test to, we’ll guide you to the most appropriate method based on your product, intended use and audience for the results.