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Weathertightness - previous research

BRANZ has had an active presence in weathertightness since the mid-1980s. This work intensified in 2003 in the form of a FRST (now MSI) funded programme in response to the leaky building problem. That programme focused on understanding the basic physics occurring in New Zealand walls

WAVE looks to build on this knowledge to provide a wider range of weathertight solutions. You can watch a video about some of the challenges we overcame in the previous programme here.

You can click on the document below to read about some of the previous research.

  • BRANZ Weathertightness

    FRST-funded weathertightness research at BRANZ

    Research findings from the FRST-funded Weathertight Buildings programme and the challenges to be faced in the current WAVE (Weathertightness, Air Quality and Ventilation Engineering) programme

    Download [PDF, 2.2MB]

Alternatively, here is a selection of papers from that programme and related Levy-funded research. Links are provided where these are available on the internet - some require a fee to access:

  • A review of weathertight science in 2007. Research report commissioned by the Department of Building and Housing. Wellington. Bassett, M.R. 2007.
  • Acceptable designs for timber framed parapet walls. Proceedings of the CIB Conference, UK. Overton, G.E., Bassett, M.R. and McNeil, S. 2010.
  • Drainage and evaporation from window sill trays [PDF, 912KB]. Journal of Building Physics Vol. 32 No 4 April 2009, Montreal. Bassett, M.R, McNeil, S. and J. Bennett. 2009.
  • Drained and vented cavity walls - Measured ventilation rates. Proceedings of the IRHACE Annual Conference, Nelson. Bassett, M.R and McNeil, S. 2005.
  • Drying from framing in water managed walls. Proc 4th International Building Physics Conference, Istanbul. Bassett, M.R, McNeil, S. 2009.
  • Drying from insulated and water managed wall cavities. Proc 4th International Building Physics Conference, Istanbul. Bassett, M.R, McNeil, S. 2009.
  • Measured ventilation rates in water managed wall cavities. 3rd International Building Physics Conference, Montreal. Bassett, M.R and McNeil, S. 2006.
  • Moisture recovery rates for walls in temperate climates [PDF, 618KB]. Proceedings of the 11th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology. McNeil, S. and Bassett, M.R. 2007.
  • The performance of wall drainage media in New Zealand. Proceedings of the CIB Conference, UK. Overton, G.E., Bassett, M.R. and McNeil, S. 2010.
  • Ventilating wall cavities above windows. Journal of Building Physics Vol. 32 No 4 April 2009, Montreal. Bassett, M.R and McNeil, S. 2009.
  • Ventilation and evaporation rates in wall cavities in New Zealand. Proc 12th Canadian conference on Building Science and Technology. Montreal. Bassett, M.R, McNeil, S. And Overton. G. 2009.
  • Ventilation measured in the wall cavities of high moisture risk buildings. Journal of Building Physics Vol. 32 No 4 April 2009, Montreal. Bassett, M.R and McNeil, S. 2009.
  • Weathertight characteristics of weatherboard claddings. Proc 12th Canadian conference on Building Science and Technology. Montreal. Bassett, M.R, McNeil, S. 2009.

Contact the WAVE team at wave@branz.co.nz