Lightweight PVC and metal cladding materials were introduced into New Zealand with little information on their weathertightness. Their flashing and fixing details were quite different from traditional timber claddings, and this made questionable their suitability for use in New Zealand.
An experimental programme was designed to measure the performance of each type of joint in PVC and metal cladding systems as well as in traditional weatherboard systems. This allowed for answers to the question “How should lightweight claddings be flashed and fixed to be as weathertight as traditional weatherboard claddings?”
It also established more knowledge about rain leakage. In future, this knowledge can be applied to new wall claddings.