IMPORTANT TO KEEP BOTTOM PLATE WHOLE
Recent calls to the BRANZ helpline asked about the implications of removing a section of bottom plate from wall framing.…
Technical
SETTING OUT A SITE
It can be an expensive mistake if a house is not correctly set out on site. This happens too often,…
ALWAYS LOOK FOR QUAKE IMPROVEMENTS
When builders are on site to carry out home renovations or repairs, it is a good time to suggest strengthening…
RETROFITTING FOUNDATIONS ON SLOPES
Houses built on slopes performed poorly in recent earthquakes. Now BRANZ experiments have shown how to retrofit pre-1960s timber house…
Concrete slab connections
Proprietary wall bracing systems are commonly used to brace a building, but how are braced walls connected to a concrete…
HOLD-DOWN FIXINGS
BRANZ regularly receives queries about hold-down fixings to the exterior walls of timber-framed buildings. This overview sets out the fixing…
UNDERSTAND CONFUSING JARGON
Every industry has its own technical terms and jargon, and the concrete industry is no exception. To test your knowledge,…
MANAGING GEOTECHNICAL RISK
Ground conditions are a factor in building developments and must be assessed for any potential risk. To identify, mitigate and…
PIPE PENETRATION THROUGH CLADDING
It is important that holes for pipes that penetrate from the building interior through the exterior cladding are constructed in…
THE FINAL LAYER
Once the home is built, the next step is to paint or coat the timber cladding. It is important that…
RETROFITTING INSULATION
Tricky access can be a problem when retrofitting insulation into an older home. However, as the push continues to insulate…
HOW TO AVOID CONCRETE CRACKS
Depending where you are in the country, spring and summer can be high-risk periods for early-age concrete cracking. Higher daytime…