An advanced high performance underlay system for roofs and walls

New Zealand weather conditions are always a challenge, and this is especially true for construction – an industry that is often constrained by build timelines, holding costs, product shortages and seasonal weather variations. As a result, building must continue year-round – and this means reckoning and wrestling with the weather.

This is the problem that companies like Frame Protection System Ltd (FPS) is equipped to tackle head-on with dedicated technology and innovation that safeguards a building from the elements in the early stages of construction.

The FPS Weathertight Building Underlay system is externally watertight, airtight, non-absorbent and wind durable, while at the same time allowing construction moisture vapour to exit towards the outside – keeping the building elements dry.

The system is also CodeMark certified, allowing internal work to proceed to completion before the exterior claddings are installed, avoiding building delays.

Frame Protection System founder Grant Murray says the offering makes every effort to make the construction process as adaptable as possible in less-than-ideal conditions.

“It gives the building ultimate protection,” says Grant. “It’s like a waterproof jacket – it keeps the weather out, but it also allows the building to breathe.

“The system reduces the accumulation of moisture on the inside, and if it does occur, it can easily exit the structure. This helps to prevent mould and mildew, and maintain dry insulation.”

All the FPS Weathertight membranes are certified as W1 waterproof, with water column tests of up to 5500mm – which far exceeds the NZ Building Code requirement of 20mm. Also, all of the membranes have also passed a water streaming test.

The system provides not only short term shelter from precipitation, but also long term protection from moisture – benefitting both the construction company and the homeowner. By keeping the building elements dry, the durability and thermal performance of the project is maintained throughout.

“This ability to allow moisture vapour to migrate to the outside and be ventilated away maintains the integrity of not only the construction, but also the insulation and the internal linings,” says Grant. “There’s no insulation that’s effective if it becomes damp or wet.”

The protection also goes beyond just moisture. The FPS Weathertight system is designed to withstand windy conditions too: the membranes are durable and strong enough to be used in all New Zealand wind zones, on both roofs and walls – provided they are installed in accord with the FPS manuals.

The system is also fire retardant, with an ASNZS1530–2 flammability index of not greater than 5 – meaning the product can be used in all buildings without restrictions.

All these benefits – moisture control, weatherproofing, wind-proofing, and fire resistance – are what makes the FPS Weathertight Building Underlay system stand out when it comes to building protection, during and after construction, Grant says.

“As there is a lot of construction going on in New Zealand right now, it’s really important that the integrity and quality of these buildings is maintained throughout the construction process,” he says. “This is where the FPS Weathertight Building Underlay system is an industry leader.”

Learn more about Frame Protection System and its FPS Weathertight offering.

Disclaimer: The FPS® Weathertight® Building Underlay® system is a registered trademark of Frame Protection Systems.