Scheduling Mass Construction Made Easier With UNI PLUS Flexible Air Barrier

For Ceta Homes, constructing 50 of the 80 townhouses in the new Mana Moana Landings development in Māngere, Auckland, using the Masons UNI PLUS Flexible Air Barrier system has helped to keep them on schedule.

‘A lot of our builders on-site contract to us,’ says David Hall, project manager for Ceta Homes, ‘and once we have the UNI PLUS wrap installed, they can just jump inside and carry on working.’

Fire rated for quick compliance 

The stylish two- and three-story townhouses are set in three different-sized blocks, with a predominately brick cladding augmented by vertical weatherboards and metal sheeting. Because of the shared tenancies, Ceta Homes found that fire-retardant UNI PLUS proved the ideal building wrap for performance and compliance.

 ‘The plans specified fire-rated paper rather than a conventional wrap,’ says David. ‘Originally we’d been using the standard UNI product, but now with fire-retardant UNI PLUS it makes compliance simple.’

 UNI PLUS is thicker and stronger than conventional building wrap, and its multiple-ply structure provides temporary protection from weather conditions and UV exposure to timber framing for a minimum of 90 days after installation. It also ensures work can continue inside before the cladding is affixed.

Cutting weeks off construction time

Using Masons fixings and the Stinger compressed-air gun means Ceta’s builders can quickly wrap the framing before moving on to work inside. ‘Because it’s a thicker paper that doesn’t stretch, you have to hold it really taut against the wall,’ says David, ‘but with the Stinger gun and nails we get it up pretty quick-smart.’

UNI PLUS is a breathable membrane which repels water from the outside but still allows water vapor to escape from the inside, ensuring that the framing and interior construction remain dry. ‘Once the windows are in, it’s like the house is already full enclosed,’ says David. ‘We can get the blowers cranking and ensure everything will be completely dry.’

 With up to six weeks before their cladding can be affixed, the 90-day UV and weather protection of UNI PLUS helps Ceta Homes stay on track. ‘Because we work to tight time frames, being able to do Gib fixing and other work inside while contractors are also working outside is fantastic,’ says David. ‘We are probably saving around a month of construction time.’

For more information about the UNI PLUS Flexible Air Barrier system, including installation and compliance documents, visit the Masons website or call Masons Head Office to speak to one of our team.