Description

Wall design will play a key role in the improved thermal performance of new houses as we move toward net-zero carbon construction. One recent research project found problems with current wall construction, but another developed high-performance details that take us a leap ahead.

There is evidence that walls in New Zealand houses are often constructed to little more than Building Code minimums, and these are already comparatively low by international standards. New Zealand currently allows more than twice the heat loss through the walls of new houses than the UK and almost three times more than the EU.

Scope

This article includes:

• Current framing affecting thermal values
• Calculating thermal bridging
• High-performance wall details
• Details available by mid-2021
  • Things to note
• Range of insulation options
• Start talking about wall design early on