Sustainability in architecture is more than just a buzz word.
Decking timber is highly exposed to New Zealand’s wet conditions and high UV – which makes it challenging for even the finest timbers to stay straight and true.
Many exterior timbers are treated with toxic chemicals or are harvested from unsustainable sources.
Think about designing your own home? Here's what you need to know.
Moulds, lichen and stains are common on aged exterior wood.
Many exterior wood products are treated with wood preservatives – some of which are more toxic than others.
Not all wood preservatives are created equal.
According to Greenpeace, “good wood” is timber grown in plantations or harvested from ‘well managed’ forests or recycled, reused or salvaged wood. This enables consumers to continue using wood products without causing forest destruction.
Decking fixing can be challenging, particularly in harsh environments such as New Zealand. Our regular rainfall and harsh UV makes short work of poor quality deck fasteners. A galvanised nail often does not cut the mustard.
Whether we like it or not New Zealand is now known as the ‘leaky building capital of the world’.
With New Zealand’s history of leaky buildings, it is considered critical that a house facade is weather tight. The best method to test weather-tightness is the E2/VM1 test method.