Technical Articles

Pro Clima is a leading, innovation- and research-driven manufacturer guided by building science.

We foster in-house expertise in New Zealand and across our global network to develop the best materials and building methods — ensuring we can all design, build, work, and live in buildings that perform.

pro clima Technical Articles

AIRTIGHTNESS ARCHITECTURE CONSTRUCTION DESIGN HEALTH PRODUCTS WEATHERTIGHTNESS ROOFING RENOVATION

Pro Clima’s FORTX™ Systems Form a New Benchmark in Façade Performance

Traditional loose wall wraps are failing under extreme wind pressures. Discover how the fully adhered FORTX™ and FORTX™ MELIOR systems are setting a new benchmark in facade performance, offering total design freedom, early close-in, and standalone AS/NZS 4284 compliance.

Passive House NZ: Requirements, Design and Construction

Passive House is not a design style or a specific material. It is a rigorous international performance standard. This guide covers exactly what the standard measures, what changes when you apply it in New Zealand, and where envelope detailing typically succeeds or fails on site.

Why the Most Important Part of Your Façade Isn’t the Cladding

Pro Clima put FORTX and FORTX MELIOR through AS/NZS 4284 with the cladding left off, and the systems still passed. Here's what changes when the weather defence is already done before the façade goes up.

Airtightness and Clause H1: Getting the Full R-Value Out of the Insulation

Insulation only performs to its R-value when the air around it stays still. Here's how INTELLO PLUS makes airtightness count in your H1 calculations while keeping moisture out of the structure.

Early Close-In Construction for Project Certainty

Protecting the building structure early with high-performance weather barriers allows interior trades to begin work before cladding is installed, reducing construction delays without compromising moisture management.

Integrating Vapour Control and Ventilation for Moisture-Safe Design

Higher insulation levels change how a building handles moisture, requiring a coordinated approach between intelligent vapour control and mechanical ventilation to prevent structural damage.

Achieving Predictable Performance with H1 Modelling

With the 2027 H1 deadline approaching, the pro clima technical team has expanded on recent industry updates to include specific detailing solutions for New Zealand architects and designers.

Traditional Vapour Barriers vs Vapour Control Systems in NZ

Learn how INTELLO® and Pro Clima airtightness systems help manage moisture, condensation and drying potential for New Zealand homes.

Energy Efficiency is Essential. But can we Afford It?

H1 Provides for the efficient use of energy and sets physical conditions for energy performance.

Above Sheathing Ventilation – Part 3: Fighting the Sun

In Part 2 of this series, our brave new roof used Above Sheathing Ventilation (ASV) to battle the dark forces of winter. But summer brings another set of challenges.

Above Sheathing Ventilation – Part 2: The Blue Planet

Above Sheathing Ventilation (ASV) facilitates roof drying by using the same physics that creates rising clouds on the surface of the Earth.

Thermoplastic Elastomer Ether Esters: What are they, how do they work?

Exterior membranes for roofs and walls by pro clima incorporate a monolithic Thermoplastic Elastomer Ether Ester (TEEE) film.

Constructing School Roofs the Right Way

The Ministry of Education has updated its guidelines on Weathertightness Design Requirements for New School Buildings, outlining new changes.

Building Science Soup

Building science is well-established in Europe, Canada, and the US, but terminology varies between countries, especially in emerging architecture, engineering, and construction fields.

Above Sheathing Ventilation – Part 1: Rise of the Cavity

Above-sheathing ventilation (ASV) uses solar energy to induce airflow between the cladding and the membrane by heating the roof cladding and warming the air in the cavity below.

Adhesive Tapes - Part 2: Surface Tension, Testing and Durability

In Adhesive Tapes – Part 1, we looked at the types of adhesives and how they stick. Now, let’s focus on key properties.

Adhesive Tapes - Part 1: Types of Adhesive and How They Stick

Adhesive tapes are used as bonding aids in various applications to create airtight building envelopes.

When Air Leaks Become a Critical Failure Risk: Aquatic Centres

The new aquatic center was built to promote health and safety for kids, but the new owners noticed odd things about the building when the systems were turned on.

Specifying for Airtightness and Testing

The guide specification helps define desired airtightness levels, set testing requirements, and ensure accuracy by using an ATTMA Registered Air Tightness Tester.

"Airtight" vs. "Breathable": What’s it all about?

This month, we examine "airtight" and "breathable" buildings. Is it possible to achieve both within the same building?

Designing for Steam in Modern Buildings

We pipe water inside buildings, so what happens when we turn it into steam?

Fire Testing for Temporary Wall Cladding

A look at how a peel and stick weathertightness membrane performs in a fire when used as a temporary cladding.

Renovating and Insulating Masonry Walls

Why strapping and lining masonry walls on the inside is not a good idea, not for renovation or new builds.

Adding Insulation and Wall Underlay to Existing Walls

How can we safely add insulation to existing walls without risking trapped moisture and compromising durability?

Renovation Opportunity and R-Values

In this article, I’m tackling real-estate adverts, renovation by paint, and discussing one area of cost for whole-house renovation and the connection between health and wealth.

Achieving Winter Warmth in New Zealand Homes

Common themes with comfortable high-performance houses are insulation, airtightness, ventilation and heating.

Risk versus Reward in Building Design

How do I get my design to meet expectations of comfort?

Where Does the Airtightness Layer Go?

In New Zealand, it's crucial to get building layering right for summer and winter. Modern buildings include an intentionally airtight shell to conserve energy, whether for warmth or coolness.

Triple Connected Windows - Part 2

It is very important that all aspects of the window are taken into consideration, including the frame system, double glazing, window size, and the connections between the window and the wall.

Improving Thermal Performance with Triple Connected Windows

How to ensure standard thermally-broken windows are positioned to succeed.

Compatibility and Adhesion of Wet Seals and Sill Tapes

To help deal with the issue of sealants not bonding to substrates, pro clima will be offering a foil tape for window and door openings.

Drier Education: An Insight into the MOE's Weathertightness Design Requirements

In this article, we'll explore the new elements in Version 3.0 of the Ministry of Education's Weathertightness Guidance.

Airtightness & Moisture Management Study

The updated New Zealand Pro Clima Study on Airtightness and Moisture Management is grounded in factual evidence and computer simulations of heat and moisture movement through building structures. It addresses common issues in New Zealand construction, aiming to reduce dampness and improve indoor air quality.

Download Airtightness Study

Technical Articles

Technical Articles

pro clima Technical Articles

Airtightness & Moisture Management Study

Systems for achieving feelgood indoor climate

Airtightness

Weathertightness

Connections

Window-Sealing System