How we exceed NZ’s Building Standards
February 2024.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, together with a range of Architects and Builders, have consulted and strongly support the updates to the code, which began rolling out in November 2023.
The changes will deliver warmer, drier and healthier homes that cost significantly less heat and generate carbon savings through this energy efficiency.
Update for Small Buildings & Homes.
Transition Period for, New Insulation (Wall, Floor & Roof): 1 May 2023.
Transition Period for Windows: 2 November 2023.
To save some confusion, we’ve put our heads together and have outlined the main changes to the current Insulation and Window codes throughout New Zealand and what this plan to “reduce the building and construction sector’s emissions by looking at:
Operational carbon emissions from the energy and other resources used when operating buildings.
Embodied carbon emissions emitted during the manufacture and use of the materials and products that form the building, and across its life, from construction to deconstruction.”
Building Code Update - Summary of Decisions.
In addition to this, new R-Values (Thermal Resistance Rating) will be required for specific zones throughout New Zealand. Use the map below to pinpoint your building location and align it with its newly increased R value/s using the table below.
Update for Large Buildings (School, Healthcare, etc).
Transition Period: May 2023.
Similar to the increase in the minimum R-value rating for residential and small buildings, increases will also take place for larger buildings, which can be seen in the table below.
These new requirements will be implemented with a 1 year transition period, which aims to reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling by 23% on average across new large buildings, compared to the previous minimum status quo requirements, as outlined below for interest.
MagWall.nz SIP Panels are a modern alternative to outdated traditional framing and wall construction techniques. These panels are made from an insulated layer sandwiched between two structural outer layers, allowing complete, continuous insulation throughout your home.
An additional benefit is that these will not sag or degrade over time, as other insulation materials will.
MagWall SIP Panels will meet and exceed these legal requirements, and they're naturally environmentally friendly products. Homes built with Magwall.nz SIPs are extremely energy efficient and airtight, with homeowners enjoying 40-90% of savings on their power bills.
MagWall has inherent qualities that exceed all of these incoming changes. For more information and benefits regarding MagWall SIP Panels or to pick our brains with your questions, get in touch!
Q&A with the MagWall NZ Founder.
Q. I’m building a new Home. How do I fit that much (additional) insulation in my roof space?
A. MagWall.nz can do it. A 225mm sip meets the R6.6 requirements.
Incoming changes require an R-value of 6.6 for roof insulation; MagWall.nz can create insulation to any requested R-value; our construction is inherently airtight.
Air tightness is equally as important as the R-value. If your wall cavity or roof space/attic is not airtight, the wind blows your energy away.
EPS Insulation (as in MagWall.nz panels) will maintain its R-value for the life of the building and will not degrade. Fibreglass batt insulation (traditional insulation) is known to slump and settle, and its R-value can deteriorate over time.
Example of how our SIP Panels can be manufactured to suit any requested R Value.
For more information, feel free to check out the official update, here.
