Meet Grant Meads, MagWall.nz Founder
Today, there’s a team of us who coordinate the mechanics of the MagWall.nz business, founded in 2020 by Grant Meads, in the heart of Taranaki!
We recently sat down and picked his brain to provide some insight into what spurred him to launch the business. We asked all of the questions surrounding what it is that he loves most about the products, and why he believes that they’re the perfect alternative to traditional building methods and materials.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background, specifically your career in more recent years and what really led to the beginning of MagWall in New Zealand?
A: Like many Kiwi’s we have done a fair bit of renovating and building over the years. That at the time seems great, however after a decade or two you look back and realize that the standards then and even now are substandard. How we’ve built is the reason for the sickness in the things we call homes, “there is a better method”. This motto has remained and encouraged me throughout life, to question current methods and how it could be done better to serve a greater purpose, always.
It’s this belief, molded with a flare for innovation and my practical, hands-on nature that led to the establishment of MagWall in New Zealand.
Q: What products do MagWall manufacture and what can they be used for?
A: We have two core products which we offer under the MagWall.nz brand.
Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), for floors, walls and roofs.
Insulated stud system, used to join SIP panels together.
Q: From an associated costs perspective with building a new home or doing a renovation, how would you say that MagWall is more cost effective?
A: In simple terms you’re getting a lot more bang for your buck, particularly when seeking a more effective insulation value.
Traditionally framed homes work on a theoretical insulation value, which does not match its installed value. Whereas, SIPs offer more insulation than traditional insulation as you’re getting more. Generally if you were to produce a traditional wall to the standards of a SIP panel, it would cost more.
Q: R values, have recently changed in the current New Zealand Building Code. Firstly, what are they and what can you tell us about them?
A: R Values are an insulating material's resistance to conductive heat flow, which is measured or rated in terms of its thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.
Each region throughout New Zealand has a set standardised R-value that each home within the region must comply with, as demonstrated below. More information regarding Regional R-Values can be found here.
Example below of how our panels can be manufactured to suit different R-Values.
Q: We’re moving more rapidly into a space where the general public are a lot more aware and interested in learning more about what materials make-up a product, specifically if it’s sustainable.
How are MagWall products sustainable?
A: Our SIPs are sustainable because of the following reasons.
The insulation values don't decline over-time.
For example, if you’re building a home and you believe that you’re getting an insulation R Value of 2, over 10 years that thermal value can drift and your house gets colder, as it gets older.
Less amounts of heating and cooling are required inside the home.
Less on-site wastage.
House plans can be optimized to suit specific panel sizes which also minimise overall waste.
The magnesium sulfate board is considered a green building material (both internationally & domestically), made from one of the most abundant elements from the earth. And, the energy required to make the board is low, compared to other products.
In addition to this, it’s a completely non-toxic material that’s suitable for the earth (landfill and breakdown).
Polystyrene (inside of the SIPs) is 100% recyclable in New Zealand.
Q: ‘Tiny Houses’ are currently trending and catching the attention of many, what can you tell us about these and how MagWall is suitable?
A: The panel system is ideal for smaller homes as they’re very easy to transport, and are easy to deal with and move which makes for faster construction and saves a lot of the physical work.
In addition to this, the panels can be manufactured to any thickness (R-Value) that you want for your home, whilst still obtaining quality strength and insulation values, as demonstrated above.
Q: How is a home built with SIP Panels more energy efficient and overall warmer, dryer and quieter?
A: There are multiple ways in which a MagWall built home is more energy efficient, warmer, dryer and quieter, these are.
You’re creating a controllable environment.
Insulation security means that there is no drift throughout the home.
Air tightness, there are high levels of this which ensures that there is no draft entering the home.
Dust, pollen and salt doesn't blow through any cracks or crevices within the home.
All materials used within a SIP panel are completely non-toxic, non-allergenic, with no asbestos, or silica.
SIP panels create great sound barriers and acoustically sound environments.
Q: No matter the current stage that a Homeowner may be in, first home, renovation, new family home etc. Why should they use SIP panels, instead of traditional building materials?
A: MagWall SIPs are essentially the easiest pathway to achieve a higher standard of building, and the simplest path to an energy efficient building.
