Modern façades are expected to do far more than create an attractive exterior. They must manage air and moisture, improve thermal efficiency, provide structural performance, and deliver long-term durability while complying with increasingly demanding New Zealand Building Code requirements.

The Building Agency developed the ENCLOSURE Sheathing System as part of an integrated enclosure philosophy that considers how every layer of the wall assembly works together. Rather than specifying individual products in isolation, the system combines the ENCLOSURE Sheathing Board and ENCLOSURE Façade Membrane into a coordinated solution that supports airtightness, moisture management, structural performance, and long-term durability.

At the core of the system is a vapour-permeable air seal line that helps prevent uncontrolled air leakage and water ingress while allowing moisture vapour to safely escape from within the wall assembly. This balanced approach helps reduce the risk of interstitial condensation, mould growth, and material deterioration, while supporting improved thermal performance and creating a healthier, more resilient building.

In addition to supporting airtightness and moisture management, the ENCLOSURE Sheathing System also contributes to the structural performance of the wall assembly. Suitable for use as part of wall bracing systems for timber-framed buildings within the scope of NZS 3604, the system achieves wind and earthquake bracing through the integrated performance of the ENCLOSURE Sheathing Board, proprietary seismic brackets, and prescribed fixing pattern. It is also suitable for both loadbearing and non-loadbearing fire-rated wall constructions, providing architects and specifiers with a versatile solution that supports multiple performance requirements within a single system.

By taking an integrated approach to airtightness, vapour permeability, structural performance, and moisture management, the ENCLOSURE Sheathing System supports compliance with NZBC Clauses B1 Structure, B2 Durability, and E2 External Moisture. For architects and specifiers, it provides confidence that the layers hidden behind the façade are working just as hard as the finish itself.