Ryman Healthcare recently chose the DuPont Tyvek building envelope system to protect the enclosure of a large retirement village at One Tree Hill.

The following compatible DuPont Tyvek products were specified on the Ryman Healthcare project:

• DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap Wall Underlay: One of the world’s most installed wall underlays was installed behind the cladding. DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap can be exposed to UV for up to 120 days which gives the contractor extra time if there are construction delays during winter build conditions.
• DuPont Tyvek Supro Roof Underlay: The breathable, fire-retardant, self-supporting synthetic roof underlay, manufactured by DuPont, was installed under the metal roof. DuPont Tyvek Supro may be installed on most roof pitches greater than 3°.
• DuPont Tyvek Contractor Tape for Underlay Overlaps: The acrylic seam tape sealed overlaps in the DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap. This helps maximise resistance to air and water infiltration. The tape also provides an easy way to repair any tears in the underlay if they occur during the construction process.

Specifying product systems that are proven over numerous decades is less risky than specifying third party appraised products, with limited in-field installation history, that meet minimum NZBC requirements in a laboratory test. DuPont Tyvek building envelope products are designed for high performance, have decades of in-field experience and are backed by DuPont, a 214 year old company.

The number of high profile projects wrapped in DuPont Tyvek has grown exponentially over the past 12 months. Retirement villages, shopping malls and residential town home developments have all had walls and/or roofs protected with DuPont Tyvek weather barriers.

Recent large retirement villages protected with DuPont Tyvek Weather building envelope products include:

• Apollo Retirement Village, Mairangi Bay (DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap Wall Underlay and DuPont Tyvek Contractor Tape)
• Bob Scott Retirement Village, Petone (DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap Wall Underlay and DuPont Tyvek Contractor Tape)
• Observatory Retirement Village, Oamaru (DuPont Tyvek Supro Roof Underlay)
• St Andrews Retirement Village and Care Home, Hamilton (DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap Wall Underlay and DuPont Tyvek Contractor Tape)

DuPont recently appointed Antoni Rajwer as Technical Marketing Leader. Rajwer, is Auckland based and is part of DuPont’s Building Knowledge Center who has access to DuPont Building Science Resources in North America and Europe.

Moisture vapour in buildings is a popular topic in New Zealand at present. Many people are confused on when and if vapour barriers are actually needed on New Zealand buildings. DuPont chemical engineers in North America and Europe have vast research and development experience on this topic. DuPont are committed to assisting New Zealand find solutions that are based on proven, long term, scientific testing.