saveBOARD betterBRACE 4Steel is a rigid air barrier, wall bracing element and thermal break designed for use with light steel framing.

saveBOARD betterBRACE 4Steel is certified for use with buildings:

• a) designed and constructed to Nash Standard Part 2
• b) located in wind zones up to and including Extra High (as defined in NZS3604), and
• c) located in Exposure Zones B, C and D (as defined in NZS3604:2011 section 4.2), except microclimates, and
• d) located in:
  • i. Climate Zones 1, 2 and 3 where the internal lining is plasterboard, or
  • ii. any Climate Zone where the indoor environment is controlled between 18 C and 24 C and maximum relative humidity 65% rh, and
• e) where the cladding system:
  • i. is not open-jointed, and
  • ii. incorporates an 18mm minimum drained cavity.

saveBOARD betterBRACE 4Steel shall: 

• be installed with all joints, openings and penetrations taped and sealed with a compatible flashing tape. If the betterBRACE is over fixed with a synthetic underlay the betterBRACE joints are not required to be taped and penetrations and openings may be sealed using compatible flashing tape with the underlay, and
• be installed in accordance with the saveBOARD betterBRACE 4 Steel Installation Guide NZ Jan 2026 rev 1.2 and
• not be directly exposed to the weather or ultraviolet light for more than 30 days during construction. (It may be over-fixed with a synthetic wall underlay within this period).
• not have joints in cladding that allow rainwater to penetrate the cladding or expose the underlay or air barrier behind the cladding or expose the underlay or air barrier behind the cladding to UV.

The cladding system shall not be directly fixed to betterBRACE 4Steel.

• B1 Structure: Performance Clauses B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.3 (b, f, h), B1.3.4
• B2 Durability: Performance Clauses B2.3.1(a); B2.3.2
• E2 External Moisture: Performance Clauses E2.3.2 (contributes to), E2.3.5 (contributes to), E2.3.6 (contributes to), E2.3.7
• F2 Hazardous building materials: Performance Clauses F2.3.1
• H1 Energy Efficiency: Performance Clauses H1.3.1 (b) (contributes to)

• 4Steel provides a Thermal Break of R 0.4 (minimum is R 0.25)
• Low Carbon (Cradle to Gate, Aa1-3 including biogenic) -3.85/CO2/kg product
• VOC (volatile organic compounds) emission: <0.003 mg/m²/hr
• Made from 99% locally sourced and recycled composite packaging and soft plastics
• No water, glues, resins or additives are used in the production process
• Declare Red List approved, and Eco Choice Aotearoa certified
• The use of saveBOARD products will earn, or contribute towards earning, Green Star credits
• 15 year warranty
• DECLARE label
• Eco Choice Aotearoa Certified
• Environmental Product Declaration (completion Oct 24)
• Product Stewardship Program