The fiddly, time-consuming installation of building paper has long been a frustration for Kiwi builders. So the team at New Zealand Steel set out to do something about it.

The result is Colorsteel Dridex, the innovation which does away with the need for cumbersome paper and netting altogether. The new product was launched to the rural and commercial sectors earlier this year, quickly gaining traction with an audience who had been crying out for a better solution. And now, following the product's CodeMark certification, they're introducing it to the residential building market.

How does it work?

The Colorsteel Dridex range features a layer of anti-condensation fleece which absorbs and stores accumulating water, preventing it from travelling to the roof structure or walls. When the roof temperature rises, the stored water evaporates. The benefits are numerous, says Dr Troy Coyle, Head of Innovation and Product Development at New Zealand Steel.

"To be honest, it's a real game changer," she says. "Colorsteel Dridex takes an everyday problem and solves it simply and effectively. For roofers that means quicker, easier installations (a third-party study* is showing Colorsteel Dridex leads to a 10% increase in on-site productivity) and a safer working environment, with less time on each roof meaning roofers are exposed to less risk per project."

The benefits for the end-user are just as compelling, with Colorsteel Dridex playing an important role in the creation of drier, healthier homes. That's backed up by one of the product's other notable accreditations, the Sensitive Choice award from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand.

The new range consists of two core products. Colorsteel Dridex is suitable for moderate environments that occur throughout heartland New Zealand.

Colorsteel Dridex+ has been developed for more demanding environments, like those experienced in coastal locations. It's highly resistant to corrosion, with an increased zinc/aluminium coating on the steel substrate.

Like all Colorsteel products, both systems are backed by comprehensive manufacturer's warranties, providing peace of mind for all users.

To learn more, or to see how to become an accredited Colorsteel Dridex installer and build drier, healthier homes, contact Colorsteel.