Plastic Building Materials in Sustainable House Design

The construction industry has ambitious energy efficiency targets, and plastics help these targets become an achievable reality. The use of plastics in the building industry reduces overall energy consumption and therefore helps to protect the environment. Here’s how:

The Benefits of Plastics

Most plastics are easy to install and require little to no maintenance. As such, they require very limited energy consumption and resources over their life-cycle.

Plastic building materials also have a number of vital benefits that make a significant and expanding contribution to the building industry:

Plastics are durable and corrosion-free: They are ideal for applications such as window frames and pipes, which can last for over 50 years.
Plastics insulate from cold, heat and sound: They save energy, offer great value for money, and reduce noise pollution.
Plastics are lightweight: They reduce the cost of labour and the need for heavy equipment such as cranes. They are also easier to handle, transport, and store.
Plastics can either be recycled or their energy can be recovered: The recovery of plastic waste in the construction sector is on the increase. Between 2006 and 2012 the recycling and energy recovery from plastics within the construction industry in Europe alone has increased from 48% to 62%.
Plastics are easy to maintain and clean, and are impenetrable: They are ideal for household interior and exterior surfaces as they require minimal maintenance.
Plastics make buildings more energy-efficient: Energy consumption is greatly reduced when buildings are insulated with polymer materials. In addition, plastic insulation products save over 200 times more energy over their lifetime than the energy that was expended in their production. They are roughly 16% more energy efficient than alternative insulation materials.
Even when custom-made, overall plastics are often more economical to produce than other materials.

A Bright Future for Plastics

Plastics form a huge part of our everyday lives. From clothing to cars, it’s almost impossible to imagine a world without plastics. They are crucial to humanity’s innovation and advancement.

Since plastics are here to stay, let’s look at what the future holds for this dynamic material. According to Plastics Europe, here are some of the things to be expected:

Photovoltaic technology: In the very near future, highly transparent photovoltaic cells will be printed onto plastic films to use as window glazing. The result? Power-generating windows that are highly energy efficient.
Acrylic panels and fibre-reinforced plastics: Architects and designers will use acrylic panels and fibre-reinforced plastics to mould buildings into any shape.
Load-bearing plastics: Fibre-reinforced plastics will enable the construction of durable load-bearing structures such as bridges, thanks to their resistance to corrosion, lightweight and strength.

In conclusion, plastics are making a huge contribution to sustainable house design and improving the energy efficiency of buildings. What's more, they're playing an important role in tackling climate change and preserving valuable resources.

Want to stay on-trend? Discover what’s new in architecture and design for the next big project in DynexBuild's free ebook, Seven Trends Shaping Architectural Design.

PALLISIDE Rusticated Weatherboards (Direct Fixed)

Dynex

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PALLISIDE® is a low-maintenance, pre-finished weatherboard system that provides the look of traditional timber weatherboards, with natural shadow-lines and definition, without the requirement for painting and the cost of upkeep associated with it.

NZ Made

Pre-Consumer Recycled Content

PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Direct Fix have been appraised as an external horizontally fixed cladding for buildings within the following scope:

Constructed with timber framing in accordance with the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; or,
Constructed with steel framing subject to specific engineering design with building height and floor plan area scope limitations in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; and,
With a risk score of 0-12, calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Table 2; and,
Situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones up to, and including Very High.

The PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Direct Fix must only be installed horizontally on vertical surfaces.

The PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Direct Fix are appraised for use with aluminium window and door joinery that is installed with vertical jambs and horizontal heads and sills. (The Appraisal of the Palliside Weatherboard system relies on the joinery meeting the requirements of NZS 4211 for the relevant Wind Zone.)

If PALLISIDE® weatherboards are to be used in any applications not covered by the current Installation and Technical Guide and scope, written confirmation of suitability should be obtained from Dynex Extrusions Limited prior to the commencement of the project.

In the opinion of BRANZ , the PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard Direct Fix or Drained Cavity Cladding Systems, if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of Appraisal No.490 and No.491 (2015), will meet the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B1 Structure: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4. The PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard Cladding System meets the requirement for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (f), (h), (j) and (q)].
Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1(b), 15 years.
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.2.
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1. The PALLISIDE® Cladding system will not present a health hazard to people.

The PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard direct fix or drained cavity cladding systems have been appraised as Alternative Solutions in terms of New Zealand Building Code compliance.

BRANZ Appraised

PALLISIDE Rusticated Weatherboards (Drained Cavity)

Dynex

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NZ Made

Pre-Consumer Recycled Content

PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Drained Cavity have been appraised as an external horizontally fixed cladding for buildings within the following scope:

Constructed with timber framing in accordance with the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; or,
Constructed with steel framing subject to specific engineering design with building height and floor plan area scope limitations in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; and,
With a risk score of 0-20, calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Table 2; and,
Situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones up to, and including Extra High.

PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Drained Cavity have also been appraised as an external wall cladding system for buildings within the following scope:

The scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, with regards to building height and floor plan area; and,
Constructed with timber and steel framing subject to specific engineering design; and,
Situated in specific design wind pressures up to a maximum design differential ultimate limit state (ULS) of 2.5 kPa.
The Palliside Weatherboards Drained Cavity must only be installed horizontally on vertical surfaces.

The Palliside Weatherboards Drained Cavity are appraised for use with aluminium window and door joinery that is installed with vertical jambs and horizontal heads and sills. (The Appraisal of the Palliside Weatherboard system relies on the joinery meeting the requirements of NZS 4211 for the relevant Wind Zone or wind pressure.)

If Palliside Weatherboards are to be used in any applications not covered by the current Installation and Technical Guide and scope, written confirmation of suitability should be obtained from Dynex Extrusions Limited prior to the commencement of the project.

Clause B1 Structure: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4. The PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard Cladding System meets the requirement for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (f), (h), (j) and (q)].
Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1(b), 15 years.
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.2.
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1. The PALLISIDE® Cladding system will not present a health hazard to people.

The PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard direct fix or drained cavity cladding systems have been appraised as Alternative Solutions in terms of New Zealand Building Code compliance.

BRANZ Appraised

PALLISIDE Traditional Weatherboards (Direct Fixed)

Dynex

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NZ Made

Pre-Consumer Recycled Content

PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Direct Fix have been appraised as an external horizontally fixed cladding for buildings within the following scope:

Constructed with timber framing in accordance with the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; or,
Constructed with steel framing subject to specific engineering design with building height and floor plan area scope limitations in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; and,
With a risk score of 0-12, calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Table 2; and,
Situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones up to, and including Very High.

The PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Direct Fix must only be installed horizontally on vertical surfaces.

The PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Direct Fix are appraised for use with aluminium window and door joinery that is installed with vertical jambs and horizontal heads and sills. (The Appraisal of the PALLISIDE® Weatherboard system relies on the joinery meeting the requirements of NZS 4211 for the relevant Wind Zone.)

If PALLISIDE® Weatherboards are to be used in any applications not covered by the current Installation and Technical Guide and scope, written confirmation of suitability should be obtained from Dynex Extrusions Limited prior to the commencement of the project.

In the opinion of BRANZ, the Palliside Cellular uPVC Weatherboard Direct Fix or Drained Cavity Cladding Systems, if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of Appraisal No.490 and No.491 (2015), will meet the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B1 Structure: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4. The PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard Cladding System meets the requirement for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (f), (h), (j) and (q)].
Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1(b), 15 years.
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.2.
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1. The PALLISIDE® Cladding system will not present a health hazard to people.

The PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard direct fix or drained cavity cladding systems have been appraised as Alternative Solutions in terms of New Zealand Building Code compliance.

BRANZ Appraised

PALLISIDE Traditional Weatherboards (Drained Cavity)

Dynex

View Product

NZ Made

Pre-Consumer Recycled Content

PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Drained Cavity have been appraised as an external horizontally fixed cladding for buildings within the following scope:

Constructed with timber framing in accordance with the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; or,
Constructed with steel framing subject to specific engineering design with building height and floor plan area scope limitations in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; and,
With a risk score of 0-20, calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Table 2; and,
Situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones up to, and including Extra High.

PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Drained Cavity have also been appraised as an external wall cladding system for buildings within the following scope:

The scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, with regards to building height and floor plan area; and,
Constructed with timber and steel framing subject to specific engineering design; and,
Situated in specific design wind pressures up to a maximum design differential ultimate limit state (ULS) of 2.5 kPa.
The PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Drained Cavity must only be installed horizontally on vertical surfaces.

The PALLISIDE® Weatherboards Drained Cavity are appraised for use with aluminium window and door joinery that is installed with vertical jambs and horizontal heads and sills. (The Appraisal of the Palliside Weatherboard system relies on the joinery meeting the requirements of NZS 4211 for the relevant Wind Zone or wind pressure.)

Clause B1 Structure: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4. The PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard Cladding System meets the requirement for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (f), (h), (j) and (q)].
Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1(b), 15 years.
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.2.
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1. The PALLISIDE® Cladding system will not present a health hazard to people.

The PALLISIDE® Cellular uPVC Weatherboard direct fix or drained cavity cladding systems have been appraised as Alternative Solutions in terms of New Zealand Building Code compliance.

BRANZ Appraised

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