Built by Abode Homes, this house in Aotea, Wellington uses OS'Brace RAP as a rigid air barrier and structural bracing panel.

The OS'Brace RAP system was chosen as it reduces cost and time on site. "Being a rigid air barrier, it offers an additional peace of mind for clients as well as reducing the build time on site by up to four weeks, enabling the interior lining to commence while still cladding the exterior of the home," says Darren Sears, General Manager of Abode Homes.

"The system also offers very good bracing elements, reducing the bracing required on the interior walls," mentions Sears. OS'Brace RAP is CodeMark certified and P21 structurally tested in NZ, enabling specifiers to use the product with full confidence.

The product is also lightweight and easy to handle with the 2440 x 1200 x 6mm sheet only being 11.2kg, and as the board is fully treated to H3.1, there is no need to re-treat the edges after cutting the sheets. "It has a few advantages over similar alternative systems on the market — staying very flat and easy to install and the ability to use any suitable tape systems. As well as all of those benefits it is also environmentally friendly with formaldehyde-free bonding which is extremely important in our industry."