Page 8 - Build 153

Fixing bottom plate DEAR BUILD,
I note that, in Build 151 Suspended oors, Figure 7(a) on page 34 does not match Figure 8.12 in NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings.
The bottom stud strap in Figure 7(a) shows the strap on the middle stud. NZS 3604:2011 shows the strap on the outer stud.
WAYNE SAPWELL : CHRISTCHURCH
Thanks for pointing out this error. Figure 7(a) should have showed the same de- tail as NZS 3604:2011 with a strap connection to the trimming stud. The amended figure is shown here.
packer
trimming studs
Amended Figure 7(a), Build 151 page 34. Fixing against lintel and bottom plate uplift.
The more stars the more water efficient
WATER
RATING
A joint government and industry program
Licence No 0060
4.5 litres per full flush
3 litres per half flush 3.3 litres per average flush
When tested in accordance with Standard AS/NZS 6400 For more information and to compare products, refer to: www.waterrating.gov.au
Letters
Deck slope 1.5°
DEAR BUILD,
Build 151 Getting waterproof decks right (page 24) mentions a minimum waterproof deck slope of 2° in E2/AS1. This was 1.5°. Has it changed?
SCOTT DENNISON : BY EMAIL
Comment No it hasn’t changed, so thanks for drawing our attention to this. E2/AS1 does indeed have a 1.5° minimum slope for waterproof decks, although some councils may require 2° and BRANZ promotes 2° as a minimum. It is roofs that have a minimum slope of 2°.
Less is more
DEAR BUILD,
Small changes for big gains in Build 147 (page 62) touched on the important issue of overuse of glass in everything from walls, verandahs and roofs to handrails, stairs and doors.
For centuries, the quantity of glass in buildings has been treated with great care because of the energy, material and labour costs consumed in its production. In recent decades, however, this has declined as architecture moved from the building industry towards the fashion industry.
Double glazing loses about seven times the heat of 90 mm thick insulated walls per unit area and triple glazing about four times the heat. Windows should be used with great discretion.
The Building Code requirement that a minimum of 10% of the oor area of habitable rooms be applied as windows in their walls should be changed to a maximum. Glass is an essential and beauti- ful material for the receipt of light into enclosed spaces, but it has high energy demands in manufacture and use.
The article also mentions the bene ts of framed views rather than oor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall glass. Developers, however, provide large windows, and buyers believe looking good is more important than warmth, energy, sustainability and a ordability.
Most architects realised centuries ago that the most e cient way to provide windows was to make them tall, not wide. Window heads should be as high as possible to capture sky light, the source of daylight.
Windows designed to these higher than wider rules make sense, and people respond favourably to buildings with these windows. DARYL COCKBURN : BY EMAIL
Comment
6 — April/May 2016 — Build 153