Faqs
How does Nu-Wall compare with other cladding products?
Because it is lightweight, durable, won’t rot, delaminate or crack, Nu- Wall is the ideal cladding material. At time of installation Nu-Wall costs slightly more than some claddings, but within a few years the low maintenance requirements compared with other products (painting, repairs etc) mean it is the most cost effective option.
Is Nu-Wall weathertight?
Completely. BRANZ has appraised the Nu-Wall product and provided four appraisals covering both horizontal and vertical installations. The cladding and its proprietary flashing system are designed to keep water out and to drain to the exterior any water which does find its way into corners, joints etc. The inter-board joint allows slight air movement (to keep the back of the cladding free of condensation) but not draughts.
How long will Nu-Wall last, and what guarantee do I have?
Nu-Wall is guaranteed for 100 years that the aluminium substrate will remain weather tight. The surface coatings have separate manufacturer warranties depending on the coating grade and against integrity and colour loss up to 25 years.
In what lengths is Nu-Wall available?
All Nu-Wall profiles can be supplied up to 6.5M long, with some profiles being able to be supplied longer (up to 9.0M in some cases). For many projects, profiles are supplied in custom lengths, calculated to minimise unusable waste.
Does Nu-Wall require a specialist installer?
No, Any competent builder or DIY enthusiast can follow the comprehensive installation instructions for a perfect result.
Is Nu-Wall suitable for marine or harsh environments?
Absolutely. With a choice of baked powder coat or anodised finishes in several grades, Nu-Wall suits the toughest conditions. Remember that Nu-Wall won’t rot, crack or delaminate.
Is Nu-Wall resistant to impact damage?
Yes, with a buttressed wall thickness of 1.5mm Nu-Wall is resistant to all but a determined attack. Rugby balls and the like will have no effect. Cricket balls could dent the surface.
Does Nu-Wall rattle in the wind?
Nu-Wall cladding is fixed by a mounting bracket and screws at every stud (in normal timber framed buildings) and is extremely firmly held in place. There are no rattles if installed correctly.
What colours are available?
Nu-Wall comes in approximately 90 standard powder coat finishes, but that’s just the start. Just about any custom colour is available to match your taste or interior design.
How do I change the colour of Nu-Wall on an existing building?
If for any reason you ever wanted to paint over Nu-Wall, most proprietary paint manufacturers have the primer/undercoat/top coat products to effect a perfect paint finish. As Nu-Wall is non absorbent, the paint coverage will be higher than with many cladding products.
How does Nu-Wall affect the environment?
Nu-Wall aluminium is inert in the environment, and it’s 100%recyclable so will not enter landfills like so many other building products that contain heavy metals or aren’t able to be re-used. Aluminium is one of the most common elements in the earth’s crust so there is no limit to the supply of the metal. It’s benign and very adaptable, which made it the obvious choice for long lived cladding.
What thermal properties does Nu-Wall have?
Like most cladding, Nu-Wall relies on the insulation in the walls to maintain the internal temperature. Corrugated iron roofs are the same, insulation is essential to create a comfortable temperature gradient.
Does Nu-Wall get hot in the sun?
Yes, it can. Like any metal surface the temperature can get hot, especially in summer. The insulation stops the heat entering the home just as the heat from a corrugated iron roof is insulated from inside the house.
Can all the Nu-Wall profiles be installed vertically?
Yes, whether horizontal or vertically mounted, all profiles are BRANZ appraised.
Are there other applications for Nu-Wall?
Yes, Nu-Wall is used for soffits, counter fronts and cabinets, doors and screens, suspended ceilings and sectional garage doors are offered in Nu-Wall by most garage door manufacturers in New Zealand.
Does Nu-Wall cladding affect Cell phone or TV reception inside the building?
No, as with any metal cladding (like steel) there is no effect on reception.
Where is Nu-Wall made?
Nu-Wall has been designed and manufactured completely in New Zealand, predominantly from aluminium smelted in the South Island using renewable hydro-electric power. Other aluminium is recycled locally (aluminium is 100% recyclable making Nu-Wall cladding one of the most environmentally friendly building products available.
Is Nu-Wall noisy in the rain?
No, the rain doesn’t have enough impact on a vertical surface to have any noticeable noise.
If damage is done to my Nu-Wall cladding, such as a car backing into it, how is it repaired?
This can be answered in two ways. For a slight dent or scratch the repair can be done in a similar ways to automotive panel beating. Touch up paints are available and body fillers can be used on the cladding if necessary. Where serious damage has occurred and the panel is ripped, the wall can be disassembled from the soffit down and the damaged panels replaced. Nu-Wall is assembled using screws, not nails, so all undamaged products can be re-used without replacement.