Early-Close-In with pro clima SOLITEX EXTASANA^® Wall Underlay: Schedule Certainty and NZBC-Compliant Envelope Performance

In modern building practice, construction sequencing, regulatory compliance, and envelope performance are increasingly demanded but these three things are often difficult to tie together. Tighter schedules, labour and material constraints, and extreme weather patterns place pressure on designers to specify systems that perform during both construction and the building’s service life. Pro Clima’s Codemark Certified Early-Close-In (ECI) system, with SOLITEX EXTASANA® wall underlay, responds to these challenges by enabling faster construction while complying with the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC).

The key advantage of the pro clima Early-Close-In system is its ability to allow interior work, such as insulation and internal lining installation, to begin before the external cladding is installed. Once SOLITEX EXTASANA® is installed in accordance with the relevant ECI Application Guide and all critical envelope elements are in place, including roofing, windows and doors, flashings, and sealed penetrations, the building achieves the level of weathertightness required for internal trades. This sequencing flexibility reduces schedule risk, an increasingly valuable advantage on complex or weather-exposed sites or where the supply of claddings or labour has been delayed.

At the core of SOLITEX EXTASANA® building wrap is its non-porous, monolithic TEEE* membrane technology. This layer forms a continuous barrier against wind and driving rain, limiting bulk water ingress during construction and in service. The outer fleece layer of the underlay provides UV protection to the membrane, enabling SOLITEX EXTASANA® to be exposed to the elements for up to 180 days, giving the builder further flexibility compared to alternative products.

SOLITEX EXTASANA® is also highly vapour permeable, allowing moisture vapour within the wall assembly to diffuse outward. This outward drying potential supports Clause E2.3.2 and also the intent of NZBC Clause E3-Internal Moisture, reducing the risk of moisture accumulation and interstitial condensation within the structure. Unlike micro-porous membranes, the non-porous TEEE membrane layer achieves this balance without compromising weathertightness.

The durability of Pro Clima’s Early-Close-In system contributes to ongoing compliance with NZBC Clause B2-Durability, which requires building elements to maintain integrity over their intended service life. While Early-Close-In is used during a construction-phase, the robustness of SOLITEX EXTASANA®—including UV stability, tear resistance, and resistance to wind and rain—helps ensure that the underlay remains fit for purpose once the permanent cladding is installed.

For more information about the System and SOLITEX EXTASANA wall underlay, watch the video below and visit the pro clima Early-Close-In page.

*TEEE = Thermoplastic Elastomer Ether Ester