Just between you, me and the four walls...

An overhaul of building regulations and the instigation of the Building Act 2004, which introduced a raft of stricter measures, provided a framework for improving the weather-tightness of our homes.

This framework also offered the building industry an opportunity to be more inventive in the products that it offered the market. Innovative companies are those that adapt to change through the creation of new products designed to suit market demand and meet improved building regulations, through robust building methods.

Products such as the INTERSET^® Recessed Window Flashing System from Rosenfeld Kidson.

“Interset consists of a set of interlinked flashings and stop-ends that create a 65mm window recess allowing standard aluminium windows to be recessed to the framing line from the outer façade, resulting in a clean, contemporary look and improved thermal performance and weather-tightness,” says Jamie Beck, Owner/Operator of Beck Building.

“This build (completed in 2018) was our first time working with the Interset system and I have to say we were really impressed. We always try to push for using Rosenfeld Kidson products as the norm, as the quality is assured across their entire product offering, so we were expecting good things and we weren’t disappointed.

“Visually, the flashing looks really good and gives nice detailing to the finished product. We went with the mitred cedar corner—although there is a simpler pre-finished aluminium option also—which takes a bit of craftsmanship to pull off but is well worth the result.

“As for the Interset system, it appears complicated at first but the supporting videos and documents made the whole process easy. In my opinion, if you’re wanting a cedar cladding finish, this is the best system by far in terms of air-tightness, vermin resistance and superior waterproofing, with three forms of waterproofing before the cavity can be penetrated.”

Having used the system, Jamie says he’s pushing to have it specified for a couple of upcoming jobs the company has on its books.

“My dad started Beck Building around 30 years ago, which is when our relationship with Rosenfeld Kidson began. Now that Brent Knight and I have taken over the business as co-owners, we’re keen for that relationship to continue.

“Rosenfeld Kidson’s product quality is second to none, their cedar run is the best we’ve used—no splitting, warping or cupping. Similarly, their customer service is excellent and it’s easy to work directly with them on orders and materials.”

Rama Goodwin, Rosenfeld Kidson Area Manager says the INTERSET Recessed Window Flashing System is currently used exclusively in conjunction with the Cedarscreen Vertical or Horizontal 45mm structural cavity systems, although the next development is to offer Interset on a 20mm cavity system. Interset is suitable for use with timber cladding options of Western Red Cedar, European Larch or Truwood^®—a thermally modified timber.

Cedarscreen Vertical with western red cedar was specified for the featured property, which Jamie says was the perfect finish for the job.

Jamie continues: “The structural cavity system saves on framing and nogs as the battens can span from stud to stud. This creates a clean line to the cladding resulting in a superior finish that is perfect for a product such as western red cedar.

“But it’s also those small details that only us builders would appreciate—such as the vertical batten on the corners and window jambs being already rebated—which they’ve thought of and which makes Interset a great product to use.”

Learn more about specifying the INTERSET Recessed Window Flashing System on your next project.