How to protect your relocatable tiny home with a ‘waterproof jacket’

Written by

06 November 2024

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4 min read

New Zealand’s love for timber homes extends from the grand to the tiny, relocatable designs. Regardless of size, it pays to invest in the proper frame protection.

A recent collaboration between Frame Protection System (FPS) and Fraemohs Homes marks a significant shift as Fraemohs Homes transitions from their previous supplier to the comprehensive protection provided by the FPS Weathertight System.

"We've had Fraemohs Homes come on board this year," says Grant Murray, Co-Founder of Frame Protection System (FPS). "Fraemohs Homes are Known for their Scandinavian-inspired, sustainable timber homes and are now looking into using our system on their transportable homes as well."

With a 90-day UV exposure limit before the cladding is required, builders can quickly begin working on the property's interior.

The FPS Weathertight System: protecting houses inside and out

The FPS Weathertight system is a CodeMark-certified product that provides both interim and permanent weather protection for timber and steel frames and panel and prefab building elements. “FPS Weathertight is a comprehensive roof and wall underlay system,” explains Grant, “designed to provide moisture vapour control while ensuring long-lasting weather protection.”

This system is particularly advantageous for builders like Fraemohs Homes, who focus on creating timber homes. According to Grant, the FPS Weathertight system acts like a “waterproof jacket”, shielding the structure from New Zealand’s unpredictable weather while allowing moisture vapour to escape—crucial for preventing mould and rot in timber construction.

"Fraemohs Homes builds timber homes,” explains Grant. “They want to protect the internal framing and construction elements from moisture ingress, so they are looking to use FPS for the roof as well as the walls.”

FPS N35 paper protects this Fraemohs Homes solid timber house currently under construction.

4 ways FPS Weathertight system protects relocatable ‘tiny’ homes:

1. Saves time

"FPS Weathertight is CodeMark certified to allow internal work to proceed to completion," says Grant. With a 90-day UV exposure limit before the cladding is required, builders have plenty of extra time to work on the property’s interior.

"Typically, multiple weeks can be saved on construction timeframes," notes Grant.

2. Improved breathability

FPS Weathertight excels in breathability, understandably an essential feature for New Zealand homes. "FPS Weathertight is very permeable and is actually classed as vapour open. This permeability helps prevent moisture buildup and the potential for mould and rot growth within the construction," says Grant.

NZ’s often windy conditions pose another challenge for timber-constructed homes.

The membranes of FPS Weathertight are strong enough to be used in all NZ wind zones.

3. Windproof

New Zealand’s often windy conditions pose another challenge for timber constructed homes, which FPS Weathertight addresses, thanks to its ability to withstand all wind zones. "The membranes are durable and strong enough to be used in all New Zealand wind zones, whether on roofs or walls, as long as they are installed to FPS’s specifications," Grant explains.

4. Fire retardant

Safety is another key consideration for which FPS Weathertight offers peace of mind to builders and homeowners. "The fire retardant properties are built into the membrane, not sprayed on, so they will not degrade over time," says Grant. The system's ASNZS1530–2 flammability index of not greater than 5 ensures it can be used in all buildings without restrictions.

The fire retardant properties are built into the membrane, not sprayed on, so they will not degrade over time.

A complete envelope solution

Fraemohs Homes have integrated FPS Weathertight into their standard builds and are currently testing it on their transportable homes by using FPS W35, a 2.75-metre-wide paper offering 137 square metres of coverage.

Additionally, the FPS Weathertight system comes with an impressive 50-year warranty that is transferable to the homeowner. "This is a significant departure from many building products in New Zealand, where warranties often expire once the new homeowner receives the keys,” remarks Grant.

The early feedback from Fraemohs Homes has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Grant, with the quarterly checks after handover showing fewer issues from common problems associated with timber frame movement due to moisture. "Since using our product, they've seen fewer GIB screws popping and less paint cracking because the timber frames are drying quicker, resulting in less movement afterwards," says Grant.

By embracing FPS Weathertight, Fraemohs Homes reinforces its commitment to quality, durability, and sustainability in the New Zealand housing market.

For more information on Frame Protection System and their FPS Weathertight offering, contact them on ArchiPro today.