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FAQs
Why choose aluminium cladding?
Aluminium performs reliably in New Zealand’s diverse environments. Unlike some traditional cladding materials, it will not rot, warp or absorb moisture. With durable architectural finishes, it maintains its appearance over time with minimal upkeep. For you, that means less time maintaining the exterior of your home and more time enjoying the life lived around it.
Why would I choose Nu Wall for my home?
Nu Wall combines durability, architectural design and low maintenance. It’s designed to perform reliably over time while reducing the amount of ongoing upkeep your home requires. With a wide range of profiles, colours and finishes, you have the freedom to shape a home that feels considered and distinctive. Put simply, Nu Wall helps you build a home that looks good, performs well and asks less of you over time.
Is Nu Wall low maintenance?
Yes. Nu Wall is designed to reduce the amount of ongoing exterior maintenance your home requires. Because the cladding is pre-finished, repainting is generally not required. Most care simply involves periodic washing to remove environmental build-up such as salt, dust or pollution. In practice, that means less time maintaining your home and more time enjoying it.
How long does Nu Wall last?
Nu Wall aluminium cladding is designed to last for the life of the building. Aluminium will not rot, warp or absorb moisture, and when installed correctly it provides long-term durability and structural performance. With proper care, Nu Wall helps your home maintain its appearance and performance for many years, creating a home that can be enjoyed for generations.
Will Nu Wall maintain its appearance over time?
Yes. Nu Wall cladding is designed to maintain its appearance for many years. Durable architectural finishes protect the aluminium surface and help resist weathering and environmental exposure. With routine cleaning and care, the cladding can continue to look good long into the future.
Why is low-maintenance cladding important?
Exterior maintenance can take time, effort and ongoing cost over the life of a home. Choosing low-maintenance cladding helps reduce the amount of repainting, repairs and upkeep required over time. For many owners, that means spending less time maintaining the house and more time enjoying the life lived around it.
Can Nu Wall be used with other materials like timber or stone?
Yes. Nu Wall cladding is often combined with other materials such as timber, stone, concrete or plaster systems to create architectural contrast. The range of colours and finishes allows the cladding to complement other materials while maintaining a cohesive overall design.
Can Nu Wall be used on renovation projects?
Yes. Nu Wall can be used on both new homes and renovation projects, depending on the structure and design of the building. Your architect, designer or builder can advise whether the system is suitable for your project.
Will Nu Wall rust?
No. Nu Wall is made from aluminium, which does not rust like steel. Instead, aluminium naturally forms a protective oxide layer that helps resist corrosion. Combined with durable architectural finishes, Nu Wall performs reliably across a wide range of New Zealand environments.
Who installs Nu Wall?
Nu Wall is installed by builders and installers who are familiar with the system and its installation requirements. Your builder will typically install the cladding as part of the construction of your home, following Nu Wall installation guidance and technical documentation. If your builder is new to the system, Nu Wall provides installation guidance, technical support and site assistance to help ensure the cladding is installed correctly and performs as intended.
How do I clean Nu Wall cladding?
Nu Wall cladding is easy to care for and typically only requires periodic washing to maintain its appearance. Cleaning generally involves pressure washing (water blaster) with fresh water and, where needed, using a soft cloth or brush with mild detergent to remove build-up such as dust, salt or pollution. Homes in coastal or urban environments may require more frequent washing. Detailed guidance is available in the Nu Wall Care &Maintenance Guide.
Can Nu Wall boards be replaced?
Yes. Nu Wall systems are designed so that boards can be removed and replaced if required. A builder or installer familiar with the system can assist if a board ever needs to be replaced.
What warranties apply to Nu Wall?
Nu Wall warranties apply to both the base aluminium material and the surface finish, which are covered separately.
Aluminium base material
Nu Wall aluminium cladding is designed to last for the life of the building. Aluminium does not rot, warp or absorb moisture, supporting long-term durability and structural performance.
Surface finish
Colour and finish warranties vary depending on the coating system and environment. Powder coat, anodised and other architectural finishes are supported by coating warranties provided by the coating supplier.
What is Nu Wall?
Nu Wall is a well established New Zealand designed and manufactured BRANZ appraised aluminium cladding system engineered to provide a durable watertight envelope. The prefinished product provides a durable and low maintenance finish and has proven to be the product of choice across a broad range of building typologies in New Zealand.
What structures are best suited for Nu Wall cladding?
Because our pre-finished aluminium boards are durable and low maintenance, they perform reliably across many building typologies and environments. Our systems are widely used across New Zealand in sectors such as single level and multi-level residential, commercial, retail, civic, education and aged care.
Can Nu Wall be installed by my builder?
We recommend installation to be carried out by an LBP certified builder. Site specific training is available from Nu Wall on request.
Is Nu Wall available on Masterspec?
Yes. Nu Wall cladding systems are available in work section 4252DC on Masterspec and MiProducts, allowing Designers to incorporate Nu Wall specifications directly into project documentation.
What are the design limitations associated with Nu Wall?
As an alternative solution our systems are extremely flexible with very few limitations. Please consult our technical team if your project falls within a SED (specific engineered design) scope.
Can I choose a colour to match my roof and joinery?
Our boards are supplied to your project specifications. Variation in board profiles, colours and finishes allow designers to adapt the cladding to suit different architectural typologies and customer preferences.
Does Nu Wall provide a project peer review service?
We always prefer to be involved in the early stages, and our dedicated Nu Wall technical team are always available to assist with design guidance and technical support.
Can Nu Wall be fitted over a 45mm structural batten?
Yes, provided the 40-45mm structural batten is fitted as a structural member we are comfortable to install our cladding system to the batten, achieving the min 30mm screw embedment into a structural element.
Can Nu Wall be used on soffits and curved surfaces?
Nu Wall has a strong in-service history of use in both soffits and on curved walls. Soffits have a broader scope for flexibility, but curved surfaces are limited to vertical boards and do have certain limitations on profile and min radius. Please consult our technical team for assistance.
Does the finish on the board affect the performance?
Yes, the selected finish has an important effect on the appearance and long-term durability of the finished product. Different coating systems offer different levels of colour stability, and resistance to environmental exposure. Refer to our comprehensive colour and texture guide for further assistance
What are the benefits of powder coated aluminium cladding?
Powder coating provides a durable architectural finish that protects the aluminium surface while allowing the benefits of wide range of colour and texture options.
Is Nu Wall compliant with the New Zealand Building Code?
Yes, Nu Wall has 3 systems that are all BRANZ appraised and comply with all requirements of the code as an alternative solution
• BRANZ Appraisal 870 — Nu Wall Vertical on Cavity
• BRANZ Appraisal 550 — Nu Wall Horizontal on Cavity
• BRANZ Appraisal 556 — Nu Wall Vertical Direct Fix
The system meets New Zealand Building Code requirements when designed and installed in accordance with Nu Wall technical documentation.
Is Nu Wall suitable for non NZS3604 and SED (specific engineered design) applications?
Yes, in addition our BRANZ appraised systems, we can provide alternative compliance pathways that will support your design intent. This will include deviations from NZS3604 parameters such as wind and building height. Please refer to our technical literature for all additional test results that have been undertaken.
Does Nu Wall provide a comprehensive technical library of documents and CAD details?
Nu Wall offers a full library of technical documentation, CAD details and installation support on the Technical Resources section on our website.
Does the Nu Wall system carry a fire rating?
No, Nu Wall is manufactured from solid extruded aluminium and is designated as a non-combustible material and as such does not require any specific fire testing (see our BRANZ appraisals for further clarification).
Can Nu Wall be used on structures above 10 metres?
Yes, Nu Wall recently passed the stringent BRANZ EM7 E2 VM2test which provides a compliance pathway for all our vertical boards onstructures up to 25m in height.
What cavity systems are compatible with Nu Wall?
Nu Wall systems are BRANZ appraised to be installed over a drained and ventilated cavity system as well as direct fix (vertical only).
Can Nu Wall be installed on both timber and steel framing?
Yes. Nu Wall systems are BRANZ appraised to be installed on timber-framed and steel-framed structures.
Is Nu Wall weathertight?
Yes. Nu Wall is a BRANZ Appraised cladding system, confirming it meets the performance requirements of the New Zealand Building Code when installed in accordance with Nu Wall technical documentation.
How does Nu Wall accommodate thermal expansion?
Aluminium expands and contracts with heating and cooling cycles throughout the day. Nu Wall profiles are designed with fixing and installation methodologies that allow the cladding to accommodate this movement.
Do Nu Wall systems accommodate building movement and seismic drift?
Yes, our systems are designed to allow the aluminium boards to expand and contract independently of the structure. This allows the cladding to accommodate normal building movement while maintaining the integrity of the cladding surface.
How are the boards delivered?
Nu Wall is delivered as a complete system to site well packaged and crated. While the product is still in its packaging, we require the product to be stored securely out of the weather until installed on the wall.
Where can I find installation support and guidance?
Nu Wall offers various forms of installation guidance such as a formal installation document, 2D drawings and 3D animations, all are available o on the Nu Wall website, If additional support is needed, Nu Wall’s technical support and site support teams are available to assist.
How thick is Nu Wall?
Nu Wall is a hollow form solid aluminium extrusion with a cross section of 10.8mm. The total thickness of the cross section with end of wall or jamb flashings applied is 14.5mm
Are there specific dimensions for the setting out of joinery?
Yes, Nu Wall has specific requirements for the correct positioning of joinery and head flashings. Please consult our Installation Guide and dedicated technical drawings, all of which are available on www.nuwall.co.nz
Can I direct fix screws through Nu Wall boards
No, Nu- Wall systems are designed to allow for thermal expansion through the supplied clips. By fixing the boards directly with screws will prevent the boards from expanding and will create other issues.
Does Nu Wall offer an estimation service?
Nu Wall offers estimating service to assist with project planning and material estimation. Our team can review drawings and provide cladding take-offs so project teams can better understand the scope of materials required.
I have a problem on-site. Who do I call?
If you encounter an issue on site, the Nu Wall team is available to help. Contact the friendly Nu Wall team directly for technical support and installation guidance.
