Too many Kiwi homes have problems, including dampness, mould, draughts, poor materials and poor air flow – and are cold in winter and increasingly now overheat in summer. Research shows significant impacts on our health, with high levels of childhood asthma and respiratory disease.  

‍Katheren Leitner quote:  Nothing matters when you can’t breathe

‍But there are practical and affordable solutions. Depending on your budget and your priorities, you can upgrade your present home for significant improvements to your health and wellbeing, for greater efficiency and lower power bills, for elimination of dampness and draughts, for maintaining comfortable temperatures through the seasons, and for improved resale value.

If it’s time to upgrade your existing home, our Renovation Design Guide has advice and information on how to get the most out of your renovation. We take you through the most common problems and explain the challenges and solutions for each.
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• WHY RENOVATE? 
• WHAT IS A RENOVATION?
• WORKING WITH WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY GOT
• RENOVATING WITH THE LEAST DISRUPTION
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RONNIE, I will randomly put in stuff as people send through to me, and can edit and arrange later. Some will need to cut right back, but some (ie Guy's input) we can embellish/highlight... some really good considerations. Have asked people like Martin and Duncan for SPECIFIC examples etc...

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Harry Puttock: Senior Architectural Manager, Sto NZ

OUTSULATION to Insulate

Sto offer ‘Refurbishment’ systems, a way to breathe new life into older facades, a sustainable choice in ‘reuse-repurpose’ rather than demolish and start again, which equals saving money and resources (reducing the carbon embodiment). 

A ‘Superhome’ solution where you make an existing cold, non-Superhome into a high-performance Superhome. With OUTSULATION solutions. It is a new cladding option that will allow the incorporation of insulation to the outside (best place) of the building, so there will be no interior size reduction.
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For existing Solid Wall: (Masonry or Solid Brick), we will adhere and mechanically fix insulation (full envelope) directly to the outside using countersunk fixings to avoid thermal loss. Then it receives the full amazing Sto Render and Finishing System. 

For existing Timber Framing: we move to a Bracket and Rail System to allow outsulation over a rigid air barrier. A cavity and a lightweight sheet (incorporating up to 95% post-consumer recycled glass) weighing in at around 18kg/m².

It equals no additional bracing or stress on the existing building. 
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Great on tight hill sites.

Here is Harry's 2nd email - we will heavily edit

We live in a world with cyclic weather changes and with weather bomb disruptions. Looking out the window you see how much the weather hits your building. Then we have the invisible enemy wind and sun. Your exterior is more than visual, it must perform to protect the building structure, and everything within.

Renovation is an opportunity, with a car you trade up, so think of RENO as ‘upgrading to a newer model’.

Your home is a major investment, and you want to upgrade, enhance its value, improve its performance. Better insulation, Air, Lighting and so on, and even make it more open plan. We have both Exterior and Interior solutions. Today I will cover the most important, the Exterior thatprotects your valuable home from all the elements the Weather and some natural disasters. Sto Deluxe System offers Averages 4mm+ of THICK weather protective coating.

Your Exterior walls come in so many different forms and types.

A. Existing Wall: Solid Brick, Masonry Block, Solid Concrete.

B. Existing Wall: Summerhill Stone, Clay Brick veneers.

C. Existing Wall: Cement Sheet (Hardies), Solid Plaster, EIFS (Poly and Plaster)

D. Existing Wall: Polyblock (ICF Construction) Sto has Refurbishments systems: Suitable for A, B, C and D.https://sto.co.nz/03_building/15_repairing/exterior-plaster-repairs.php.

At the same time, we can repair many situations, cracks and damage, allow Roof apron Stop ends to be retrospectively installed.Refurbishment Coating System. An economical option, if you have a well-maintained home, it involvesminor filling of fractures and a new StoColour DRYONIC Paint system. https://sto.co.nz/03_building/02_concrete_block/sto-therm-masonry-insulation.php StoTherm Masonry Insulation System. Suitable for A and sometimes B (review needed)

Maintenance, no matter your exterior they all require maintenance, there is no maintenance free system,just low maintenance. With our coats of the StoColour DRYONIC paint, repaint with regular maintenance can be every 12 years, itmay be sooner with harsh environmental conditions.

COSTING: The Refurbishment, the cost? It would be at least half the cost of the price to removeand reclad.

OUTsulation Cost, will range on what R value you want, but when considering the cost of removinginterior linings to add Insulation and relining. Is Like the Refurbishment cost plus the Insulationsupply and fix.
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To assist, we can at Sto can offer free advice, though involving a Superhome Architect will give you agreater range of solutions. Reuse and repurpose is a fantastic way to reduce impact on carbon emissions.

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BEFORE

AFTER

Guy Gillespie: Director, Character Builders

From Guy Gillespie
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Is it possible to renovate an existing home to ‘Superhome’ status?
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Yes certainly, but it is important to understand where some of the best ‘gains’ are achieved and the associated ‘priority’ of cost so as not to blow out the budget.
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Where are the best energy-efficient gains made in a renovation?
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The addage ‘perfection is a myth’ means that some compromise will be needed so as to meet a reasonable budget and not ‘over capitalise’ the work.
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Some of the best things you can do in order of priority, are:
1. Increase insulation performance
2. Upgrade window joinery & glazing
3. Reduce air movement
4. Upgrade heating and/or ventilation solutions
5. Control overheating from sun exposure.
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Is it cheaper to start again and build new?
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Not necessarily – Often, the reasons for keeping an old home go beyond economy; it may be a sentimental attachment or just a preference of location but actually, with some good design and an eye for economy, an existing home is generally a good starting point from which to create a comfortable and well-designed home, at significantly less cost than a new replacement.
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How cost effective is it to replace my existing window joinery?
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Whist best performance is achieved by altering the position of the window into the centre of the wall, this can be cost prohibitive on a renovation. And so in many cases, timber or aluminium windows can be replaced with UPVC joinery, fitted within the existing window frame and so, the overall cost if significantly less and this will make a huge difference to the energy-efficiency of the home.
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Do I need a Building Consent to upgrade my existing home?
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It is important to check, as the Building code does require consenting for the likes of “Insulation upgrading” to exterior walls. However there is a relatively simple ‘Exemption’ process, which allows an LBP builder to carry out such work.
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Key considerations, what to watch out for:
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It is important to start with a ‘sound’ foundation and essential ‘structure’. Before engaging with your preferred Architect or Designer we recommend you choose a reputable Licensed Building Company to provide a comprehensive ‘Building Maintenance Report’ - including a ‘Floor Levels Survey’ and ‘underfloor robot inspection’. And whilst this type of report may seem to be just another cost! – it provides essential information and safeguard for the way ahead.
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Solution/fixes:
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1. Is the floor and general structure straight & level? If not – to what extent does this need to be adjusted before we can begin?

2. Is the ground underneath the home dry? Perhaps it is damp and requires a simple drainage design, or subground drainage upgrade.

3. Is there extensive damage from Borer infestation? An annual fumigation regime might be sufficient, or there may be significant structural deterioration that you need to know about.
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4. What is the wall and roof structure? Timber framed homes are typically easy to work with, but it becomes more complex achieving ‘airtightness’ when there’s a brick and cavity system.
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5. What are the interior linings and & exterior cladding? In many cases the interior may need to be stripped out and an ‘airtightmembrane’ installed to improve performance. Likewise, the exterior cladding may need to be removed so as to install an external air barrier substrate’ against the framing.

6. What condition are the existing windows & doors? Perhaps this will help you conclude the existing ones can be retained and upgraded – on the other-hand it may become obvious they need full replacement.

7. What is the heating system and the hot water heating? Older systems are often less efficient and so the cost of upgrade is retrieved over time, making it more viable to upgrade now. Or it’s possible the system has had a recent upgrade and perhaps money is better spent elsewhere.

8. How accessible is the roof and subfloor space? Above and below the home are essential areas to consider making improvements, but can they be easily accessed for insulation and moisture control upgrades? Is there space for a ‘Heat Recovery Ventilation System’ to operate effectively in the ceiling space?

9. What previous work or repairs have been carried out? It’s important to understand the history as much as possible - Are there previous Building Consents on the Council file? Perhaps there has been non-compliant work that needs rectifying? What ‘post-earthquake’ work was carried out, who commissioned and signed it off and has it remained free of defect? This might even lead to discussions with your insurer

10. What is the condition of the services such as, Drainage, Plumbing and Electrical? Perhaps some of these items need upgrading as part of the proposed work and so you need to understand what the starting point is for your home.



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Simon Fenwick: Developer and Director, Nest Residential

From Simon Fenwick
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What are the key things you look out for when undertaking a reno job?

USUALLY DOESN’T MATTER THE AGE OF THE RENO. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME THING. WHAT IS THE ENVELOPE LIKE?  THIS INCLUDES INSULATION, WINDOWS, LEAKS AND VENTILATION
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Most common problems?

POOR OR NO INSULATION, EVEN CAME ACROSS PLACES WHERE INSULATION WAS RIPPED IN HALF SO IT LOOKED LIKE INSULATION WAS IN BUT WAS NOT TO REQUIRED THICKNESS. WINDOWS ARE USUALLY POOR AND LEAKY AND ABLE TO BE BROKEN INTO WITH A TABLESPOON.
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Any particular work/projects or any aspect of a reno that you can share that may be of interest?

ATTACHED ARE PHOTOS OF AN OLD CLIP TOGETHER TYPE HOUSE WITH JUST SOLID TIMBER FOR THE WALLS. WE BATTENED IT OUT, ADDED INSULATION AND RECLAD AND REPLACED THE WINDOWS WITH RECESSED UPVC. THE FRAMING WAS SO RICKETY UNDERNEATH WE ADDED BLOCKING. THE HOUSE WENT FROM BEING A BATCH TO A STUNNING MAIN HOUSE.
   
Anything to avoid? 

I WOULD USUALLY AVOID LEAVING THE EXTERIOR CLADDING AS REMOVING THIS MEANT WE CAN ACCESS DOING BETTER INSULATION AND WRAPPING AS WELL AS ANY STRUCTURAL ISSUES.
 
Any misconceptions out there?

YEAH BUILDERS THESE DAYS ARE AGAINST AIRTIGHT HOMES AS THEY THINK THEY WILL ROT. THAT’S WHY WE RUN CONTINUOUS VENTILATION!
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We are ideally looking for cost-effective solutions to any problems that you can share with us. 

WINDOWS ARE A GREAT FIRST STEP, BUT REDOING THE CLADDING WHEN ITS CLOSE TO END OF LIFE IS GREAT TOO.  
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WE LOOK TO RESTORE THE EXISTING BUILDING WHERE-EVER WE CAN AS HAVING AN INSULATED SUPER EFFICIENT RENO HOME HAS CHARACTER AND GRACE THAT CAN NEVER BE ACHIEVED WITH A NEW HOME.  

I WILL DROP OFF SOME PHOTOS ON A MEM STICK



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Darren Ballantine: Key Account & Business Development Manager, Metro Glass

From Darren Ballantine
This is more for the WINDOWS section as opposed to Renos?
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First cab off the rank is any change in improving the efficiency of a home is a step in the right direction.
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The next point is in doing this, be careful not to throw good money after bad.
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So it is fantastic that a person is wanting to make their home a more comfortable, healthier place to be and in doing this the home will consume less energy, meaning less cost  to run, and it is less of a drain on our finite energy resources and lessen the need to produce more energy.
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Windows are acknowledged as being a leading cause for both the loss of heat out of a home as well as contributing to heat gain if inferior solutions are offered (considerations such as window position, size, glass makeup selected etc).

This means windows are also a leading opportunity to gain thermal performance within a home and make it a more satisfying and happier place to live in for the occupants.
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It also must not be forgotten that the key purpose of windows are to provide a healthy balance of light coming into a residence as well as a sense of connection to the outside world while being in your home (psychological benefits).
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Key to achieve the above and not make a bad decision is to consult with knowledgeable people who are focussed on giving you best value for the money having listened to and considered your individual needs, wants and budget.
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Our best advice is that, as this is a wide ranging subject depending on what the homeowner is wanting to achieve and to provide the best solutions, they need to consult with a trusted professional in the window industry, such as Metro Performance Glass so that informed decisions are made.
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Clear-on-Clear double glazing may look like a good investment but this technology is now completely outdated considering the additional performance Low Emissivity Glass with Thermal Spacers, Argon Filled can provide to a homes performance at little additional cost.
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Another important contributor to achieving significant lifts in performance is targeting 14mm to 16mm spacers in the double-glazed units if this is possible.
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Then for ultimate performance gains the use of triple-glazing is the natural choice.
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Each of these choices come with their own set of considerations and that again is where a reputable and engaged window advisor can greatly assist in making the best choice to suit the individual requirements of the homeowner or specifier.  
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Ultimately if people considering undertaking Super Renovations start with the Superhome Movement, who have a wealth of experience as to what the best options are and who are the right people to talk to and gain specialty advice from then that is a great way of avoiding not throwing good money after bad and actually achieving what is being set out to do if not more.


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Martin Ball: Director, NK Windows

From Martin Ball
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For most existing homes we can replace the windows without having to replace the entire window frame. The two main frame types we deal with are:

WOODEN - we typically remove the existing glass and sashes, and insert a uPVC frame into the existing timber frame. This minimises the impact on the interior and often means we do not need to touch existing timber reveals and architraves.

ALUMINIUM - we typically cut out the existing aluminium frames and butt the new uPVC frame up to the existing internal timber reveal.If there is water damage or rot in the old window frames we can do a complete window replacement, including the internal timber reveals and architraves. This takes a little longer and is more intrusive for the homeowner, and also means there will be some internal painting to do.
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These methods are typically independent of the cladding type. We can install new uPVC frames into weatherboard, brick and plaster cladding systems. What varies is the exterior finishing detail, to ensure the right look and weathertightness.

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