The Centrafix® joinery installation method is an alternative solution to the New Zealand Building Code standard joinery installation method.
This BRANZ Appraised and Codemark Certified installation method recesses the window or door back inside the building wall, minimising thermal losses which occur in a typical installation. This aligns all insulation elements – wall, window frame, glazing – and prevents cold air from circulating around the window and door frames.
Codemark Certificate CMNZ10033
BRANZ appraised. Appraisal No. 1188 (2023)
New Zealand Des. Reg. No. 429382
Video is indicative of the installation method. Refer to our technical resources for full installation details.
Centrafix® is a unique, New Zealand designed installation method that is exclusively available in Metro Series ThermalHEART® windows and doors.
Recessing the window and door units realigns the insulating elements of the window frame and glazing with the insulation elements of the wall, improving thermal efficiency.
This innovative installation method aligns all insulation elements – wall, window frame, glazing – which prevents cold air from circulating around the window and door frames, improving the whole window system’s thermal performance.
Centrafix® is designed to safely and efficiently recess a window or door unit from the front face of the cladding back into the building wall, minimising the thermal losses that occur in current installation methods.
The joinery perimeter sits flush against the exterior, while the body of the window is recessed, enhancing the contemporary aesthetic of your project.
Your windows and doors are a complete system with each component (the frames, the Insulated Glazing Unit, the installation) contributing to the overall performance and comfort of your home. By installing your thermally efficient windows and doors using the Centrafix® method, the thermal performance of a home improves by a further 20%
Centrafix® is a BRANZ Appraised and Codemark Certified alternative solution to NZBC E2/AS1.
Centrafix® is tested to pass EM9 (Evaluation Method No. 9), a New Zealand evaluation method developed by BRANZ, to test the weathertightness around the perimeter of an installed window.
The Centrafix® window installation system can be specified with higher performance glazing, frames and special insulating elements around and within the window frame to achieve passive house levels of thermal performance.
BRANZ appraised. Appraisal No. 1188 (2023)
When viewing the installation methods side-by-side, you’ll notice that the full face of the E2/AS1 frame and glazing panels sit outside the wall, in line with the cladding meaning it’s fully exposed to the colder external temperatures. E2/AS1 cavity construction installation is the standard installation method as stipulated in the New Zealand Building Code.
In comparison, the Centrafix® installation has the core of the frame and the glazing panels in line with the wall structure and insulation elements, helping to protect it from the external temperatures and preventing the loss of heat through the frame.
2Centrafix® comparison figures are based on complete thermal modelling of an average house lot of products installed in 90mm timber framing. The standard installation benchmark was calculated by modelling the same house lot of comparable products using a typical E2/AS1 cavity construction installation on 90mm timber framing.
Centrafix® is exclusively available in Metro Series ThermalHeart+® windows and doors. Full details of Metro Series ThermalHeart+® with Centrafix® can be found on EBOSS or in our Specifier Guide.
Centrafix® has been independently assessed by BRANZ to ensure the product meets all relevant Building Code performance requirements.
BRANZ appraisal Number: 1188 [2023]
Codemark Certificate CMNZ10033
You can find detailed installation information in the Centrafix® System Guide here. This guide is updated as required to ensure it contains the latest installation information.
We have interactive animated 3D assembly models available for several key Metro Series ThermalHeart+® with Centrafix® products which allow you to quickly and easily understand how the components fit together. View the Centrafix® resources here.
EM9 (Evaluation Method No. 9) is a New Zealand evaluation method developed by BRANZ, to test the weathertightness around the perimeter of an installed window. BRANZ formulated EM9 for recessed windows to verify testing of the APL’s Centrafix® system, to ensure prevention of water ingress into the building structure. EM9 is an appropriate test method to ensure that windows recessed into a building design will not trap moisture in vulnerable areas and will therefore stand the test of time.
Metro Series ThermalHeart+® with Centrafix® windows are designed to efficiently recess a window or door frame from the front face of the cladding back into the building wall. This aligns the insulating elements of the window with the insulation elements of the wall, thus maximising overall thermal effectiveness.
As part of the product development for Centrafix®, a PVC sub-sill flashing called, ‘Sill Safe’, was designed as part of the system. This extra layer of protection shields the building structure from water ingress around or through the window system.
APL’s Dave Burggraaf said that the knowledge of the existence of BRANZ EM9 is low, and specifiers and builders need to take care when choosing recessed systems to ensure that their choice is code compliant. APL sought CodeMark accreditation precisely for this reason. “It is vital that the sub-sill area is fully protected to prevent long term moisture problems, and this was a priority in us bringing Centrafix® to market with peace of mind for users,” said the spokesperson.
CodeMark is advertised by BRANZ as being particularly suitable for innovative, new products. It provides an extra degree of assurance that certified products are deemed to comply with the Building Code and can be listed on public registers.
WEERS combines the thermal performance of the frame and glazing, together with the size of the window to calculate a rating. The frames are modelled in isolation which doesn’t consider the effects of the building construction or the unique installation advantages of the Centrafix® window system. Our figures are generated using Flixo modelling software and represent the performance of an installed unit.
