Building membranes are critical for long-term durability of any project, the quiet achievers in protecting structures from moisture, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring compliance with modern building standards. LYSAGHT COREGUARD® is Lysaght’s vapour-permeable membrane designed for reliable protection in commercial and residential walling and gable applications, resisting the passage of water, dust, and other particles into the building substructure.
Modern construction relies on building membranes, also known as builder wraps, to reduce condensation risk, improve energy performance, and create healthier indoor environments.
As part of a well-designed wall system, building membranes work behind lightweight cladding to protect structures from water vapour. Keeping internal wall structures dry helps long-term durability. It also improves energy efficiency by retaining the wall’s original thermal resistance.
What is LYSAGHT COREGUARD®?
LYSAGHT COREGUARD® is a three-layer, vapour permeable membrane designed for commercial and residential walling and gable applications.
COREGUARD® resists the ingress of liquid water, dust, and other particles into the building substructure, while allowing moisture vapour to escape from within the wall assembly.
What is a vapour permeable membrane?
A vapour permeable membrane is a specialised building wrap. It lets moisture vapour escape from interior spaces and structural cavities. This helps control moisture in the building envelope and reduce condensation risks.
Less moisture helps prevent mould, mildew, material damage, and structural decay. It also helps maintain optimal thermal performance and reduces heating and cooling needs.
What are the key features and benefits of LYSAGHT COREGUARD®?
- Moisture control: LYSAGHT COREGUARD® reduces the risk of mould, mildew and condensation. This supports a healthier indoor environment, allowing walls to breathe while preserving the building’s structural integrity.
- Weather resistance: Protects the building envelope from water, dust, and wind. It helps prevent infiltration in many weather conditions and climates.
- Durability: Protects building materials from moisture damage, extending the lifespan of the building envelope components. This durability translates to lower maintenance costs and long-term savings for property owners.
- UV resistance: Provides up to three months of full UV exposure protection, supporting a flexible installation schedule.
- Easy installation: COREGUARD® is easy to install using standard construction methods and compatible with a range of building materials and systems. This includes LYSAGHT® steel walling products.
“LYSAGHT COREGUARD® is a reliable vapour permeable membrane for residential construction, where both appearance and performance matter. It pairs well with COLORBOND® steel and LYSAGHT® profiles, helping us deliver a high-quality result for our clients.
Working with trusted products from Lysaght helps us deliver the standard of finish our clients expect. We recommend COREGUARD® because quality and attention to detail are important in every project we undertake. When we work on homes, we use products we trust to install, and that help us deliver great results for homeowners. COREGUARD® is one of the best wall wraps for metal cladding.”
- Braeden, Director and CEO, Cro & Co Metal Roofing
Cro & Co Metal Roofing is a Coffs Harbour metal roofing installer specialising in residential roofing and cladding projects across Coffs Harbour and the surrounding region.
How does LYSAGHT COREGUARD® help reduce condensation in walls?
Condensation forms when moisture in the air, also known as moisture vapour, contacts a cold surface. This causes moisture vapour to change from a gas to a liquid state.
As a Class 4 vapour permeable membrane, LYSAGHT COREGUARD® reduces moisture buildup inside the wall structure. It resists liquid water ingress while allowing vapour trapped within the internal wall structure to diffuse outward. This helps prevent condensation in walls.
COREGUARD® comprises three synthetic layers. One of these layers is the vapour control layer. It has microscopic pathways that let moisture vapour escape.
- The innermost layer is made up of reflective materials that provide UV exposure protection and reinforcing materials for mechanical strength and additional thermal insulation
- The vapour control layer sits between the inner and outer layers. This layer is engineered with microscopic pathways allowing it to "breathe". Condensation management improves because moisture vapour can escape.
- The outer layer protects against dust and reduces external water ingress.
Together, the layers protect internal wall structures, such as timber or steel framing, from moisture damage.
What projects can LYSAGHT COREGUARD® be used on?
LYSAGHT COREGUARD® is a vapour-permeable membrane designed for walling and gable applications in commercial and residential projects. We highly recommend using it alongside LYSAGHT® steel building products.
By choosing Lysaght solutions, builders benefit from:
- Optimised compatibility: COREGUARD® and LYSAGHT® steel building products work together to deliver an effective weatherproof solution.
- Comprehensive support: Builders receive expert advice and guidance from Lysaght at every stage, from material selection to installation.
- Cost-effective bundling: Sourcing both the membrane and cladding from Lysaght provides the added convenience of sourcing compatible products from the one supplier.
Is LYSAGHT COREGUARD® compliant with the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards?
Yes. LYSAGHT COREGUARD® is engineered as a Class 4 vapour-permeable membrane and satisfies NCC 2022 compliance requirements.
COREGUARD® suits Australia’s climate zones and works best in zones 3 to 8. These conditions in these regions range from hot, arid areas to cooler temperate climates and alpine zones, all of which require careful moisture management and consistent insulation performance.
This means COREGUARD® suits buildings in most Australian Climate Zones. It is not suitable for tropical Climate Zone 1 applications.
For more information, read our support article, Vapour permeable membrane guidance for NCC 2022. For best practice compliance with the NCC, refer to the Lysaght Condensation Control document.
COREGUARD® also meets the requirements of AS 4200.1:2017 for Pliable Building Membranes. For more information, refer to the LYSAGHT COREGUARD® Technical Data Sheet.
How do I install LYSAGHT COREGUARD®?
LYSAGHT COREGUARD® must be installed in accordance with AS 4200.2.2017 Pliable building membranes and underlays, Part 2: Installation. COREGUARD® has different fixing methods and procedures for steel frames and timber frames. Refer to the LYSAGHT COREGUARD® Installation Guide for full installation instructions.
It is the responsibility of the specifier or project engineer to ensure the COREGUARD® membrane is appropriately installed for the intended application and building design.
With LYSAGHT COREGUARD®, commercial and residential buildings stay strong and well protected for years.
Looking for building wrap for your next project?
Explore LYSAGHT COREGUARD®, a building wrap solution designed for residential and commercial projects. Speak with your local Lysaght team to learn more about COREGUARD® and the right building solutions for your project.
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