Benefits of installing rain screen systems
“Eighty per-cent of all construction-related claims in the United States are water related. The installation of rain screen siding to buildings can mitigate most of these issues before they ever occur.”
Charles Menifee
Specialty Lumber Solutions
Building codes now require rain screen systems in various locations across the USA to lessen water damage. Installing rain screen siding provides an effective, durable, and beautiful design solution to your property.
Rain Screen Siding Systems
Rain screen systems consist of a moisture resistant barrier known as a building envelope, which wraps the exterior wall and an outer rain screen from finished stock. An air space gap of approximately ¾ inch separates the rain screen envelope from the moisture-resistant surface of the exterior wall. Furring strips create this gap across the exterior wall framing and vapor barrier.
Furring Strip Installation
Convectional drying increases by dividing the airspace into vertical compartments (cavities or chimneys). Convection current velocities generate slightly lower air pressure inside the chimneys than outside. This pressure differential increases airflow through the rain screen system. Researchers named this the “stacking effect” mechanism to remove moisture.
Rain Screen System: A 5-step process
1.
Exterior siding shields the building envelope from direct exposure to the elements.
2.
This encourages a rapid drying of the rain screen siding, promoting evaporation from the inner siding surface.
3.
As sunlight warms the rain screen siding, the cavities of the wall base heat up and air rises.
4.
Air pressure is equalized throughout the rain screen system’s open-jointed design, preventing water from becoming stagnant on the surface.
5.
The air cavity acts as an insulator, thereby reducing the heating and cooling costs of the building.
Mounting the Viking Clip
The Viking Clip mounts flush atop the furring strips with stainless steel screws. Finish siding planks rest on the siding clip in milled grooves. The thickness of the furring boards provides the desired depth of the air cavity. The VC2 No-Batten clip is a great alternative where battens cannot be used, providing the essential distance and strength to mount siding directly to the substrate.
FAQs
Got a question about our Viking Clip and VC2 No-batten siding clip? We’re here to help.