Rainscreen Siding Problems

Some purists insist that you can t call it a rainscreen gap unless you have ventilation gaps at the top of the wall as well as the bottom of the wall.

Rainscreen siding problems. This air gap is typically in the range of 3 4 and offers numerous benefits including thermal insulation and moisture stability of the siding boards which is particularly important when using high density hardwoods such as ipe batu and cumaru. Did you ever solve this problem. I am in the final stages of a renovation where i have removed and replaced all insulation and sheathing and added 2 inches of rigid foam and this detail has me stymied. For most residential builders a rainscreen siding installation is one that includes an air gap between the siding and the water resistive barrier the asphalt felt or housewrap.

In a rainscreen wall a gapped space or separation also known as a vented airspace exists between the exterior wall cladding siding and the wall sheathing osb plywood etc. A rainscreen is an exterior skin system made up of siding an air gap via furring strips wrb layer and structural sheathing substrate nowadays osb or plywood. Rainscreen siding systems have an air gap between the siding material and the structure itself. A rainscreen wall is an exterior wall construction design that improves a wall s ability to manage water and stay dry.

Rainscreen siding is an all natural wood siding product that provides a more natural look when compared to vinyl or plastic siding options. I am concerned that bugs will find their way in between siding courses in the lap siding and will accumulate at the base of the rainscreen.