Climate-Shield Rainscreen System Develops Attachment Channel

Written by Chris Nolan on Thu, Apr 30, 2020 @ 15:04 PM

The latest innovation in rain screen system technology was recently developed – the Climate-Shield Rain Screen Attachment Channel. This multipurpose rain screen attachment channel was designed to create a firm attachment for the Climate-Shield CS2 Rain Screen Clips to wall assemblies that do not have structural sheathing. Like other Climate-Shield rain screen system components, the rain screen attachment channel is manufactured in the US of marine grade aluminum for strength, extended lifetime, no galvanic reaction, reliability and low cost.

Ipe wood siding with attachment channel

Where to use the Climate-Shield Attachment Channel?

The Climate-Shield CSAC8 Rainscreen Attachment Channel works exceptionally well for the following exterior wall assemblies:

Wood frame wall assemblies using insulated sheathing up to 1-1/2" thick
Steel stud framed wall assemblies using exterior gypsum or other
cementitious exterior sheathings
Concrete walls or masonry walls
Stucco wall assemblies

Garapa wood rainscreen cladding with attachment channel over masonry

Why use the Climate-Shield Attachment Channel?

The CSAC8 Attachment Channel works much like a hat channel, but much faster and far more effectively. The Climate-Shield CSAC8 Rainscreen Attachment Channel provides a solid base to attach the Climate-Shield Rain Screen Clips.

CSAC8 Attachment Channel is only 8 feet long - very easy to handle with 1 man
Installs quickly with a single row of screws to attach it to the wall
No galvanic reaction - CSAC8 component is marine grade aluminum, just like the CS2 Rainscreen Clip.
Both the attachment channel and the rainscreen clips are compatible with the self tapping stainless steel screws
Extremely long lasting and high-performance rainscreen system assembly

How to Fasten the CSAC8 Attachment Channel to the Substructure

The rainscreen attachment channel can be fastened to different wall assemblies using the appropriate fasteners for the particular application. Check with your architect or project engineer for best fasteners for your job requirements:

Concrete anchors and/or screws can be used for masonry walls
Stainless steel wood screws for wood fame wall systems and
Self drilling screws for wall assemblies using steel studs.
Long self tapping screws for through-wall attachment to steel studs for gypsum or rigid insulation up to 1-1/2" thick
Long wood screws for through-wall attachment to wood studs for gypsum or rigid insulation up to 1-1/2" thick
Check with your architect or project engineer to determine the best screw and spacing for fastening the attachment channel to the wall for commercial projects.
Architects have lauded the Climate-Shield rain screen system for its "elegant simplicity" and this multipurpose rain screen attachment channel is no exception.

Here is a detail of a typical wall assembly using exterior gypsum and steel studs. In this condition, the attachment channel is fastened through the gypsum sheathing into the steel studs. The appropriate fastener type and screw spacing would be determined by the project engineer based on codes and requirements in the local jurisdiction.

Climate Shield Attachment Channel Exterior gypsum and steel stud wall assembly resized 600

Click Here To See Other Rainscreen wall assembly details

Because the Climate-Shield rainscreen attachment channel is made from marine grade aluminum, it is highly compatible with other Climate-Shield rain screen system components including; the Climate-Shield Rain Screen Clip, the stainless steel fastening screws, Climate-Shield Z-girts and more. Unlike other rain screen systems, when used with these components, the Climate-Shield Rain Screen System has no galvanic action, extending the life expectancy of the rain screen system significantly. This can add decades of additional usable lifetime to the entire home, building or structure.

The Climate-Shield system works great with a variety of different wood siding options.