Mataverde Decking Blog

Rainscreen Design: Insulated Sheathing Wood Frame Wall Assembly

Written by Chris Nolan | Tue, Apr 30, 2013 @ 15:04 PM

Rain Screen Design and Construction: Using Insulated Sheathing over Wood Frame Wall Assembly

In many regions of the US and beyond, wood frame construction using non-structural insulated sheathing in lieu of plywood or OSB sheathing, directly over wood studs, is a common construction practice. This helps many designers and builders achieve both their energy efficiency goals and construction material budget goals. We believe that energy efficiency is a critical element to responsible design and construction. We are also big believers in healthy and sustainable design and construction. A properly designed rain screen system can help builders and designers achieve all of their design, construction, budget, energy efficiency and sustainability goals simultaneously.

The downside of using a non-structural exterior sheathing is that it often limits the scope of siding materials that can be selected for rain screen systems. Climate-Shield has recently developed an attachment channel for their rain screen system that allows for quick and efficient design and installation of wood rainscreen cladding on wood frame walls using insulated sheathing. The rain screen attachment channel creates a firm anchor on wall assemblies using wood studs with insulated sheathing up to 1” thick. The Climate-Shield rain screen attachment channel makes rain screen installation efficient, user friendly and affordable.

Ipe wood rainscreen cladding installation over wood frame wall assembly

 

Many homeowners, builders and designers prefer the natural beauty of real wood siding materials and the richness that it brings to their project. If one of your construction goals is to incorporate the warmth and benefits of real wood cladding into your rain screen design, your job just got a little easier and your choices are now wider.  Softwood siding species such as redwood, cedar and cypress may be used in a rainscreen system.  Longer lasting hardwood species are now being selected far more frequently for rain screen designs, not just because of their beauty, but also their long-lasting durability. As designers and builders strive to create 100 year homes, long lasting wood cladding species make a lot of sense.

 

For more information about rain screen cladding options, rainscreen design, rain screen installation and more, please visit our website or visit the following links below:

More About Climate-Shield Rain Screen Wood Siding System

Architectural Rain Screen Details

Wood Rainscreen Cladding and Siding Options

Rainscreen Cladding and Siding Photo Galleries

REQUEST A RAIN SCREEN QUOTE

For a helpful white paper about sustainable rain screen systems and wood rain screen design, please download, “The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Rain Screen Wood Siding”. Download your own FREE Rainscreen Guide today by clicking the following button below: