Rain screen systems have only become a widely used building practice in recent years. They’re now being adopted as standard practice by more and more architects and homebuilders, not only because of the protection they offer from excess moisture, but the added energy efficiency they provide to the home. Additionally a wood rain screen can add unparalleled natural beauty to the exterior of your home.
When builders talk about rain screens, they usually mean the space between the air and water resistant layer of the exterior of the home (drainage plane) and the siding. 
Typically, the drainage plane is constructed using either asphalt felt or house wrap, and the air gap (wall cavity) is formed between this layer and the back of the siding. In addition to the three layers of protection, flashings are used in particularly vulnerable areas of the siding, which drain water away from the water-resistant wrapping on the home. With the proper amount of space between the siding and the drainage plane, water will easily drain out of the cavity, protecting the exterior walls of the home from penetration.
When a well-designed rain screen system is properly installed by an expert, it provides added protection to the home, because it offers a simple and durable method for installing seamless insulation on the exterior. With a rain screen system, extra insulation may also be added to the interior or exterior of a home. Added insulation means there’s a hardworking barrier protecting the interior of your home from the drastically changing temperatures outdoors. This protection gives your heating and air conditioning system a break, meaning your unit doesn’t have to work nearly as hard to keep your home comfortable. This will decrease your heating and cooling bills along with your energy consumption, reducing the overall carbon footprint of your home.
How Rain Screens Protect Your Home from Excess Moisture
The presence of excess moisture can have numerous negative effects on the wellbeing of your home. A well designed rain screen protects your home from the consequences of excess moisture by reducing the amount of water that comes in contact with the water resistant barrier of your home. While the water-resistant layer is in place to prevent water penetration into your wall assembly, the rainscreen acts as a first defense, directing water away from the water-resistant layer.
Through the use of a rainscreen system, you can reduce your building expenses over time by protecting your home from the warping, mold, or mildew that excess water can cause. Additionally, you can start saving money right away by using a rainscreen to increase the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your monthly utility costs.
We hope you enjoyed this article. About the Guest Author: Mary Sauer is a writer for Modernize, a company that is dedicated to providing energy saving solutions to homeowners, including solar, windows and Heating/Air Conditioning.
Please visit MataverdeDecking.com for additional information about rain screens, wood siding options and more:
|
Related Posts
