Rainscreen siding can be a cost-effective solution to improve your home’s energy costs and comfort levels. Its design concept is very simple: place the wood siding a few inches away from the house's exterior sheathing. This creates a cavity between the siding and the sheathing that allows moisture to escape rather than being trapped inside. The siding also acts as a rain screen that keeps the elements away from the home's structure. So, if you want a reliable and cost-effective way to improve your home's energy efficiency and protect it from moisture damage, rainscreen siding is an excellent option.
Why is rainscreen siding better than traditional siding?
Traditional siding and rainscreen siding may look similar from the outside. However, their function, reliability, and longevity make a difference in their ability to ensure a healthier and sustainable home.
Traditional wood siding usually consists of wood boards, clapboard, shakes, or singles arranged in a pattern. It’s also common to use various tongue or shiplap and wood siding profiles. For a unique look, some installations use vertical, horizontal, or diagonal siding and board and batten.
Rainscreen provides for a Chimney Effect allowing an air gap behind the siding to insure it stays dry and healthy in any environment. To produce the full Rainscreen benefits you install over furring strips to insure the rainscreen chimney gap.
In addition, you can use easier to install Off Batton rainscreen siding because it doesn’t require furring strips. Plus, you can use starter rails to easily line up the boards. High-quality rainscreens come with marine-grade aluminum clips and stainless steel screws to increase longevity.
Better performance
Rainscreen siding is more effective at protecting against moisture damage, especially when made of Brazilian hardwood like ipe or garapa. As long as it’s properly designed and installed, it can resemble traditional siding or provide a one-of-a-kind, custom look. A rainscreen system will also help create a healthier home by keeping the elements and excessive moisture out.
Longer-lasting without any maintenance
It’s easier to install a Brazilian hardwood rainscreen. Plus, maintenance isn’t necessary. The color of garapa or ipe rainscreens may gray with sun exposure, but you can preserve their beauty with a UV-protecting finisher, which you can apply periodically. Brazilian hardwoods are dense and more durable than standard woods and are rated to last a lifetime from 40 to 100 years.
Update your home with Brazilian hardwood rainscreens
Get your rainscreen siding from ABS Wood! They offer ipe, garapa, and cumaru rainscreens to suit your aesthetic requirements. Browse their photo gallery on their website to see samples and ideas on how specific hardwoods and colors will look on your home.
About the Author:
Bruce Master is the general manager at Advanced Building Supplies. Advanced Building Supplies, aka ABS Wood, specializes in a full line of Brazilian Hardwood products, including Ipe, Garapa, Cumaru, and Tigerwood. Exotic woods is a natural outgrowth for Bruce as he comes from a long line of woodworkers. His Grandfather and Father were both respected wood craftsmen and cabinet makers. In addition to managing ABS, Bruce designs, plans, and installs his own decks. Before selling Brazilian Hardwoods, Bruce worked as a generalist at a huge Ace Hardware in Miami, Florida, that catered to an almost exclusive clientele of contractors working on Miami Beach.
