Description

Constructing drained cavities behind wall cladding is standard practice these days, although it is still possible to build with direct-fixed cladding in some lower-risk situations. So why do we build with cavity (rainscreen) construction?

In the early 2000s when weathertightness problems shook the industry, installing cladding systems over a battened cavity was a prudent measure to reduce the risk of water penetration.

Scope

This article includes:

• Cavities provide resilience
• Research established performance limits
  • Ten times longer to dry with each layer
  • Ventilation varies by cladding and cavity size
• 20 mm cavities just the right size
• Cavity systems important in 4Ds
• Key points