Exterior Pieces That Provide Protection From The Elements
Rainscreen cladding provides a protective barrier that extends outward from a building's exterior. Natural stone, metal, and composite materials are used to create an envelope that will prevent moisture accumulation. Exterior cladding pieces can be aligned horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
The Composition Of Cladding
Cladding consists of a veneer surface, which may include a series of finished and unfinished materials. There will be a ventilated area behind the veneers. This ventilated area aids with drying out surfaces that comprise the backside of the veneers and the exterior side of structural materials that the veneers are covering. Although the main purpose of the cladding is to block moisture, leaving small joints throughout a veneer surface will be most beneficial.
These small joints allow a minimal amount of moisture in, without compromising the integrity of a cladding system. The main purpose of a veneer is to protect structural components. The small joints do not minimize the effectiveness of cladding. Instead, they ensure that proper airflow is maintained around a building.
The Installation Of Cladding Pieces
A contractor who installs rainscreen cladding will recommend natural or synthetic materials that will adequately protect a building and improve its aesthetics. Some cladding products are designed to give a building a textured appearance. Masonry or rock slabs may be used to create a textured effect. Finished materials will provide a building with a glossy, smooth finish.
Some cladding materials are marketed as part of an interlocking panel system. All of the pieces that will be aligned along a building's exterior will hook together. A framework is often used to secure cladding pieces. The framework will include a series of rails that will rest along the underside of adjacent cladding materials. The rails will push the cladding slightly outward from a building's exterior. This will result in a narrow gap being located between the cladding pieces and the structural materials that comprise a building's exterior.
The rails will be hidden, once the cladding pieces have been installed. Clips are often used to hold down cladding pieces. There are visible and non-visible clip products that are used to secure cladding. Before cladding products are installed, a contractor will determine the layout of the pieces. Since there are various patterns and layout possibilities that can be used, a client may be shown some examples of the different layouts. This will aid a client in choosing a cladding design that they prefer the most.