Are there new residential building codes requiring a rain screen ontop of the house wrap before the siding goes on? I found an article from BC that this is a new standard as of October 2008.
Listeners write in about running a profitable contracting business and ask questions about patching drywall, adding air barriers, and fixing a patio poured against the house.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Maybe at the coast. I live in centerl B.C. and I haven't seen it done here.
http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id22836
January 22, 2007
Building Codes
Rainscreen requirement tops building code changes
One of the major changes to the code, Humphrey said, is the requirement for homebuilders to abide by rainscreen requirements for all residential construction, including single-family dwellings.
But it is based on Canada building code, so not sure if it is just BC or what.
When I wrote my BOABC exam last year there was only a brief mention of it being code. Although it is in there many of the inspectors that were in the class weren't very knowledgeable on it.
It is just for the coastal region of BC. Most Provinces have replaced their individual codes with the Canadian Building Code but then amend it for specific regional differences. (Wouldn't be much point mandating it for Winnipeg)
I'm surprised the Maritimes haven't adopted something similar. Newfoundland had a huge problem with building envelope failure in the '90s.
Edited 8/27/2008 1:38 pm ET by fingersandtoes
Thanks for the info, the link to all things rain screen holds a lot of good info. As a HO, trying to figure out code is a nightmare. As we are building lake front, that gets alot of wind and sometimes rain, and we will be using Hardie siding, the rain screen idea seemed like a good one. Might be overkill for us, but everything that can go wrong has gone wrong, so the extra insurance so to speak may be worth it.
Good luck. Try and imagine sitting looking out the windows at the lake when it's all over. If nothing else you will have some good building stories to tell friends.
Thx. After the second summer, I had thoughts of writing a book, but a friend has suggested to me it would be an epic novel of biblical porportions given all that has happened. :)
Alot of the codes they implement are for a general application but municipality plays a big role as well. Where I live it is not enforced yet but one of our site foreman from the cost is familiar with it. We have adopted alot of weird rules which are not part of the code but part of what the city wants. Have you slowed down yet? Are you commercial or residential. Don't mean to highjack the thread.
I now do all residential with the exception of ongoing work at a resort nearby that has cabins and a restaurant. No slow down here yet. Lots of projects for the couple of years, but the signs are there. House prices are softening and although lot prices are staying high, not many are selling. Waterfront and view lot construction is very dependant on international markets and the health of their economies. Here it comes.
Yes the code was amended in BC first to mandate rainscreen for all multi-unit residential construction and later all single family houses were included too.
I'm not sure if the amendments were just for the coast. The interior may be exempt. Since I'm on Vancouver Island, I haven't bothered to find out.
In practice, most of the detailing for the rainscreen comes from the warranty providers. The code allows several approaches.