FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Insulation

Guide Home
Chapter
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Air-Sealing
  • Choosing Insulation
  • Installing Insulation
  • Water Management
Mastered in a Minute

How to Install a Ventilated Rainscreen

Providing an air space between siding and sheathing helps walls to stay dry, making houses more durable.

By Official Fine Homebuilding Post

A ventilated rainscreen is a way to clad an exterior wall to make it less likely to suffer moisture problems that lead to rot and peeling paint. First, the weather resistive barrier (WRB) consisting of tarpaper or housewrap combined with window and door flashings is installed. Vertical furring is applied over the WRB, and the siding is nailed to the furring. The channels created by the furring strips make an air space that allows the back of the siding to dry out, whether the source of moisture is wind-driven rain, capillary action, or interior moisture that escapes through the housewrap. Screening at the bottom and top of the channels excludes insects.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
Previous: What’s the Building Code for Housewrap Installation? Next: How to Use a Spray-Applied Water-Resistive Barrier

Guide

Insulation

Chapter

Water Management

View Comments

  1. milwaukee | Jan 21, 2016 05:32pm | #1

    great vid. Window install not so good.

    thanks

  2. Michael1986 | Jan 25, 2016 08:46am | #2

    Than you for this quick guide. In my case it wasn't so simple, but finally I managed.

  3. wwwhomeequitycarecom | Jan 26, 2016 11:11am | #3

    I'm still a little uncertain about which wrap is most compatible with the moisture level changes in the structure and surfactants, molds and spores in the sheeting. It would be nice to see a comprehensive review of the difference between rainscreens and barrier envelopes. How are the seals, drains and vents different with the two methods? How can prolonged moisture saturation caused by glass or other surface drainage be managed to prevent moisture rot damage?

  4. Joseph1962 | Apr 14, 2016 06:29pm | #4

    I like this video. This soundtruck is good as well. Good job man!

  5. mherstand | Feb 01, 2019 01:05pm | #5

    Hello, how can I use the ventilated rainwall system with Vertical board and batten exterior cladding? It seems to me that horizontal battens wouldn't let infiltrated moisture drain.
    Thanks

    1. User avater
      mike_guertin | Apr 13, 2019 12:52pm | #6

      Some brands of plastic strips (DCI cedar vent, Cor-a-vent SV series) have vent channels running perpendicular to the length so you can run the strips horizontally for vertical board/batten installation. Water drains and air flows.

  6. user-7470259 | Jun 13, 2019 10:04am | #7

    I have stone veneer on the bottom half of my wall, transitioning to hardie plank on top half of wall. No rainscreen was installed, just osb sheathing, then tyvek housewrap, then siding. No gap behind the hardie for drainage, though there is behind the stone. I have seen that through wall flashing is recommended at the transition between siding materials. We have an opportunity to add that right now, but does it make sense if we have no rainscreen system?

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Insulation

Insulation

Trusted, comprehensive guidance from the pros for a home that is healthy, comfortable, and energy efficient

View Project Guide

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Insulation Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

Energy Efficiency
  • Understanding Energy and Houses
  • Building Energy-Efficient Homes
Air-Sealing
  • Air-Sealing Basics
  • Air-Sealing Tools and Materials
  • Foundations and Floors
  • Walls, Windows, and Doors
  • Attics and Roofs
Choosing Insulation
  • Insulation Basics
  • Material Choices
Installing Insulation
  • Insulating Attics and Roofs
  • Insulating Walls
  • Insulating Floors, Footings, and Slabs
  • Insulating Foundation Walls
Water Management
  • Water-Management Principles
  • Materials
  • Installation Methods

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in