Building Envelope
Recent code changes have included cavity construction into most exterior cladding types. These code changes have been adopted in national codes for stucco and manufactured stone, and for all cladding in some regional areas. In the case of Canadian provinces, Rainscreen is a design requirement. Walls, roofs and foundations are designed to last. These portions of the structure are where architects have to be confident. Building a roof or wall to the same life span as the floor finish or the wall color wouldn’t be prudent. We don’t want to modify the wall construction, so building it right the first time is essential. Keene approaches commercial walls with rainscreen products and mortar collection devices. We sell Driwall™ Rainscreen for all types of cladding, but most particularly for stucco, manufactured stone, wood and cementitious planking. For masonry, we increase the thickness of the cavity to achieve the BIA desired cavity width, and supply Driwall™ CAV-AIR-ATOR in an inch or less thickness. In applications greater than an inch, we collect the mortar droppings with Driwall™ Mortar Deflection.
Certain places can’t have a wet spot.
The Brick Institute has a lot more experience with masonry structures then just about anyone. That’s why for years the institute has specified a cavity to allow for the drainage of the incidental moisture that passes through masonry. Brick is porous, and the mortar that holds the brick together is just as porous (if not more) than the brick. Stone, cultured stone and block have the same characteristic – THEY ALL LET MOISTURE PASS THROUGH. Having a clear path for moisture to drain is the answer. Cavities are specified by the Brick Institute to be two inches (5 cm) in thickness. Having a clear path with no mortar dams and no bridging of mortar is the owner’s assurance of NO problems later in the life of the building. Remember, masonry buildings are meant to last, and brick and stone are selected for their longevity. Providing a long-term solution to moisture problems is what Driwall™ Rainscreen and Driwall™ Mortar Deflection are designed to accomplish.
Another KEENE IDEA®!!!