Lively Learning: Rainscreens

Our Exterior Cladding System

Ever wonder what is going on under a building’s skin to keep it safe from the elements? At Lively Lane, we’re not just slapping on siding. Our homes employ several layers of materials that work together to protect the indoors from the great outdoors. Fiber-cement siding or stucco serves as a first-line of defense - but, unlike most homes, it’s installed as a rain screen on recycled-plastic furring strips or mat attached to the structural sheathing. This creates a secondary insulating air space behind the exterior finish that allows any moisture that does manage to get behind this outer layer to weep down and dry out. Behind this is the last line of defense - an air and water barrier that is factory laminated onto the structural sheathing itself and then field flashed to help keep the weather outside. Together, these products form a robust defense against moisture and air. In our first episode of Lively Learning, our team chats about this dynamic trio and how it works to keep our townhomes dry.

Learn more about our rain screen cladding system at Lively Lane.

What is ZIP System®?

ZIP System® is a structural sheathing system from Huber Engineered Woods that integrates an air and weather barrier that is factory laminated directly to the face of the sheathing. The panels are then field flashed to create a continuous protective envelope around the exterior of each home. This ensures a more uniform application of the air and weather barrier which works to protect the building envelope from water intrusion and regulates the passage of air and vapor into the building, as well.

How is ZIP System® different from commonplace ‘house wrap’?

Both house wrap and ZIP System® aim to protect buildings from the outside elements, but the effectiveness can vary greatly. House wrap’s performance relies heavily on proper installation and vigilant maintenance during the construction process. If you’ve ever seen what looks like paper flapping in the wind as you pass by a construction site, you’ve witnessed one of the potential downfalls of house wrap. A properly installed house wrap that gets covered in a timely manner can perform well for many years; however, the realities of construction mean that wind and rain often visit a construction site multiple times during the exterior construction process, creating opportunities for failure. Conversely, the ZIP System® is designed to be more resilient by moving much of this field work to a more controlled factory environment.

What are those black stripes I’ve seen during construction?

After the Zip System® is flashed, our construction team completed an extra step before installing the exterior finish. Lively Lane uses a rain screen product manufactured from 40-100% post-consumer recycled plastic* to provide a longer-lasting and better performing exterior envelope. The rain screen's job is to create a small air gap between the sheathing and the fiber cement siding or stucco, which accomplishes two important things:

• It allows any water that might sneak behind the siding to easily drain away.

• It lets air circulate in between the siding / stucco and sheathing, which allows the exterior materials to better dry.

This simple addition is skipped by most homebuilders - but it helps protect your home from moisture damage, improves the longevity of the exterior finish, and is overall a critical factor in making sure the building stays dry and healthy for years to come.

Let's break down the three layers of protection for your home once more:

• Outer layer: Fiber-cement siding or stucco system

  • A durable, long-term material that forms the final finish of the home

  • The first line of defense against the elements

• Middle layer: Rain screen furring

• Creates a small air gap behind the siding and sheathing or stucco

• Allows any water that gets past the siding to drain away

• Promotes air circulation to help dry out any moisture, preventing degradation and increasing the lifespan of the exterior siding

• Inner layer: ZIP System® sheathing

• Acts as the primary water and air barrier

• Stops any water that makes it past the exterior finish

• Protects the interior of your home from water and air leakage.

Together, these three layers form a robust exterior cladding system that works to protect your home for years to come.

*Furring strips behind siding are composed of 100% recycled content; furring mat behind stucco is composed of 40% recycled content.