A rainscreen facade is a type of exterior cladding system designed to protect a building from weather elements.
It works by creating a gap between the outer cladding and the structural wall of the building, allowing moisture to escape while improving the building’s overall thermal and moisture control.
Rainscreen systems consist of an outer cladding layer, an air cavity or ventilation gap, a waterproof membrane on the structural wall and support brackets or fixings that secure the cladding. This allows airflow to offer effective moisture management and weather protection for the building.
The exterior cladding serves as the first line of defence, shielding the building from direct rain and wind. It’s not completely sealed, which allows some moisture to penetrate.
Behind the outer cladding, there’s a cavity (air gap) which allows air to circulate. This ventilation helps any water that infiltrates to drain away or evaporate, preventing moisture from building up on the structural wall.
This is the actual load-bearing structure of the building, protected by a waterproof membrane. The rainscreen design ensures that the inner layer remains dry, thus preserving the structural integrity.
Rainscreen Facades offers numerous benefits, including better insulation, reduced condensation and an extended lifespan for the building’s structural components.
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There are a whole host of finishing options when it comes to rainscreen, all of which have their own features and benefits.
The timeless appeal of traditional brick makes it a very popular choice for many projects but conventional brick work is time consuming, labour intensive and can add significant weight to a building.
Brick cladding uses brick tiles or ‘slips’ as a lightweight alternative that is cheaper and faster to install while offering the same aesthetic.
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Contemporary metal facades can be specified for new builds or easily retrofitted for the refurbishment of existing buildings. Options include uncomplicated hook-on panels, large format panels, fully concealed fixings, and sustainable recyclable panels.
You can specify a host of different materials from aluminium and composite, to steel, copper and zinc. There are options for every aesthetic and every budget. Systems are both simple to design and easy to install.
All the beauty of wood, without the maintenance. Using high performance materials, you can specify a timber style virtually indistinguishable from the real thing – but without wood’s natural limitations. Quick and simple to install, these modular components clip together and offer lightweight good looks, durability and longevity.
Concealed fixings give a seamless finish and an ever-growing number of colours and woodgrain styles means you can achieve the exact timber aesthetic your project requires
There’s a reason that terracotta has been used as a building material for centuries. This hard-wearing material has a host of natural properties to benefit modern buildings. Modern terracotta tiles are available in large scale versions with bespoke glazes and finish options, making terracotta a versatile option for any project.
There is limitless design potential, thanks to a host of different sizes which can be oriented vertically or horizontally. This natural solution far outperforms many other modern alternatives. These materials offer a timeless, sophisticated appearance and are extremely durable.
Stone rainscreen systems provide a cost-effective, lightweight alternative to traditional hand set stone (2-3 times faster) without compromising on authentic appearance.
Stone tiles are fixed to a vertical T rail, and are available in different colours and sizes to create the desired stone effect.
Choose from 20mm, 30mm or 40mm.The natural stone rainscreen systems used by Hamilton are tested to meet or exceed current UK requirements.
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