Rainscreen for vertical Maibec siding
Hi
I will be laying vertical V joint Maibec siding.
Maibec recommends an initial vertical 1×3 strapping 16”oc against the sheathing with a horizontal 1×3 strapping 12” oc on top and then the vertical siding, though this seems like a ridiculous amount of labour and materials.
I had the thought to use horizontal strapping 12” oc with a plastic strip of 1/8” ‘twin wall’ stapled to the backside of it. This way the strapping is not directly against the sheathing or tyvek, a drainage spacer is created by the twin wall. I believe this will work and will still be a complete pain to accomplish though far less than strapping the entire outside of this house.. twice
Any ideas about this or other solutions? I’m sure I’m not the first person to come across this vertical siding rainscreen issue
Im using SIP panels for this project
I’ve attached photos of the strapping and twin wall
Thanks
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Replies
I believe there are various plastic furring products that might be able to install horizontally and still provide vertical drainage. Then the wood siding can go on top of those.
I'd double check this though, I haven't actually seen an installation myself. But I can't imagine someone would go to the effort of making such a product if it didn't have advantages over the furring grid you're describing.
Cor-a-vent is one example: https://pioneermillworks.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ABB87D98-AC75-46D4-908C-0EF869844457.jpg
I would probably do diagonal strapping with periodic gaps for drainage.
If you want the wall and siding to dry the best and fastest, you need a vertical air space--enough for air to actually flow. I doubt enough air would move through 1/8" twin-wall polycarbonate to do much, but it would be better than doing horizontal strapping only. I sometimes spec Obdyke Hydrogap for similar situations, because it allows water to drain behind the strapping and does triple duty as a WRB and air control layer. I have also spec'd diagonal strapping, as Patrick suggests; that provides both horizontal-ish nailing and vertical drainage and airflow. But it's slower to install; if you have the depth available, you might find that it's fastest and easiest to just follow Maibec's instructions.
Willgreen -- Are you buying the Maibec v-groove in the US?