Rainscreens and band detailing: will I have a problem with bug infiltration at the band?
Hi all,
I’m building a small structure and I’ve decided to install a rainscreen with either the Cor-a-Vent sturdi-battens or MTI corrugated lath strips.
I have two questions:
1. My building design has a horizontal 2×12 band detail that goes around the perimeter. I have attached a sketch of what this looks like. I am already planning on using “starter strips” (Cor-a-Vent SV3) at the top and bottom of the walls to allow air flow and protect against bugs entering the air gap.
However, I am wondering what I should do to protect against bug infiltration at the top and bottom of the band detail. I don’t want to rely on the drip edge keeping insects out. I could use another two horizontal rows of “starter strips” at the top and bottom of the band detail, but If I could use something more economical that would be better because the starter strips are not exactly cheap.
2. I am planning on installing LP panel siding on top of the rainscreen strips vertically on studs. I know that vertical siding is normally installed on top of horizontal rainscreen strips (as shown in various manufacturer instructions), but I am reasoning that since my 4×8 vertical panels span the width of studs and can therefore be nailed into studs (unlike narrower pieces of vertical siding) that I should install the rainscreen strips vertically, not horizontally. Have I got this right?
Thanks for your insights!
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Replies
Nic,
Why don't you trust the drip-edge? it's the same detail that gets used at all window head-flashings. Bed the drip-edge in a bead of caulking and everything is pretty tight.
Yes, vertical strapping is the way to go.
Hi Nic.
I installed the same detail on my house and didn't do anything extra to keep insects out between the skirt and the bottom course of siding. The Z-flashing did the trick. In fact, I had this detail up higher on the gable ends too, where I routed the bottom edge of the trim board and slipped the siding up into the groove and Z-flahing above the trim. No problems. I know that's just one person's experience, but I thought I'd share.