What is Driwall Rainscreen? 

Driwall^tm Rainscreen is a drainage mat for exterior wall systems. The entangled net product eliminates incidental moisture problems in most exterior veneer applications, including stucco, manufactured stone, and plank siding. With the increase in building “tightness” for thermal protection, moisture problems are on the rise, causing a greater need for hydrostatic pressure release and a ventilation method. The full-wall DriwalI Rainscreen product rolls over the water-resistive barrier to separate it from the exterior veneer. The airspace that Driwall Rainscreen creates increases airflow through the wall cavity, allowing the wall to breathe and stay dry.

Why should Driwall Rainscreen be used instead of a dimpled or pleated house wrap product? 

The house wrap products do not provide an adequate gap between the cladding and the sheathing to break the capillary action of water droplets so that positive drainage can occur. Furthermore, these products do not provide enough open space for air to flow through the walls. Driwall Rainscreen provides a minimum of ¼ inch of airspace to allow moisture to drain down and out of the wall. The ¼ inch of open space allows air to flow through the wall to provide the ventilation that is necessary to dry out the sheathing and the exterior veneer.

What applications is Driwall Rainscreen used in? 

Driwall Rainscreen is used behind stucco, manufactured stone, thin natural stone or brick and siding to provide an assured airspace for drainage and ventilation. 

What is the process for installing Driwall Rainscreen? 

Driwall Rainscreen is installed over the water-resistive barrier after all flashing details have been completed. The product is cut to fit around all windows, doors, and other penetrations just as a weather resistant barrier would be installed. Driwall Rainscreen can be attached using cap nails, screws, or staples. The siding or the lath, scratch coat, and exterior veneer are then installed per the manufacturer’s installation guidelines. 

How does the fabric on one side of the Driwall Rainscreen work? 

The fabric is a breathable, nonwoven fabric that faces away from the sheathing. It prevents plaster or debris from entering the designed airspace. The three-inch selvage edge of fabric is folded over the adjacent sections of Driwall Rainscreen and can also be folded over the top and bottom openings to serve as a bug screen. 

Contact Keene for more information and start using Driwall Rainscreen in your system today.