Integrated Rainscreen Siding for Moisture Drainage on Concrete Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wood or wood-composite based lap siding on concrete wall or block construction requires the use of a weather resistant barrier (WRB) or separate rainscreen, leading to increased cost, labor, and compromised drainage due to compression, which results in moisture absorption and deterioration.
Innovation Solution
Integrated rainscreen feature applied to the back of the siding during manufacturing, eliminating the need for a WRB or separate rainscreen, with raised elements or ridges providing channels for drainage and resisting compression, allowing fasteners to be applied through the siding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate rainscreen or WRB layer is used behind wood-based siding on concrete construction, then moisture protection is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rainscreen function directly into the wood-based siding product itself, eliminating the need for separate WRB layers or rainscreen systems. The siding incorporates drainage channels and moisture management features as integral components, merging multiple functions (structural cladding, moisture protection, drainage) into a single unified product.
Solution Approach 2:
The wood-based siding product performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the structural cladding, the moisture barrier, and the rainscreen system with integrated drainage capabilities. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized components for each function.
2Reliability
If a woven-mesh style WRB is used behind siding, then moisture protection is improved, but drainage capability is compromised due to compression at attachment points
Solution Approach 1:
The siding incorporates locally varied features including raised portions and channels at specific locations to manage water drainage. The design includes strategic drainage paths and ventilation channels positioned to maintain drainage capability while providing moisture protection, with different zones serving different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rainscreen function is segmented into discrete channels and drainage paths within the siding structure, allowing water to flow through defined pathways without being blocked by compression. The segmented design maintains open drainage channels while providing overall moisture protection.
3Reliability
If multiple separate layers (siding, WRB, rainscreen) are used, then moisture protection is improved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the siding installation with the rainscreen and moisture barrier installation into a single step. The wood-based siding product is installed as one component that simultaneously provides all moisture protection functions, eliminating the sequential installation of multiple separate layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The single siding product performs multiple protective functions that previously required separate layers, including structural support, moisture barrier, and rainscreen capabilities, thereby reducing the number of installation steps and materials required.
Data Source
AI summary
A wood or manufactured wood-composite based siding used on wall construction (including, but not limited to, insulated concrete form construction) with an integrated rainscreen feature. The rainscreen feature or component is applied to, or integrated into or with, the back of the siding (i.e., the inner surface) during the manufacturing process, or in a secondary process thereafter. The features may include raised elements, strips, ridges, or wedges, with one or more channels or spaces. No job-site assembly is required, thereby reducing time and cost.