Porous Batten System for Moisture Control in Wall Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
New batten and furring strip products, while promoting airflow, often trap moisture between their solid non-pervious surfaces and siding or exterior sheathing, leading to dampness accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A batten system with elongated piers and air flow channels, made from thermoplastic materials like polyolefins, polyesters, or polyamides, is designed to minimize contact area and facilitate airflow between the exterior sheathing and siding, reducing moisture entrapment by creating spaces for air to flow through and across the batten.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If solid non-pervious battens are used to promote airflow between sheathing and siding, then airflow is improved, but moisture entrapment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The batten incorporates a pervious surface with pores or openings that allow moisture vapor to pass through, preventing entrapment while maintaining the airflow promotion function. This transforms the solid non-pervious surface into a porous structure that permits vapor transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The batten surface is segmented into multiple pores or openings distributed across the surface area, creating numerous pathways for moisture vapor to escape while maintaining structural integrity and airflow promotion capabilities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spaced apart battens are used to create airspace, then moisture prevention is improved, but contact area with siding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pervious surface allows moisture vapor to pass through the contact area between batten and siding, preventing moisture accumulation even where contact occurs, thereby reducing the harmful effects of the contact area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The batten system effectively reduces moisture entrapment by up to 85% compared to existing solutions, ensuring better airflow and preventing dampness accumulation between the batten, siding, and exterior sheathing.
Implementation Method 1
Air flows through the first air flow channel and this air flow may reduce moisture entrapment between the batten and the siding or the exterior sheathing
Data Source
AI summary
A wall (or roof) system includes: an exterior sheathing covers a frame, a plurality of spaced apart battens are affixed on the sheathing, and a siding in contact with the battens. Each batten includes: a backweb having two sides and a length, a plurality of elongated piers upstanding on each side of the backweb, each pier running the length of the backweb, and each pier having a distal surface, and a first air flow channel defined between adjacent piers and a horizontal pier cutting through adjacent piers. Air flows between airspaces created between the exterior sheathing and the siding by the batten. Air also flows through the first air flow channel and this air flow may reduce moisture entrapment between the batten and the siding or the exterior sheathing. The batten may also have a second air flow channel at an angle to the first air flow channel.