Which Climate-Shield Wood Rainscreen System is Best for My Project?

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If you're tired of using furring strips to create a rainscreen, Climate-Shield offers the most extensive solution for you to save time and labor. Climate-Shield rainscreen components have been providing the most reliable rainscreen fastening for wood cladding projects throughout North America over the past two decades. Climate-Shield produces rainscreen components for all sorts of project designs and building types.

Garapa Rainscreen Siding and Roofing with Climate-Shield systemGarapa rainscreen siding and roofing using the Climate-Shield CS2 system

Design professionals love the ‘elegant simplicity’ of the rainscreen clip and components. Architects also value the life cycle cost and health benefits. Contractors love the ease of installation and labor savings. Property owners appreciate how the Climate-Shield rainscreen system showcases the beauty of their wood siding while protecting their home or building.


Interested in seeing some amazing residential wood rainscreen project design ideas? 

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Architects have told us they like the simplicity of the Climate-Shield rainscreen system. It allows them to create better designs with many different natural wood siding options. The project designs not only look better, but they also perform better. Climate-Shield is the ideal rainscreen solution for residential projects, commercial projects, schools, and institutions.


Want to check out some spectacular wood rainscreen designs on schools, universities and institutions?

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Why use the Climate-Shield Rainscreen System?

Climate-Shield is generally considered the most effective and complete rainscreen system for wood siding. Climate-Shield has some unique advantages over traditional wood rainscreen methods. Especially old-school methods that require wood furring strips to create a rainscreen gap.

For starters, if you are designing and building a rainscreen over plywood or OSB exterior sheathing, Climate-Shield eliminates the need for, and avoids the pitfalls of using furring strips to create your rain screen cavity. It also saves material costs, labor time and labor costs. By eliminating the furring strips, your rainscreen wall cavity ventilates quickly. This creates a higher performing and healthier rainscreen design.

  • No furring strips needed over plywood or OSB exterior sheathing.
  • Save the cost of furring materials and labor costs for furring.
  • Save valuable installation time.
  • Creates a higher performance, better ventilating rainscreen wall cavity.

The Climate-Shield rainscreen system installs far more easily than other clips that rely on furring strips to create a rainscreen gap.

CS2 rainscreen wall assembly

If you are trying to design and build a structure with a high performance rainscreen, Climate-Shield is a proven performer for all types of wall assemblies and building types. There are specialized Climate-Shield rainscreen components for many different types of wall assemblies and soffits.

Meet the Climate-Shield family:

Climate-Shield CS2 System

The CS2 system is the ‘big daddy’ of the Climate-Shield family. It is strong, reliable, dependable, and durable.   The Climate-Shield CS 2 rainscreen clip and related components are ideal for the most unforgiving weather, climate, and site conditions. The CS2 clip fastens with two stainless steel screws for maximum holding power. The CS2 system is designed to withstand hurricane force winds exceeding 200 MPH, or the seismic equivalent. The CS2 system is the sturdiest and most robust member of the Climate-Shield family.

 

Where to use the Climate-Shield CS2 rainscreen system:

You can’t go wrong with the CS2 system on any residential or commercial project design that has plywood or OSB exterior sheathing. The CS2 system components automatically set a ¾” rainscreen gap without the need for furring strips. The pressure equalized, open joint design affords the fasted drying times to keep the wall cavity clear of bulk water and moisture. The CS2 rainscreen components work great for siding and soffits.

Best Rainscreen Design Applications for Climate-Shield CS2

·         Horizontal siding for homes and buildings

·         Vertical siding for homes and buildings

·         Soffits of all types

·         Exterior ceilings requiring ventilation.

·         Projects that are in hurricane zones

·         Projects with exterior gypsum wall assemblies (with CSAC8 Attachment Channel)

·         Masonry walls (with CSAC8 Attachment Channel)

·         Projects with exterior insulation (with CSZG Z-Girt)

 

What Rainscreen Components are available for the CS2 Family?

  • The Climate-Shield CS2 rainscreen clip is the heart of the CS2 family. The CS2 clip has been described by architects as elegantly simple. And rightfully so. The CS2 rainscreen clip eliminates the need for furring strips over plywood or OSB.
    climate-shield_rain_screen_clip
  • The CSSR8 horizontal starter rail is installed at the bottom of a horizontal siding wall assembly. This eight-foot time saving component installs quickly and level for horizontal siding installations. Once you set this easy-to-install component level, all your siding will The CSSR8 starter rail has predrilled holes for easy mounting and weep holes for quick water drainage at the bottom of the wall cavity.
    CSSR8 Climate-Shield horizontal starter rail-1
  • The CSVSR8 vertical starter rail is installed at the bottom of the wall assembly for vertical installations. The CSVSR8 also has predrilled holes for easy mounting and ¼” weep holes for rapid bulk water drainage.
    CSVSR8 Climate-Shield CSVSR8 vertical starter rail
  • Cor-A-Vent SV5 is a ¾” thick siding vent that installs directly above either the vertical or horizontal starter rail. At the bottom of the wall cavity, it minimizes the potential for insects from entering the wall cavity (rainscreen gap). At the top of the wall assembly, the SV5 siding vent is perfect for ventilation and insect penetration prevention.
    Rain_Screen_Siding_Vent_with_insect_screen-small_

  • The CSAC8 Rainscreen Attachment Channel is ideal to create a fastening point for the CS2 rainscreen clips on masonry walls, CMU, exterior gypsum, and other wall assemblies where there is no plywood to fasten the CS2 rainscreen clips to directly.

Garapa hardwood siding fastened to Climate-Shield CSAC8 Rainscreen attachment channel over masonry

The CSAC8 attachment channel acts as a metal furring strip and will not rot like wood furring strips. Like the CS2 rainscreen clips, the CSAC8 attachment channel is made from marine grade aluminum, so there is no galvanic action between the clips and screws.

 

  • CSZG Climate-Shield Z-Girt is ideal to create a secure fastening point for CS2 clips on wall assemblies with exterior insulation or to meet elevation requirements. Climate-Shield Z Girts are available with web lengths up to 8” to meet your project needs.

climate-shield_rain_screen_system_using_z-girt_for_exterior_insulation_application


Check out some amazing wood rainscreen designs on commercial projects.

Download the Wood Rainscreen Commercial Projects Portfolio today.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR CLIMATE-SHIELD CS 2 SYSTEM:

CS2 Design Details and Specifications

Climate-Shield Installation Guidelines

Wood Siding Options for use with Climate-Shield 

DOWNLOAD the Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Wood Rainscreens



Climate-Shield CS10 System

Although the CS10 rainscreen clip is smaller than the CS2 clip, it is still exceptionally strong, dependable, durable, and very versatile. The CS10 rainscreen clip creates a 10 mm (approx. 3/8”) rainscreen gap and installs quickly with one screw. The low profile of the CS10 clip makes it ideal for remodeling and re-siding projects, as well as soffits.

Ipe rainscreen soffit with Climate-Shield CS10 specialty clip

Climate-Shield CS10 fasteners have a low profile, ideal for soffits and siding

 

Where to use the Climate-Shield CS10 rainscreen system:

You can’t go wrong with the versatile CS10 system on any residential project that has plywood or OSB exterior sheathing. CS10 is ideal for soffits and horizontal siding installations. Recladding and remodeling projects go smoothly with the CS10 rainscreen clip and CS10SR starter rail.

Here’s why. Because the CS10 rainscreen gap is shallower, the siding face projects only 1-1/16” off the building envelope. This is less than the projection of about 95% of the residential wood windows on the market. That means you don’t have to add extra trim around most window and door openings.

 

Best Applications for CS10 rainscreen

·         Horizontal siding for homes and buildings over plywood or OSB exterior sheathing

·         Vertical siding for homes and buildings over plywood or OSB exterior sheathing

·         Soffits of all types

·         Exterior ceilings requiring ventilation.

·         Projects located in areas with winds lower than 160 MPH.

 

What Rainscreen Components are available for the CS10 System?

  • The Climate-Shield CS10 rainscreen clip is the heart of the CS10 family. The CS10 installs quickly, with one screw and creates a shallower rainscreen cavity that minimizes the need for additional trim around windows.

Climate-Shield CS10 Rainscreen clip

  • The CS10SR horizontal starter rail is installed at the bottom of the wall assembly. The starter rail is eight feet long for easy handling and accurate leveling. The CS10SR starter rail will save you time and aggravation on the job site. Once you set the starter rail on the level, all your siding courses line up perfectly. The starter rail has predrilled mounting holes for quick installation and predrilled weep holes for quick bulk water drainage at the bottom of the wall cavity.

 

  • The CS10VSR vertical starter rail is installed at the bottom of the wall assembly for vertical rainscreen siding installations. The CS10VSR also has predrilled holes for easy mounting and ¼” weep holes for rapid bulk water drainage.

CS10VSR vertical starter rail

  • Cor-A-Vent SV3 is a four-foot-long siding vent that works well with the CS10 system. It installs directly above either the vertical or horizontal starter rail. At the bottom of the wall cavity, it minimizes the potential for insects from entering the wall cavity (rainscreen gap). You can use the Cor-A-Vent SV3 at the top of the wall assembly, too. This helps promote top of wall ventilation and minimize insect penetration into the wall cavity.
    Cor-A-Vent SV3 siding vent

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CS10 SYSTEM:

Climate-Shield CS10 System

CS10 Design Details and Specifications

 



 

Climate-Shield CST Rainscreen System

The Climate-Shield CST rainscreen system is designed exclusively for use with Pura NFC siding by Trespa. The CST system components make the installation of Pura siding faster and eliminates the need for furring strips for the siding.   The CST system is designed for installations over plywood and OSB exterior sheathing and a high quality weather resistive barrier.

Pura NFC Mystic Cedar siding warms stone entryway and hardscaping

Pura NFC siding by Trespa is available in a wide range of decors that look like as beautiful as real wood.

 

Where to use the Climate-Shield CST rainscreen system:

The CST system may be used to install Pura NFC siding on residential and commercial projects that have either plywood or OSB exterior sheathing. CST components may also be used for soffits and vertical and horizontal siding installations.  The CST system eliminates the need to use furring strips to install Pura siding. Bye bye. So, you will save significant time, labor, money and resources with the CST system on horizontal Pura siding installations.

You will be even happier using the CST system on vertical siding installations.  Here's why: There is absolutely no need to create an elaborate matrix of furring strips when installing Pura vertically with the Climate-Shield CST system. In fact, you won't need any furring strips to install the siding at all. The CST system makes furring strips obsolete for siding installs. 

 

Best Applications for CST rainscreen

·         Horizontal Pura siding for homes and structures over plywood or OSB exterior sheathing

·         Vertical Pura NFC siding for homes and buildings over plywood or OSB exterior sheathing

·         Soffits of all types

·         Exterior ceilings requiring ventilation.

 

What Rainscreen Components are available for the CST System?

  • The Climate-Shield CST rainscreen clip is the heart of the CST family. The CST clip installs quickly, with one screw, firmly securing the Pura siding planks into place.  CST rainscreen clips may be used vertically or horizontally for faster, no-fuss Pura installs.
    CST1 rainscreen clip side section view

  • The Climate-Shield CSTSR8 horizontal starter rail is ideal if you are installing your siding horizontally. It will save you lots of time and provide a perfectly level start for your siding installation
    CSTSR8 Climate-Shield Starter Rail for Trespa Pura siding

  • The Climate-Shield CSTVSR8 vertical starter rail is perfect for setting a level line on vertical siding installations.
    CSTVSR8 Climate-Shield trespa Vertical Starter Rail

  • The Climate-Shield CSTVPS vertical plank support will save you lots of time if your vertical Pura is taller than ten feet.  Wherever you need a vertical joint, the 6" long vertical plank support is made for this.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION ON CST SYSTEM:

Climate-Shield CST Installation

CST Design Details and Specifications


 

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