Curious about what a rainscreen is and if you should use it on your home? Check out this article and we'll tell you why it's important in places like Seattle!
If you've lived or worked in Western Washington, you know that our region’s defining weather feature is rain—and lots of it. With high annual precipitation, persistent dampness, and minimal drying periods during the fall and winter, protecting buildings from moisture is more than a detail here—it's a necessity. That’s where rainscreen systems come in.
As architects, builders, and homeowners continue to prioritize long-lasting, energy-efficient structures, rainscreens have become a go-to strategy for managing moisture and improving building performance. Here’s why incorporating a rainscreen in your next project—residential or commercial—is a wise move in the Pacific Northwest.
A rainscreen is not a single product but a system. It’s a method of construction that includes an exterior cladding (like siding or paneling), an air gap, a weather-resistant barrier (WRB), and a drainage plane. The idea is to create a ventilated cavity between the exterior finish and the sheathing, allowing water to drain out and air to flow through—dramatically reducing the chance of trapped moisture.
Western Washington’s consistent rainfall demands a wall assembly that does more than just shed water—it needs to manage what inevitably gets behind the siding. A rainscreen allows moisture to escape, rather than trapping it in the wall cavity where it can cause rot, mold, or material failure.
Buildings that can dry out quickly last longer. Rainscreens protect both the exterior cladding and the structural components of a building by preventing prolonged exposure to moisture. Over time, this means fewer repairs, longer-lasting finishes, and healthier interiors.
Ventilated rainscreens help maintain stable interior conditions by reducing thermal bridging and improving insulation performance. That’s especially helpful in our region, where temperature swings and dampness can otherwise make indoor environments feel cold and clammy.
When a building breathes and drains properly, exterior materials like wood, fiber cement, or metal paneling are less likely to suffer from warping, cracking, or peeling. That means fewer paint jobs, less siding replacement, and a cleaner, crisper appearance for longer.
Rainscreen assemblies work with a variety of materials and styles—modern metal panels, traditional lap siding, custom wood cladding—making them ideal for the diverse architectural expressions common across the Puget Sound region.
While rainscreens were once more common in high-end or commercial buildings, advances in materials and growing awareness of building science have made them more accessible for everyday residential construction. Whether you’re designing a contemporary infill in Seattle or a cabin on the Olympic Peninsula, rainscreens offer real value and long-term performance.
In Western Washington’s damp climate, a well-designed rainscreen isn’t just a best practice—it’s a smart investment. It adds durability, protects against moisture damage, and contributes to the health and efficiency of a home or building. If you're planning a new build or remodel, talk to your architect or builder about incorporating a rainscreen system into your project.
Need help designing a high-performance envelope tailored to the Pacific Northwest? We specialize in resilient, climate-responsive architecture. Contact us to start the conversation.
