Rainscreen Cladding Systems
When your building is looking dated or worn down, the thought of shelling out for a full refurbishment can be daunting. Luckily, there’s a much more affordable solution - rainscreen cladding!
Crocker Cladding are the South’s go-to cladding specialists, with experience installing cladding on both residential and commercial buildings. Here we cover what rainscreen cladding is, how it works, and why you should consider having it installed on your building.
To get a quote on our rainscreen system installation, fill out our online form or call us on 07954 323335.
What Is Rainscreen Cladding?
Rainscreen cladding is a panel façade system installed onto the external walls of a building. Its main purpose is to protect the structure from the elements, refresh its appearance, and improve its thermal insulation.
Rainscreen cladding is typically made of moisture-resistant aluminium, stone, laminate, or glass. It is installed by bolting it to a supporting framework of rails fixed to the side of the building.
How Do Rainscreen Cladding Systems Work?
Although the exact design can vary, a rainscreen cladding system is typically made up of several key elements:
Outer Leaf
The primary rain barrier, the outer leaf blocks nearly all water from penetrating into the system. It is made up of connected panels or boards with open joints.
Ventilated Cavity
The air gap drains any water that does get through, preventing it from reaching the insulation or backing wall. The cavity also provides better ventilation to the building.
Insulation
The insulating layer will be made of a dense material optimised to slow heat conduction. It will help the building stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, improving its energy efficiency.
Water Resistant Layer
Usually either a breather membrane or a vapour control layer. This layer acts as an air seal while allowing water vapour to escape from inside the building.
Internal Load-bearing Wall
The existing wall of the building.
Types of Rainscreen Cladding
There are two basic types of rainscreen cladding:
Drained and Ventilated
These systems allow moisture to drain or evaporate, then vent it to the outside.
Pressure-equalised (PE)
These systems let air move between the inside and outside of the rainscreen.
While installing your rainscreen system, we can also install any type of aluminium, metal, or plastic gutters or downpipes. They are available in any colour to match the existing colours on your building.
We’d be more than happy to discuss with you our range of options, with durable and lightweight designs ready to upgrade your existing system. Contact our team today on 07954 323335.
What Are the Benefits of Rainscreen Cladding?
Rainscreen cladding systems come with a host of benefits, both practical and cosmetic. These include:
Weather Protection
The primary purpose of a rainscreen cladding system is to protect your building from wind, snow, and rain - hence the name!
Over time, the elements can slowly erode the outside of your building. This can cause it to look old and tired, and even lead to costly repair work in the future.
A rainscreen system is a cost-effective way of preventing this. Made of robust, water-resistant materials, it will stop rain and wind from damaging the walls of your building, lengthening its lifespan and reducing the need for maintenance.
Thermal Efficiency
The insulating qualities of rainscreen cladding are another great benefit.
By preventing heat from escaping, your building will stay warmer for longer. This cuts down on your heating bills and reduces your carbon footprint - a real win-win.
Improved Aesthetics
Rainscreen systems have a sleek, contemporary appearance that can fit seamlessly in with a variety of building types.
If your building is on the older side, a rainscreen cladding system will help cover up cosmetic damage, revitalise its appearance, and bring it into the modern age.
Our Rainscreen System Installation Process
Wondering how your new cladding will be put in place? Here's a breakdown of each step in our installation process.
- Get in touch online or by calling us on 07954 323335. Our team will discuss your building’s requirements and talk you through all the options available for you.
- We will draw up a clear and competitively-priced quote for our services.
- Once you’re happy with our quote, our engineering team will get to work installing your new cladding system at a time that suits you.
- Should any repairs be required, you can get in touch and we will be on the scene to carry them out promptly.
Talk to our Rainscreen System Specialists
Crocker Cladding is a family-run business, covering the Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire areas, specialising in the design and installation of innovative cladding solutions.
After you explain your requirements to us, our skilled team will design a bespoke cladding system optimised to your building’s unique layout. We will keep you involved throughout the entire process, always checking that you’re happy to go ahead with the next step.
Once the design work has been completed, we will install your cladding with a minimum of disruption to your daily life or business. We will work safely and efficiently, and will thoroughly test your new system to ensure it meets our high standards.
The end result will be an aesthetically-pleasing, high-performance cladding system that will extend the lifespan of your building for decades.
Get a quote online or call us on 07954 323335 to get started!
Rainscreen Cladding FAQs
Rainscreen systems and curtain walling are both non-structural cladding for the external walls of buildings. Curtain walls usually make up the entire building envelope, which is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building. Rainscreen cladding is just the outer protective layer of the envelope. While curtain walling is usually made out of glass panes slotted within an aluminium frame, cladding can be made from a wide array of different materials.
The cost of installing a rainscreen system onto your property depends hugely on the size and scope of the project. For a more accurate estimate, discuss your building requirements with a member of our expert team.
Our rainscreen systems have third-party certification confirming they have been assessed and comply with the requirements of the CWCT Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes.
Our rainscreen systems are extremely hard-wearing and weather-resistant, meaning they can last over 40 years. If they do require repairs, our expert team can carry them out quickly and easily.