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Steve Thomas is the host of Planet Green's Renovation Nation, a program that focuses on making green renovations to homes across the country. In his regular column on PlanetGreen.com, Steve goes behind the scenes of the show and offers additional tips and insight on green renovation.
The technique of building rain screen walls has been around for awhile. It?s one of these things that have come under the general rubric of green building. What it does is space the padding off the sidewall of the house by about a quarter of an inch to an inch, so that the sidewall sheathing has a breathable, waterproof membrane on it. Keep in mind, it?s important for your sidewall to breathe.
When you heat your house in the winter, the house is warm and moist. The outside is cool and dry. The moisture wants to go where it is dry. The moisture will work its way through the wall, and the rain screen allows moisture in the wall to ventilate out.
.At the same time, since the siding itself goes on the exterior of the rain screen wall, any rain that finds its way in behind the siding drains out. It reduces the possibility of mold or mildew in the wall. It increases the life of the siding and the life of the paint on this siding. It?s just a way to build a wall that won?t cause you any problems 10-15 years down the line. It is sort of like Gore-Tex for you home.
Don't miss the Greenest House in America Episode of Renovation Nation for more on rain screen walls.
More on Green Home Renovation
How to Recycle Big Stuff?Like a House
Insulate Your Home for Your Health
Renovation Nation Episode: Boston, MA: Energy Savings
