Rainscreen siding was originally developed hundreds of years ago to protect the underlaying walls and outer cladding of buildings from water and moisture damage. In fact, the basic practice dates back to the 12th century in Norway when wood structures were built with closed joints and top and bottom openings to ventilate timber cladding and circulate air around the individual boards.
However, the difference is that today’s Rainscreen siding options are far more advanced with aesthetics, budget and climate all playing major roles in their specification. The problem is that every style has its own plus and minuses. For instance, exotic hardwoods like Batu / Red Balau, Ipe, and Cumaru woods need a minimal amount of maintenance to provide a luxurious and long-lasting look and feel, while metal siding can dent or fade over time, vinyl will easily crack on impact and fiber cement can be prohibitively expensive.