History

Although a relatively modern concept in the United States, the rainscreen principle is not new. It has been proven through hundreds of successful installations worldwide, some dating back to the Middle Ages. Early examples can be found in traditional Norwegian wood and stone architecture, where many churches were built with protective wood rainscreen claddings. Several of these historic buildings are still standing today, including a stave church in Urnes, Norway, built around 1130. Some consider it the oldest example of an architectural rainscreen.