I like to think of rainscreens as the continuation of the evolution of wall construction. Originally, wall construction was essentially monolithic, stone through and through, for example. Now we construct multiple systems on top of each other, with each component optimized for its specific task: load bearing, lateral (earthquake) loads, insulation, vapor barrier, drywall, weatherproofing, flashing, exterior finish (a rainscreen, for instance), etc.

The finished exterior of a building is just a skin, or to use Ruelvis' analogy, another coat, on top of the possibly ugly one that keeps you warm and dry. Maybe its okay that the coat goes out of style, just strip the rainscreen and put on a new facade every ten years. So, I am wrong--it isn't a cliche, it's fashion.

I requested some info regarding Parklex panels to be used as a rainscreen and with it they sent a brochure on [url href=http://vaproshield.com]VaproShield[/url] which seems like a better Tyvek. They also have a window flashing system with molded corners that look interesting. Has anyone used either of these?

I was looking at the James Hardie sites in Australia and New Zealand and they have a large smooth panel (Titan in NZ) is 'Hardipanel Smooth' the U.S. version? Is it completely smooth, i.e. no grooves on a 4'x8' sheet?

Thanks

Go to US James Hardy site and ask for samples. I can't seem to remember where my samples are, but I recall the Hardi panels being less cement-like... more fibrous and rather white (not cement grey). They sell panels in 4x8 and it is smooth, but like I said - doesn't even look like cement.

FYI.