ACM Rainscreen Panels: Sure-Panel Dry Joint System
The Sure-Panel Rainscreen dry joint system is a rout-and-return aluminum composite material (ACM) panel installed on a proprietary extrusion. The joints stay open and dry: there is no caulking and no exposed fasteners. Designers can run the reveals in an alternate color for a crisp shadow line. Every panel is engineered, CNC-routed and fabricated in Burnsville, Minnesota by CNC Metalcraft, Sure-Panel's parent company.
What is a dry joint rainscreen?
A rainscreen puts a ventilated cavity between the outer panel face and the building's weather barrier. Instead of trying to seal every joint against water, a dry joint (open joint) system lets the outer skin shed most of the water while the cavity behind it drains and dries. Sure-Panel's specification describes the system as a pressure-equalized, dry joint rainscreen: the panel joints are open, and the cavity is designed so air pressure behind the panel stays close to the pressure outside, which reduces the force that drives water inward.
Because there's no sealant in the joints, there's no caulk line to weather, discolor, or re-caulk years from now. The joint itself becomes a design line.
How the Sure-Panel dry joint system works
Rout-and-return panels. Each ACM sheet is CNC-routed on the back face and folded into a tray with returned edges, so the panel is stiff and its edges are finished.
Proprietary extrusion. Panels engage a Sure-Panel aluminum extrusion attached to the substructure. Fasteners are concealed behind the panel face.
Open, uniform reveals. Joint widths are set by the system, so reveal lines stay consistent across an elevation. Reveals can be a contrasting color.
Engineered and shop-drawn. We prepare shop drawings and engineer the panel layout before fabrication, then crate panels for delivery to the jobsite.
Panel sizes, thickness and core
Panel thickness: 3 mm, 4 mm or 6 mm
Maximum panel size: 59" × 193"
Core: Fire-retardant (FR) or polyethylene (PE) core, fusion-bonded between two aluminum sheets. Sure-Panel offers both; most architects specify FR core today
Shapes: Flat or radius panels
Aluminum skins (spec): .020"
Finishes and colors
Our spec section lists 70% PVDF (Kynar 500 / Hylar 5000) coil-coated finishes meeting AAMA 2605, AAMA 2604 finishes, and Class I anodized finishes. We fabricate panels from Alucobond, Alfrex, Reynobond, Etalbond and ALPOLIC aluminum composite material. Recent colors include Reynobond Bone White and Bright Silver Metallic, Alpolic Mica Gray and AMOX Blue, Alucobond Tricorn Black and Red Fire, and custom colors such as the custom red on Avid Hotel Roseville. Because the reveals are open, a second color in the joint line is an easy design move.
Testing and performance
Sure-Panel's ACM rainscreen system has been independently tested since 2008 (AAMA 508-07). The system was tested by Braun Intertec (Minneapolis, MN) in February 2008 (report dated April 4, 2008). The test specimen, four 4 mm ACM rain screen panels with 1/2" reveal joints on an 8'-3 3/4" square test wall, met the requirements of AAMA 508-07 for static air infiltration, water penetration and structural performance.
Air infiltration: Standard: ASTM E283; Test pressure: 1.57, 6.24 and 10 psf; Result: <0.1 CFM at each pressure (allowable 0.4 CFM): Pass
Water penetration: Standard: ASTM E331; Test pressure: 15.00 psf static; Result: Pass: no uncontrolled water penetration; no accumulation of water in the cavity
Structural performance: Standard: ASTM E330; Test pressure: ±20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 psf; Result: Pass at every pressure; max stud deflection 0.180" (positive) and 0.315" (negative) at 60 psf vs. 0.55" allowable (L/180)
Dynamic water penetration testing was not performed. The full test report is available on request.
For fire performance, Sure-Panel fabricates FR-core ACM from major manufacturers (Alucobond, Alfrex, Reynobond, Etalbond and ALPOLIC). Refer to the panel manufacturer's fire data and code compliance documentation for your project.
Short lead times
Fabrication in as little as 3–4 weeks, or about 6–8 weeks including drafting (shop drawings). We ship nationwide.
Warranty
The finish warranty follows the ACM manufacturer's warranty. Post-painted finishes by Linetec carry a 20-year finish warranty. Sure-Panel fabrication carries a 1-year warranty.
Where dry joint rainscreen fits best
Schools and universities that want a long-life wall with low maintenance and no caulk joints to re-seal. See K-12 schools.
Auto dealerships that need crisp brand-standard facades and fascias. See auto dealerships.
Data centers, distribution and corporate buildings like Databank in Brooklyn Park (about 7,000 sq ft, Alpolic Mica Gray) and Amazon 3130 Lex (St. Paul, about 4,200 sq ft).
Hotels and mixed use such as the Lismore Hotel in Eau Claire and Avid Hotel in Roseville.
Dry joint vs. wet seal: which do you need?
Choose dry joint rainscreen when you want open reveals, no sealant to maintain, and a drained, ventilated cavity. Choose wet seal when the design calls for a sealed, caulked joint or the wall assembly is built around a barrier approach. Both use the same rout-and-return panel fabrication; the difference is the joint and attachment. Still deciding? See the rainscreen panel systems guide or call us.
Specifications & drawings
Download the Sure-Panel ACM Rainscreen specification and details (CSI Section 07 42 13, with horizontal and vertical joint, base, window head, sill and jamb, jamb and transition details): sure-panel-acm-rainscreen-spec-07-42-13-and-details.pdf. More downloads are in our Specs & CAD library; CAD and Revit details are available on request.
Related projects
Databank (Brooklyn Park, MN) · Amazon 3130 Lex · Eden Prairie Central Middle School · BMW Minnetonka · Lismore Hotel (Eau Claire, WI) · Avid Hotel (Roseville, MN) · Legacy Bank (Wichita, KS) · Fargo National Guard Readiness Center · Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary · Tierra Encantada. See all featured projects.
