Rainscreen vs. Wet Seal Metal Panels: Which Should You Specify?
Dry joint rainscreen and wet seal are the two main ways to joint a metal panel wall. Both can look great and perform well. The right choice depends on your wall assembly, the look you want and how much long-term maintenance the owner will accept.
How a dry joint rainscreen works
The panel joints are left open. The panels shed most water, and a ventilated cavity behind them drains and dries anything that gets past. Sure-Panel® Rainscreen panels are rout-and-return ACM or plate on a proprietary aluminum extrusion with no caulking and no exposed fasteners. The Sure-Panel ACM Rainscreen system is tested to AAMA 508, ASTM E283, ASTM E330 and ASTM E331.
How a wet seal system works
Joints are sealed at the face with foam backer rod and silicone-based caulk. Water is stopped at the panel surface. Sure-Panel Wet Seal panels attach with mechanically fastened clips to the substructure.
Side by side
Water strategy: Dry joint rainscreen: Shed, drain and ventilate; Wet seal: Seal at the face
Joint look: Dry joint rainscreen: Open shadow-line reveal; can be a second color; Wet seal: Flush sealant line
Sealant maintenance: Dry joint rainscreen: None in the joints; Wet seal: Sealant ages and needs periodic inspection and replacement
Attachment: Dry joint rainscreen: Proprietary extrusion; Wet seal: Clips mechanically fastened to substructure
Typical uses: Dry joint rainscreen: Full facades, new construction; Wet seal: Canopies, soffits, barrier-wall retrofits, sealed interiors
Choose rainscreen when...
You want no sealant to maintain over the building's life.
The design calls for crisp open reveals.
The wall assembly is designed with a drained cavity.
Choose wet seal when...
The existing or designed wall is a barrier assembly.
The look calls for a flush, sealed joint.
The area is a canopy, soffit or other sealed condition.
Can you mix them?
Yes. Many buildings use rainscreen on the main facade and wet seal on canopies. Blaine High School's canopy used about 6,000 sq ft of Sure-Panel Wet Seal.
Next steps
See ACM dry joint rainscreen, ACM wet seal, plate rainscreen, plate wet seal, and the full rainscreen guide.
