Rainscreen Cladding Substructure Systems that Are Easier to Use from Start to Finish
As architects and designers strive for greater energy efficiency and sustainability, rainscreen systems have become more complex. Xkelex substructure systems, designed by architects and rainscreen experts, solve those challenges. Xkelex simplifies specifying, installation, and achieving the desired aesthetic. Because Xkelex works with many types of panelized cladding, it is perfect for a wide variety of projects, adding more ease and efficiency to each one. Building owners appreciate Xkelex because it performs exceedingly well, especially in harsh and diverse climates.
Saves Time
Ships in 5 days from Texas and installs faster
Saves Money
Lower product, freight, and installation costs
Technical Guidance
Expert help plus informative downloads
Certified
US Building Codes, ASTM, USGBC
Excellent Performance
Backed by our One-World™ warranty
Versatile
Use with Fiber cement, HPL, Composite stone, UHPC and other rainscreen panels
Testimonials
“Xkelex has innovative cladding support systems and excellent lead times. Their horizontal perforated channels have been a big success with contractors and architects.”
Jay Leathers
Foundry Service and Supplies, Inc
Vertical and Horizontal Rainscreen Systems
Xkelex’s easy-to-install horizontal and vertical rainscreen systems are available with exposed and concealed fastening designs. You can incorporate exterior continuous insulation with any of our systems. Incorporate a thermally broken system to help reduce thermal transfer through the building envelope.
Horizontally mounted Xkelex rainscreen systems save time during installation while still meeting or exceeding panel manufacturer requirements for airflow and drainage for drying the rainscreen cavity. Xkelex’s perforated horizontal mounting systems are gaining popularity because of their cost savings to the architect, contractor, and building owner.
Vertically mounted Xkelex rainscreen systems provide a more traditional attachment layout. Vertical attachment may require backing plates across the stud wall to align panel dimensions with attachment points – this is common with cladding substructure systems but adds costs you could avoid by using a horizontally mounted rainscreen system.
Horizontally mounted Xkelex rainscreen systems save time during installation while still meeting or exceeding panel manufacturer requirements for airflow and drainage for drying the rainscreen cavity. Xkelex’s perforated horizontal mounting systems are gaining popularity because of their cost savings to the architect, contractor, and building owner.
Vertically mounted Xkelex rainscreen systems provide a more traditional attachment layout. Vertical attachment may require backing plates across the stud wall to align panel dimensions with attachment points – this is common with cladding substructure systems but adds costs you could avoid by using a horizontally mounted rainscreen system.
Our experts are ready to help you select the most cost-efficient means to achieve your rainscreen system.
The Inspiration Behind Xkelex
We strongly advocate rainscreens as a healthier, longer-lasting solution for building facades. Our founders have over 100 years of combined experience in rainscreen cladding. The challenges of most rainscreen cladding substructure systems inspired them to design and manufacture Xkelex. Three of our founders are architects who wanted a better attachment system to support their architectural projects. For a quarter century, the fourth founder was a senior sales manager for a Europe-based rainscreen cladding product manufacturer. Our fifth founder is a civil engineer by education but is not practicing in the United States.
What Is a Rainscreen?
A rainscreen is a building cladding system designed with space for air circulation and water drainage between the building and the building’s exterior cladding panels. Water drains down through the space, and air flows up to dry moisture, protecting the building’s envelope from moisture penetration.
Rainscreens are an increasingly popular construction solution because they provide many valuable benefits for architects and building owners. A rainscreen is also known as a ventilated façade, a ventilated rainscreen façade, or even a drained and back-ventilated rainscreen.
Rainscreen design has many additional benefits, including design flexibility for outstanding curb appeal, excellent weather protection, cost-saving thermal protection (with continuous insulation and thermal break solutions), extending the life of the cladding, and more.
A ventilated façade system consists of:
- Support wall
- Air/water/vapor-resistant barrier
- Air cavity
- Optional continuous exterior insulation and or thermal breaks
- Substructure system with brackets (such as Xkelex) to connect the cladding to the support wall
- Exterior cladding
If you want a new look for your building or are designing for energy-efficient building codes, discover how Xkelex substructures can enhance your design.