This presentation will review the challenges presented when detailing an exterior wall with a reservoir cladding. Because reservoir claddings hold onto moisture by their nature, they create conditions that present different risks than typical drained cladding systems or rainscreen walls. The detailing of your air barrier, flashing, and insulation can all be affected based on this cladding type and your climate zone, plus the need to consider the structural support wall behind the various types of reservoir cladding. Stucco cladding on masonry in Florida is a different ballgame than a brick cavity wall on metal stud framing and sheathing in New Hampshire. How permeable should your exterior air barrier be? Should you use a vapor retarder on the exterior in a ‘mixed but mostly cold’ climate when the common practice is to have a vapor retarder on the inside of the wall? So many variables! This presentation will review different types of reservoir claddings, in different climate zones, and on different backup wall systems to understand how to bring it all together and keep your vapor from driving you crazy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn when a drainage plane and outboard WRB may be required by code behind reservoir cladding.
2. Learn how to avoid a double vapor barrier problem in mixed climates when using reservoir cladding in a cavity wall over stud framing and sheathing.
3.  Understand how to transition from a mass masonry system to a drained, framing and sheathing system and what risks may come with that transition.
4. Learn about the building science behind detailing mass masonry walls with reservoir cladding in hot climates and what to consider with insulation location and facing.

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Jessica Saravia, AIA, CSI, CDT, CCS, NCARB, LEED AP, Technical Director, DMAC Architecture & Interiors

Jessica Saravia is Technical Director at DMAC Architecture & Interiors where she leads construction documentation, administration, and specification writing across all project types, sizes, and programs. Jessica is passionate about building performance and building science. She is the past Chair of the Leadership Group for the National AIA Building Performance Knowledge Community. In addition, she serves as Vice Chair on the National AIA Codes and Standards Committee and as Chair of the Chicago Chapter of the Building Enclosure Council. She lives in a 100-year-old house in Evanston with her husband, three kids, and two dogs.