Lessons Learned from Masonry Rainscreen Wall Installations

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO AIA FOR CREDIT.

Rainscreen wall systems rely on a balance of design precision and field coordination to perform as intended. Learn how masonry rainscreens manage water, air, vapor, and thermal control through carefully integrated layers that promote the passive removal of moisture from the wall cavity. We’ll explore how different cladding materials, such as terra cotta, natural and engineered stone, tile, and fiber cement, connect to various backup wall types and how these interfaces influence tolerance, sequencing, and overall performance. You’ll also gain insight from real-world installations that demonstrate how thoughtful coordination between designers and installers helps preserve design intent, reduce performance risks, and improve the durability of the building envelope.
 
Rainscreen Wall Installation

 Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize design and construction tolerance considerations for different types of backup wall systems.
  • Understand design and construction strategies that safeguard occupant health by integrating water, air, and thermal control layers.
  • Learn how various cladding attachment designs and construction options impact rainscreen wall performance.
  • Review rainscreen wall assembly and interface details and assess their impact on sequencing, performance, and material coordination.

About the Speaker

Jeff Diqui
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI

Jeff Diqui

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural engineering with a major in structural engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering University.

He has experience in the design and construction industry dating back to the early ‘90’s of which has been focused on the building enclosure, including assessment and investigations related to moisture intrusion and structural-related issues, building condition assessments, repair/rehabilitation designs, and construction observations. Jeff has been a frequent lecturer nationally to architects, engineers, specifiers, building enclosure consultants, contractors, code officials and university students on subject matter pertaining to the importance of maintaining continuity of water, air, vapor and thermal controls of the enclosure and the ever-important interface detail. Previously, Jeff held a position where he had involvement with international projects in regions including Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Central-South America that exposed him to different design and construction practices.

Jeff remains active in the building science community through involvement in various technical committees and organizations and is a regular attendee or speaker at conferences and symposiums.

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