Rain-screen apparatus and method

1. A rainscreen apparatus including: a substantially rigid air barrier adapted for attachment to a building structure; a rainscreen panel adapted for attachment over the air barrier; at least one batten for a spacing member adapted to provide a clearance space between the air barrier and the rainscreen panel wherein the clearance space has a width of at least 20 mm; a sealing means adapted to provide substantial pressure equalization within the clearance space; and a rainscreen seal construction including a batten for location on the air barrier, a sealing member having a base and at least two lips projecting from said base, said lips being spaced from each other, a first lip being adapted to make a substantially sealing contact with a rear surface of a first rainscreen panel, and the second lip being adapted to make a substantially sealing contact with the rear surface of a second rainscreen panel, said second panel being located adjacent to the first panel.

2. A rainscreen apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said air barrier includes a sheet comprising a poly polymeric or substantially water repellent cellulosic material and a polyolefin material having a relatively rigid reinforcing means including a mesh of fiberglass, metal or polymeric material laminated to at least one surface of said sheet.

3. A rainscreen apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said air barrier includes a polyolefin material having a relatively rigid reinforcing means including a series of battens laminated to at least one surface of said sheet.

4. A rainscreen apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first surface has an adhesive provided thereon.

5. A rainscreen apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second surface has an adhesive provided thereon.