Apparatuses and methods for a lath and rain screen assembly

A method of providing a lath and rain screen assembly configured to be attached to an exterior building surface, said method comprising the steps of:

• A) providing a rain screen configured to encourage ventilation and drying, said rain screen including
• 1) a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body having opposing primary planar first and second sides lying in corresponding first and second coparallel planes;
• and
• 2) a plurality of first side spacer elements, each of said first side spacer elements extending from said first side of said rain screen body along a direction substantially parallel to a first axis being substantially normal to said first plane, each of said first side spacer elements terminating in a free end;
• B) providing a lath configured to receive at least a portion of a first mortar layer, said lath including a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body defining a third plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said first plane of said rain screen body;
• and
• C) providing said lath and rain screen assembly by connecting said rain screen and said lath at least in part by connections between said body of said lath and each of said free ends of said spacer elements, such that said rain screen and said lath are spaced apart so as to provide an intermediate first cavity therebetween configured for permitting the passage of liquid water and water vapor.

A method of applying a lath and rain screen assembly to an exterior building surface to facilitate the attachment of exterior cladding materials, said method comprising the steps of:

• A) providing a rain screen configured to encourage ventilation and drying, said rain screen including
• 1) a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body having opposing primary planar first and second sides lying in corresponding first and second coparallel planes;
• and
• 2) a plurality of first side spacer elements, each of said first side spacer elements extending from said first side of said rain screen body along a direction substantially parallel to a first axis being substantially normal to said first plane, each of said first side spacer elements terminating in a free end;
• B) providing a lath configured to receive at least a portion of a first mortar layer, said lath including a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body defining a third plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said first plane of said rain screen body;
• C) providing said lath and rain screen assembly by connecting said rain screen and said lath at least in part by connections between said body of said lath and each of said free ends of said spacer elements, such that said rain screen and said lath are spaced apart so as to provide an intermediate first cavity therebetween configured for permitting the passage of liquid water and water vapor;
• D) positioning said lath and rain screen assembly adjacent said exterior building surface;
• E) applying a first layer of mortar onto the lath;
• and
• F) attaching a plurality of exterior cladding materials to aid lath at least partially with the use of said mortar.