>>> Case Study: Moisture Management

Words: Dan Kamys

Drainage and Air Circulation Help Prolong the Life and Look of Austin Apartment Complex

[caption id="attachment_13437" align="alignright" width="300"]Driwall Rainscreen 020-1, a drainage and ventilation mat installed on the exterior walls of construction, can be used behind a variety of exterior veneers, including stone, stucco and fiber cement. Driwall Rainscreen 020-1, a drainage and ventilation mat installed on the exterior walls of construction, can be used behind a variety of exterior veneers, including stone, stucco and fiber cement.[/caption] Located in Austin, Texas, a new apartment complex offers luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments. Each of the 13 unique floor plans feature hardwood or stained concrete flooring, granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, spacious walk in closets, and a private balcony. Amenities include an athletic center, a swimming pool and an outdoor grilling area. For this particular apartment complex, the developer wanted to eliminate as much concern about moisture issues as possible. Mold and decay can ruin the profitability of a project. With the increase in building “tightness” for thermal protection, moisture problems are on the rise, causing a greater need for hydrostatic pressure release and a ventilation method. A decision was made to incorporate Keene Building Products’ Driwall Rainscreen 020-1 to alleviate any future concerns related to moisture behind the variety of exterior veneers, which included stone, stucco and fiber cement. DriwalI Rainscreen 020-1 is a quarter-inch-thick drainage and ventilation mat used behind exterior wall systems. The entangled net drainage and ventilation mat eliminates incidental moisture penetrations and problems in siding applications. With the increase in energy efficiency in the building envelope, there is less potential for thermal leakage. By eliminating a ventilation method, siding applications have seen an increase in moisture issues. It was essential to have a means of drainage and circulation of air to help prolong the life and look of the stone, stucco and fiber cement used on this apartment complex. The full-wall DriwalI Rainscreen 020-1 product rolls over the weather-resistant barrier to separate it from the exterior veneers. The airspace that is provided assures that any moisture that penetrates the siding can drain to the exterior. Moisture and ventilation are essential to proper construction. This Austin, Texas, apartment complex is allowing the walls to breath and stay dry.
Case Study: The Scoop
March 2026

Leading UK architecture firm, Corstorphine & Wright, has announced the completion of ‘The Scoop’, a unique concave office building in Southwark, London. The innovative design reuses an existing building and integrates a conical cut-out façade in white gla

Case Study
Read More
Executing Color-Driven Designs Without Compromising Craftsmanship
March 2026

On today’s jobsites, masonry contractors are being asked to do more than install manufactured stone veneer (MSV). They’re being asked to interpret design trends and execute them with precision. Homeowners arrive with curated Pinterest boards. Designers r

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More
The Enduring Aesthetic Power of Brick
March 2026

For centuries, brick has shaped the built environment in ways that few materials can match. From the stately facades of historic campuses to the bold, contemporary forms of modern civic buildings, brick is both a foundation of architectural tradition and

Tim Leese
MAP Partner
Read More
Expert Tips for Brick Installation
March 2026

Clay brick has long been valued for both its durability and aesthetic appeal, but achieving a clean, consistent build that will endure for a lifetime depends just as much on jobsite discipline, install strategy, and preventative moisture management as it

Allison Goley
Technical Talks
Read More