Breaking (air and water resistant) Barriers
In the last decade, FRONTA QUATTRO has made waves in the high performance industry as a specialty air barrier and weather resistant barrier (WRB). As described in the video below, FRONTA QUATTRO is the all black membrane from Pro Clima uniquely suited for use behind open joint rainscreens, offering a true black sheathing behind siding. As with every member of the SOLITEX family of membranes, FRONTA QUATTRO offers excellent airtightness and weather protection.
We always recommend using Pro Clima's SOLITEX family of WRBs with vented rainscreens for any projects across North America. For projects with open-joint rainscreen cladding systems FRONTA QUATTRO offers exceptional UV protection, making it ideal thanks to its ability to be permanently exposed to the sun's rays shining through gaps up to 1 3/8” (35 mm). Other builders choose FRONTA QUATTRO for projects without open joints, where UV exposure is expected to exceed 3 months. During construction, this membrane can remain weather resistant for 6 months until the final cladding is installed. FRONTA QUATTRO is already incredibly durable, but for an additional step up, we have FRONTA PENTA: a 5-layer, dark black WRB that is an even more rugged membrane for open-joints up to 2" (50mm).
FRONTA QUATTRO on a LoadingDock5 project in Long Island, NY
FRONTA QUATTRO on a LoadingDock5 project in Long Island, NY
FRONTA QUATTRO on a Skylar Swinford project in Boise, Idaho
FRONTA QUATTRO on a Skylar Swinford project in Boise, Idaho
FRONTA QUATTRO on a Skylar Swinford project in Boise, Idaho
Like all SOLITEX products, both FRONTA QUATTRO and FRONTA PENTA provide a continuous monolithic TEEE protective layer while still allowing reliable outward drying potential to keep wall moisture levels safely low. No other UV-resistant WRB offers this advanced non-porous technology. Combined with its extremely resilient cover fleece and overall thickness of 0.6mm (24 mils), FRONTA QUATTRO guarantees the most durable and long-lasting walls in any climate zone. FRONTA QUATTRO has a vapour permeance of 38 US perms while FRONTA PENTA is 17 US perms. Since each are actively vapour open, unlike conventional WRBs, they provide maximum outward drying potential while remaining completely windtight and waterproof.
| SOLITEX actively vapour open function, purely diffusion driven (left) Microscopic image of TEEE membrane (right) | Conventional WRB vapour open function (convection driven) and microscopic image of micro-porous membrane (on right) |
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When used with black TESCON Invis waterproof airtight tape, the all-black protective layer disappears into the background and makes for extra sharp shadow lines. Pro Clima received the Declare Label from the International Living Future Institute in 2020. TESCON INVIS received Declare several years ago, making the entire SOLITEX airtightness system used for these projects certified Living Building Challenge Red List Free
FRONTA QUATTRO on a ROMINES Architecture project in upstate NY testing vertical open-joint cladding
FRONTA QUATTRO on a ROMINES Architecture project in upstate NY testing vertical open-joint cladding
FRONTA QUATTRO used on the Amalgam Studio 'Mountain House' in New York State.
FRONTA QUATTRO used on the Amalgam Studio 'Mountain House' in New York State
FRONTA QUATTRO used on the Amalgam Studio 'Mountain House' in New York State
FRONTA QUATTRO used on the Amalgam Studio 'Mountain House' in New York State
Rainscreen cladding systems have become a staple for high performance water management. And for good reason - we like to say a vented rainscreen is what a high performance building wants, so that it can keep the enclosure dry and protected. But open-joint rainscreen systems go a step further - leaving joints intentionally open so weather could get behind the cladding. This requires not only exceptional WRB performance, but also permanent UV resistance.
