Black Locust Lumber’s custom rain screens offer superior moisture management, ventilation, and aesthetic appeal for any building facade. Our rain screens are fabricated to your exact specifications for seamless integration with your architectural design, with meticulous attention to detail and precision craftsmanship.
Rainscreens are more than just a design trend — they’re a proven building envelope strategy for protecting structures and extending the life of exterior walls. But the system is only as reliable as the material you choose. That’s where Black Locust comes in.
We supply architectural-grade Black Locust lumber specifically milled for rainscreen cladding applications. Known for its natural rot resistance, dimensional stability, and chemical-free durability, Black Locust is one of the best-performing hardwoods on the market — without relying on tropical imports or modified wood. Whether you're designing a high-performance envelope for a modern home, commercial building, or institutional project, Black Locust offers a sustainable, long-lasting cladding solution that outperforms cedar, thermally modified wood, and even Ipe.
Our rainscreen boards are precision-milled in custom profiles such as shiplap, tongue & groove, or open-joint slats, and offered in a range of widths (typically ¾" thick, with 4" to 6" face widths) for maximum design flexibility and technical alignment with ventilated façade systems. Boards are graded according to NHLA-aligned Premium and Select standards, ensuring clean lines, minimal movement, and long-term structural performance.
Black Locust rainscreens don’t just look good — they function beautifully. With a properly detailed air gap (typically ⅜"–¾"), you’ll get ventilation, drainage, and thermal stability that protect your structure for decades. Combine that with the wood’s tight grain, low shrinkage, and Class A durability, and you’ve got a rainscreen that works as hard as it looks.
Profile Options & Dimensions
We offer a range of custom rainscreen profiles to match your design intent and performance goals. Each profile is milled from Premium or Select-grade Black Locust and carefully dried, machined, and inspected for consistent quality and dimensional stability. Whether you're after a clean modern look or a traditional façade, we can tailor the profile to suit your needs.
Common Profiles We Offer:
Standard Dimensions:
We can also work with your team to create project-specific profiles, ensuring proper integration with furring systems, fasteners, and envelope details. Every board is kiln-dried and milled in the USA to maintain the highest standard of quality and compatibility with North American construction methods.
Black locust is one of the most durable hardwoods native to North America, valued for its exceptional natural resistance to rot, decay, and insect attack. This performance comes from its dense grain structure and high concentration of natural extractives, allowing it to outperform many treated and tropical hardwoods without chemical modification. With a Janka hardness comparable to premium exotics and excellent dimensional stability, black locust delivers long-term performance in demanding exterior applications.
years durability
Black Locust is one of the most durable hardwoods in North America, known for its exceptional natural resistance to rot, decay, and insect damage. Unlike pressure-treated lumber, this performance comes entirely from the wood itself—no chemical treatments required. With a Class 1 durability rating, Black Locust is in the highest category for decay resistance, making it an ideal choice for exterior applications where long-term performance is critical.
In addition to its durability, Black Locust offers outstanding fire performance. The material achieves a Class A fire rating, the highest level available for building materials, providing an added layer of safety in both residential and commercial environments. This combination of fire resistance and structural hardness makes it a trusted solution for demanding applications such as decking, siding, boardwalks, and public-use spaces.
As a domestic hardwood species, Black Locust presents a compelling alternative to tropical imports like Ipe and Teak. It is sustainably sourced within North America, reducing environmental impact while supporting local forestry and manufacturing. With a lifespan exceeding 50 years in exterior conditions, Black Locust delivers long-term value through durability, minimal maintenance, and a completely chemical-free composition that naturally weathers to a beautiful silver-gray patina over time.
Protect and beautify your home with our custom rain screens. They are designed to manage moisture effectively and add an elegant touch to your exterior, complementing any residential style.
Our custom rain screens are ideal for commercial buildings, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits. They ensure optimal moisture management and enhance the building’s visual impact.
Preserve historic buildings with our custom rain screens. They are crafted to match traditional styles and provide modern moisture management without compromising the historical aesthetic.
Black Locust Lumber, a trusted leader in providing high-quality wood products, has over 30 years of experience in the lumber industry. Our expertise ensures the best materials and services for your custom rain screen projects.
We offer tailored solutions for your rain screen needs. Whether you need custom sizes, finishes, or design assistance, our team is here to help you create the perfect facade for your building.
A Domestic, Responsible Choice
All of our Black Locust is sourced from the Appalachian region of the United States, working directly with local landowners and forestry networks. This regional supply chain reduces transportation impact while supporting responsible land management practices. Black Locust is a naturally regenerative species, making it a reliable, renewable resource for long-term exterior applications.
Built on Local Craft & Forestry Practices
We partner closely with local sawmills, craftsmen, and the Amish community throughout Pennsylvania to produce our material. This hands-on, regional approach allows us to maintain quality while supporting rural economies and traditional woodworking expertise. Every piece is processed with a focus on efficiency, minimizing waste and maximizing the value of each log.
A Smarter Alternative to Tropical & Modified Materials
Black Locust offers a high-performance, domestic alternative to tropical hardwoods and heavily modified wood products. Instead of relying on imported species shipped across the globe—or energy-intensive processes like thermal modification or synthetic composites—Black Locust delivers natural durability, strength, and longevity straight from the source. Choosing Black Locust supports a more localized, lower-impact supply chain while delivering the long-term performance expected from premium exterior materials, without the need for chemical treatments or intensive processing.
The WCS Center For Global Conservation, located in Bronx, New York, was completed in 2009 and utilized Black Locust Lumber's custom rain screens. This project focused on sustainability and environmental conservation, with rain screens providing both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Ravine House, located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, is a testament to modern architectural excellence and sustainable design. Designed by Wheeler Kearns Architects, this residence features siding and rainscreen solutions from Black Locust Lumber, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and environmental performance.
Introducing our ever-growing professional network
Award-Winning, Building Of The Year 2020 by ArchDaily, Ravine House, with sustainable wood material choice: Black Locust Lumber
Award-Winning, Building Of The Year 2020 by ArchDaily, Ravine House, with sustainable wood material choice: Black Locust Lumber
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