Where clever engineering meets continuous insulation. Cladding support systems are often treated as secondary elements in façade design. In reality, they determine how the wall performs once it’s built. They influence how heat moves through the assembly and how moisture is managed behind the cladding. When the attachment layer isn’t properly designed, insulation performance drops and installation becomes less predictable.
CLADIATOR® manufactures cleverly engineered, thermally isolated rainscreen cladding attachment systems for commercial and institutional buildings across North America. Our patented systems maintain continuous insulation while allowing adjustment during installation, with minimal penetrations to the WRB. Performance is third-party tested at 92–98% thermal efficiency.
A rainscreen cladding support system connects the exterior cladding to the structure while maintaining a defined cavity behind it. That cavity is what makes the assembly work. Water can drain and moisture can dry off, while the cladding stays separated from the weather-resistive barrier so the wall manages exposure over time.
For this to function, the cavity has to remain open and continuous. Restricted airflow or inconsistent spacing causes moisture to accumulate rather than dissipate. The attachment system is what holds that condition in place. It defines the cavity depth and supports the cladding without closing off airflow or adding unnecessary penetrations to the WRB during installation.
Across CLADIATOR® system configurations, a minimum ½” to 1″ gap between the face of the insulation and the façade is maintained to preserve this function.
Built on 35+ years of high-rise façade installation under the CL-TALON brand, CLADIATOR® systems have been specified across North America since 2018.
Projects range from a 7,500 sqft school retrofit in Philadelphia to 625 Fulton Street, a 35-story mixed-use tower in New York. On retrofit work, the CL-300’s exterior-adjustable base track usually wins. On new construction with insulation continuity as a priority, the Slotted-Z does.
Metal substructure components create a thermal bridge: a continuous path for heat through the wall that reduces the assembly’s effective R-value even with high-performance insulation between framing. Low-conductivity materials in CLADIATOR® systems interrupt that path, so the insulation layer performs closer to its labeled value. Performance data is independently tested and ready for energy modeling and code compliance submissions.
A consistent cavity allows the wall to dry over time. If airflow is restricted, moisture can remain in the assembly and affect long-term durability. The attachment system also controls how often the WRB is penetrated during installation, which preserves the integrity of the barrier beneath the cladding.
Substrates are rarely level and framing can be out of plane. CLADIATOR® systems allow adjustment from the exterior, so the façade can be aligned without modifying the structure behind it. Window openings extend the same logic. The Eco-Sill™ thermally isolated window trim maintains continuity across the thermal and moisture layers without interrupting the insulation plane.
CLADIATOR® systems are tested to the following standards:
Independent thermal performance reports are available for download and can be submitted directly in projects with strict energy code requirements.
Selecting the right system depends on the wall design and the conditions on site. Both the CL-300™ and Slotted-Z™ are universal, compatible across all major cladding materials and substrates. Our team works directly with project teams to review options and support detailing decisions from early design through installation:
Technical support is provided from our New Jersey office for projects across North America.
“We installed the CL-300 system in only 3 days, whereas with traditional installation, it would have taken 2 weeks. We are very impressed with the speed and simplicity of the system.”
“I’m impressed and I think that this product will soon become standard in the inudstry”
A rainscreen cladding support system attaches exterior cladding to the structure while creating a defined cavity behind it. That cavity allows moisture to drain and dry rather than remain within the wall assembly.
Cladding attachment systems refer to the hardware that connects panels to the structure. Cladding support systems describe how that hardware works together with insulation continuity and cavity airflow across the full wall assembly.
A thermally broken system uses low-conductivity materials such as polyamide clips or fiberglass girts to interrupt the path heat would otherwise follow through metal substructure components. This keeps the insulation layer performing closer to its rated value.
Both the CL-300™ and Slotted-Z™ are universal, compatible with metal panels, fiber cement, terracotta, stone, brick, ceramic, ACM, composite, and zinc cladding systems.
Yes. Both the CL-300™ and Slotted-Z™ are suited for new construction and retrofit conditions. The CL-300’s exterior-adjustable base track is particularly useful on existing substrates that are out of plane.
The ROCKETStick™ is an optional insulation securement component that fits into the slots of the Slotted-Z™ girt. It holds rigid or semi-rigid insulation away from the WRB without requiring additional fasteners through the barrier.
The CL-300™ is third-party tested at 92–98% thermal efficiency, depending on configuration. Independent test data is available on request and through our tech resources page.
