Abstract: A cladding system, intended to exclude water from within a building having a cavity wall structure, includes passive means (a) for minimising any flow of water from the exterior that may reach the interior, and (b) open guides or enclosed channels for diverting such water so that it flows by gravity down the cavity to be drained outwardly. One implementation provides impervious battens modified to have water-diverting sides, and another provides solid slabs including channels connected by drainage cuts along their length to a surface to be drained.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cladding member formed by a member of insulating material having front and rear faces and top, bottom faces and side faces. The front face has a plurality of substantially parallel channels formed there. The cladding members can be associated with base blocks. The base blocks have a moisture receiving means to receive moisture from the channels of the cladding members, and discharge means to allow such moisture to be discharged from the receiving means. Flashings and fixing devices are also described.