Ventilated FaçadeWhat it is and its advantages
A building envelope system suitable for almost any type of building
Over time, a new construction system has been emerging as a solution that combines aesthetics and functionality to enhance exterior walls while also improving the thermal and acoustic insulation of all types of buildings.
This solution is none other than the ventilated façade, a system that offers numerous obvious advantages and is suitable for all types of buildings.
The ventilated façade is a building envelope construction system suitable for almost any type of building, requiring the original wall to be covered with insulating material and a metal substructure to be fixed on it, which will later support a cladding.
Currently, there are different types of ventilated façades, as they can be classified according to the material used for the outer layer, the finish, or the plate fixing system.
At Strow (Fachadas del Norte, SL) we are leaders in the manufacture of anchoring systems for ventilated façades.
A ventilated façade always translates into significant energy savings due to improved thermal insulation and also provides greater acoustic comfort inside the building.
What are ventilated façades?
The ventilated façade is an exterior cladding construction system suitable for almost any type of building. It requires covering the original wall with insulating material and fixing a metal substructure on it, which will later support a cladding.
The installation of this cladding is carried out so that, between the original wall now covered with insulating material and the exterior cladding made of panels of the chosen material joined by open joints, a three- to nine-centimeter air cavity is created.
This cavity, which is open at both the top and bottom and through which air circulates from bottom to top, helps retain heat inside the building during the winter months and protects the building from external heat in summer.
The system’s operation is simple: during hot months, the exterior cladding heats up, and the air contained in the cavity also warms, generating a convective effect. This convective effect allows the air in the cavity to be replaced with cooler air entering from the bottom of the air cavity, pushing the warm air upward. In winter, the air in the cavity also warms in the same way, but it does not reach a high enough temperature to generate this effect. Therefore, it is easier to retain interior heat in the building, as it is estimated that up to 30% of the thermal losses or gains in a building occur through the façade.
With a ventilated façade system, the original wall, through which heat previously escaped and cold entered, is protected by an air cavity, a superimposed façade, and a layer of insulation that remains always dry. This ensures that any thermal bridging is eliminated and condensation problems are also removed.
Thus, installing a ventilated façade always results in significant energy savings due to improved thermal insulation and also provides greater acoustic comfort inside the building, which becomes better insulated from external noise. Additionally, because the exterior cladding is made of panels joined by open joints, the exterior cladding is constantly protected from issues caused by material expansion, and the building’s appearance remains in optimal condition for a longer time.
The origin of ventilated façades
The origin of the ventilated façade can be traced back to the 20th century, specifically during the decades when the use of reinforced concrete and steel structures in buildings became widespread. Ventilated façades are, therefore, the product of innovations that culminated in what is known as modern architecture, a term that defines the construction movement which, from the late 1920s and initially led by the Bauhaus and later by the so-called International Congress of Modern Architecture, established rationalism and organicism as the basic principles of architectural creation.
In modern architecture, the formal style of buildings is simplified, ornamentation loses the importance it had in previous eras such as Art Nouveau, and innovative solutions appear, such as the Cavity Wall, a two-leaf wall separated by a ventilated cavity that allows water infiltrating the outer wall to drain. In the Cavity Wall, drainage is achieved through openings placed at the base of the system. Later, in the 1970s, insulation was also incorporated into walls of this type.
Dating from the mid-20th century is also the so-called rain screen wall, a construction system designed to protect party walls that consists of installing a partition, initially made of brick, over the original wall, separated from it by a cavity of air. In this way, the superimposed wall protects the party wall from rain and other atmospheric agents while allowing the original wall to be ventilated.
From these systems to the current ventilated façades, there is just one step, which consists of replacing the traditional brick used in these construction solutions with other materials (fiber cement, metal panels, and others) anchored to the original wall via a metal framework. Today, ventilated façades are exterior cladding systems composed of three parts: the inner leaf, the insulating layer, and the non-airtight outer leaf anchored to the original façade.
Ventilated façade systems improve exterior finishes, insulate the interior of the building from noise, and also enhance the building’s thermal performance. In principle, it is a system suitable for all types of buildings, but before choosing it, the characteristics of the wall that will support the new cladding must be evaluated.
If deficiencies are identified in the wall, they must always be corrected before beginning the installation of the ventilated façade. Otherwise, the final result will fall short of optimal.
Types of ventilated façades
Currently, there are different types of ventilated façades, as they can be classified based on the material used for the outer leaf, the finish, or the plate fixing system. Each installer has a typology with its own categories, created to distinguish their product from that of competitors. However, in practical terms, the most common way to classify a ventilated façade is according to the plate fixing system of the cladding that is applied over the original wall.
Thus, the two most common ventilated façades are: the point anchor façade, which includes a three-centimeter air cavity and requires less skill to install, and the profiled fixing façade, which allows for air cavities up to eight centimeters and is often used in renovation projects.
Among these two types, the second type is more expensive than the point anchor system, specifically by about 20%. Still, the anchoring system is not the only factor determining the installation cost of a ventilated façade, as the outer leaf material—whether cream marble, natural stone, or zinc—also affects pricing.
Regardless of materials and anchoring systems, installation times are similar: it is estimated that a 600-square-meter façade can be completed in a month, as common workers can install up to 30 square meters per day. If the installation team’s skill level is high, this number can even double. Proper planning is key.
Beyond the two main types of ventilated façades mentioned, other typologies exist. Using the outer leaf material as a differentiator, there are ceramic or stone façades, as well as metallic, glass, wood, or composite façades made from polymers or plastics. Within each type, subcategories can also exist—for example, ceramic façades can be terracotta or porcelain stoneware, and metal façades can be zinc or aluminum.
The finish of the outer leaf material also allows for further subcategories, such as natural façades, glazed façades, or façades with diverse designs applied through digital printing systems.
In fact, each company that installs ventilated façades develops its own typologies as a tool for differentiation. Regardless of the typology, the ventilated façade system is one of the most widely used in institutional buildings and is gradually gaining ground in the residential construction market.
The advantages of ventilated façades
Ventilated façades are an optimal solution for updating a building’s appearance and improving its energy efficiency. Their advantages are numerous and can be grouped into four main categories, which are as follows:
Insulating advantages
A ventilated façade acts as an excellent thermal insulator, as the air cavity separating the exterior leaf from the original wall helps maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year inside buildings that use this exterior cladding system.
The air cavity also generates energy savings, since it is estimated that the insulating properties of the façade can reduce the electricity required to maintain a comfortable interior temperature throughout the year by up to 40%. The insulating benefits also help reduce the impact of external noise inside the building, making it a more habitable environment.
The system also helps eliminate common problems with moisture and efflorescence in façades.
Economic advantages
Depending on the material used for the outer leaf, the maintenance costs of the façade are drastically reduced. Many materials, such as natural stone or high-quality ceramic cladding, can remain unchanged for many years. However, it is important to note that if the atmospheric conditions around the building are particularly harsh, the metal components of the system could experience some deterioration.
Despite the durability of ventilated façades, the Technical Building Code recommends periodic inspections. Every three years, the condition of the exterior leaf cladding should be assessed to detect any cracks or fissures; every five years, to identify any tilts or deformations; and every ten years, the state of the ventilation openings in the cavity should be checked.
In any case, compared to the maintenance requirements of a traditional façade, the advantages are clear. Finally, another economic benefit of installing a ventilated façade is its impact on the property’s value. Its aesthetic appeal and status as a modern solution improve the building’s exterior, and consequently, increase the value of the apartments, offices, and commercial spaces within the property.
Environmental advantages
The installation of a ventilated façade generates very little waste, as it is not necessary to remove previous cladding. The system can be easily installed over existing structures, making it an ideal solution for renovating a building and giving it new life.
A ventilated façade updates all types of buildings, and renovation is always far more environmentally friendly than new construction. It consumes fewer resources and produces less waste. Additionally, these façades are self-cleaning and maintain a good appearance simply thanks to rainwater.
Construction advantages
Installing a ventilated façade system in a building is an operation that does not require large-scale construction work, as the assembly of the components is carried out using hooks and mechanical fastening systems. Additionally, if any damage occurs, only the damaged panel needs to be removed and replaced, making the process particularly inexpensive and fast. The system also effectively conceals all types of wiring and service conduits within the air cavity without the need to cut channels into the wall.
The installation of this type of exterior cladding system should always be performed by specialists; however, the process is greatly simplified if the anchors and their distribution are properly calculated before starting the work. This ensures optimal placement, high-quality finishes, and drastically reduces installation time.
