Ventilated Facades
Ventilated FacadeSystems
This modern cladding system consists of a metal framework fixed to the building structure, which supports a decorative cladding panel outside of a ventilated cavity with thermal insulation.
Ventilated facade cladding has the advantage that the wall element as a whole can breathe, thus reducing the risk of condensation forming. The ventilated cavity allows air pressure equalisation to occur, thus precipitation is not inclined to be driven into the cavity.
The wide variety of cladding panels now available offers architects scope for creating attractive yet practical designs for the external fabric of new buildings.
Ventilated façade systems have the following advantages over applied render contact façade systems:
- Less surface preparation of the existing walls for faster installation
- More cost effective insulation from lower density glasswool (24kg/m3) compared to stonewool (110kg/m3)
- Better thermal performance from glasswool
- More options for external finishes such as pre-coloured aluminium panels, fibre cement or polymer panels
- Faster installation as ventilated façades are factory made
- No scaffolding
Curtain Walling Systems
Insulated curtain walling systems offer designers a wide range of options and visual effects using external wall cladding panels faced with a variety of materials.
Curtain walls differ from rainscreen cladding systems in that curtain walls are sealed. The air pressure outside the wall may differ from that inside.
There are three principle types of curtain walling system:
- Stick curtain walling panels, which incorporate mineral wool insulation slabs, are fitted inside a carrier framework fixed to the building structure. The carrier framework remains visible.
- Front seal modular panel curtain wall panels, which incorporate mineral wool insulation slabs, are attached to a carrier framework fixed to the building structure. Only the gap between panels is visible and this is usually sealed with a silicone gasket.
- Unitised curtain walls are large, integral factory assembled units, sometimes one storey high, incorporating mineral wool insulation, windows, ventilators, doors and opaque facings. They are taken to site for fast track fixing directly onto the building structure.
Insulated curtain wall systems are suitable for use on new buildings and can also be used to refurbish existing constructions. They are also fast to construct than external insulation and render systems because the units are assembled off-site and delivered to site ready for direct fixing.
For very fast-track schemes, unitised curtain walls are ideal as they enable external facing, insulation and internal lining to be fixed on site in one operation with no need for a separate framework. They can be faced in a variety of materials including aluminium, steel, natural stone or glass.
