Ventilated facades: the best sustainable solution

Natural stone and Techlam´s Porcelain are both defined as the perfect materials for ventilated facades.

Between the most sustainable architectonic and constructive solutions, the ventilated façade is defined as one of the most valued. The reason is found in the excellent thermal performance that it achieves, as well as avoiding damp problems: this cladding system for buildings leaves an air chamber between the cladding material and the insulation, and therefore avoiding thermal bridges.

Put in simple terms, ventilated facades achieve a physical separation between the building´s interior and exterior environment, meaning that, if it is hot or cold outside this temperature will not be reflected inside, and therefore an energy-efficient building is achieved. This energy efficiency not only results in low energy bills in a medium to long term, but, amongst other advantages, ventilated facades count on: 

• a noticeable improvement on the noise insulation: as well as thermal insulation, ventilated facades manage to reduce the noise level, translating into a greater audible comfort for those who live or work in the building.
• environmental protection: the features of a ventilated façade make it more sustainable, implying smaller environmental damage.
• increased technical durability: by avoiding direct radiation, adverse weather conditions and dampness, the materials are maintained in good condition longer, and therefore they require lower maintenance. a building with a healthy balance: the forges are what sustain the façade´s weight, while the wall only has the role to retain. This implies a balance in the allocation of the roles of the different elements, that is achieved to maintain a healthy building.
• revaluation on the property´s price: the cost of a ventilated façade is higher to other types of solutions, but the truth is that by choosing it, it will add value to the property and therefore it could also be considered as a future investment.

Types of ventilated facades

The classification of ventilated facades is as varied as its materials, finishes or the technical fixation of its tiles:

Regarding the materials, the facades of extruded ceramic tiles are normally very common, due to their high safety and efficiency for exterior cladding.

The porcelain stoneware is a very much valued material, as it has a perfect resistance and durability for exteriors.

Stone facades also present an undeniable attractiveness: marble, granite or slate are materials very much used on ventilated facades and ensure a beauty and durability to the solution.

Other solutions used are metallic facades, like polished aluminium or zinc, as well as composite materials (polymers, plastics, or technological wood like composite), or even glass. Ventilated facades made from wood are a more natural and ecological solution: the most common varieties are normally cedar, Iroko, larch or chestnut.

If we cater to the finishes of ceramic materials, we can find an extensive variety: from natural colours, where the whole piece presents the same aspect, with enamelled, shiny or with special effect colours, and without forgetting the inkjet finish, where, with digital printing technology, designs are applied where they imitate stone, wood, or other materials to perfection.

The finishes can also be plain or with texture: this last one providing very interesting reliefs and projections on an architectonical level, as is allows the architect to play with these details to enhance the project´s beauty.

Finally, the fitting of the tiles to the building can be carried out in different ways: through chemical fixings, mechanical fixings, fixings on rails or on an aluminium structure. The choice of one or the other will depend, amongst other things, on the material chosen for that project.

Ventilated facades improve, as we have already seen, this circumstance, allowing the property to be more sustainable and therefore reducing its energy bills. Its therefore worth using, because the overrun expense is recovered at medium to long term, even though this constructive solution to buildings is more costly to apply.