Facades are critical components of any building, playing a major role in defining its appearance and functionality. When selecting the right type of facade, various factors must be considered, such as the building’s location, purpose, design aesthetic, and energy efficiency requirements.
This blog provides an overview of the main types of facades used in modern construction, focusing on their benefits, limitations, and most suitable applications. We’ll explore several facade types, from lightweight and heavyweight solutions to advanced prefabricated systems and traditional materials. Let’s go into the world of building facades and their key features.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Building facades are essential for both aesthetics and functionality. Different types of facades are chosen based on factors like location, design, and energy efficiency. Lightweight facades, made from glass and aluminium, offer easy installation and natural light but lack insulation.
Heavyweight facades, such as those made from brick or stone, provide excellent insulation and durability. Prefabricated facades are cost-effective and quick to install, while traditional facades offer a timeless look but lower insulation efficiency.
ETI systems and rainscreen cladding focus on enhancing energy efficiency and moisture protection. Steel facades provide structural strength and versatility, whereas curtain-wall facades deliver a sleek design with abundant natural light. Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) are customisable and lightweight, and double-skin facades improve energy regulation and insulation. Each facade type serves different purposes, balancing functionality, cost, and aesthetics.
Lightweight Facades
Lightweight facades are commonly used in modern architectural projects because they are adaptable, have aesthetic appeal, and are easy to install.
A lightweight facade is attached to a building’s exterior but does not contribute to its structural support. It typically comprises materials like glass, aluminium, or other lightweight composites. Because it doesn’t bear any of the building’s load, the facade must be designed to withstand environmental stresses such as wind pressure. There are two primary methods for constructing lightweight facades:
- Curtain walls: A system where the facade is hung from the building’s structure, allowing for large uninterrupted panels of glass or other materials.
- Panel facades: These use pre-assembled panels attached to the building’s frame. Unlike curtain walls, the framework is often visible, adding a structural element to the aesthetic.
Benefits Of Lightweight Facades
Lightweight facades offer several advantages:
- Quick installation: Many lightweight facade components are prefabricated, so they can be installed rapidly, saving on construction time.
- Enhanced natural light: Glass-heavy facades allow more natural light to penetrate, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Heavyweight Facades
Heavyweight facades are designed to provide structural and thermal benefits, making them
popular for buildings requiring long-lasting durability and enhanced insulation.
A heavyweight facade is defined by its considerable mass, typically weighing more than 100 kilograms per square metre. These facades may be load-bearing, meaning they help support the building, or they may be non-load-bearing but provide significant insulation benefits. Materials commonly used for heavyweight facades include concrete, brick, and stone.
Advantages Of Heavyweight Facades
- Excellent insulation: Heavyweight facades offer superior thermal and acoustic insulation, making them ideal for commercial and residential buildings in extreme weather conditions.
- Durability: These facades are incredibly robust, requiring minimal maintenance over time and a longer lifespan than their lightweight counterparts.
Prefabricated Facades
In recent years, prefabricated facades have gained popularity for their ease of use and cost efficiency. Prefabrication involves manufacturing facade elements in a factory setting before assembling them on-site. A prefabricated facade is constructed from pre-designed modules, typically using concrete, wood, or metal materials. These modules are produced in controlled factory environments and then transported to the construction site connected to the building’s structure.
Benefits Of Prefabricated Facades
- Time-saving: The prefabrication process allows quicker on-site installation, as the major work is done off-site.
- Cost-effective: Standardisation of components results in lower material and labour costs.
Traditional Facades
Traditional facades use classic construction materials like brick, stone, wood, and ceramic tiles. These materials have been used for centuries and are popular for their timeless aesthetic and practicality.
Benefits Of Traditional Facades
- Cost-efficiency: Traditional facades are more affordable than modern, high-tech systems.
- Simple construction: Well-established construction techniques make installing traditional facades relatively straightforward.
ETI Systems
External Thermal Insulation (ETI) systems are designed to improve a building’s energy efficiency by applying insulation to the exterior walls.
An ETI system covers a building with insulation plates, which are then coated with mortar and secured to the building using adhesive or mechanical means. These systems typically use expanded polystyrene or mineral wool to provide insulation.
Benefits Of ETI Systems
- Improved energy efficiency: ETI systems reduce thermal bridging and help prevent condensation, making the building more energy-efficient.
- Cost-effectiveness: These systems are relatively inexpensive to install, offering good value for money.
Rainscreen Cladding
Rainscreen cladding is a ventilated facade system that protects buildings from weather conditions while providing thermal benefits. A rainscreen cladding system comprises a load-bearing wall, insulation, and an outer layer. The defining feature of this system is the air gap between the insulation and the cladding, which allows for natural ventilation. This air gap helps prevent moisture build-up and improves the building’s thermal performance.
Advantages Of Rainscreen Cladding
- Natural ventilation: The air gap circulates, preventing moisture build-up and keeping the building cooler in hot weather.
- Protection from condensation: The cladding acts as an additional barrier against water infiltration, reducing the risk of condensation and related structural damage.
7. Steel Facades
Steel facades are popular in commercial construction, particularly for office buildings and skyscrapers. Steel facades are made from lightweight steel panels attached to a building’s frame. They are often used with other materials, such as glass or composite cladding, to create a modern and sleek look.
Benefits Of Steel Facades
- Strength: Steel offers exceptional structural integrity and can withstand wind loads and other external stresses.
- Versatility: Steel facades can be combined with various cladding materials, making them adaptable to different architectural styles.
Curtain-Wall Facades
Curtain-wall facades are widely used in commercial architecture, especially in skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, for their aesthetic appeal and functional benefits. A curtain-wall facade typically comprises glass or metal panels supported by a hidden framework. These panels are prefabricated off-site and installed as interlocking units on the building.
Advantages Of Curtain-Wall Facades
- Abundant natural light: The large glass panels let ample natural light into the building, creating bright and inviting interior spaces.
- Weather protection: Curtain walls protect from wind, rain, and other environmental elements while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) Facades
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) are a highly versatile material used for cladding in commercial and residential buildings. An ACP facade is made from two sheets of aluminium bonded to a thermoplastic core. These panels can be customised with various finishes, including wood, metal, and marble effects.
Benefits Of Acp Facades
- Lightweight and durable: ACP facades offer strength without the added weight, making them easier to install.
- Customisable: ACP panels can be manufactured in various colours and finishes, allowing for various design possibilities.
Double-Skin Facades
Double-skin facades are an advanced facade system used in commercial buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs. They consist of two glass layers with an air cavity in between. This cavity helps regulate temperature by allowing hot air to escape in summer and trapping warmth in winter.
Benefits Of Double-Skin Facades
- Energy efficiency: Double-skin facades reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling by improving the building’s thermal regulation.
- Improved insulation: The air cavity acts as an insulating barrier, helping to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
Conclusion
Selecting the right facade for your building is a critical decision affecting its aesthetic appeal and energy performance. From lightweight and sleek curtain walls to durable and insulating heavyweight facades, each system has its benefits and ideal applications.
Modern technologies like rain-screen cladding and double-skin facades offer advanced solutions for buildings that require high performance, while traditional facades bring timeless elegance to construction.
By understanding the different types of facades, architects and builders can make informed decisions that enhance the building’s functionality and visual impact, ensuring both beauty and practicality.=
FAQs About Facade
What Are the Different Types of Facades?
Here are six types of modern facade design to consider for your next project.
- Ceramic facades
- Stone composite panels
- Precast concrete panels
- Natural stone panels
- Closed cavity facades
- Green facades
What Is an Example of a Façade?
The definition of a facade is the front of a building facing a public space or an artificial front or appearance by someone. An example of facade is the front of the local mall. An example of facade is the putting on of a smile when really feeling quite upset.
What Are Facades of Houses?
House façades refer to one exterior side of a house – typically the front. The word “façade” is a French word, meaning “frontage” or “face”. Pronounced “fa’saad”, it’s one of the most important parts of your home design.
What Is Common Façade?
Façade, by definition, is the face of a building. It is what you can see from the exterior that protects the interior. Façades are an integral part of the building shell – keeping us humans warm in the winter and cool in the summer, while also providing a barrier from outside elements and even fire in some cases.
What Is Facade in Construction?
A façade refers to one side, usually the front, of a building. It is an integral piece to the overall design of a building. It provides the opportunity to create a personality and character to a building.