Ventilated facades

Ventilated facades

Ventilated facades in architecture
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Alongside providing superior aesthetic properties and undisputed thermo-acoustic insulation, ventilated facade systems stem from the need to protect buildings against the combined action of rain and wind, counter the effects of rainwater on walls, and keep the structure dry. 

These systems comprise complex multi-layer construction solutions, which allow “dry” installation of the wall cladding. From a structural point of view, it is a typical cantilevered system, comprising the following components: 

  • A metal loadbearing structure fixed to the building wall by means of brackets and anchors. 
  • An insulating layer covering the wall. 
  • An outer face attached to the metal structure. 

Assembling these components creates an air gap which produces natural ventilation via the so-called chimney effect. An effect that becomes much more effective when the entire facade is ventilated.

Given these general properties, installation of one of the ventilated facade systems supplied by Granitech can resolve non-standard construction design issues both for new construction and refurbishment of existing buildings. In both cases, these systems guarantee significant advantages in terms of wall durability and energy efficiency, especially for taller, isolated or heavily exposed buildings. 

In fact, Granitech ventilated facades ensure particularly significant effects in respect of thermal energy during both warm and cold weather. In warmer months, due to the cladding partially reflecting solar radiation, air gap ventilation and insulating layer, a reduction in heat load on the building is ensured, with a consequent, appreciable reduction in air conditioning costs. In contrast, during colder months ventilated facades retain the heat generated inside, with consequent savings in respect of heating. 

At all times of the year, this type of layered construction system takes advantage of the so-called chimney effect in the air gap, resulting in significant benefits, including removal of excessive heat and moisture, and consequent increase in comfort.

Granitech ventilated facade systems, which include Porcelain Stoneware Slabs used for the cladding, guarantee notable aesthetic-performance improvement on buildings, significantly higher than traditional construction solutions. Thermal insulation can be integrated in these systems, to wrap and protect the building with a solution comparable to a coat, yet without the usual disadvantages of this type of solution such as exposure to atmospheric agents, support, cladding and lack of insulation ventilation. 

The overall energy performance of ventilated facades minimizes heat loss and favors heat balance, reducing energy requirements to a minimum. Installing a continuous insulating layer on the wall ensures a reduction in heat loss, and eliminates any thermal bridges and interruption of insulation corresponding with girders, joists or pillars, usually present in conventional walls. 

The external face removes energy and heat from the wall caused by solar radiation, as well as any rainwater ingress, thus avoiding direct contact with the wall that separates the outside of the building from the inside. Due to the layered construction and, in particular, the air gap and insulation, ventilated facades also tend to absorb external noise, which significantly increases acoustic insulation. 

In summary, installation of Granitech ventilated facades ensures the following advantages compared with traditional wall solutions: 

  1. Energy savings and thermal bridges eliminated 
  2.  Protection of wall structure against direct atmospheric agents 
  3.  Elimination of surface condensation 
  4.  Long-lasting efficient external insulation 
  5.  Acoustic insulation 
  6.  Cavity created for housing services and pipework 
  7.  Dry installation, with installation times and conditions not dependent on climate conditions 
  8.  Easy maintenance and ability to work on an individual tile 
  9.  Elimination of the risk of the cladding cracking 
  10.  Mechanical or chemical fixing of tiles, and safety mesh bonded to the back of the tile 
  11.  Exceptionally lightweight facade system with consequent possibility of installation on existing buildings, to improve their aesthetic appearance and increase energy performance; self-cleaning and pollution-reducing with ACTIVE finishing no need to carry out costly work on building walls. 
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