A ventilated facade cladding is a valuable solution to aesthetically enhance the facade in a renovation project. However, the choice of cladding comes with several challenges: Is it allowed by the urban planning department? Can the existing facade support the additional weight? What is aesthetically desirable? And how do you keep the circular options open to the maximum? Our experts offer advice based on their extensive practical experience.
A successful facade renovation is a lot like a successful obstacle course. "It starts with the application for the environmental permit," says Ann Vandevelde, Business Unit Manager at Tectum Constructors. "It is often the architect who has the most difficulty in convincing the urban planning department of the benefits of a ventilated cladding. There is still a strong preference for stone materials. However, this preference is at odds with the government's circular economy ambitions, as facing bricks can rarely be recovered for reuse. The same applies to bonded cladding.
"Bonding is the most economical solution when the client or architect requests invisible fastening. Visible mechanical fastening is less expensive than bonding," adds Bart Lips of Leonardo Fix. " However, it is not the only solution for blind mounting, nor is it necessarily the best. Primarily, there are stringent installation conditions; the temperature and humidity must be optimal. Unfortunately, time constraints sometimes lead to these requirements being ignored."
In Belgium, the trend is slowly changing. "Partly due to reinforced fire regulations as of July 1, 2022. Each component of a ventilated facade must meet certain fire resistance requirements, depending on the type of building (low-rise, mid-rise or high-rise). Particulary for high-rise buildings (>25m), the requirements for installing facade cladding, especially a ventilated facade, have become significantly more stringent. For instance, the number of insulation options is limited and the installation of cladding on a wooden support structure and the bonding of the cladding to the underlying support has become nearly impossible," says Ann Vandevelde.
The alternative to bonding is blind fastening. "With this method, no screws are visible. Although it has been available for a long time, it is often not chosen due to its perceived higher cost than bonding. The preparation is more labor-intensive, but the installation is quick and can be completed regardless of the weather. This is why we have noticed strong growth in recent years," says Bart Lips. The video below illustrates the installation process.
The installation of the cladding requires a proper support structure. This includes not only the profiles, but also the existing facades. "It is crucial to carefully assess whether natural or artificial stone cladding can be anchored to the existing masonry. Very often, these claddings need to be re-anchored or additionally anchored in the supporting wall behind to support the new cladding. If feasible, it is recommended to remove the existing cladding in several places to inspect the condition of the underlaying structure. This often reveals unexpected issues, especially in tall buildings with a concrete skeleton and infill masonry," says Ann Vandevelde. (see photos)
The stability of the supporting structure directly influences the design of the profile system to which the cladding is anchored. "The aluminum profiles play a key role in heat losses through the facade. Therefore, it is important to determine the most efficient structure in order to minimize fixing points and, consequently, the number of thermal bridges. Another aspect to consider is the distribution of joints between the panels, which impacts the number of profiles and, by extension, the U-value of the facade. In summary, the architect should study this during the design phase so that the EPB reporter can immediately calculate the correct values. From this perspective, I recommend that, especially in the case of private tenders, the optimal facade construction should be thoroughly examined within a construction team. Together we will find an efficient and technically feasible solution".
Mechanical fastening of ventilated cladding offers both aesthetic and sustainable advantages.
Mechanical fastening of facade panels offers additional advantages. At the end of the building's life, the various materials can be efficiently separated into distinct material streams. This is relevant when evaluating the sustainability of a design using a tool such as Totem or GRO. Bart Lips notes: "The aluminum profiles can potentially be reused. Equally important is the relatively limited amount of energy required to recycle the profiles into new aluminum products. Recycling the facade panels is more challenging due to their specific dimensions, but a resourceful architect can find solutions to this problem. However, it is also necessary to consider the manufacturer's certificate from a warranty perspective.
The big challenge in reaching the circular goal is getting the end user on board. "Architects are convinced, but the end customer often hesitates due to the cost considerations. However, it is not unrealistic, as over the last 20 years, our perspective on insulation and ventilation has also changed."
Another advantage of mechanical attachment for ventilated facades is the capacity for expansion. "The facade panels, being attached to the supporting structure, retain the freedom to expand under the influence of temperature variations. This is not the case, for instance, with a plaster finish or stone strips on insulation, which can lead to the development of small cracks.
In summary, the mechanical fastening of ventilated cladding offers both aesthetic and sustainable advantages for the future. "Above all, it involves a thorough analysis of the existing structure in order to develop a suitable concept. Tectum Constructors of Leonardo Fix is happy to collaborate and to brainstorm with you. We have provided guidance to numerous clients on the optimal construction within construction teams," concludes Ann Vandevelde.
A ventilated facade cladding is a valuable solution to aesthetically enhance the facade in a renovation project. However, the choice of cladding comes with several challenges: Is it allowed by the urban planning department? Can the existing facade support the additional weight? What is aesthetically desirable? And how do you keep the circular options open to the maximum? Our experts offer advice based on their extensive practical experience.
A successful facade renovation is a lot like a successful obstacle course. "It starts with the application for the environmental permit," says Ann Vandevelde, Business Unit Manager at Tectum Constructors. "It is often the architect who has the most difficulty in convincing the urban planning department of the benefits of a ventilated cladding. There is still a strong preference for stone materials. However, this preference is at odds with the government's circular economy ambitions, as facing bricks can rarely be recovered for reuse. The same applies to bonded cladding.
"Bonding is the most economical solution when the client or architect requests invisible fastening. Visible mechanical fastening is less expensive than bonding," adds Bart Lips of Leonardo Fix. " However, it is not the only solution for blind mounting, nor is it necessarily the best. Primarily, there are stringent installation conditions; the temperature and humidity must be optimal. Unfortunately, time constraints sometimes lead to these requirements being ignored."
In Belgium, the trend is slowly changing. "Partly due to reinforced fire regulations as of July 1, 2022. Each component of a ventilated facade must meet certain fire resistance requirements, depending on the type of building (low-rise, mid-rise or high-rise). Particulary for high-rise buildings (>25m), the requirements for installing facade cladding, especially a ventilated facade, have become significantly more stringent. For instance, the number of insulation options is limited and the installation of cladding on a wooden support structure and the bonding of the cladding to the underlying support has become nearly impossible," says Ann Vandevelde.
The alternative to bonding is blind fastening. "With this method, no screws are visible. Although it has been available for a long time, it is often not chosen due to its perceived higher cost than bonding. The preparation is more labor-intensive, but the installation is quick and can be completed regardless of the weather. This is why we have noticed strong growth in recent years," says Bart Lips. The video below illustrates the installation process.
The installation of the cladding requires a proper support structure. This includes not only the profiles, but also the existing facades. "It is crucial to carefully assess whether natural or artificial stone cladding can be anchored to the existing masonry. Very often, these claddings need to be re-anchored or additionally anchored in the supporting wall behind to support the new cladding. If feasible, it is recommended to remove the existing cladding in several places to inspect the condition of the underlaying structure. This often reveals unexpected issues, especially in tall buildings with a concrete skeleton and infill masonry," says Ann Vandevelde. (see photos)
The stability of the supporting structure directly influences the design of the profile system to which the cladding is anchored. "The aluminum profiles play a key role in heat losses through the facade. Therefore, it is important to determine the most efficient structure in order to minimize fixing points and, consequently, the number of thermal bridges. Another aspect to consider is the distribution of joints between the panels, which impacts the number of profiles and, by extension, the U-value of the facade. In summary, the architect should study this during the design phase so that the EPB reporter can immediately calculate the correct values. From this perspective, I recommend that, especially in the case of private tenders, the optimal facade construction should be thoroughly examined within a construction team. Together we will find an efficient and technically feasible solution".
Mechanical fastening of facade panels offers additional advantages. At the end of the building's life, the various materials can be efficiently separated into distinct material streams. This is relevant when evaluating the sustainability of a design using a tool such as Totem or GRO. Bart Lips notes: "The aluminum profiles can potentially be reused. Equally important is the relatively limited amount of energy required to recycle the profiles into new aluminum products. Recycling the facade panels is more challenging due to their specific dimensions, but a resourceful architect can find solutions to this problem. However, it is also necessary to consider the manufacturer's certificate from a warranty perspective.
The big challenge in reaching the circular goal is getting the end user on board. "Architects are convinced, but the end customer often hesitates due to the cost considerations. However, it is not unrealistic, as over the last 20 years, our perspective on insulation and ventilation has also changed."
Another advantage of mechanical attachment for ventilated facades is the capacity for expansion. "The facade panels, being attached to the supporting structure, retain the freedom to expand under the influence of temperature variations. This is not the case, for instance, with a plaster finish or stone strips on insulation, which can lead to the development of small cracks.
In summary, the mechanical fastening of ventilated cladding offers both aesthetic and sustainable advantages for the future. "Above all, it involves a thorough analysis of the existing structure in order to develop a suitable concept. Tectum Constructors of Leonardo Fix is happy to collaborate and to brainstorm with you. We have provided guidance to numerous clients on the optimal construction within construction teams," concludes Ann Vandevelde.
A ventilated facade cladding is a valuable solution to aesthetically enhance the facade in a renovation project. However, the choice of cladding comes with several challenges: Is it allowed by the urban planning department? Can the existing facade support the additional weight? What is aesthetically desirable? And how do you keep the circular options open to the maximum? Our experts offer advice based on their extensive practical experience.
A successful facade renovation is a lot like a successful obstacle course. "It starts with the application for the environmental permit," says Ann Vandevelde, Business Unit Manager at Tectum Constructors. "It is often the architect who has the most difficulty in convincing the urban planning department of the benefits of a ventilated cladding. There is still a strong preference for stone materials. However, this preference is at odds with the government's circular economy ambitions, as facing bricks can rarely be recovered for reuse. The same applies to bonded cladding.
"Bonding is the most economical solution when the client or architect requests invisible fastening. Visible mechanical fastening is less expensive than bonding," adds Bart Lips of Leonardo Fix. " However, it is not the only solution for blind mounting, nor is it necessarily the best. Primarily, there are stringent installation conditions; the temperature and humidity must be optimal. Unfortunately, time constraints sometimes lead to these requirements being ignored."
In Belgium, the trend is slowly changing. "Partly due to reinforced fire regulations as of July 1, 2022. Each component of a ventilated facade must meet certain fire resistance requirements, depending on the type of building (low-rise, mid-rise or high-rise). Particulary for high-rise buildings (>25m), the requirements for installing facade cladding, especially a ventilated facade, have become significantly more stringent. For instance, the number of insulation options is limited and the installation of cladding on a wooden support structure and the bonding of the cladding to the underlying support has become nearly impossible," says Ann Vandevelde.
The alternative to bonding is blind fastening. "With this method, no screws are visible. Although it has been available for a long time, it is often not chosen due to its perceived higher cost than bonding. The preparation is more labor-intensive, but the installation is quick and can be completed regardless of the weather. This is why we have noticed strong growth in recent years," says Bart Lips. The video below illustrates the installation process.
Mechanical fastening of ventilated cladding offers both aesthetic and sustainable advantages.
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