Technical Portal for Sustainable Architecture
Ventilated facades
Design, engineering, and construction of ventilated facades for new buildings and renovation projects.
A ventilated facade is an envelope system composed of multiple elements working together: the backing wall, insulation, substructure, ventilation cavity, fixings, and external cladding.
VM Group manages the project from the initial building assessment and site survey through to detailed engineering, the selection of fixing systems, and on-site installation.
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DESIGN
Building analysis, site survey, and solution definition.
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ENGINEERING
Substructures, fixings, construction details, and structural verification.
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EXECUTION
Supply, coordination, and installation of the facade system.
What is a ventilated façade?
A ventilated façade is a building envelope cladding system consisting of several functionally independent layers: the supporting wall, thermal insulation, a supporting substructure, a ventilation cavity, and the external cladding.
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The cladding is generally spaced away from the wall by means of a metal substructure. The space created between the insulation and the cladding forms the ventilation cavity, allowing air to circulate.
However, the performance of the entire system depends on the interaction between its various components. Consequently, a ventilated façade cannot be viewed merely as a cladding applied to the building; it must be designed with regard to the supporting structure, loads, materials used, fixing system, and construction details.
Therefore, the choice of the layer assembly, substructure, and anchoring systems must be determined based on the building's characteristics and the specific project conditions.
facing slab
structural node
upright
insulating
Our standard configuration:
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Insulating Core: High-density, water-repellent, and breathable insulation layer, mechanically secured to ensure thermal continuity.
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Alubond/Steel Substructure: Aluminum or stainless steel frame, designed with thermal break brackets to eliminate thermal bridges.
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Ventilation Chamber: Spacer sized (min. 30 mm) to optimize the speed of the ascending airflow.
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External Cladding with Open Joints: Final covering that acts as a protective shield, installed to allow micro-ventilation and the relief of wind pressure.
How a ventilated facade works
A ventilated facade is a system composed of multiple elements working in concert: the wall, thermal insulation, a substructure, a ventilation cavity, and the external cladding. The separation between the cladding and the wall creates a continuous air gap that allows for natural air circulation, thereby helping to manage heat and moisture within the building envelope.
The facade's performance therefore depends on the proper design of the entire assembly and the combination of its components. Let us examine the key mechanisms at play throughout the year.
Insulation during the winter
Thermal insulation placed on the exterior of the masonry reduces outward heat loss and helps maintain a more stable internal temperature. The continuity of the insulation layer also helps minimize thermal bridges and improve the energy performance of the building envelope.
Weather protection
The external cladding serves as the building envelope's primary protection against the direct impact of atmospheric agents, such as rain, wind, and solar radiation. Furthermore, the presence of a ventilation cavity promotes the drying of the interstitial space and contributes to moisture management, provided the system is correctly designed and detailed.
Isolation during the summer
During the summer season, solar radiation heats the external cladding. Natural air circulation within the ventilation cavity facilitates the dissipation of some of the accumulated heat, helping to limit overheating of the building envelope and the thermal load on the building.
Sound insulation
The acoustic insulation of the building envelope depends on the combination of the wall, insulation layer, substructure, and external cladding. Proper design of the assembly layers can help reduce the transmission of external noise and improve acoustic comfort in interior spaces.
How a ventilated facade performs in summer
Physical dynamics
Heat dissipation via radiation: the air within the ventilation cavity heats up due to solar radiation and tends to rise, facilitating the dissipation of some of the heat through natural air movement.
Benefit
Ventilation of the cavity helps limit overheating of the building envelope and can reduce the thermal load on the building, improving indoor comfort during the summer season.
How a ventilated facade performs in winter
Physical dynamics
Heat and moisture management: during the winter season, the performance of the building envelope depends primarily on the continuity and characteristics of the insulation layer. The ventilated cavity contributes to managing moisture within the assembly, depending on the system's configuration and proper design.
Benefit
Protect the building envelope and maintain more stable hygrothermal conditions within the wall.
Diagram illustrating the behavior of the ventilation cavity under summer and winter conditions.
The temperatures shown refer to the illustrated example and do not constitute guaranteed performance values.
Where a ventilated facade is applied
Residential construction
Ventilated facades are also used in residential construction, for both new builds and renovation projects. The choice of cladding, substructure, and insulation is determined based on the building's characteristics, architectural requirements, and performance specifications.
Redevelopment of buildings and condominiums
In the refurbishment of existing buildings, a ventilated façade can integrate thermal insulation and new cladding as part of a building envelope upgrade.
The design must take into account the condition of the existing wall, wind loads, anchoring systems, thermal bridges, and the characteristics of the new cladding.
Office and commercial buildings
In office, commercial, and service-sector buildings, ventilated facades allow for the combination of architectural requirements and building envelope performance. Porcelain stoneware, metal composites, fiber-cement, and other materials can be used depending on the project, surface dimensions, construction details, and required performance.
Ventilated facade and building envelope: aspects to consider
The choice of façade system depends on the building's characteristics, required performance, and project objectives. A ventilated façade integrates external cladding, a ventilation cavity, a substructure, and insulation into a system designed to simultaneously address architectural, hygrothermal, and structural requirements.
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Technical considerations
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Managing thermal expansion:
The substructure and fixing systems must be designed to accommodate differential expansion between the cladding, substructure, and backing wall, avoiding the transfer of unintended stresses to the façade. -
Material selection and durability:
The choice of cladding must take into account material properties, building exposure, fixing systems, and environmental conditions. Porcelain stoneware, HPL, fiber-cement, stone, and metal composites can meet various design requirements. -
Envelope protection and management:
Proper design of the assembly layers and the ventilation cavity contributes to moisture management and the protection of underlying layers. Hygrothermal performance must be verified based on the specific wall configuration.
From design to construction: a ventilated façade project
Anchoring systems for ventilated facades
The anchoring system connects the cladding to the substructure and must be designed based on the material, panel dimensions, wind loads, and the characteristics of the supporting structure. The choice of fixing system influences both the performance of the facade and the final aesthetic outcome.
Visible Fix
The cladding is secured using visible metal hooks or clips, positioned at the joints and color-coordinated with the cladding itself. This solution allows for easy inspection and replacement of the system's components.
Visible Fix
The mounting system is integrated into the back of the panel using specifically sized mechanical components and machining processes. The anchoring elements remain concealed from view, resulting in a continuous surface and a cleaner architectural finish.
Materials for ventilated facade cladding
The choice of cladding depends on the project, the building's characteristics, the required performance, and the chosen fixing system. Materials suitable for ventilated facades include:
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Porcelain stoneware and natural stone: offering various aesthetic and dimensional options depending on the project.
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HPL and metal composites: suitable for diverse geometries, finishes, and formats.
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Fiber-cement and metal: solutions catering to different architectural styles and performance requirements.
Material performance and characteristics:
Cladding performance must be evaluated based on the chosen material and the product's technical specifications. Key parameters to consider include:
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reaction to fire;
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water absorption;
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resistance to atmospheric agents and UV rays;
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mechanical properties;
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dimensional stability;
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panel size and weight;
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fixing methods and maintenance requirements.
Technical insights into ventilated facades
