Technical Portal for
Sustainable Architecture
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Ventilated Facades
In over 30 years of activity in building envelope engineering, we have answered thousands of questions from designers, architects, and clients.
On this page, we have collected the most frequently asked questions to help you better understand the technical, economic, and functional advantages of ventilated facades.
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, our technical department is at your complete disposal.
Did you know that these projects are eligible for tax breaks in 2026? [Find out how to save with bonuses]
Technology and structure
What is the chimney effect and why is it vital for buildings?
The chimney effect is the natural movement of air that is created in the cavity between the insulation and the cladding. Thanks to the temperature difference, warm air rises, eliminating excess moisture and keeping the walls dry. In 30 years of installations, we have found that this system drastically reduces the summer heat load, cutting cooling costs by up to 30%.
What is the difference between visible fastening and concealed fastening?
Visible fastenings use colored clips that match the panel, offering a quick and economical solution.
Concealed fastenings (mechanical, adhesive, or with special brackets) completely hide the structure behind the cladding for a superior aesthetic result. VM Group designs both solutions, always guaranteeing maximum resistance to wind loads.
What is the minimum thickness of a ventilated facade?
The overall thickness of the ventilated package depends on the cladding material and the insulation layer chosen. Generally, it starts from a minimum of about 10-12 cm, which includes the insulation layer, the air gap (minimum 3 cm to ensure the chimney effect), and the thickness of the outer panel with its aluminum substructure.
Is it possible to install a ventilated facade on an existing building?
Yes, ventilated facades are the ideal solution for energy retrofitting. Thanks to the flexibility of the mechanical substructure, the system can be installed on almost any type of existing wall support, allowing you to correct irregularities in the original facade and drastically improve the energy class of the building without interfering with the interior spaces.
How are thermal expansions in the substructure managed?
This is a critical issue that we resolve thanks to our direct production. We use fixings with fixed and sliding points that allow the aluminum uprights to expand freely without transmitting tension to the cladding. This prevents structural noise and guarantees the integrity of the facade for decades, even in areas with significant temperature variations.
Che tipo di resistenza offre il sistema al carico del vento?
Each VM Group project is dimensioned with specific static calculations based on the construction site area, building height, and local wind pressure. Our fastening systems (both mechanical and chemical) are tested to withstand extreme stresses, ensuring safety coefficients that exceed those required by European standards.
Materials and aesthetics
What are the most suitable materials for exterior cladding?
There is no such thing as the “best” material, but rather the most suitable material for the project. We mainly use porcelain stoneware (extremely resistant and versatile), stone materials (for a natural look), HPL panels, or metal composites.
Our experience allows us to recommend the material with the best solar reflectance index (SRI) to maximize energy efficiency.
Is it possible to clad buildings with complex or curved geometries?
Absolutely. Thanks to the flexibility of our aluminum substructures, we can adapt the ventilated facade to different architectural shapes, ensuring surface flatness and millimeter precision in alignment, typical of modern building envelope engineering.
Is glue bonding (hybrid system) as secure as mechanical bonding?
Absolutely. The hybrid system combines state-of-the-art structural adhesives with our substructure optimized for chemical adhesion. It offers maximum structural safety with the aesthetic advantage of a clean facade, without visible hooks, ideal for XL slabs.
È possibile utilizzare materiali naturali come la pietra in facciata ventilata?
Absolutely. Natural stone is one of the most prestigious materials. Thanks to our anchoring systems (kerf or undercut), we can install stone cladding while ensuring ventilation of the cavity and seismic safety that traditional installation methods cannot offer.
Maintenance and durability
What is the average lifespan of a VM Group ventilated facade?
A properly designed and installed ventilated facade has a useful life of over 40-50 years. The materials we use, such as aluminum and stoneware, are resistant to atmospheric agents and UV rays. Our thirty years of experience allow us to monitor installations carried out decades ago that are still in perfect condition.
What happens if a panel breaks accidentally?
One of the great advantages of our systems is their maintainability. Each panel is independent; in the event of damage, it is possible to replace the individual panel without having to dismantle the entire facade or intervene on the walls below, ensuring enormous savings on extraordinary maintenance costs.
What kind of maintenance does the system require?
One of the main advantages of our systems is minimal maintenance. Unlike traditional cladding, which may require periodic painting or repairs for cracks, the materials we use (such as ceramic or HPL) are resistant to UV rays and atmospheric agents. Furthermore, the modular nature of the system allows for the individual replacement of each panel in the event of accidental damage.
How is the structural integrity of the facade guaranteed?
Safety is the cornerstone of our design process. Each installation is preceded by a thorough analysis of wind loads and on-site anchor extraction tests.
This allows us to correctly size the aluminum substructure and choose the most suitable fastening system (visible or concealed) for the wall support, ensuring seismic stability and certified durability for decades.
How does the ventilated facade react in corrosive environments (coastal areas or industrial areas)?
For construction sites located in critical areas, we use aluminum alloys with specific treatments (such as anodizing or Qualicoat Seaside-certified powder coating) and stainless steel components. Thirty years of installations throughout Italy have taught us how to calculate the degree of atmospheric corrosion at each site, allowing us to select materials that resist salt and industrial chemicals, preventing oxidation and maintaining structural safety over time.
How is the efficiency of thermal insulation guaranteed over time?
Unlike “wet” systems, in ventilated facades the insulation is mechanically protected by the cladding and constantly dried by the air flow. This prevents moisture absorption, which in other systems causes thermal performance (lambda) to deteriorate after a few years. We use insulation fixing systems (specific rosettes and anchors) that prevent slippage or deterioration, ensuring that the internal cladding maintains its original energy efficiency throughout the entire life cycle of the building.
What measures are taken to prevent birds or rodents from entering the cavity?
The lifespan of a facade also depends on the cleanliness of the ventilation cavity. In all our projects, we install perforated starter profiles (anti-intrusion combs) and upper closure grilles in aluminum or stainless steel. These elements allow the free passage of air necessary for the chimney effect, but prevent the entry of animals or the accumulation of debris that could obstruct ventilation and create hygiene problems or deterioration of internal components.
Regulations and safety
All our systems are designed in accordance with UNI 11018 (Ventilated external cladding).
Are ventilated facades safe in case of fire?
Fire safety is our priority. We use class A1 or A2 (non-combustible) cladding and insulation materials and design fire barriers inside the cavity to prevent the “chimney” effect in the event of flames, strictly complying with current regulations for civil and industrial buildings.
How does the ventilated facade behave in the event of an earthquake?
Our systems are designed to be “earthquake-proof” by nature. Unlike traditional bonded cladding, which is integral with the structure and risks immediate detachment due to vibrations, the VM Group ventilated facade is a decoupled system. The aluminum substructure and the joints between the panels allow the system to absorb deformations and movements of the building without transferring stress to the cladding. Each bracket is calculated to ensure that, even in the event of strong shocks, no components detach or fall, protecting people's safety and the integrity of the investment.
How is the structural integrity of the facade guaranteed?
Safety is the cornerstone of our design process. Each installation is preceded by a thorough analysis of wind loads and on-site anchor extraction tests.
This allows us to correctly size the aluminum substructure and choose the most suitable fastening system (visible or concealed) for the wall support, ensuring seismic stability and certified durability for decades.
Is the system compatible with tax incentives for energy efficiency?
Yes, as it is one of the most effective systems for insulating building envelopes, it is fully eligible for energy saving tax breaks. We provide all the necessary technical documentation (certifications and technical data sheets) to support tax deduction applications.
