What is a building facade system?

Nicer aesthetics. A well-planned and designed facade can enhance a building’s overall appearance, it can make it more aesthetically pleasing and in keeping with modern design trends. This can make it more attractive to tenants, customers, visitors and the general public 

Energy efficiency. A good quality building facade with low transmittance through lightweight stainless steel brackets, can enhance the thermal performance of the facade and help to reduce energy bills. It improves a building’s energy efficiency by reducing heat gain and loss through well designed support systems and thermally efficient glazing systems. Using cladding systems that are thermally efficient helps to reduce the level of insulation required in the wall construction and overall wall build-ups and that in turn creates more effective floor space to the interior of a building and therefore maximises the energy efficiency of the building.

Cladding can also be a sustainable and environmentally friendly construction solution compared to traditional construction methods such as concrete or brickwork. Most cladding solutions can reduce the overall structural frame elements of a building and reduce the overall weight on the façade and that often reduces the loadings on foundations and piling to structures.

In construction, concrete is one of the largest contributors to CO2  emissions in the world at present, using lightweight facades and cladding systems can help to reduce the effects on global warming. When selecting a cladding system it is important to look at what elements of the facade are re-usable at the end of its lifespan. The more we look at the carbon footprint of construction, the more cladding will be utilised and renewed. So using a cladding product that can be recycled at the end of its usable life, reduces the impact on the environment. The Argeton system can be fully recycled being made from clay and the support system being aluminium or stainless steel which are all elements that can be fully recycled. 

Protection. The facade on a building can protect it from harsh weather conditions such as wind, rain and snow. Your buildings lifespan will be increased as damage to a buildings structure and interior will be reduced. Facade systems should be designed to maintain and provide protection and performance for a lifespan in excess of 60 years. This helps to reduce the level of carbon emissions created throughout the lifespan of the cladding materials application. 

Comfort. A building facade provides ventilation, shade and allows natural light, making it a more comfortable environment for those inside the building.

How long does a building facade last?

The lifespan of a building facade can vary depending on a variety of factors. The materials, climate and environmental conditions can all have an impact on its lifespan. Most facades are designed and selected to achieve a minimum of a 60 year life cycle but a quality facade should be capable of lasting up to 150 years. The maintenance of a facade can help a building to last much longer and maintain its clean and effective appearance. It is recommended that a building facade is regularly inspected and any repairs should be done to ensure safety and longevity, this is usually carried out by a visual inspection on a yearly basis and a more invasive inspection every 5 to 10 years.