Refurbishing existing buildings has become a priority in many cities, where sustainability and energy efficiency are at the heart of environmental policies. Ventilated façades are an ideal solution for improving building performance in terms of the project’s renovation and enhancing its aesthetic quality.
The choice of materials used for ventilated façades therefore plays a crucial role in redefining the performance and style of a building. But what are the best performing solutions for constructing ventilated walls in building redevelopment projects?
Eco-sustainable façade materials: porcelain stoneware
One of the most effective and innovative solutions for redeveloping existing buildings is porcelain stoneware. This is one of the most popular materials for ventilated façades, thanks to its resistance and ability to adapt to different climate conditions. Porcelain stoneware tiles stand out for their:
- High resistance: porcelain stoneware does not wear when exposed to atmospheric agents, such as sun and rain, and is also particularly resistant to moisture and thermal shocks. Extreme temperatures, frost and UV rays do not alter its properties or aesthetic appearance, even over time, This make porcelain stoneware an ideal choice for buildings, especially those located in areas with a difficult climate or particularly exposed to bad weather It therefore also requires less maintenance as simple periodic cleaning is enough and no special treatments or frequent restoration work are required.
- Sustainability: porcelain stoneware is made of natural raw materials, does not contain toxic substances, can be recycled easily and, in many cases, is the result of production processes that comply with ecological building standards and have a low environmental impact. Using this solution to create ventilated walls also helps improve efficiency in building energy upgrades by reducing heat loss.
- Versatility: available in a wide range of finishes, colours and textures, porcelain stoneware ensures a unique aesthetic result, that is elegant and ready to adapt to the most diverse architectural styles, from modern architecture to buildings with more classical designs. Whatever the desired effect, a powerful visual impact is guaranteed.
Metal and fibre cement ventilated façade panels
Metal panels, like those made of aluminium and steel, are another popular ventilated façade material for buildings in need of renovation as they have a number of interesting benefits, like being lightweight and easy to process and assemble. Particularly suitable for high buildings, metal panels create structures that are lightweight but resistant. They are also easy to install and replace thanks to their modularity and flexibility, which saves time and labour costs. However, compared to porcelain stoneware, this solution can be less durable, especially in the face of external impacts (like hail).
Fibre cement ventilated façade panels are also good for creating ventilated façades, especially in industrial or retail premises. Fibre cement is a composite material that combines the mechanical resistance of cement with lightweight natural or synthetic fibres in the form of either spheroidal or acicular-shaped particles in two-dimensional or three-dimensional fabrics with different meshes. It guarantees high safety standards for buildings as it is fireproof and has great dimensional stability. It is also available in a wide range of finishes, like porcelain stoneware, which means it can adapt to different types of projects even though, compared to stoneware, it is more porous.
Porcelain stoneware: the best ally for the redevelopment of existing buildings
Choosing the best material to use on a ventilated façade for a building redevelopment directly affects the quality, efficiency and durability of the project, which is why it requires a careful assessment of the climate characteristics, the budget and the desired aesthetic result. Out of all these high performance solutions, the properties of porcelain stoneware make it an excellent choice for those wishing to combine functionality, durability, environmental sustainability and style.
