A ventilated façade is an external cladding system with an air cavity behind the cladding. The components and exact configuration are determined by the building and technical design.
The system typically includes:
external cladding;
fixing components;
ventilated cavity;
substructure;
thermal insulation, where specified in the design;
the supporting structure or building wall.
What does the ventilated cavity do?
A gap between the external cladding and the other layers allows air to circulate. When the system is correctly designed and installed, this circulation helps remove moisture and heat accumulating behind the cladding.
What does the cladding do?
Cladding forms the visible façade surface and shields the layers behind it from direct weather exposure. Its material, panel dimensions and fixing system are selected to meet architectural and technical requirements.
Ventilated façade or curtain wall?
They are different systems.
A ventilated façade has cladding mounted away from the building wall, with an air cavity behind it.
A curtain wall is a non-load-bearing external façade system, typically consisting of framing with glass or other infill panels, supported by the building’s structure.
The system is not chosen on appearance alone. The building structure, wind and rain exposure, insulation, fixing systems and desired architectural result all matter.
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