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Breath. A new, yet proven way to install ventilated façade systems By Ron Treister

By now, most commercial construction professionals are aware that ventilated façades have been in demand for roughly three decades. Why? Because architects, contractors and building owners want to improve the acoustic and thermal performance of their buildings.

And end-users demand more comfortable places to live, work and rest.

Today’s buildings have become more energy-efficient and sustainable, without losing aesthetics. For so many reasons, they must have clean, modern, and streamlined exterior building exteriors. A ventilated façade is perhaps the best way to accomplish all the above. We sat down with Daniel Sanchez, Sales Director at Bostik, to get his take on today’s ventilated facades installation techniques. What exactly is a ventilated façade?

A ventilated façade—also known as double-skin façades or rainscreen systems—is a construction method offering a physical separation that is created between a building’s exterior cladding and its interior wall. This separation creates an open cavity, allowing the exchange of the air contained between the wall and the outer cladding. This sometimes is referred to as “The Chimney Effect.” This cavity ultimately results in a range of thermal, acoustic, aesthetic, and functional advantages that add great value to the building.

Describe these advantages: Thermal advantages: Up to 30% of energy consumption reductions in HVAC via a reduction in the amount of heat that

buildings absorb in hot weather conditions from the partial reflection of solar radiation by the outside façade, and the naturally ventilated air cavity. In cold weather conditions, ventilated walls retain heat, which results in a lower reliance on energy needed for heating procedures.

Acoustical advantages: A professionally installed, true ventilated façade system noticeably provides a decrease in external noise.

Structural advantages: Additionally, a secondary façade provides protection against wind and rain. The natural, bottom-to-top airflow through the cavity assists in eliminating moisture accumulation on the façades, preventing mold and water damage, helping to prolong the architectural integrity and ultimately, the building’s lifespan.

Please note that these advantages are the most well-known benefits resulting from the construction of a ventilated façade. But they are not the only ones. Rainscreen systems also: > Eliminate condensation and excessive humidity inside of the building > Reduce structural movements due to changes in temperature resulting in less cracks on the building > Remove any efflorescence > Offer an extremely long-lasting building solution, with low maintenance expense and being easy-to-repair, if at all needed > Are lightweight, fast and easy to install, making it ideal for old building renovations > The installation of various utilities can be easily hidden right behind the actual façade

What are key components of a ventilated façade?

Components of ventilated façades include the original Main Wall, which can be made of concrete, brick, or wood. The air cavity, which as written, is an open area. Thermal insulation, which is generally made of fiberglass sheets, mineral wool or polystyrene. Framing, which in most cases consists of anodized aluminum, can also be made with natural aluminum, galvanized steel, stainless steel or wood. The attachment method for the exterior panels, which can be done via the mechanical method, the chemical method, or a combination of both. And last, the façade’s covering, which can be one of many of today’s panels approved for ventilated façades. These include thin gauged porcelain tiles, regular porcelain tiles, high pressure laminates, fiber cement boards, pressed mineral wool, aluminum composite materials and a plethora of other certified coverings. Give us some info on how these were first installed in America: > When ventilated façades were first introduced to the Americas, there were few options for installation methods other than using mechanical means. This included using rivets and screws to fasten panels.

> When problems associated with this method appeared, the process moved to clips, which were functionable, but added a non-aesthetic appearance due to being visible on the front of the façade. Therefore, a new kind of hidden clip was developed.

> As time passed, certain problems, risks and challenges associated with most mechanical methods surfaced.

Screws could be seen and possibly could become unattractively rusty.

Screws misaligned could actually weaken and deform the panel, resulting in a higher percentage of damaged panels, requiring special tools, generating noise and dust generation and overall, being more expensive.

Unsightly exposed clips can be aesthetically non-pleasing and can also stain and

Daniel Sanchez

vibrate. And if a clip breaks, a panel could ultimately disconnect from the wall and fall off. Hidden clips can weaken the panel, cause vibration, are time-consuming and generally need special tools to be installed. Using them can also be labor-intensive and generally, quite expensive.

Was there an alternative installation regimen to the mechanical method?

Yes. Roughly 30 years ago in Europe, structural adhesives initially developed for the transportation industry (automotive, rails and aerospace) were adapted to be used in multiple construction applications, ventilated façades being one of these. This process was termed “The Chemical Method.”

What are clear-cut advantages The Chemical Method offers?

Once installers are educated regarding the best ways to use The Chemical Method, the speed of affixing panels can be much faster than with other types of installation. Being a “blind attachment method” (no visible screws, clips, or other mechanical fasteners) results in an ultimately more aesthetic cladded area. Additionally, no electricity is required on-site, and that results in no dust and/or noise caused by drilling and screwing. Furthermore, thinner wall panels can be used. A good example is today’s wide offering of thin gauged porcelain panels. An elastic adhesive is also more resistant to vibrations and tremors and clearly, offers favorable stress distribution. And last if a panel attached via the chemical method breaks. It will not fall down.

Why did the chemical method become accepted and specified in Europe and Latin America prior to it coming to North America?

The answer to that is simple. Most panel manufacturers for ventilated façades worldwide have been European based companies, which in some cases were involved in the development of these chemical methods, as early as three decades ago. In Latin America, architects and developers were very open to trying new items. Especially if they could benefit economically by being more time-efficient or differentiating themselves from others. In the last few years, there have been numerous projects throughout the United States, including many chain hotel installations. The benefits of this way to install ventilated façades has grown and continues to do so.

Are there new opportunities in construction that The Chemical Method offers?

Yes. The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the professional installation of ceramic tile and natural stone. Bart Bettiga, Executive Director of the NTCA has said, “Our membership includes America’s top tile and stone installation professionals, in particular our ‘Five-Star Installers.’ These people have clearly recognized the opportunities offered via exterior cladding and have thus, began working with rainscreen systems. We see this market as being a viable one for our members.”

What about today’s climate and rising energy changes? Does The Chemical Method meet the challenges posed by these two items?

Climatic changes and rising energy prices worldwide are dictating that today’s buildings be resistant to fluctuations in weather and able to cut down high expenses of heating and cooling interiors. Construction techniques that have become norms have been fashioned after the phrase, “the need for speed.” One way to meet these challenges is to build more buildings with ventilated façades. And another way is to clad them with certified surfacing material and doing so with a newer and better technique. By using The Chemical Method. CCR

Ron Treister is a marketing communications specialist. For three decades, he has worked with major accounts in the commercial construction sector. He can be reached at rontreister@gmail.com.

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