Your building’s façade is the first thing people see, and let’s be honest – it’s probably the most important part of the whole structure when it comes to both looks and function. Over the past decade, construction methods and technologies have evolved incredibly fast. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into some of the façade systems that are taking over modern buildings today.
What’s a Façade?
Simply put, the façade is the front-facing exterior of a building – it’s what makes your structure look good and does a bit of heavy lifting on the practical side too. Design-wise, the façade dictates how the building looks and gives passersby a hint of what’s going on inside. But it’s not all about aesthetics. From a technical standpoint, the façade shields it from the elements, helps with insulation, and controls light and airflow. In other words, it’s pretty crucial.
What are Façade Systems?
Quite a while ago, façades were part of the building’s actual structure. But modern façades have evolved into non-load bearing elements made up of various façade systems. These elements don’t just sit there looking pretty; they handle almost everything – from resisting wind (laterally and vertically), to protecting the building from the elements, to providing temperature and fire resistance, and of course, completing the whole building’s aesthetic.
Types of Façade Systems
Choosing the right façade system isn’t as simple as picking something off a shelf. It all depends on the type of building, the scale of the project, and how you want it to look. Local planning regulations can also throw a spanner in the works, influencing the materials and structures you can use. That said, here are some popular modern façade systems:
Light Steel Walling
This walling system uses light steel C-sections to wrap around the building and hold up the external cladding. The C-sections can be pre-assembled, but more often than not, they’re cut to size and pieced together on-site, fixed to U-shaped top and bottom tracks. This approach speeds up the construction process and cuts down on material waste – so you can get the job done faster and with less mess.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of these C-sections is that they can be arranged to create large openings in the façade, meaning you don’t need wind posts to hold everything together. They’re lightweight and built to withstand high wind pressures, making them the perfect choice for modern façades.
Curtain Walling Systems
Curtain walling is a lightweight metallic or glazed cladding fixed directly to the building’s structure, usually in the form of prefabricated panels. Depending on the project, you’ve got two choices: pre-assembled panels (unitized curtain walling) that arrives ready to go, or the more traditional option where the panels arrive as individual interlocking units and are pieced together on-site (stick curtain walling). The size and shape of the panels depends on the structure and design of the façade itself, so there’s a bit of custom work involved too.
Stainless Steel Brackets and Brick Slips
When it comes to brick façades on modern builds, the brickwork is usually attached to the façade through steel support systems. These are the two main systems for brickwork façades:
- Stainless steel brackets support brickwork at the floor level. You’ll find them fixed to the edge beams or slab edge of the structure – they’re solid, reliable, and get the job done
- Brick slips give the same finish as traditional brick but are lighter and easier to work with. They’re either supported by horizontal rails or sheeting, or bonded to a sheathing board that provides additional benefits like waterproofing and insulation. Basically they offer support, protection, and that classic brick look.
Rainscreen Support Systems
Rainscreen support systems are made up of rail-backed panels held in place by brackets fixed to a sturdy backing wall. The backing wall might include an infill system and often carries the insulation as well. The open-jointed panels allow for drainage and ventilation, making them incredibly weather-resistant.
What’s great about these systems is their versatility. They offer a wide range of framing options to suit different materials and design styles, helping you achieve the perfect aesthetic while keeping everything functional and dry.
Facade Systems with Kladworx
At Kladworx, we’re all about quality – providing bespoke, A-certified façade systems that stand up to the demands of the construction industry. Our range covers everything from cladding and SFS infills to support systems, brick slips, flashing, and coping – sourced from some of the top distributors on the market. That means you can trust the products we offer to get the job done right. Want to see more? Explore our product range or get in touch with us today for all the details.
